FEATURE YAMAHA
45 years of hits I
Yamaha is celebrating 45 years of its drum brand this year, and over that time has introduced many new designs and innovations that have been key to the development of the modern kit. MI Pro looks back on the key moments in its influential history…
n the overall scheme of things Yamaha’s 45 year history in the drum market is relatively brief when
compared to the origins of the instrument. However, the impact of Yamaha in the
drum market during this time shouldn’t be underestimated. It’s testament to Yamaha’s success and popularity that it is now among the most respected drum makers in the world in the eyes of many of the world’s biggest drummers, sound engineers and producers. The popularity and reach of Yamaha
drums amongst leading players spans all genres – equally at home with rock, pop and jazz players, with a wide tuning ability, tonal quality and versatility. The firm’s innovative approach to materials and design changed the
24 July 2012
established model of traditional drum manufacturing. It’s no coincidence that many of Yamaha’s game changing design and development initiatives have been widely copied by other drum makers. That said, Yamaha has had the advantage of its other business sectors, including its Materials Division, Pianos and Motorbikes. The drum hardware materials and engineering stared life in the motor cycle manufacturing facility alongside Yamaha motorbikes. And through extensive collaboration with acoustic piano craftsmen, Yamaha was the first to fashion a strong lacquer finish for drums that enhanced the sound over the traditional wrap finishes that were widely used. At a time when drums were traditionally made with plies of wood glued together
and supported by reinforcement rings, Yamaha’s approach to shell design was also radically different. From the very first Yamaha D20 and D22 drum kits in 1967, Yamaha incorporated a method of marrying wooden plies together with staggered diagonal seams to produce a much stronger and rounder shell. The benefits of this ‘air sealed system’ method are widely used now, although nobody cures the shells in the way Yamaha does – using microwaves. The ‘system drum concept’ was another
new idea the firm can lay claim to, allowing hardware to be interchangeable, mixed and combined – a practical and cost saving breakthrough for drummers. The introduction of the first hide-away
boom stand followed, allowing hardware to be packed away efficiently or to change the
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