As the owner of 12 Yairi's and 4 Alvarez acoustics, with two 2019 Martin Custom Shop OMCE Blue Edge Burst #33 and #36 of 50, one 2021 Takamine Blue Rose LTD, 2019 Martin OM-15 Streetmaster, 2005 Guild D-55 Honey Burst rare color(2005-07 only) all within a few steps of each other, I will always grab an Alvarez every time I am figuring out a new song, playing a capo needed song for my tenor voice or just to hear the different sounds each one makes. I even picked up an electric Alvarez Classic I from 1989, Strat style with maple F/B. I have owned American Fenders of various types, this $100 dollar electric hangs in with them all. (Yes I replaced the pups with SD HSS's) Whether heavy strumming, finger picking or just warming up the fingers for one of the electrics and my Supro or Marshall, my Alvarez/Yairi's just get the job done. And I just heard the word projection in the conversation above. It is all about the projection and quality build these guitars give you without breaking your wallet. So I will continue to buy and pay 1/2 what a like Martin cost(yes I have spent $$$$), or a Taylor with their screwed in necks and thin, cracking tops that arise over time(Don't want one). Gibson(Ren Ferguson Model), maybe, and there are a plethora of boutiques out there that we all know and some of you own. 2006 was my introduction to Alvarez via my DY 40C BKE. Now I have Brazilian, East Indian R/W and Coral R/W plus the warmth and subtle sound of Koa, solid Flame Maple and Mahogany in the sixteen,16, mentioned above. I'm in heaven. RIP Kazuo Yairi! And thanks Tom Kruszka for all the help and knowledge you have given me over the years from St. Louis Music. I just subscribed and glad I did. This was a great episode! I need a Sunburst, Alvarez that is, to round out my collection. Decisions, decisions!
That is so great to hear, @Mike Terrell, thanks for subscribing and for the feedback. We love hearing that you keep reaching for your Alvarez. If you have any questions or episode requests, let us know! 👍
What about the Alvarez Artist Elite series? $500.00 to $700.00 range. Solid wood tops with layered back and sides. Any good? Compared to a $1000.00 martin I mean.
@@jayman1338I got a Alvarez Artist Elite AGA99CEARSHB for 800$ and it’s one of the prettiest looking and sounding guitars I’ve ever heard or played. Granted I haven’t played super high end stuff but imo they blow my friends Martin out of the park and I think his cost around 2k
Great description of how bracing changes the sound output. It’s great there is so much design goes into Alvarez production guitars so they sound so good at a reasonable price. 🤗🤗🤗
Today, I bought an Alvarez Masterworks MDR70ESB, very impressive, the neck is fab. Two guys actually asked what I was playing as they both said it sound lovely. One of the actually went to try them out.
I am so grateful that your demos are populated by people who actually play acoustic guitars well and know the territory (so to speak). It establishes a level of trust and confidence that you are telling us the truth. Plus it cuts down on the squeakage. Amen
Have had many Alvarez in my life and had a dreadnaught type Alvarez that you could blind test it with anything and it was just amazing. Yairi player and owner now but love Alvarez guitars.
from the proud owner of a beautiful RD26, to which i've added a soundhole pickup and would now gladly put up against any $3,000 Taylor, and am currently using to work on an ep, thank you again gentlemen for another informative and very educational video! i learn something new with each video. in fact, i've looked and looked, but i can't find another name brand guitar company that makes educational videos like yall do, so thank you again guys for doing a great job and please keep these videos coming! also I have a request of yall can and don't mind. I am also a Cort fan and owner of a beautiful MR500E acoustic/electric. could you guys do an Alvarez vs. Cort vid?
I've had my MDR70ESB for a couple of months now and it is without a doubt the most versatile dreadnought I've ever owned. I've been playing for nearly 40 years and I am just blown away by the range of this guitar. My set lists are a mix of delicate fingerpicking and all out percussive strumming. This guitar does it all. I had actually planned on getting the DYMR70SB but I wanted something with a pick up that I could gig with (without mic'ing it up or worrying about someone spilling whiskey all over it) I am so impressed by how much guitar I got at this price point. If this design produces this fantastic tone and versatility coming out of a Chinese factory, I can only imagine what the bench model sounds like. I think I will end up getting the Yairi for home recording.
