One interesting thing about the Alvarez DY 84 Acoustic. This model started in the late 90's and moved all the way through the mid to late 2000's. As an owner of a Koa, East Indian Rosewood and Brazilian Rosewood model, all slope shoulder models, and some C/cutways were available(my previous first DY 84 had EIR and cutaway), I know of no other model with an array of distinct wood types in the Yairi line. The list of tone woods as follows to include back and sides: Brazilian R/W, East Indian Rosewood, Koa, Mahogany, and Walnut. Remember, Kazuo Yairi developed the proprietary lamination process using "solid" wood from the same tree that the book matched back's where cut from and this produced a stronger, more resonate acoustic that many high end "solid" B/S models you all know by name. That is why the Yairi is my preferred acoustic, and I can buy, and own Custom Shop Martin, Takamine and Gibson acoustics. The DY 84 comes to you, if you obtain a "very good to mint" model with action that some electrics would die for. The sound from the "lamination process" is beyond the pail when it comes to like guitars with like woods and others that are of dreadnaught or slope dred design. I first owned a 1985 Lawsuit Takamine solid Mahogany acoustic, then a early 80's 12 string Tak lawsuit model and a Adamas Ovation Elite 1985 LTD model. When I returned to playing on a regular basis in 2006, the 12 string was sold, the six string Mahogany was sold and all I had left was the Adamas. In 2006 I purchased a New '06 Yairi DY 40C BKE. Black with Sold Mahogany Back and laminated sides. It has always been the best sounding mahogany guitar I owned. Then '08 came with a 5000 employee layoff from GlaxoSmithKline and I was #4999. All my guitars had to be sold but a Masterclass Breedlove I could not part with. Fast forward to 2021 and I found, after an exhaustive search, a non-American model from a seller in France, a K. Yairi DY 40C BKE. Only the headstock is different in non-American countries. I now have 14 Yairi's and just purchased a Mint 2000 DY 91 Koa model. So now I have 15. I also own two Alvarez PD 100S "Tree of Life", a MD 200C, MD70ACE, rare 1978 DY 95N Brazilian Rosewood "Tree of Life" w/Museum Grad Brazilian R/W B/S's. And a DY 80/12 Canyon Creek 12 string with "Coral" Rosewood. This is the same guitar as the DY 52 "Canyon Creek", with exact same design and Coral Rosewood B/S. Still looking for the reason there were two models with different numbers, but the same guitar. Some homework is needed. I digressed from the DY 84, but the Yairi legacy and Kazuo, rest his soul, made and his followers still make some of the best guitars in the world at affordable prices that make Martin's and the like look like gougers! You can have all the Taylor's you want, with their thin tops, crack prone tops and backs and screwed in necks, IMHO Unfortunately, the ornate DY 85's, 90's, the illusive '96 and graphite neck '99A(Jerry Carcia) have been replaced with more subdued models. I am sure cost is the main factor, All of Kazuo's models, when alive, were hand signed on the internal label until he passed. No Yairi I own, has his same exact signature, so they WE NOT stamped. He took pride in his instruments and we reap the rewards today. If you have additional or corrective information or want to discuss Yairi's, please contact me at [email protected].