1982 K. Yairi YF40R - Natural High Gloss | Vintage Japan 000-28 Style OM Acoustic Guitar PLEK'd K&K Pure Mini Pickup | OHSC

I am offering here a rare K. Yairi YF40R from 1982, a handcrafted in Kani, Gifu (Japan), and signed by Japanese guitar-luthier legend Kazuo Yairi vintage acoustic guitar featuring a compact 000 body style, select solid spruce top, sides and back made of East Indian rosewood, set mahogany neck with “C” profile and 42.9mm bone nut, fine ebony fingerboard with elaborate mother-of-pearl snowflake inlays, tiger-striped ebony bridge with bone saddle, high-quality K. Yairi Japan die-cast chrome tuners and a professionally upgraded K&K Pure Mini pickup in a brilliant natural high-gloss finish with black pickguard in excellent condition, including an original black vintage hardshell case as well as a professional setup with 11-gauge Elixir strings.

The instruments from Kazuo Yairi’s master workshop have enjoyed an excellent reputation for decades and are among the highest-quality hand-built acoustic guitars in Japan. The early models from the late 1970s and early 1980s, in particular, are now considered sought-after hidden gems among vintage enthusiasts, as they combine traditional craftsmanship, high-quality woods, and exceptional build quality.

This faithful interpretation of a Martin 000-28, known as the YF40R, delivers a very balanced and direct tone with quick response and remarkable dynamics. The solid spruce top delivers clear highs and an open projection, while the East Indian rosewood back and sides lend the instrument depth, warmth, and complex overtones. Fingerstyle players in particular benefit from the excellent string separation and sensitive response, yet the guitar is also ideally suited for dynamic strumming with a lighter touch and singer-songwriter applications.

For amplified use, a passive K&K Pure Mini pickup system was installed, ensuring a particularly natural and authentic reproduction of the acoustic sound.

The set mahogany neck with a comfortable “C” profile, combined with the medium 635mm scale length, plays extremely comfortably and offers a pleasantly relaxed playing feel. The frets, professionally leveled using the PLEK process, also allow for a very low and clean string action.

Visually, the K. Yairi impresses with numerous classic details such as the snowflake mother-of-pearl inlays, the deep black ebony fingerboard, the elegant headstock with rosewood veneer, and the beautifully aged natural high-gloss finish. Kazuo Yairi’s hand signature further underscores the special character of this instrument.

An exceptionally high-quality Japanese vintage 000 with outstanding resonance, fine craftsmanship, and the unmistakable character of the legendary K. Yairi workshop.

Technical Specifications:

• Origin: Kani, Gifu, Japan
• Year of Manufacture: 1982
• Body style: 14-fret 000
• Top: Selected spruce
• Back / Sides: East Indian rosewood
• Neck: Mahogany, set-in
• Neck profile: “C”
• Fingerboard: Ebony with mother-of-pearl snowflake inlays
• Frets: 20 (PLEK'd)
• Nut: 42.9mm, bone
• Headstock: Mahogany flat headstock with rosewood veneer and logo inlay
• Bridge: Striped ebony with bone saddle
• Tuners: Original K. Yairi Japan die-cast chrome tuners
• Pickup: K&K Pure Mini, passive (upgrade)
• Bindings: White, multi-ply
• Rosette: Concentric rings with herringbone purfling
• Pickguard: Black with K. Yairi logo
• Finish: Natural high-gloss
• Scale length: 635mm
• String action (12th fret): 2.0mm (E1) / 2.3mm (E6)
• Serial No.: 20195
• Includes original black vintage hardshell case

The K. Yairi YF40R was only built this way in the 1980s and is extremely rare today.

Despite its age, the guitar is in excellent condition and technically flawless. Visually, there is only occasional fine wear that blends seamlessly into the instrument’s vintage patina (see photos). The frets are PLEK-optimized and in top condition.

The instrument has received a professional setup with 11-52 Elixir 80/20 strings, and I (a long-time guitar teacher) will ship it fully insured with DHL for €29.99 within Germany or €69.99 within the EU. Worldwide shipping available—individual shipping costs upon request.

All images shown are of the actual instrument for sale.