Fantastic to hear that, Bob, thank you so much for sharing with us. If you have any shots of your MDR70 that you'd like to send on please feel free. For your style this guitar is a brilliant choice, and you will love the Yairi for home recording. 👍
I bought the MDR70SB 6 months ago on a whim. It caught my eye just as I was leaving the music store. I pulled it off the rack and tuned it with my TC Electronics Unitune. I strummed an open E chord and was blown away by the fullness and resonance. The warmth and robustness. I immediately bought it and out of the 8 guitars I own, it is my favorite. Highly recommended 👌 👍 👏 💯
Excellent choice and sound without pulling your wallet inside out! Per my post above, I have many. You are now in the elite Alvarez Club. Welcome and keep on pickin'!
I have been a fan of Alvarez guitars since 1986 when I purchased an Iron Horse 5013 (Since gone) and have lusted after a Yairi. My current prized possession is my MD60BG which has become a real workhorse.
Recently bought the MDR70, absolutely love it. My only gripe is the LR Baggs element pickup. It's a newer version of the pickup and it's too hot, it just distorts at useable volumes. It's not a fault as I've tried couple guitars with the newer element pickup and same thing. LR Baggs need to look at this.
I enjoy the fact on how they are made. The guitar in the middle has the sound I go for. Volume evenness across the strings. Great guitars. I have two Alvarez guitars and I play them more than any other guitar as they play and sound better than my more expensive guitar
I have had a Grand Auditorium guitar for years and then I've bought a Alvarez RD 26 last year and in love with the sound! However the bridge is lifting and there is a belly buldge 😐😐😐 don't know if it is a manufacturing defect and there is also an issue with the neck
I bought the dymr70 new about six years ago. It is pleasing, and don't wish to sell it yet (another video said, "Keep it in the family....""). I will likely give it to my son-in-law someday.
I have an ARD70 12 Fret from 2013 with lam b/s that sounds incredible! Although I will be selling it to upgrade to the all solid MDR70. I love Alvarez guitar
I ended up selling the ARD and bought and returned the MDR70SB. While it was good nothing special. It felt like a solid wood, assembly line made guitar. I'll probably get the Yairi but I'd like to play one first 😙
If you use the Alvarez compare tool you can hear a real difference between the Yairi and the Alvarez which does not come across as well here for some reason. These chat show videos are interesting and informative. but use them in conjunction with compare which is a brilliant tool.
I was finally able to get my mdr70esb, I believe in second chances, so I got her used, but was in a near mint condition, not a single scratch. The sound it’s amazing, makes my chest resonate and feel the music that I’m playing. But I have a question that may be answered somewhere else, but here we go: it’s the “soft shell” case good for humidity control and use a himidipack? I don’t want to spend money on la hard case if the soft can make the job. I live in Georgia, my weather it’s not that bad. Any advice for the soft shell case?
Hey @roloah27, Great question! the soft shell case should protect your guitar in most climates, except when its extremely dry or cold. A hard shell case in extreme condition would also not suffice. Hope this helps, we do have a episode on this: czcams.com/video/TYzJb3w-X54/video.html
I currently own a Collings D2H and I'm seriously looking at selling it and replacing it with the Yairi DYMR70SB. I really like the sound of the 12-fret Yairi, but it's tough to find one locally here in D/FW area to play and I hesitate to order a guitar without playing it first.
@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial True, I've checked them all and none has the DYMR70SB on hand, unfortunately, but two of them have the MDR70 on hand, but it won't be quite the same as playing the Yairi, but buying online these days seems to be the only real option; I understand the challenge these small shops face when trying to balance carrying inventory & cash flow, our desire to have the best possible price makes it tough for these guys to compete
I had the MDR70SB and while it was good, nothing extraordinary. I've heard that the Yairi version IS extraordinary BUT like you said I like to try before buy. Too bad GC don't keep this in store (out of stock until the end of the year)
Lovely series, keep going A question I have is how does the fretboard+bridge wood affect the sound, if at all e.g. all other things being equal why is ebony considered such an essential for that, over, say, Rosewood
Listening through detailed Hi-res studio monitors, both guitars sound the same, maybe on the easy touch the Yairi seemed more resonant, that might be a slight difference. So, production costs and atention to detail are the main differences for these. Yairi for rich people, Masterworks for the poor. Same as Gibson and Epiphone, just that Gibson is not anymore done on a bench. So, Yairi would be more value for the money.
