
( Brand: K-yairi ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: BY20 ), ( Model: BY20 VIHUELA ), ( String Configuration: 12 String ), ( Model Year: 1981 ), ( Handedness: Right-handed ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: Japan ), ( Type: Electric Guitar )
The Yairi By20 1981 Vihuela is a stunning and rare 6-course instrument that showcases the fine craftsmanship and dedication to traditional Spanish guitar making that Yairi is known for. This particular vihuela was custom-ordered in 1981 and has been meticulously preserved, maintaining its near-mint condition.
The body of this vihuela is crafted from the finest Spanish cypress wood, which provides a rich, resonant tone with excellent projection and clarity. The top is made from carefully selected, graded European spruce, ensuring optimal structural stability and tonal balance. The back and sides are fashioned from premium Indian rosewood, prized for its resonance and durability.
The six courses of the Yairi By20 1981 Vihuela are strung with traditional Spanish nylon strings, allowing for a warm, mellow sound and exceptional playability. Each course features delicately crafted, timber bridge pins, allowing the strings to seat securely and transfer the vibrations effectively to the instrument's body.
The neck of this vihuela is constructed from high-quality Spanish cedar, providing the ideal balance between strength and flexibility. The fingerboard and bridge are crafted from ebony, adding to the instrument's timeless beauty and durability. The symmetrical, trimmed frets deliver smooth playability and superior intonation, enabling the performer to effortlessly navigate the various courses.
The Yairi By20 1981 Vihuela boasts an intricately detailed rosette, beautifully executed decorative purfling, and exquisitely crafted machine heads, which evoke the ornate aesthetic of traditional Spanish guitar making. The satin finish accentuates the exquisite grain and figuring of the wooden components, bringing out the true natural beauty of the instrument.
Despite being over four decades old, the Yairi By20 1981 Vihuela has been lovingly cared for and remains in near-mint condition. The untouched finish exhibits very few signs of wear, and the instrument plays with the clarity and precision that one would expect from a brand new vihuela. Whether you're a seasoned performer or a collector seeking to expand your Spanish guitar collection, this custom-ordered 6-course Yairi By20 1981 Vihuela is a rare and exquisite find worth consideration.
Pros of buying a Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela custom-ordered 6-course (near-mint):1. High-Quality Craftsmanship: Yairi is a renowned Japanese luthier known for producing exquisite traditional Japanese instruments. The BY20 1981 vihuela is a custom-ordered 6-course instrument, meaning it was crafted specifically to the buyer's preferences, ensuring a unique and personalized playing experience. The near-mint condition adds to the overall value of the instrument.
2. Authenticity and rarity: The 6-course vihuelas are less common in comparison to 5-course instruments. The custom order adds an extra layer of rarity. With its rich history and unique features, this Yairi vihuela is a rare collectible item for a serious collector or niche player.
3. Semi-treated Sitka Spruce top: This particular Yairi vihuela features a semi-treated sitka spruce top, which results in superior sound quality and longevity. Sitka Spruce is known for its excellent sound projection, balance, and tone.
4. Durability: Vihuelas are made from traditional materials like cypress wood for the back, sides, and neck, and ebony for the fingerboard. These materials are known for their durability and resistance to wear and tear, making the instrument a suitable long-term investment.
5. Rich Cultural Significance: The Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela is a unique piece of art that reflects the rich cultural history of Spain and Japan. By owning this instrument, you become a part of an exclusive community of musicians and enthusiasts passionate about preserving and sharing this heritage.
Cons of buying a Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela custom-ordered 6-course (near-mint):1. Higher price point: As a custom-ordered 6-course near-mint instrument, the Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela is likely to come with a higher price tag than standard available models. This higher initial investment may deter some potential buyers.
2. Limited versatility: Vihuelas are specifically designed for the repertoire of the Renaissance and Baroque eras. While the 6-course configuration does allow for a broader range of tonal possibilities, the instrument might not be suitable for playing contemporary music or styles.
3. Special care: Traditional Japanese instruments like vihuelas require specific care and maintenance to ensure their longevity. While a dedicated musician may find the additional effort worthwhile, marginally interested players might find the maintenance demands an inconvenience.
Conclusion:When considering purchasing a Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela custom-ordered 6-course (near-mint), it is essential to weigh the benefits against the potential drawbacks. The unique combination of high-quality craftsmanship, authenticity and rarity, rich cultural significance, and durability make it an enticing investment for a collector or a devoted vihuela player with a specific playing style. However, the limiting versatility, higher price point, and increased care requirements might deter less committed musicians.
In the end, if you identify with the passion for preserving rare instruments and embracing rich cultural heritage, the Yairi BY20 1981 vihuela custom-ordered 6-course (near-mint) could be the perfect addition to your collection. Alternatively, if you're looking for an instrument catering to a broader repertoire or require a lower investment, a standard 5-course Yairi vihuela might be a more suitable option.
Tonally, this guitar is gentle and chiming, with a warm, harmonically-rich wound strings smooth pluck in the upper registers. This extremely rare Yairi was ostensibly a custom-built, one-of-one instrument, with no other examples known to exist; its traditionally-built flamenco-style vihuela, featuring six courses tuned in unison nylon strings, baroque-style rosette, tapered friction tuning pegs, and ornate marquetry across the instrument. The neck profile has a smooth, open-grain feel, with couple tiny scuffs along the length that are imperceptible to palm. Master Luther Kazoo Yairi built some of Japans finest acoustic and classical guitars over the course his decades-long career, utilizing premium tone woods construction techniques.
Up for sale, a 1981 K. The unison nylon courses result in a sweet, ethereal quality very distinct to this instrument and its five-course cousin, the baroque guitar, vocal-like and sonorous. The original black Rolex hard shell case is included. Yairi BY20 vihuela in near-mint, 100% original condition, complete with the hard shell case.
Tone woods include a cedar top, flame maple back/sides, mahogany neck, and an ebony fingerboard.