Alvarez/Yairi Guitars

Alvarez guitars were founded in 1965 by Gene Kornblum of St. Louis Music, initially as a line of Spanish-style guitars. In the late 1960s, Kornblum partnered with Japanese luthier Kazuo Yairi, who was renowned for his handmade classical guitars Together, they began producing high-quality steel-string and classical guitars for the Western market, gaining popularity in the US by 1970 for their quality and Japanese craftsmanship, offering a diverse range of acoustic instruments, eventually becoming known as Alvarez Yairi. This collaboration led to the development of the Alvarez-Yairi line, known for its meticulous hand craftsmanship, premium tonewoods, and traditional building techniques. From the beginning, Alvarez positioned itself as a brand dedicated to tone, innovation, and player-focused design.