1977 K. Yairi YC90 natural

Very Good condition, 7,5/10, Made in Japan, no case, some dents in the top, 665mm scale, 52mm wide nut, Established in 1935, K. Yairi guitars have been made under the watchful eye of the son of the founder Kazuo Yairi. Around 30 people hand-make these amazing instruments in Kani, in the mountains of Honshu, Japan. The woods are hand-selected and air, not kiln, dried for 5-10 years, logs are cut in the on-site sawmill, all guitars have hand fitted dovetailed neck joints. Kazuo has a plaque in his workshop which reads: "There is no other way of surviving except through high quality". The 73 year old master luthier took over the family business from his father in 1965 and has earned a reputation for making beautiful hand crafted acoustic guitars appreciated by world renowned artists such as: Paul McCartney, Ritchie Blackmore, Bob Weir & Jerry Garcia, Crosby, Stills & Nash, Carlos Santana, U2, Monte Montgomery & Ani Difranco.

This beautiful example features a fine-grained solid Cedar top, Rosewood back and sides, Mahogany neck, and Rosewood fretboard and bridge. Purflings and bindings are of contrasting timber strips, and give a stunning finish to this beautifully made guitar. The 'skunk stripe' on the back of the neck is Ebony, and the headstock displays the cutout stylised 'Y' that was used on the upper-end Yairi guitars.