Yamaha vs. Alvarez Yairi | Made In Japan Acoustic Guitar Battle

[@jmsamborski]

Awesome, thanks guys. This is the review I’ve wanted. This solidified what I thought I’ve been hearing when I originally set out to buy one using separate reviews of the two a year ago. I didn’t have the ability to play both in person and had to rely on headphones, ultimately picking up the FG9M blind. It’s become my favorite guitar but I still wondered about the DYM60 and this helped me permanently put that thought to rest. Both are great, but the FG9M is like the perfect meld of classic Martin and a touch of modern with in my view, the best ever visual esthetics.

[@treetopher9342]

Yamaha is richer and fuller sounding. Yairi has more overtones and the notes have a quicker deflection. Also Alvarez have stated they’re running out of the old growth mahogany and that 2024 is the last year. I’m sure they’ll keep the same tonewood lineup after that, but it won’t be seasoned old growth.

[@patrickdev8211]

That Yairi is just incredible. I love mine and it plays just incredibly.

[@hi1guy1]

It was hard for me to choose a pickup for my FYM66HD because everything sounded insane inside it. Mic'ing it is just incredible, as stated. I don't another that inspires playing like it does.

[@seanhallahan14]

Of course, thank you for this. Dunno Bud Dillion but certainly remember the original Shangri-Las! Without even getting past 1:26, I think these 2 guitars don't belong in a "vs". They belong in a high minded conversation regarding their distinctive stories and tones for the delight of prospective buyers and the rest of us! Well done.

[@leerothman7570]

I had Sweetwater ship me a Yairi DYM60HD to try out. The low E string had outstanding output. The rest didn't beat a Yamaha a luthier adjusted LL-TA (action and slotless peg setup) I have. I sent it back as the feel playing it simply didn't trip my trigger. I went all in trying a FG9 and it came setup near perfect right out of the box. It had all around greater output (volume) and the low end was overall more punch with a sweeter high end. The action was near like butter (which the Alvarez was not). The neck on the Yamaha wins hands down as well. To each their own. I had Martins (8 of them) over the last 50 years and a couple of Taylors. The Yamaha is for me the pinnacle.

[@1deadtoe707]

Wow, you guys do you have nice jobs. this Alverez had a really smooth and nice low end. But we are really not really comparing apples to apples. I'm fairly sure the Yamaha has a torrified top. I believe what made the difference in sound was the 50 year old Honduran mahogany back and sides on the Yairi. It's very hard to compete with that. Thanks for the video, and I wish I could play them both.

[@williamjohnson154]

Couldn't wait to click on, how fantastic that you did this. The Yamaha is so lovely and sweet and clear but warm, still precise. The Yairi is ringing and resonant and broader, the sustain amazing, fits my ear slightly better. Both just gorgeous. Is it worth mentioning the difference in tonewoods even though in name they're the same? Yamaha is African Mahogany (Khaya species) whereas Yairi is true Honduran. So the bridge and wood species and its aging, in addition to bracing differences, would explain the tonal and volume differences. Thanks again, stellar content.

[@borisurzica7497]

I absolutely agree with you!

[@SaintKimbo]

As the owner of 2 K.Yairi's and 1 Alvarez Yairi I'm used to the clarity and sweet treble that these guitars are famous for, but that Yamaha just floored me , it sounds sublime.

[@Oculus729]

I'm a Alvarez guy. That Yairi is fantastic.

[@waynzwhirled6181]

I think you described the similarities and differences as well as anyone could have. Excellent review. Thank you.

[@dg111fu]

Can't really go wrong with either one.

[@mikeconway727]

Man I almost picked up one of the Yairi’s at Sweetwater this weekend but I just couldn’t pull the trigger. Man am I regretting that right now lol

[@adolfo935]

Why not buy from Alamo? They are much better than sweet water

[@mikeconway727]

@@adolfo935 well I live in Ohio, so Sweetwater is a much closer drive for me lol. And they had a used one for $2300 at Sweetwater. If I were to buy a new one, I would definitely buy from either my local shop or Alamo

[@architypeone8646]

Thanks for the comparison. I can hear that the Yairi probably has a deep well of power if you dig into it....good note separation without sounding thin. The Yamaha sounds great, very warm and rounded, but I'd like to hear it pushed harder...my feeling is that it might get a little "blurry" at a higher volume. Can't go wrong with either one.

