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Yamaha: The Master of Japanese Electronics and Guitars

When it comes to mass production, fine tuned manufacturing and decent products with comparable and mid range prices, Yamaha knows best. Located in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Japan, the company has a long history of releasing fun, well priced, mid range products for all types of entertainment among average citizens. From excellent keyboards and guitars to hover craft and motorcycles, Yamaha is a great firm dedicated to bringing the world of electronics and motorized engineering to the public in large quantities.

Torakusu Yamaha and the Yamaha Company

In 1887 Yamaha found himself a watchmaker with aspirations to do more. Interested in instruments as they were becoming popular household items, Yamaha built his first portable reed organ. The results were positive and he took orders to make more of them. Later, in 1897 Yamaha took a job as president of the Nippon Gakki Co., a major instrument producer for the time, and began releasing Yamaha products soon after.

The 1900s marked the beginning of upright pianos, grand pianos and furniture, of all things. And in 1904 Yamaha won an Honorary Grand Prize at the St. Louis World's Faire, once a very popular event. By 1914 Yamaha was also making and distributing harmonicas worldwide but just 2 years later, Torakusu Yamaha passed away, leaving the company to his board members.

A fresh new look on the Yamaha family business brought the very special occasion of Yamaha releasing high-quality hand-wound phonographs in 1922, which became somewhat a household item.

The 1930s marked more expansion for the business as the company began to branch out to other areas of entrepreneurship. In 1931, for example, Yamaha opened up the world's first acoustics research center and in 1932 designed the acoustics for a symphony hall in Japan.

The 40s were chocked full of organ production for Yamaha but they also released their first acoustic guitar in 1942. Their continued instrumental success allowed Yamaha to open a new building on the Tokyo Ginza strip in 1951, further bringing their products to the public.

The 50s marked more success for Yamaha, which was having a profound impact on the electronics industry and consumers.

• Yamaha produces a Hi-Fi Recorder/Player in 1954
• The Yamaha Music School System is also implemented in 1954
• 1955-First Yamaha motorcycle, YA-1 was released which led to founding of Yamaha Motor Co.
• Yamaha expanded overseas to Mexico in 1958
• The Yamaha technical laboratories opened in 1959
• The Electone, an electronic organ is released in 1959
• Yamaha releases archery equipment made of fiberglass in 1959 as well

The 1960s were a plethora of things to come for Yamaha. Their expansion was astounding and their revenue placed them near the top as one of the most successful companies in the world while they steadily grew and added more adventures to their succession of businesses.

• In 1960 Yamaha founded a subsidiary on U.S. soil
• In 1961 Yamaha released their first set of skis and also began manufacturing and selling alloys
• In 1962 the company expanded again and created Yamaha Recreation Company LTD.
• 1965 marked the start of manufacturing wind instruments by Yamaha
• The first overseas Yamaha Music School opens in Los Angeles, California
• In 1966 Yamaha opened up in Europe
• Yamaha also mass marketed its first guitars and drums in 1966 which were an instant hit
• The Yamaha Music Foundation was established in 66 and opened schools in Mexico, Canada and Thailand
• In 68 Yamaha released the CF Concert Grand Piano and its first line of hi-fi stereo equipment

There were a few things that occurred in the 1970s with Yamaha, like the semiconductors that they began producing and the sponsorships they bought for educational music programs. The most notable accomplishments for Yamaha in the 70s, however, would be their new release of speakers, synthesizers and electric pianos which were becoming quite popular for churches, schools, instructors and middle class citizens.

With so much success and so many companies branching out and expanding as companies do, the accomplishments seemed to wax and wane until the early 80s when Yamaha released better grand pianos, synthesizers and some of it's first industrial robots and manufacturing machines. Then, in 1988 the company turned 100 years old and officially changed it's name to Yamaha Corporation, though its products were never named anything else. 1989 was also special as it marked the shipment of the world's first CD recorder.

The 90s were much like the years before it. Yamaha continued to mark notable successes and release better and more wide known products with each year. Their electronic pianos had changed into sophisticated keyboards by now, the Grand Piano Silent Series was released in 1994 and the Silent Brass System and GranTouch Digital Piano came out in 1995. Just a year later they released the DTX Silent Session Drum, which became quite popular amongst independent artists.

In 2000 Yamaha founded its own record company called Yamaha Music Communications Company, LTD. The next year they marketed a Silent Guitar. In 2002, the Silent Viola and Electric Violin, follow.

Yamaha Guitars in a Nutshell

Yamaha guitars are known for their unique, crisp, new sound and metallic vibration. Many artists have praised their first instrument as a Yamaha and have continued to use them throughout their careers. They are well priced, heavy duty, can take a banging and are used by some very talented musicians.

• Sammy Hagar
• Glenn Pearce
• Christ Poland
• Mike Stern

Specifically, the E Series is a great looking guitar with a flawless finish and a decent sound. Great for modern rock, metal and thrash, the guitar doesn't often sound great coming out of the box and has been known to need better strings but they are great for anyone from beginner to expert.

The Archtop is a great electric guitar for jazz, blues and country players. They are easy to use, mold to your body and have a great twang and resonance to them.

For those on the road or who are just starting out, the Gig Maker and Eterna series are both great sounding machines with simple but reliable equipment. Both guitars are relatively light and great for rock, some jazz, funk, metal, hard rock and alternative.

In the end, Yamahas are a great machine with average but excellent features and mid range pricing. They'll pull through for any event you put them through and they have a reputation for decent customer service. Learn more about these legendary pieces of electronic history at www.yamaha.com.

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