They're both excellent, of course, but quite different. I think you'd use one on one song and the other on a different song. At this level I don't think you have better guitars, just ones that you prefer.
STOP! I was 16 in 1977. I went to my hometown library and got the biggest thickest book on making guitars - you better know the man's name, because he is the fountainhead. So what you say is RUBBISH. The internet is ignorance amplified about so much. Most guitar reviewers know NOTHING about the science and art of luthiery.
talked for 20m and hardly played. i cannot evaluate the guitars. alvarez has no idea how to actually sell guitars, but apparently they really enjoy hearing themselves talk. must only want boomers to buy
Thanks for the warning, I won't bother watching any further. The, out-of-time mess they threw at us in the opening was horrible. I couldn't watch any further.
The way to evaluate a guitar is to go try one live. The guys are just here to explain what your getting how it’s made, materials etc. Lrt me tell you this much Alvarez Yairi is on of the best in the world bar none.
@@chillpillology I get it but it's not meant for people who understand what they are looking for in an acoustic, besides they are pushing their brand. I can tell you that Alvarez especially the Yairi line is a fine instrument and no one matches their price point. I've been playing and collecting since 1972 and my best guitars are from the Alvarez Yairi line.
Talk, talk, TAAALK ..! Thats the new MO for guitar reviewers. So sad. I was interested in the Yairi Bi-Level Bridge construction - but these guys hardly even mentioned it during their almost 20 minutes of yapping away about specs that any of us guitarists can Read about. Also - why the timid "Little Girl" strumming up and down the neck? We need to hear how the guitars sound when You really Dig IN For REAL with Powerful Strumming E, A, D, C both Major and Minor. Thats when the guitar shows its True Colors - or Fails to do so.
Ugh. Three guys yakking and next to no playing. No manufacturer stands solely on reputation these days. The competition is too great. The points made were drawn out at the expense of tonal examples.
You guys are amazing. The love of guitars is more than apparent. As an Alvarez guitar owner, i can't get enough of your videos
As the owner of 12 Yairi's and 4 Alvarez acoustics, with two 2019 Martin Custom Shop OMCE Blue Edge Burst #33 and #36 of 50, one 2021 Takamine Blue Rose LTD, 2019 Martin OM-15 Streetmaster, 2005 Guild D-55 Honey Burst rare color(2005-07 only) all within a few steps of each other, I will always grab an Alvarez every time I am figuring out a new song, playing a capo needed song for my tenor voice or just to hear the different sounds each one makes. I even picked up an electric Alvarez Classic I from 1989, Strat style with maple F/B.
I have owned American Fenders of various types, this $100 dollar electric hangs in with them all. (Yes I replaced the pups with SD HSS's)
Whether heavy strumming, finger picking or just warming up the fingers for one of the electrics and my Supro or Marshall, my Alvarez/Yairi's just get the job done. And I just heard the word projection in the conversation above. It is all about the projection and quality build these guitars give you without breaking your wallet. So I will continue to buy and pay 1/2 what a like Martin cost(yes I have spent $$$$), or a Taylor with their screwed in necks and thin, cracking tops that arise over time(Don't want one). Gibson(Ren Ferguson Model), maybe, and there are a plethora of boutiques out there that we all know and some of you own.
2006 was my introduction to Alvarez via my DY 40C BKE. Now I have Brazilian, East Indian R/W and Coral R/W plus the warmth and subtle sound of Koa, solid Flame Maple and Mahogany in the sixteen,16, mentioned above. I'm in heaven. RIP Kazuo Yairi! And thanks Tom Kruszka for all the help and knowledge you have given me over the years from St. Louis Music. I just subscribed and glad I did. This was a great episode! I need a Sunburst, Alvarez that is, to round out my collection. Decisions, decisions!
That is so great to hear, @Mike Terrell, thanks for subscribing and for the feedback. We love hearing that you keep reaching for your Alvarez. If you have any questions or episode requests, let us know! 👍
What about the Alvarez Artist Elite series?
$500.00 to $700.00 range. Solid wood tops with layered back and sides. Any good? Compared to a $1000.00 martin I mean.