[@FormerlyknownasT]

Thanks guys .. I waa hoping ye would do this comparison.. I asked .. ye came through 😎 Greetings from Ireland 🇮🇪

[@BuckHelton]

Both beautiful instruments, similar in so many ways, yet tonaly so very different.

[@jimlashell9190]

Cooper you are an amazing player! Personally I like the tone and the depth of the sound of the Yamaha better

[@abrahamdavidsmith]

This is exactly the video I needed.

[@texhaines9957]

Cooper or Chris, how would the Yairi compare with the Furch dreadnoughts with the double cut and sound suits near the bout? Since you have heard both, which might be the most powerful (louder)? Thanks for this comparison.

[@lhvent]

My Alvarez AD66SHB and my Yamaha FG830 are among my favorite guitars in a entry level price, but play and sound way above their price range.

[@apegrasshoplizard]

So does my Crafter HT-250CE and it's made in China.

[@LegsON]

If every budget guitar sounds and plays out of its price range, are they really out of their price range?

[@jameshicks6990]

I bought my first acoustic from you goys when I retired and wanted to take up guitar again. My Yamaha FSX 800C vintage top has been great. After a great setup by my local luthier here in Charlotte it sounds and plays great. Its the cheapest guitar I now have but I go to it most of the time because it just sounds so good!!!

[@hi1guy1]

Yairi's are just Yairi's and really can't be compared to anything else. The sound/projection is so unique you know it when you hear it. They are an absolute joy to play and inspire you to play more, which is the mark of a quality intsrument imo. I own quality Martins and they will always have their place in the tribe but the Yairi's, model for model blow them away. Yairi's OM's are like little D28's. They roar. Chords ring like a bell and sound identical up and down the neck. I have a few Japanese made Yamahas (one older/one newer) and they are nice, well made guitars. They're not Yairi's. The necks on Yairi's are the most comfortable I've ever played, compound carved just butter. You'd have to get into the LR/LL or FG/FS class to match a Masterworks and the cost difference is considerable. $ for $ Alvarez-Yairi is as good as it gets.

[@johnwashburn3793]

I'm happy that I am content with my Adirondack topped D-18GE.

[@kippsguitar6539]

Way overpriced

[@johnwashburn3793]

@kippsguitar6539 I don't think so. The store was closing forever and everything was half-price. I paid $2000.00 and it is amazing!

[@kippsguitar6539]

@@johnwashburn3793 outrageous overrated and overpriced, you wouldn't be able to tell the difference on a blindfold test to a 590 Dollar guitar, I've played dozens of them and there are many as good and better for a fraction of the cost, ripoff

[@johnwashburn3793]

@kippsguitar6539 Perhaps blindfolded, you might appreciate it. I doubt if you would enjoy my CEO-7 either. I do have a '70s Alvarez made in Japan dreadnought that you might like... You probably wouldn't like my wife either, but most people do. I don't know who passed in your Cheerios this morning, but I hope that you enjoy the rest of your day.

[@ronaldbaglien3457]

I've always liked the Yamaha sound and initially felt it had a more mid forward and fuller sound. But the bass response of the Yairi really grows on you!

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

Totally great review. Thank you. Alvarez sounds like divine vanilla ice-cream

[@briangreig5985]

I got a Alvarez Yairi DYM60HD as my first "serious" acoustic guitar. I was dead set on a Martin or maybe a Taylor, and I live by Sweetwater so I could go for hours and play just about any guitar you can recommend. A sales rep showed me that Yairi, and I was immediately blown away. Made from literally some of nicest wood available for guitar and handcrafted by luthiers, my guitar should would cost double what it is if it was a Martin or Taylor. Mine will make sound even if I hold the strings down because the wood itself will vibrate with sound without the strings. It's wild. Try one if you can!

[@ralfybaby]

Scored one slightly used off reverb, on the way! So excited !!! will be an upgrade from my MD60BG Masterworks which I also love ....

[@mikedproducer]

@@ralfybaby You'll love it!

[@ralfybaby]

@mikedproducer I do. So does my lass. She wants me to.play it for her all rhe time 😁

[@Aurora-cv5to]

wow, the Yairi tone is gorgeous. Your comment that it is more articulate is something I was struggling to put words to. It's like it has different separation so the notes are more distinct? Anyway, both are gorgeous and I can't afford either one.

