"War and Peace" Yairi 5036 / CY130 Conquistador Classical Guitar Hand-Signed and Dated by K Yairi 1970

This listing is for a very interesting Conquistador classical guitar by Kazuo Yairi, Japan, 1970, hand-signed and dated.

When hand-signing and dating this label, he chose not to add a model number. There are also no serial numbers or markings of any kind on the Spanish heel, or anywhere else inside the instrument, but it appears identical in construction and materials to the 5036 offered in 1970, which would be renamed the CY-130 in 1973. Cedar top, solid East Indian Rosewood back and sides, mahogany neck, ebony board.

All of the "for export" 1970 Alvarez Yairi 5036 labels from the factory have a stamped signature, year, and model number. This guitar has the "made for Japan" K Yairi label. These factory 5036's with these "not for export" labels dated 1970 also have the signature, year and model number stamped on them.

This instrument was not made for export, and even a Japanese music shop would need model and serial numbers for inventory purposes, so I don't believe it was intended to be marketed in Japan, either.

The hand-signing and dating of the label precludes the idea that the lack of a model number was an oversight. It certainly would have been added before being affixed if it were meant to have one. It was not. This label was signed, dated, then affixed, presumably by Kazuo Yairi himself.

I do not believe this instrument was made in the Yairi factory for distribution. The evidence seems to indicate that it was made personally by Kazuo Yairi, as a gift, or perhaps a custom order. As the 5036 was available in 1970, the possibility of it being a prototype seems unlikely.

The instrument plays immaculately. Action is 3/32" above the 12th fret on the bass side, 1/8"on the treble. This instrument *sings*. It puts the late 90's Alvarez Profesional series classical I've been playing for 25 years to shame, and it isn't close.

When I acquired this interesting Yairi, it was unplayable due to the high action and needed a neck reset. The Martin Certified Luthier who worked on it informed me that this cannot be done on guitars constructed with a spanish heel like this. Rather, the frets have to be removed and the fretboard planed. As such, the frets are new and intonation is spot on all the way up the neck.

It shows its age at 54 years, but certainly could be worse. There are no cracks or other structural deficiencies, but it does have various dings and scratches. At some point, the bridge was re-glued by someone who didn't care about aesthetics, and parts of the instrument's body were re-sprayed. I think someone added strap buttons, then someone else later had those removed and the holes filled and covered with the Japanese character for "Peace", and the Imperial Japanese Army flag. "War and Peace." I suspect parts of it were re-sprayed at this time.

And now, somehow it has found its way to me in Indiana. I wish it could talk and tell its story. It's difficult to price something like this, so I thought I'd just entertain offers and see what the market might bear.

Interestingly, in 1973, the CY-130 retailed for $375, roughly equivalent to $2,700 in today's dollars. What his touch adds to the value is difficult to quantify. If you're a fan of Yairi classical guitars, it doesn't get much better than this, imo. I play it daily and enjoy it very much.

Instrument will be shipped in a hardshell case and packed well. Ships same or next day for free in continental US. All others inquire for shipping cost.