S Yairi – Sadao Yairi (2024)

S. Yairi started his own factory back in 1932 (? 1938), after leaving Suzuki Violin along with Kazuo Yairi’s Father, Giichi.. who started the current K. Yairi business in 1935. Kazuo took it over sometime in the mid 1960’s (the most given year is 1965). Sadao didn’t see his first classical or “gut” guitar until 1940 and had only made steel string flat top models. It wasn’t until the early 1960’s that he finally began producing the “gut” guitars.

Guitars with the logo at the bottom est. 1938 are not original S. Yairi but some reissue models based on his old ones.. note Hiroshi name (Sadao’s son).. however, there were some issues with those that were made in outside Japan, that they were cheaply made and inferior. Only the high end models were made in Japan. I’m currently trying to find out if Hiroshi has passed on, as I’ve heard rumors that he did and some “business” bought the rights to continue to make this with the S.Yairi brand. As to the dates 1932, vs 1938 as years for starting, Obviously if Hiroshi made these, the 1930’s date is not really correct since he would have been 3 years old at that time. All of the real Sadao (or S.Yairi) models I’ve seen have 1932 as the date he began. Also, excerpts from an actual interview in the mid 1970’s with Sadao he states he began in 1932 after leaving Suzuki. I’m thinking that maybe the 1938 date may be eitiher a typo, or it is possible that he mentioned that year because early on he had to move his factory and start over.

You can tell the original S. Yairi, from the reissues by the shape of the “S”. Left is a photo’s of what a 1980 S.Yairi logo (model 810) looks like along with it’s label (below).

[Source and photos: YL , email 4/8/2009]

Dating S Yairi guitars

Models that are around have the date of manufacture stamped on the sound hole label (see example below)

S Yairi resources

en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Yairi

yairiguitars.spaces.live.com/

S Yairi catalogs

various 1970 – 1982 https://www.t-shiga.com/sub7-5-1.htm

Imported to US by Philadelphia Music Co of Limmerick, Pennsylvania. Early sales literature called the brand Syairi. [Source: Vintage Guitar Magazine Price Guide]

S Yairi handmade label image courtesy of Rod Allsopp, Melbourne Australia

This label below was sent to me by Devlin English who ” owned this guitar as a boy and it was donated to Goodwill at the death of my father. It ended up on the west coast again in a Goodwill and was auctioned off again in September of 2015. It is a handmade example and the lable is done by hand and reads ” Made by my hand for a guitar lover with great skill and care June 1967 Sadao Yairi”. You see my father put the roof on his factory as the roof was manufactured by Goodyear.

I would love to have it back in my posession so please be on the look out.

The label transaltion is “For a guitar lover I elaborately made this June 1966 Sadao Yairi”” [Source: email 29/12/2015]

If anyone ever comes across this item I will be happy to connect you with Devlin.

see Sada guitars

Images Handmade by Sada Yairi in 1962 in Japan. Solid spruce top with maple back and sides. reverb.com

Images 1969 Artiste instrument with permission David Osborne Oct 2020

1970 label from reverb.com

Images instrument made in China by Grand Reward courtesy of Michael J Swopple Feb 2020

see Kazuo Yairi

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1. 

   Taylor January 8, 2022 at 5:08 pm - Reply

   Now all S yairi guitar is made in china , laminate wood , bad sound

2. 

   Greg Jetnikoff November 12, 2021 at 8:52 pm - Reply

   Net page of THE most under-rated guitar on the planet.
   I have a Yairi steel 6 string that I have had from new , and will have when all my other guitars have gone. The problem is I can no longer read the Model nor serial number as they have faded. The Model number is completely gone and the serial number may be 74. The year is still visible and is 1975. The label is the same sort as the first label picture.. I checked out the 75 catalogue and it looks like a 302 , because it has no headstock binding, same oblate dreadnaught body shape, same pick guard shape, same white outer body binding and simple soundhole binding. Same rosewood fretboard and dot markers ( dot/double dot/dot/double dot/dot/dot). Top of the headstock has a slight convex curve. Chrome machineheads.
   BUT it has a trussrod adjsutment at the TOP of the fretboard under a red-brown plastic cover with the S Yairi logo on it ( as well as the top of the headstock).
   Anyone got any ideas on the model.
   By the way I was talking to a luthier from Sydney, who said he had met Sada at an international guitar show in the early 20teens and he thought the Sada had since died.