[@jjallyn3151]

Alvarez also said recently that this is the last year of the 50 year old Honduran mahogany so next years will be great but not aged as long wood

[@MrDonovant]

i have the DYM60HD. I bought it after going to Soundpure in Durham and playing a bunch of D 18s. Custom shop, sinker… A bunch. I was shocked that none of them really blew me away! Lol very expensive. I also played a Santa Cruz, Lowden and collings Hog/spruce.. the guitar that blew me away more than any other d18 type what is the bourgeois country boy. They had a used one and they were asking $4500 for it. I really love that guitar! But I didn't have that much money. I always remembered the JP Comier video about the DYM60 HD and I hit him up on messenger and he just told me get it. You're gonna be so happy. I bought it on his recommendation and it is everything I wanted! I don't have the bourgeois to compare it with, but it has that same impression. This video does capture the sound of my guitar.! It's so light as well. I was pretty surprised. Flawless workmanship. I love love love it. I've never played a better dreadnought. I gave it to my Lucier guitar playing friend to put a strap button on it and he has a HD 28 that is his baby that he bought in the 90s and he has done a lot of work on it to get it playing the way he wants. He has had to really tweak it, he doesn't let anyone touch the guitar. I have never played that guitar lol… and he was blown away by my guitar. he said that it was perfect! He said that the fright board is completely even or flat or something and that it's like impossible to do that! He said that he would be perfectly happy to trade his HD 28 that he loves so much and worked so hard to get it playing the way he likes, with my Yairi. He really really didn't want to give it back to me lol

[@acidbran]

As a drummer singer who plays some guitar, the Yamaha is better for me, but both are gorgeous. Nice review guys.

[@michaelenosmusic]

i'm team alvarez..most definitely. even though i love Yamaha too.

[@philcottone2247]

Years ago I learned guitar on a Yamaha. It was inexpensive but I liked it. I've been looking at a d18 modern deluxe but now I think I need to do a side by side with this Yamaha.

[@WoodworkerDan]

There are so many goo mahogany guitars that it is hard to choose. I love the look of the D18 Modern DeLuxe, but I'm not sure how I feel about the tone. I think I want something that looks like the Modern DeLuxe but sounds like the D18 Authentic.

[@BobDorfman]

Great comparison, fantastic sounding guitars. I’d have a very difficult time choosing between them. Completely different sound, but both excellent to my ears. Thanks, guys!

[@timcox6796]

Is that Yairi mahogany guitar from the batch they were advertising a couple years ago built from old stock Honduran Mahogany? They found a shed full of old Honduran stashed years ago by Yairi himself (after he died) and were making guitars from it. Was wondering if that is still the case. If so, that makes the Yairi pretty special in itself.

[@lhvent]

My two favorite guitar brands.

[@PaulGAckerman]

I wonder where Cooper was when he was listening to Buck Owens. Maybe he was looking out his back door?

[@charlesbranch4120]

I enjoyed the band's set break song at a bar in south Idaho one weekend, and finally discovered it was Buck Owens' "Buckaroo" more than twenty years later.

[@joeyoungs8426]

I have a 40 year old cedar topped Yairi that I use GHS white bronze 13’s on and no neck reset in sight. I’m team Alvarez all the way.

[@Anton-ji4td]

The FG9M sounds amazing.

[@limjunyih9791]

Thanks for the awesome A/B. Love these two brands! Will you be doing A/B for the FS9M vs YFM60HD pretty pls?

[@BonnieHess]

I love my Alvarez MFA70. I also have Taylor 214 CEK. And other guitars. I am now looking for a guitar in that range. Mahogany and spruce would be wonderful if I knew what to get. There are really no good places near here to try them out. I am a finger picker who rarely uses flat picking. I use thumb pick often, but prefer bare fingers. What are your suggestions for my forever guitar? The one guitar here I know I will never sell is my Alvarez. I have never had a Yamaha or anything over 1500.00.

[@HayesTech]

And if you can't afford the Yiari, they have their more affordable Alvarez version, made in China, that are outstanding guitars for under $1000.00. I have and reviewed the Alvarez MD60BG, which is all solid wood and dovetail neck joint. I contacted Alvarez, to check on specs and they do not use epoxy in their guitars. They use only wood glue.

[@WoodworkerDan]

I like the Yamaha, mostly because of the tone, but also because to me it is a better looking guitar. Also, I appreciate Cooper's playing, but it is very different from the way I play and it is hard for me to tell how a guitar will work for me, so I wish both Cooper and Chris would play so I can get a better idea.

