{"product_id":"kazuo-yairi-yc80-1981-handmade-concert-classical-guitar-brazilian-rosewood-stunning","title":"Kazuo Yairi YC80 Handmade Concert Classical Guitar, Brazilian Rosewood Japan 1981","description":"\u003cp\u003eA rare, stunning Ramirez style Concert Guitar handmade by Kazuo Yairi in 1981. A high end model in his lineup. This one is truly one of a kind as it was a tribute to Masaru Kohno - hence the abalone inlay on the fretboard. The label inside the body of the guitar is hand-signed by the luthier.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUnquestionably, Kazuo Yairi remains a standout figure among Japanese luthiers. His classical and steel string acoustic guitars have carved a special place in the hearts of musicians worldwide, endowing them with a lasting and unique allure.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhat set Kazuo apart was his unique approach to crafting instruments. His handmade guitars, renowned for their exceptional value, are a testament to his distinctive business philosophy. A remarkable facet of this value stems from the fact that Kazuo has personally nurtured and inspired many young luthiers who have carried on his legacy by creating signature Yairi guitars. These guitars emanate from the Yairi \"factory\" nestled in Kani, located within the Gifu province of Japan. Over the years, a multitude of guitar models have been produced, with certain models exclusively tailored for overseas markets, remaining undiscovered by the US and European players.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar that you see here was built in 1981, emerging as a coveted high-end gem within the Yairi lineup of that era. This model is just a step below the YC100 and YC150, also notable for their solid figured Brazilian Rosewood backs and sides.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eRemarkably, in 1981, this fine instrument bore a price tag of 80,000 yen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt is absolutely amazing that this high-end Yairi creation was priced with a sense of modesty that was simply unprecedented, especially when you consider the equivalent instruments crafted by esteemed Japanese luthiers such as Masaru Kohno, Sakazo Nakade, and even the Yamaha company. Their pricing for instruments of similar class easily exceeded Yairi's guitars by 1.5 or even 2 times. This intentional approach to affordability not only defined Kazuo's unique business philosophy but also emerged as a pivotal element contributing to his resounding international success.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eKazuo passed away in 2014 at the age of 81.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Specs. \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Top \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Highest Grade Solid Cedar\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Back \/ Sides \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Solid Brazilian Rosewood\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Finish \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Lacquer\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Neck \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Honduras Mahogany, Natural Bone Nut\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Fingerboard \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Ebony \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Bridge \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e Rosewood, Natural Bone Saddle\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e String Length \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 650 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Nut width \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 52 \u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Action at 12 fret (1st): \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 3.5 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Action at 12 fret (6th): \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e 3.75 mm\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e Comes with Original Hard Case \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe guitar has been kept in a room with humidity set to 50% at 25 degrees (75F). \u003cbr\u003eThe action is medium to low, comfortable to play.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cb\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e More info on Kazuo Yairi \u003c\/strong\u003e \u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe tradition of making fine musical instruments in the Yairi family, \u003cbr\u003ebegan in the late 1920's. Kazuo Yairi's Father, Giichi, was an \u003cbr\u003eapprentice in the Suzuki violin company in Nagoya, Japan. \u003cbr\u003eAfter many years he became a master luthier in the Suzuki workshop. He \u003cbr\u003eleft Suzuki in 1929 and soon was producing violins, and then guitars, in \u003cbr\u003ehis own workshop. He worked for himself, earning a reputation for \u003cbr\u003ecreating exceptional violins and guitars for concert musicians. \u003cbr\u003eKazuo Yairi and his three brothers were exposed at an early age to the \u003cbr\u003eart of making fine musical instruments. From early childhood, Kazuo \u003cbr\u003eYairi developed a keen interest in guitar building, especially concert \u003cbr\u003eclassic guitars. This interest was heighened by the frequent visits to \u003cbr\u003ethe Yairi home by Masao Sasaki, one of Japan's foremost classic guitar \u003cbr\u003eplayers. The virtuosity of Sasaki coupled with the teaching of Kazuo's \u003cbr\u003eFather provided the real impetus for Kazuo to become a guitar luthier. \u003cbr\u003eAt eighteen, Kazuo Yairi started his own workshop devoted exclusively to \u003cbr\u003ebuilding classic guitars. He was later joined by his three younger \u003cbr\u003ebrothers who still work with him at the Yairi Factory in Gifu, Japan. \u003cbr\u003eMr. Kazuo Yairi has many craftsmen plus his brothers who work with him \u003cbr\u003emaking Renaissance lutes, vihuelas, classic and dreadnought steel string \u003cbr\u003eguitars.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHistory of Japanese Classical Guitar Making\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the late 1960s to the mid 1980s, Japanese luthiers produced guitars of exceptional quality. These skilled craftsmen typically ran small shops, employing a handful of master builders who were often trained in Spain or under Spanish master builders in Japan. During this period, bans on certain types of wood were not yet in place, allowing luthiers to source high-quality wood for their creations. Although these guitars are considered a bargain in today's market, finding top-quality Japanese classical guitars from this era can be challenging, and restrictions on exporting certain types of wood make them even more difficult to obtain. Similar guitars built with comparable materials today would cost significantly more due to the scarcity or complete bans on certain types of wood. Most of those talented luthiers from the 70s and 80s are now retired or have passed away. \u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yairi","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":44614908117085,"sku":null,"price":3995.0,"currency_code":"CAD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0739\/6111\/1645\/files\/zozfpkczldgfkhruhx4y.jpg?v=1783955003","url":"https:\/\/guitareum.com\/products\/kazuo-yairi-yc80-1981-handmade-concert-classical-guitar-brazilian-rosewood-stunning","provider":"Guitareum","version":"1.0","type":"link"}