Condition Note: Small dings on the treble side bout.
The WY1 is a benchmark model for Alvarez-Yairi. It was Originally designed for, and with Bob Weir of the Grateful Dead, hence where the “W” came from in the model number, and was a unique body size for Yairi when it launched. AA Western Red cedar top paired with Rosewood works for all playing styles and its body size being deeper than our stand OM’s, provides more air volume and projection while still being a very comfortable size.
The WY1 has an extended dovetail neck construction that maximizes the energy transfer between the neck and body. It also allows for a wider range of rod adjustment and decreases the risk of any neck/body irregularities.
Further innovation comes with the Direct Coupled Bridge. This system displays the craftsmanship with which these guitars are made. The DC Bridge means the pins actually go into the top of the guitar, taking the vibration to the heart of the soundboard and simultaneously increasing the break angle from the saddle to the top. This increased down pressure raises string tension, giving the guitar a very responsive feel and adding quality to its volume and sustain.
Like all Yairi Masterworks, this guitar is made from premium tonewood that has been seasoned naturally for 5 to 15 years in the perfect climate of Kani. Kani is in the prefecture of Gifu in the hills north of Nagoya. This wood preparation and environment for building guitars is very important to the structural integrity of the instrument and will help to ensure decades of stability and performance from your Yairi.
Serial#: 74532
Weight: 4lbs 10oz
Top Wood: Solid AA Western Red Cedar
Body Finish: Natural/Satin
Back and Sides Wood: East Indian Rosewood
Shape: Folk/OM
Neck: One piece mahogany, 50/50 Semi gloss finish, Extended neck joint
Bridge: Rosewood Direct Coupled
Inlays: Abalone & Mother of Pearl
Fingerboard: Rosewood with 12th Abalone Fret Inlay
Purfling: 1.5mm Paua Abalone
Headstock Plate: Rosewood
Nut and Saddle: Real Bone
Tuner: Gotoh Gold
Binding: Ivoroid
Bridge Pins: Ebony
Strings: D’Addario EXP16
Accessories: Deluxe Wood Case / US Only
Bracing Systems: FST2 – Forward Shifted, Assymetric Tone Bars
Neck Joint: Dovetail, Extended Neck Joint
Neck Meets Body: 14th Fret
Number of Frets: 20
Pickup / EQ: LR Baggs StagePro EQ and Element Pick Up