Yamaha is one of the older, respected names in Japanese musical instrument production dating back to 1887, first offering pianos and reed instruments. Now, Yamaha guitars, basses, keyboards amplifiers and electronics are well established, high quality items.
The first Yamaha folk guitars appeared in 1966, followed closely by a line of electric guitars and amplifiers. Classical guitar production began in 1967, Flamenco guitars in 1968. By 1974, the company was comfortable enough in its production to offer a line of higher end steel string guitars.
Yamaha is headquartered in Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Prefecture, and their top-grade Japanese production is centered there. Lower grade models are built in other countries.
The Yamaha parent corporation also produces power sports equipment including outboard motors. The Yamaha Motor Company, which builds Yamaha motorcycles, became a separate entity in 1955.
