I feel really blessed to have a Masterworks from 2004. Funny thing is I didn't truly appreciate what I was getting when I found it. It just sounded amazing to me, so I went ahead and bit the bullet and bought it, not really realizing what it was all all they went into making it.

If you're a fan, you've probably read about their novel methods of production, like exposing the tops to different frequencies to 'resonate' a special type of seasoning into it, essentially opening it up from the get-go, right at production. I believe Mr. Yairi passed in 2014, and the one I have has the label and neck joint signed.

If you've read my imbibing blabberings over the years here you prolly know I kinda consider the original "suspended top" Adamas examples to be the pinnacle of acoustic sound and technology, in my personal biased opinion. But IMHO the Yairi example I'm blessed to have sounds better than any other all wood guitar I've ever played or experienced, including some of the out of reach dreamers I've strummed as fancy music stores.

Anyone else a fan of these little known but beautiful MIJ works of musical art and magic?

I have a 12 string from the early 70s that was made at the Yairi factory with the Martin lawsuit headstock.

Dear God she is big but feather light - i haven't weighed her, but it's striking to almost strange. And like no other cedar I've ever experienced. Delicate defined warmth when whispered, and cannon projecting spruce like clarity, when beat. She's a gem, at least to me.

I have not kept up with how production has progressed and the Co news since Kazuo Yairi passed, but IMHO based upon their heritage and the pride I believe they take in their art (pride is probably a poor choice of words for the JP company - it's maybe something I'd have to ponder for the term), I would suspect they are still outstanding, assuming they are still being MIJ.

Lord those are sweet.

This example is a DYM04. I had to end up mailing corporate, and then get referred to someone else who could tell me about it detail.

IMHO it's completely unlike anything I've ever had the pleasure of strumming from Martin or Taylor.

Cedar, but I'll also bet the wood was aged fairly old when it was built.

Me too