3. 

   Kazuki Suda October 11, 2021 at 3:42 pm - Reply

   Is there anyone know about S.yairi YO-108? It is made in Japan but the label is the latest one. Anybody know about when is this guitar manufactured?

4. 

   Don McDougall November 16, 2020 at 1:53 pm - Reply

   Hello,
   I have a guitar that has a label that reads “HAND CRAFYED IN JAPAN BY YAIRI” it then has Japanese lettering, then underneath, Model no 250 AD 1967 serial No 271. It also has been stamped on the lable at the side ” Tested & selected by Ivor Mairants Musicentre. The guitar is in superb condition. I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this was a Saido Yairi Or kazou Yairi guitar. anyone have any clue as to the value? thanks for looking. Any info greatly appreciated.

   • 

     C July 14, 2021 at 5:17 pm - Reply

     Hi I have a similar guitar – even down to the Ivor Mairants stamp (although the stamp on mine is only partially legible). Mine is AD 1968 Serial 370. I have seen one other similar reference, here https://www.guitarsite.com/database/Guitars/rec/6263/ to a 1967 with serial no 99.
     This would probably suggest that production started around 1966 or 1967 if they made at least 170+ guitars in 1967 (serial 99-271) and at least over 100 in 1968.
     I also know that the person who bought my guitar would have been in London at that time and owned it since around 1968-70, so the date seems legitimate.
     I have no idea re. value – and I would also welcome any information that you have, if you found anything.

5. 

   John Parker Oughton July 10, 2020 at 6:07 pm - Reply

   I have a 1973 S. Yairi dreadnaught. Its label is the same style as the 1980 version you show here. The model number is YW-120, which seems to be a relatively rare one, as I’ve never seen another one listed for sale. It has the three-piece back and the abalone inlay around the sound hole. I have no intention of selling it as it’s still a great acoustic, similar to a Martin to play, but with slightly less bass. In all this time, it’s only needed the bridge re-glued, a few frets replaced, and cleats put into to secure a couple of fine cracks on the top.

6. 

   Rick Rasay July 3, 2020 at 9:16 pm - Reply

   Not sure this is an “active” site to acquire information. Posted Feb 2019, with no information offered. So want to re-post again. I have a Acoustic S. Yairi. Logo same as top photo shown here and also stamped on truss rod tortoise or faux tortoise cover. Similar soundhole label by Australia designer as you noted. Label says Nagoya Japan. I have no idea the model number noted and cannot find information. It is stamped Y 1 – 1. Any idea as to its vintage & appraisal value, etc? Any info is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

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     Brent September 4, 2020 at 11:36 pm - Reply

     Did you ever find out anything about your guitar? I just bought one stamped Y1-25 and there is only one hit on the web and its for one that sold on Reverb.

7. 

   Bradford Bloodworth June 21, 2020 at 9:38 am - Reply

   Where is the YD-38-3TS manufactured?

8. 

   Jitesh J February 11, 2020 at 9:31 am - Reply

   I have a similar guitar bought as “takamine classical 1965”. I have looked at many takamine guitars but they look quite different. Mine looks like the guitar posted on the bottom. the washi is different but very similar.

9. 

   Rick Rasay February 6, 2019 at 12:22 am - Reply

   Hello, am seeking some help. I have a Acoustic S. Yairi. Logo same as top photo shown here and also stamped on truss rod tortoise or faux tortoise cover. Similar soundhole label by Australia designer as you noted. Label says Nagoya Japan. I have no idea the model number noted and cannot find information. It is stamped Y 1 – 1. Would you have any idea as to its vintage etc? Any info is appreciated. Thank you in advance.

10. 

    John steinmen January 1, 2018 at 6:09 pm - Reply

    Does anyone know when S.Yairi passed away? When did he finally stop producing guitars?