I just recently purchased the Yairi Alvarez YB1, but had to wait 2 months for it to ship from Japan, because I wanted it set up with a stock pickup system, as I had plans for playing this live. I will say, regardless of the wait, it was worth it. The neck feels great, and although it definitely takes a little getting use to at first, you can definitely experience a far greater sense of tonality you could never experience in detuning. As for the string gauges, it's going to take a little time to get use to .70 to .16, but I would say you have a plethora of choice, more custom to choose from, as far as tensions. Until they develop a "heavy, Medium and Light" series of gauges, you would be best to pick and choose the best suited for your hands.

This guitar is an absolute beast. It is my baby, my number one. I've owned it for a year and a half now. I have never heard such a huge sound from any acoustic guitar. I LOVE this thing.

Physically, this is a big fella. Large body, thick neck-- if you have small hands, beware. Large hands will be very happy though, neck's got a soft V shape that tapers nicely up to the 12th fret. The inlays are tasteful and subtle, the spruce top is gorgeous. The rosewood back (it doesn't look like rosewood to me) is amazingly figured. Smooth smooth ebony fingerboard.

Sound is MASSIVE. You can sweetly pull quiet melodies out and then beat the strings into oblivion. It loves being played hard, but responds great to a soft touch as well. Harmonics literally fly out of this guitar. Be prepared for some thick thick strings. I recommend changing them to the heaviest you can find, 80-16 guage is nice.

Sounds perfect on its own; needs no acompaniment. Always sounds full. Still, it's a great match for male and female vocalists. It really stands out. Fingerpicking sounds lovely in any technique; if you use a pick, play HARD because then you really hear it roar - it's loud. I wouldn't recommend this as a strummer. Too much sound for it to take the 'back seat' in a mix.

Just a note, like most spruce topped guitars, this one takes a few months to break in and really open up to sounding its best. Mine took almost 6 months, but wow. This one is like fine wine.

If you ever want to win a "check out how bada-- my guitar is" contest, this is what you need. Alvarez-Yairi hasn't ever let me down. She's my pride and joy right here.

PS I won't say I've owned this and that expensive guitar because I haven't. However, I have spent hours and hours at shops playing everything I can get my hands on, especially handmade pieces. I won't say this Yairi is superior to $10,000 handmade instruments, but man it still can hold its own. Also, if you're looking for a Martin-style guitar, go elsewhere. This baby has sweetly low action, intonates properly past the 12th fret, isn't overpriced... etc etc.

I've owned this guitar for about 2 years, and play it quite a bit. I have 1 other acoustic/electric bari (Avante) which I like for performing, but it doesn't compare with the Yairi acoustically. Yairi makes guitars as good as anyone-- top features all over & very tasteful. Huge sound & even. Not much to compare it to unless you get into handmade baritones, which I haven't played. This is much nicer than Tacoma's bari, both playing and sounding. I've owned hundreds of guitars, from beaters to worldbeaters & this guitar is as good as any you'll find.