1990s Alvarez-Yairi DY-71 Dreadnought Guitar
Like other Alvarez-Yairi guitars, this is a Japanese-made, high-quality instrument. It's a fairly typical dreadnought that's sort-of in the Martin mold sonically except that the lower bout is more of a Gibson J-style shape and width. It's got an interesting (synthetic) bridge and features tons of tortoise binding and details -- including a tortoise headstock veneer reminiscent of some '40s Martin 17-series models.
All I did so far on this fellow is a quick setup and replacement of a (junk) undersaddle pickup with a spare (better) K&K pickup. It plays fast and easy and is easy on the eyes as well. The top is solid -- it looks more like spruce to me but specs online say these are cedar, so it might just be. It certainly has that lush/sweet cedar sound. The back and sides are ply koa and this one has some nice, medium figure to the veneer.
Aside from the pickup, it appears to be original throughout.
Repairs included: setup, pickup swap, adjustments.
Top wood: solid cedar?
Back & sides wood: ply koa
Bracing type: x
Bridge: synthetic
Fretboard: rosewood (dyed)
Neck wood: mahogany family
Action height at 12th fret: 3/32” bass 1/16” treble (fast, spot-on)
String gauges: 54w-12 lights
Neck shape: slim-med C/soft V
Board radius: ~14"
Truss rod: adjustable
Neck relief: straight
Fret style: medium
Scale length: 25 3/8"
Nut width: 1 11/16"
Body width: 16 1/4"
Body depth: 5"
Weight: 4 lbs 10 oz
Condition notes: it's crack-free and in good order throughout with only minor playwear here and there. The fretboard shows play but it's not bunged-up. Both the headstock veneer and pickguard are a little curled-up at the corners in places but mostly all tucked-down. I would have to pull both up entirely to reglue them flat so I've left them as-is. The frets have very minor wear in first position but aren't fretting-out or getting zippy. I could level/dress them fore a sale if this is any concern.
It comes with: a nice hard case.
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