@@jayman1338I got a Alvarez Artist Elite AGA99CEARSHB for 800$ and it’s one of the prettiest looking and sounding guitars I’ve ever heard or played. Granted I haven’t played super high end stuff but imo they blow my friends Martin out of the park and I think his cost around 2k
Great description of how bracing changes the sound output. It’s great there is so much design goes into Alvarez production guitars so they sound so good at a reasonable price. 🤗🤗🤗
Today, I bought an Alvarez Masterworks MDR70ESB, very impressive, the neck is fab. Two guys actually asked what I was playing as they both said it sound lovely. One of the actually went to try them out.
I am so grateful that your demos are populated by people who actually play acoustic guitars well and know the territory (so to speak). It establishes a level of trust and confidence that you are telling us the truth. Plus it cuts down on the squeakage. Amen
Thank you, Howard! We put a lot of time and thought into these demos to make them as true to sound as possible, and we're happy that comes across.
I purchased a GYM70CESHB 3 weeks ago and it is just fantastic. I couldn't be happier.
That's great to hear, Isadore! Thank you 👍
Have had many Alvarez in my life and had a dreadnaught type Alvarez that you could blind test it with anything and it was just amazing. Yairi player and owner now but love Alvarez guitars.
Thank you J S, we love hearing that! Thanks for watching today's episode. Which Yairi model do you have?
I have my new 70 Yairi since 2017. It’s bliss, rich and long resonant.
from the proud owner of a beautiful RD26, to which i've added a soundhole pickup and would now gladly put up against any $3,000 Taylor, and am currently using to work on an ep, thank you again gentlemen for another informative and very educational video! i learn something new with each video. in fact, i've looked and looked, but i can't find another name brand guitar company that makes educational videos like yall do, so thank you again guys for doing a great job and please keep these videos coming! also I have a request of yall can and don't mind. I am also a Cort fan and owner of a beautiful MR500E acoustic/electric. could you guys do an Alvarez vs. Cort vid?
Thanks for your kind words, @Jeffrey-hd3ct! They’re much appreciated. All episode suggestions are passed on. 👍
I've had my MDR70ESB for a couple of months now and it is without a doubt the most versatile dreadnought I've ever owned. I've been playing for nearly 40 years and I am just blown away by the range of this guitar. My set lists are a mix of delicate fingerpicking and all out percussive strumming. This guitar does it all. I had actually planned on getting the DYMR70SB but I wanted something with a pick up that I could gig with (without mic'ing it up or worrying about someone spilling whiskey all over it) I am so impressed by how much guitar I got at this price point. If this design produces this fantastic tone and versatility coming out of a Chinese factory, I can only imagine what the bench model sounds like. I think I will end up getting the Yairi for home recording.
Fantastic to hear that, Bob, thank you so much for sharing with us. If you have any shots of your MDR70 that you'd like to send on please feel free. For your style this guitar is a brilliant choice, and you will love the Yairi for home recording. 👍
Both guitars amazing but there's something about the Yairi that I can't put into words
I bought the MDR70SB 6 months ago on a whim. It caught my eye just as I was leaving the music store. I pulled it off the rack and tuned it with my TC Electronics Unitune. I strummed an open E chord and was blown away by the fullness and resonance. The warmth and robustness. I immediately bought it and out of the 8 guitars I own, it is my favorite. Highly recommended 👌 👍 👏 💯
Thanks, Joshua, that's brilliant and we're super happy it found a home with you.
Excellent choice and sound without pulling your wallet inside out! Per my post above, I have many. You are now in the elite Alvarez Club. Welcome and keep on pickin'!
Good play and honest reviews, guys. 👍👍👍 Thank you. Just bought Alvarez PJ- 85sc/12DVS. to my collection. Love its voice. Subscribed.
Fantastic insight into the craftsmanship. Thoroughly enjoyed watching this.
Thanks, Harry! We enjoyed this one, too. 👍
I have been a fan of Alvarez guitars since 1986 when I purchased an Iron Horse 5013 (Since gone) and have lusted after a Yairi. My current prized possession is my MD60BG which has become a real workhorse.
That's great to hear, Vinnie, thank you!
Alvarez makes a wonderful slope shoulder guitar.