[@kurt8805]

Very different sound. The Yairi would cut through in a bluegrass jam better, while the Yamaha's warmer sound would be better for accompanying a singer. I've had the the DYM60HD and it's strong point is its projection -- a bluegrass flatpiçker's guitar. I'd like to try the Yamaha but it sure is difficult to stomach the price.

[@lilycat1694]

Both incredible. Yamaha by a small amount.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

They are both great guitars. I prefer the bench made Alveraz Yairi over the production built Yamaha.

[@callaway5148]

I believe those guitars have different scale lengths, with the Yamaha being shorter. I have always perceived longer scale guitars to be tighter and more punchy. I wonder how much the scale length is a difference in those two.

[@PeteA54]

To my old ears, the Yamaha has the rich, full tone typical of Martins while the AY has the brightness and overtones typical of Taylors. I am a fan of the former.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

Initially the Yamaha will sound more mellow because of the torrified top. But will it get any better as time goes by? The Alveraz Yairi will continue to mature as it ages and gets played. I bought my Fym60hd two years ago. It was a little harsh. Today it sounds much different. The top has matured and it starting to get a light golden hue to what was once a creamy white color. The bass is awesome for an orchestra body guitar. Much sustain and lush overtones. No where close to a Taylor. But also not like a Martin. Definitely more balanced than a Martin.

[@Big.E]

Awesome guitarist and guitars I'd have either of them 👍

[@slpc30]

Both incredible sounding and looking guitars .live coopers playing but i love when cooper and Chris both demo you all are both amazing players with different stiles .the Yamaha is very rich sounding lije an amazing traditional guitar .the Alvarez serns to have a little more modern lead tone bith top notch guitars

[@Rickeydenler]

Alvarez Yari all the way clear defined sharp loud notes amazing sounding guitar it would work well in a guitar circle

[@jovanmilosevskimilosevski6264]

It’s very essy to notice how responsive A Yairi is . Just incredible. Can’t say the same for Yamaha .

[@Joe-m6p6b]

I bought a Yamaha FG-9R. Killer guitar even Compared to my fantastic sounding Martin CS 21 -11/ AdiMadi .

[@benja1378]

Pleas next compare them to Furch! :)

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

Furch makes great guitars. I bought a Furch yellow three years ago. I bought a Alveraz Yairi Honduran series two years ago. Last month I realized I was reaching for the Yairi every day. While the Furch sat in its case. I sold the Furch. If you want a Furch you will be getting an awesome guitar. I have no complaints. Just don't buy a Yairi after. Lesson learned.

[@imri2541]

Yairi vs Furch!!

[@dariusdina8561]

Can you do this with a Takamine P7DC

[@happytrails1963]

ramen westerns so good 🤠

[@the-LeoKnightus]

I think the Alvarez might record a lil better, But the Yamaha sounds sweeter in the room.

[@markseelye8270]

I’ve had my Yairi DYM60HDE almost 3 years now and it sounds better all the time. I also have a Yamaha Red Label. Also a great guitar. Plugged in though, the Yairi blows the Yamaha away. (the Yamaha was $1200 less). But, even my 1990 Yairi WY1 OM blows the Yamaha away plugged in with 34 year old factory pickups. I always play plugged in. The Red Label is very sweet unplugged though.

[@heitorhenriquej]

Do one with Takamine as well

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

Thus video is for serious guitars! Just kidding. Takamine makes great guitars too.

[@azymuth3715]

Like the yamaha sounds more articulated in the notes

[@JosephMcDermott-d4o]

I like both but I like the sound of the Yamaha a little more.

[@jimmycollette9209]

Two very equal guitars. How can you decide. Sit down and play both side by side and get the one that talks to you. I would take either.

[@Rickeydenler]

Lets face it they sell the guitars they're not cutting nothing down no matter how bad and much they may hate it.

[@drewheyman7173]

Haiti sounds tinny. I was very surprised

[@ScottRandall31]

Yamaha for me…crazy sustain!

[@derekvickery]

Alvarez has better note separation and projection as well as more overtones. Yamaha more mellow. Both sound great, just different.

[@martymooney8099]

That Yamaha sounds best IMO

[@einerreklov4304]

I prefer the Alvarez - clearer tone.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

This isn't even a contest. For $600 less the Alveraz Yairi is by far the best buy.

