Expert: D. Hughes - 12/3/2010

Question
QUESTION: My mom has an Alvarez guitar and she's looking to find out the value of it.  I've done some research but I don't really know anything about guitars, unfortunately.  It's an Alvarez model #CY116, serial #36632.  It was made in Japan and I believe it was made in 1980.  It's in excellent condition.  Any information you can give me would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

ANSWER: Hello Jessica,

What your Mom has is an Alvarez YAIRI CY116, top is solid Cedar, back and sides are Burled Mahogany (laminates).  These are not dated by the SN's, but if you can look inside, up towards the base of the neck (you'll need a flashlight) there are numbers stamped high on the piece of wood.  Reply with the numbers you find and I can give you the year it was made.

The Acoustic Bluebook specs/value is:


CY 116 BURLED (CY116 LA GRANJA)
- classical style, solid cedar top, round soundhole, maple body binding, wooden mosaic rosette, burled mahogany back/sides, mahogany neck, 12/19-fret ebony fingerboard, rosewood bridge, rosewood veneer headstock, slotted headstock, 3-per-side gold tuners with pearloid buttons, available in Antique gloss finish, mfg. 1975-present.
         Excellent          Average
1975-1993    $725 - 850          $475 - 550
1994-        $650 - 750          $400 - 475

Regards,
D.Hughes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you so much!!!  The number you're looking for is 55090038.  Also, does it matter that it was made in Japan and not in the U.S.?  Thanks again!

ANSWER: Thank you for the additional info~ this verifies that it is a 1980 model.  Might surprise you to know, NONE of the Alvarez were made in the U.S., vintage were all made in Japan, then by the mid 1980's Korea.

These older model CY116's are more desirable than newer models, as the binding is WOOD (Maple) where the newer ones have plastic bindings.  That and taking into consideration the older ones have had time to mellow and age, so, if I had a choice I'd take an older vintage Alvarez Yairi before a newer one.

Good luck!
D.Hughes

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Sorry to bother you again but I wanted your opinion.  I took the guitar to a local guitar shop and was told there was a scratch on the top of it and it's worthless.  Could that be true?  I didn't even notice the scratch until it was pointed out.  Could just one scratch make the entire guitar useless?  Is there a way to have it repaired?

Thanks again!

Answer
Hello Jessica,

Run AWAY!  Obviously they either know NOTHING about the guitar (or guitars) or they are thinking they can get it from you for very little if they tell you that!

Even IF there were a crack in the top, it wouldn't be worthless!

If you want me to take a look at the "scratch" and you can get a good photo of it, I can better tell you what is going on.  Send good close photo of area to yairi_luvr@comcast.net

Regards,
D.Hughes