Thank you Larry, we love making them. 👍
really enjoyed the conversation. not wanting to be critical but still not sure what the models are....but thank you for sharing this.
Curious why my 1981 Dy60 has mostly a matte type finish as opposed to the high gloss finishes I see here.
Recently bought the MDR70, absolutely love it. My only gripe is the LR Baggs element pickup. It's a newer version of the pickup and it's too hot, it just distorts at useable volumes. It's not a fault as I've tried couple guitars with the newer element pickup and same thing. LR Baggs need to look at this.
I enjoy the fact on how they are made. The guitar in the middle has the sound I go for. Volume evenness across the strings. Great guitars. I have two Alvarez guitars and I play them more than any other guitar as they play and sound better than my more expensive guitar
Thank you for watching, @cowboybob0452!
I have had a Grand Auditorium guitar for years and then I've bought a Alvarez RD 26 last year and in love with the sound! However the bridge is lifting and there is a belly buldge 😐😐😐 don't know if it is a manufacturing defect and there is also an issue with the neck
Thanks Ratnadip! Please reach out to us at info@alvarezguitars.com and we'll be happy to help.
I bought the dymr70 new about six years ago. It is pleasing, and don't wish to sell it yet (another video said, "Keep it in the family....""). I will likely give it to my son-in-law someday.
That will make a very special gift for your son-in-law. Thanks for watching, Rob. 👍
I have an ARD70 12 Fret from 2013 with lam b/s that sounds incredible! Although I will be selling it to upgrade to the all solid MDR70. I love Alvarez guitar
I ended up selling the ARD and bought and returned the MDR70SB. While it was good nothing special. It felt like a solid wood, assembly line made guitar. I'll probably get the Yairi but I'd like to play one first 😙
BTW this channel is highly underrated, only so many views and likes
Subscribed 👍🏽
Thank you, @kaushal suvarna! 👍
Are the yairi models available in the UK? Only place I can see selling one is in Chicago
The aren't currently sold in the UK at the moment, sorry. They can only be ordered via a US retailer.
I need help getting the right case for this mdr70esb. Any advice in the cheap-mid price? I’m not willing to buy a Martin molded case for this hehe
Could I ask the difference between Md 60 and MD70? I also like LJ 2 travel guitar, which one is best for finger style ? Thanks
What guitar is Dee Dowling playing? It has a depth and richness of tone that is outstanding!
Indian laurel for the bridge and fingerboard on the mdr70sb. Not rosewood
The back and sides are made of Solid East Indian Rosewood.
If you use the Alvarez compare tool you can hear a real difference between the Yairi and the Alvarez which does not come across as well here for some reason. These chat show videos are interesting and informative. but use them in conjunction with compare which is a brilliant tool.
I was finally able to get my mdr70esb, I believe in second chances, so I got her used, but was in a near mint condition, not a single scratch. The sound it’s amazing, makes my chest resonate and feel the music that I’m playing. But I have a question that may be answered somewhere else, but here we go: it’s the “soft shell” case good for humidity control and use a himidipack? I don’t want to spend money on la hard case if the soft can make the job. I live in Georgia, my weather it’s not that bad. Any advice for the soft shell case?
Hey @roloah27, Great question! the soft shell case should protect your guitar in most climates, except when its extremely dry or cold. A hard shell case in extreme condition would also not suffice. Hope this helps, we do have a episode on this: czcams.com/video/TYzJb3w-X54/video.html
That Masterworks held up
Absolutely love my yairi
Thank you, Matthew! Glad to hear it. 👍
I currently own a Collings D2H and I'm seriously looking at selling it and replacing it with the Yairi DYMR70SB. I really like the sound of the 12-fret Yairi, but it's tough to find one locally here in D/FW area to play and I hesitate to order a guitar without playing it first.