[@viniciuseduardobomfim]

Alvarez refuses to say what finish they apply to the guitar, so it is most likely Poly. Whilst Yamaha has no reason to hide that the FG9 and FS9 are Nitro finished. Nitro finishes require a lot more time to be a applied and therefore costs more as a whole. Not only that, the health risks involved during work, neither finish should be inhaled but Nitro *(even modern formulas which are a lot less toxic)* will gift you the Big C a lot sooner if you're not careful. As for playing, can't talk about the Yairi's myself as I never had the privilege of even seeing one in person, but every single FG9 and FS9 *(five S's and eight G's)* I tried was set up to perfection out of the box and ready to rock.

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

Alveraz Yairi does use polyurethane. But they do an excellent job using a thin layer than is more stable and durable than nitro.

[@viniciuseduardobomfim]

@@johnjones-uc3ni thanks for the info :) I don't have a horse in the race of which finish is better, never have I believed the whole bs that Nitro allows the wood to breathe... It's been dead since the tree got cut down ffs. Generally I like the feel of Nitro in the hands better, the smell is more pleasant to me as well.

[@anthonymaccherone]

Back door deals. Guitars for Vets only accepts money to buy Yamaha guitars. I learned this when I tried to donate a Seagull guitar to them. I liked the Yamaha I owned way back. The Yairi is one of the best guitars I have ever played. Not happy with the back door deals. Money went into someone's pocket.

[@kippsguitar6539]

I tried a Japanese Yamaha here in Bangkok last week in a Yamaha main dealerahip and it was horrible, big surprise to me after all the reviews and I probably got a duffer, maybe a one off but that's what it was

[@s.k.3483]

Cooper and Chris suggest in one of their tutorials that guitars that sit around in music stores often need new strings and changing them out brings them back to life. Also these are the Yamaha renaissance red label type remake models that harken back to their earlier mid-century favorites, so that would make the difference.

[@kippsguitar6539]

@s.k.3483 that's obvious, I've been buying guitars longer than those two combined and this Yamaha was a duffer, I once had an apx 12 string and the bridge bulged after a couple of years, overpriced mass produced

[@giordanodimarzo4205]

Yamaha warmer an fuller

[@UncleDanBand64]

Great guitars but, Since all of my gigging is with Electricity I can't justify a guitar like that.

[@Tigerex966]

U want yamaha top neck headstock alvarez back and sides and bridge and bill gates bank account.

[@jasper_north]

Just sold my FG5… sorry… tones are all over the place… and the neck is bolded on… no vibrations for this.

[@AndreRMeyer]

@jasper_north I own a Yamaha FG9m, a Lakewood A-22 custom and a Ian Chisholm Model '0', all three with bolt on necks. Plus, Friday the 16th of August '24 my prepaid Yamaha FS9r is sheduled to arrive. Greetings from the sunny climes of Basle, Switzerland

[@jasper_north]

@@AndreRMeyer Amsterdam here

[@DrunkenRhinoceros]

The Alvarez sounds weaker in the low end compared to the yami.

[@arniebaird7852]

The Alvarez sounds better to my ears.

[@CameraLaw]

In this comparison, I absolutely loved Cooper playing the Yamaha until … he switched to the Alvarez Yairi. To me, there is something kinda mystical about that sound. Can’t explain it, but I just closed my eyes and let the notes flow over me. Sorry … ramblings of an old hippie.

[@SleeplessInDallas]

compare the new facial hair looks too

[@darrellcollins877]

Yamamama sound better to me

[@jasper_north]

Yairi bridge hurts my eyes… because of it it would be difficult to like one for me. MARTIN is the way.

[@treetopher9342]

Takes some getting used to I agree, but I’d at least play on one sometime just to see how ya like it

[@jasper_north]

@@treetopher9342Well… it will sound great for sure but… looks are extremely important also. It is a mix of tone, looks and price

[@treetopher9342]

I hear ya there and fully agree. That said I remember hating how telecasters looked until I heard a solo that inspired me to try one. Now I’m a fan of them and I even like how they look, but I still think there are better looking guitars lol.

[@AndreRMeyer]

@jasper_north … If there's a bustle in your hedgerow, don't be alarmed now It's just a spring clean for the May queen Yes, there are two paths you can go by, but in the long run There's still time to change the road you're on…

[@jasper_north]

@@AndreRMeyer k

[@GianoOudeis72]

MI è BASTATO SENTIRE POCHI SECONDI DELL'UNA E POCHI SECONDI DELL'ALTRA E LA YAMAHA NON HA EGUALI; SUONO PIù CORPOSO E ARTICOLATO è LA NUMERO 1 !!!