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

[@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.

[@Oculus729]

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

[@patrickdev8211]

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

[@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!

[@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.

[@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

[@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.

[@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.

[@jimlashell9190]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@dg111fu]

Can't really go wrong with either one.

[@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.

[@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?

[@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.

[@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

[@waynzwhirled6181]

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

[@howtorepairpendulumclocks]

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

[@user-tx8uc3iw3w]

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

[@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.

[@acidbran]

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

[@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!!!

[@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!

[@abrahamdavidsmith]

This is exactly the video I needed.

[@BuckHelton]

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

[@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.

[@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.

[@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.

[@lilycat1694]

Both incredible. Yamaha by a small amount.

[@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.

[@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.

[@michaelenosmusic]

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

[@lhvent]

My two favorite guitar brands.

[@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!

[@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.

[@Big.E]

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

[@happytrails1963]

ramen westerns so good 🤠

[@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 .

[@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.

[@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.

[@benja1378]

Pleas next compare them to Furch! :)

[@heitorhenriquejr5356]

Do one with Takamine as well

[@azymuth3715]

Like the yamaha sounds more articulated in the notes

[@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

[@imri2541]

Yairi vs Furch!!

[@johnjones-uc3ni]

I own a Yairi fym60hd and a Furch yellow plus OM. They are both outstanding guitars. The Yairi has more low end and is louder. It is great for bluegrass and traditional music. The Futch is better for contemporary and pop music played fingerstyle. They are both built well. I couldn't pick one over the other. Just glad I get to play both.

[@the-LeoKnightus]

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

[@martymooney8099]

That Yamaha sounds best IMO

[@venturaVlogger]

I tend to go for the yamaha

[@drewheyman7173]

Haiti sounds tinny. I was very surprised

[@ScottRandall31]

Yamaha for me…crazy sustain!

[@giordanodimarzo4205]

Yamaha warmer an fuller

[@einerreklov4304]

I prefer the Alvarez - clearer tone.

[@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

[@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.

[@arniebaird7852]

The Alvarez sounds better to my ears.

[@UncleDanBand64]

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

[@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

[@darrellcollins877]

Yamamama sound better to me

[@SleeplessInDallas]

compare the new facial hair looks too

[@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 !!!