Guitar Story

[Bobby]

Totally off topic, but just a story for my friends.

I was looking around the 'net yesterday. I decided to checkpoint a guitar player that I had found on mp3.com many years ago - Jeremy Mayle. I found that he had a website and some presence on YouTube and FaceBook. But his webpage on YouTube showed that he favored Alvarez by K. Yairi guitars. This rang a bell.

Back in the '60s and '70s I used to play a bit of guitar and keyboards. Never played professionally, but fooled around in a couple of pickup groups and of course played PP&M and Dylan in the dorm rooms.

In 1974 I bought an acoustic guitar from a local music store. I had really wanted a Martin, but they were a bit expensive and the salesman was pushing these Japanese made guitars that he said were very good. The store was a big place in a large metropolitan area and had an excellent rep, so I bought. I have kept it all these years and it is really an excellent guitar and stayed in terrific shape. I take it out of the case once in a while and pick a bit until my fingers get sore and then put it back for another few months or years. And, guess what, it is an Alvarez by K. Yairi.

So I looked Yairi up, and sure enough it has become a very well respected guitar manufacturer. Still all hand made in the same place in Japan, and still each made by a single luthier. I found a K. Yairi forum, and found out that mine is worth about $650 now - more than I paid for it.

So in my retirement now I have promised myself to get those callouses built up again and resume playing. Perhaps less time for video then, but I will work it out!

[cdeemer]

B, as a guitar player (as I am, too), you'll enjoy Mary Flower ...
http://www.ibiblio.org/cdeemer/mflower.htm

I have a long video interview with her in a past issue of Oregon Literary Review ...
http://orelitrev.startlogic.com/v3n1/OLR-flower.htm

[Bob]

I'm pretty sure my daughter has an Alvarez. I have a Manuel de la Chica classical guitar which I unfortunately don't play much anymore -- largely due to arthritis in my hands. I studied classical guitar and still enjoy it. But, I also pretty much enjoy all acoustic guitar and played my share of folk style. I still enjoy PM&M and Dylan, but I especially enjoy Blues guitar.

Charles, I enjoyed the interiew with Mary Flower. Thanks for posting the link!

[Chuck Engels]

That is a great story Bob, the kind you don't hear every day that's for sure.
I have played a number of instruments over the years, mostly drums and violin but picked up a little guitar along the way.
I currently have a $99 Hohner acoustic, yes the same people that make the harmonicas

If I had my choice, and unliminted funds, I would go out and buy a Gibson Les Paul electric and a Taylor acoustic, there I go, dreaming again

By the way, we love these kinds of 'off topic' topics, anytime

[Steve Grisetti]

These are truly great stories, Bob. Like finding buried treasure!

[Bobby]

Thanks all for the comments!

Charles: I appreciate the Mary Flower story - nice style.

Bob: I am still amazed at how much we have in common yet! Fortunately I don't have arthritis (yet) at 62 - no visible signs or deterioration of finger movement - just slow and dumb! But I never took guitar lessons, only piano and not too much of that.

Chuck, I remember Hohner guitars. I don't think I had one, but I had a Harmony nylon of the same period. I do also have a Les Paul kinda repro, and an old amp sitting in the closet, but that gets used even less than the Alvarez! I think that is due to go to my grandson soon. I did play a 12 string electric solid body in one of the groups I played in - tough to play!

Steve: Yes, buried treasure is almost exactly how I would describe it. Although I felt the quality of the guitar was good, I was no expert. It was nice to hear I wasn't "taken" back then.

[Bobby]

Interesting. I bought a Hagstrom solid body 12 string back in the mid 60's and thought it was a great guitar. I eventually sold it around 1980 to a guy in a local country group. Anyhow, I took a look, and reviews of the Hagstrom are also excellent, and the recommendation I saw was that if you find one, buy it! Too bad I sold - coulda had two classics!