CITES, a specific request for advice

[BigMikeinNJ]

I have an opportunity to buy a rare K Yairi guitar that I have always wanted. The hitch is it is in Sweden and the back is made of Jacaranda, a form of Brazilian Rosewood. The fingerboard is ebony as is the bridge. Price isn't bad BUT I need CITES paperwork. It was built in 1978 in Japan. The dealer is willing to file the CITES paperwork on his end. Once I put down a deposit they proceed with that, then with their copy of the paperwork I can file on my end.

Realistically fellas, do I stand a snowball's chance in hell getting this thing into my hot little hands. With the paperwork expenses and shipping it'll be 5k. There were only 10 of these ever made, for the Japan market. Here's why I want it: (see pics)

[BigMikeinNJ]

I hope bigger photos for your approval

[citizenk74]

?Wow, Big, that is some instrument! Is the back arched as deeply as it looks? Good luck with this!

[Jabberwocky]

Permits by Application Form

Last form, 3-200-88, in the long list, BigMike. Good luck. Edit: 3-200-88 is for Exports.

1978 is pre-CITES 1992 Convention ban on undocumented or uncertified Dalbergia nigra. If you can show proof that the guitar was constructed in 1978 you will be safe. Is there a date on the label?

[rlrhett]

There is no reason that you can't. The CITES listing isn't a ban, like ivory.


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[Jabberwocky]

I love the lute bowl back. I love the abalone inlaid top. I can even learn to love the barmy headstock. But, what is the deal with the ankhs and the incantation inlays on the fretboard?

Chase away the blues?

[BigMikeinNJ]

Yeah the label says 1978, and K Yairi and Alvarez Yairi used a "year of the emperor" date code inside on the heal block.
Hmm, thanks I'm going for it then

[Max405]

Mike,
Damn bro, that is really something else. I've never seen anything like it.

Is the back an optical illusion or is it really bowed like that.

ITs amazing. You really know how to pick em..

Joe D.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Gents, it IS a bowl back, like an Ovation. There is a lesser model called a DY92 that I bid on over the weekend, but it got crazy high and needed some repair. I figured I'd go for this. The DY92 has alternating slats of mahogany and jacaranda, that one was in the States. I'm going to email the form on our end that states pre convention dates are ok. WOW !!

There was only 10 of the OY88 made, the DY92, about 60...

Hey Max !!!! Thank you fellas !!

Big

[Bluedawg]

I hope you get the loot safely home

Good Luck

[wintermoon]

you'll be needing a Nudie suit when you play that...

[BigMikeinNJ]

The photos you have seen are of a friend's guitar, in Japan. Here is the photo of his label, you can clearly see the ANNE date of 1980 when his was made. Also I include the heel block code impressed into the neck heel...




Here is a blurb on how the Year of the Emperor code works, written by a friend of mine who has passed on.

EMPEROR DATING CODE | My Yairi Guitars

[Greentone]

Awesome.

[GNAPPI]

It looks a lot like an old Italian Mandolin I have, cool.

[wintermoon]

suuuuuper nice spruce top.
fine, finer, finest.

[neatomic]

yeah thats some super tight grain straight spruce right there!! wow

go nudie!!



cheers

[Jim Soloway]

Some information from people who really know what they're talking about.

CITES 101: Buying Guitars Across Borders

[Gilpy]

The only thing I would add is that you should track the guitar closely, and if it hits a customs delay of more than a day or 2 at the US border, contact the shipper. Make sure the shipper has your contact info.
I've done 2 international guitar deals recently, and both times had to provide the shipper/customs broker with more info.

That is one freeky guitar! Enjoy!

[Jabberwocky]

BigMike, give USFWS a call to see if you require an import permit. Make sure that your Sweden seller has his export permit in order from the Sweden authority whom he may find at CITES . It is a CITES Appendix 1 finished product.

[Top of the Arch!]

I purchase guitars from overseas several times a year and have had no problems with them being imported . The last guitar I bought, the dealer mentioned there might be additional costs involved with CITES paperwork etc. I told him I was at my limit already and any additional costs would negate the sale. After a day he emailed me saying there was no additional paperwork required and shipped the guitar. After receiving the guitar I looked at the paperwork that came with it and noticed where the fingerboard wood description was, it said "Pau Ferro" instead of rosewood. I kind of wonder if like many new regulations these days if its mostly about the money?? Bob

[BigMikeinNJ]

Thank you one and all for the advice and compliments.
I slept on it - I got an email this morning asking for a deposit to their bank, a wire transfer of funds.
I'm going to tell them I changed my mind. And with what Top Of The Arch said hope they reply with a much better price than they currently are quoting. It is 4k online and they want 5k shipped, quoting about half that extra 1K as shipping - so they want $500.00 to handle the paperwork. They did state that once the papers are changed then the only way they can sell it is to export it. It's just a wee bit dicey for me. I'm so spoiled using PayPal or a personal check to someone I know and trust.

Big

[Jabberwocky]

Yes, BigMike. Good decision. Let the desire pass. There will be another.

$5000 is a lot of dosh. Have fun shopping knowing that you will always have that $5000 to spend as and when you wish. There is a whole market of nice guitars for $5000. Be in no hurry.

You can get a used Dana Bourgeois OM or Collings OM in Brazilian RW for not much more and they are all resident in the USA with none of the CITES import or export paperwork required. Check out AMW in Pittsburg.

But perhaps it is the rarity of the Kazuo Yairi guitar you seek, not so much that it is made of BRW.

[BigMikeinNJ]

Jabberwocky

I've been into AYs for a long time, since the late 70s when I moved to Palo Alto for IBM and a local music store near my office, Drapers, was an authorized Alvarez Yairi dealer, they had an AY corner with all the guitars you will see posted below for sale. I just scored on a 1974 DY95, and it's on the way. Solid Jacaranda, it's a D45 clone. Real beauty, this was $1800.00 shipped.

[BigMikeinNJ]

I wanted the OY88 to round out the collection
These are all mid 70s prime examples. All solid jacaranda, all very sweet sounding.
i feel mid to late 70s was their zenith

[ugarte]

In Brazil D. Nigra is called Jacaranda. Almost all Dalbergia are now restricted though, including cocobolo (which is going to put the hurt on Paracho).

I'm not confident USFWS will accept label dates, and you are not likely to find documentation on whether they will or they won't.