Hi @jertexjertex7880, the DYMR70SB is a great choice, we do have dealers in Dallas please visit alvarezguitars.com/dealer-locator/
@@AlvarezGuitarsOfficial True, I've checked them all and none has the DYMR70SB on hand, unfortunately, but two of them have the MDR70 on hand, but it won't be quite the same as playing the Yairi, but buying online these days seems to be the only real option; I understand the challenge these small shops face when trying to balance carrying inventory & cash flow, our desire to have the best possible price makes it tough for these guys to compete
Unfortunately, none of them have the DYMR70SB on hand, but thanks
The problem is finding these models in Iowa. Found a couple on reverb, but I like to try before I buy,
I had the MDR70SB and while it was good, nothing extraordinary. I've heard that the Yairi version IS extraordinary BUT like you said I like to try before buy. Too bad GC don't keep this in store (out of stock until the end of the year)
Lovely series, keep going
A question I have is how does the fretboard+bridge wood affect the sound, if at all e.g. all other things being equal why is ebony considered such an essential for that, over, say, Rosewood
A darker fretboard looks nicer, more traditional.
@@deejay.s True, but how about the sound
Does the hardness, density of say Ebony matter compared to Rosewood etc
Do they ever actually say who has which guitar?
Hey thanks for the question. Tim (left), and Dee (middle) are both playing Yairi,s, and Chris on the right is playing the MDR70SB. Hope this helps!
I love my 72 Alvarez
Listening through detailed Hi-res studio monitors, both guitars sound the same, maybe on the easy touch the Yairi seemed more resonant, that might be a slight difference. So, production costs and atention to detail are the main differences for these. Yairi for rich people, Masterworks for the poor. Same as Gibson and Epiphone, just that Gibson is not anymore done on a bench. So, Yairi would be more value for the money.
As of 2022, almost all Yairi's are rosewood back and sides, so you gotta love that damned rosewood to buy one.
not true
never have liked color of India rosewood, though I've had a couple.
Will you bring back the Blues 51?
We'll pass this along to the team!
They're both excellent, of course, but quite different. I think you'd use one on one song and the other on a different song. At this level I don't think you have better guitars, just ones that you prefer.
Thanks, Mark. We definitely agree that so much comes down to preference, and every player is different. 👍
Love Alvarez Yairi.
🎶👍
What did he say?
STOP! I was 16 in 1977. I went to my hometown library and got the biggest thickest book on making guitars - you better know the man's name, because he is the fountainhead. So what you say is RUBBISH. The internet is ignorance amplified about so much. Most guitar reviewers know NOTHING about the science and art of luthiery.
When will the Chinese Factory getting moved to Mexico
สุดยอด
Great guitars but I hate re-stringing slot- head guitars.
Relatable! We have a guy for that. (Several, actually.)
When u play ladies
According to the U.S.A. Website the
??
Too much talking and not enough PLAYING
We have a lot of playing on our channel, James! Thank you for asking, and thanks for watching 👍
0pl
talked for 20m and hardly played. i cannot evaluate the guitars. alvarez has no idea how to actually sell guitars, but apparently they really enjoy hearing themselves talk. must only want boomers to buy
Thanks for the warning, I won't bother watching any further. The, out-of-time mess they threw at us in the opening was horrible. I couldn't watch any further.
The way to evaluate a guitar is to go try one live. The guys are just here to explain what your getting how it’s made, materials etc. Lrt me tell you this much Alvarez Yairi is on of the best in the world bar none.
@@alinchitown7556 i can already read though. what they are explaining is a waste of time.
@@chillpillology I get it but it's not meant for people who understand what they are looking for in an acoustic, besides they are pushing their brand. I can tell you that Alvarez especially the Yairi line is a fine instrument and no one matches their price point. I've been playing and collecting since 1972 and my best guitars are from the Alvarez Yairi line.
@@alinchitown7556 thats why i was here! to hear the guitars. alas, not much usable material.
Talk, talk, TAAALK ..! Thats the new MO for guitar reviewers. So sad. I was interested in the Yairi Bi-Level Bridge construction - but these guys hardly even mentioned it during their almost 20 minutes of yapping away about specs that any of us guitarists can Read about. Also - why the timid "Little Girl" strumming up and down the neck? We need to hear how the guitars sound when You really Dig IN For REAL with Powerful Strumming E, A, D, C both Major and Minor. Thats when the guitar shows its True Colors - or Fails to do so.
Ugh. Three guys yakking and next to no playing. No manufacturer stands solely on reputation these days. The competition is too great. The points made were drawn out at the expense of tonal examples.
A lot easier to waffle than to play somthing good.
3 guitars 3 wannabees. Keep practicing lads, you might get somthing one day.😢😅