Yamaha US hits 50

The US division of Yamaha Corporation has celebrated its 50th anniversary, having settled in a small office in Los Angeles in 1960.

For most of its time, however, the giant has been based at Buena Park, growing to become a top and instantly recognised name in the music industry and producing a wide range of musical instruments for a wide range of amateur and professional musicians.

In particular, certain Yamaha synths and keyboards have had a huge impact on the industry, from the sounds of the DX7 so prevalent in ’80s synth-based pop, to the Clavinovas found in so many schools, churches and homes.

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“It’s an amazing product for the money,” musician John Mila de la Roca said. He manages the Keyboard Concepts Superstore, a piano dealer at the Tustin Marketplace. “I’ve sold all different brands of instruments. (Yamaha) is the first word out of everyone’s mouth, and everyone disagrees about who’s No. 2.”

Read more about Yamaha’s history in the OC Register article