At Winter NAMM 2009 Yamaha Band & Orchestral Division debuted with the YM-6100 Series Artist Model Rosewood Marimba, designed in conjunction with renowned marimba legend Keiko Abe. Constructed from hand-selected Rosewood, the height-adjustable YM-6100 Series contains a full, five-octave scale.\"Yamaha and Keiko Abe have an extensive history of collaboration. Our design team has created this top-of-the-line marimba with her input.\"
Built for solo and ensemble performances, the YM-6100 Series also features a new bar suspension cord that is 13 times stronger than the current marimba cord. It also has easily accessible resonator caps, which allow for precise fine tuning. The marimba’s redesigned frame features pneumatic height adjustment.
Currently available, YM-6100 Series Artist Model Rosewood Marimba carries an manufacturer\'s suggested retail price (msrp) of $27,086 and includes a drop cover. Keiko Abe Artist Mallets are also available for purchase separately.
New vibraphone series
Yamaha also introduced the YV-1605 Intermediate Vibraphone. The vibraphone features bars that are tuned with Yamaha’s own tuning method to ensure true pitch and a full sound.
By using the same bar material and bar surface treatment as high-end Yamaha vibraphones, the YV-1605 have a broad dynamic range. Yamaha has integrated many of the same design elements found in Yamaha professional vibraphones into this new intermediate level instrument.
The frame is height-adjustable. Non-graduated bars help to keep the instrument compact while the 1 1/2\" width and 1/2\" thick bars allow projection and full tone.
Currently available, the YV-1605 Intermediate Vibraphone carries an msrp of $4494.00. A drop cover is included.
Symphonic series concert snare drums
Yamaha also presented the Berlin Symphonic series (maple) and the CSM series concert snare at Winter NAMM 2009. To start with the first: the Berlin Symphonic snares are designed in conjunction with Franz Schindlbeck of the Berlin Philharmonic and the Yamaha Frankfurt Percussion Atelier. The BSM-1450 is available in a 14\" x 5\" configuration, and the BSM-1465 in a 14” x 6.5” configuration.
Patented system for better response
The BSM snares feature the patented Berlin Combination Snare System, which provides response at all dynamic levels. Ten inner cables provide a full snare sound at all levels up to fortissimo while the three outer strands on each side provide precise snare response at all levels down to pianissimo.
Other features include a shallow 1.8 mm snare bed for even snare response at all dynamic levels, a K-type strainer, honey-lug casings and six-ply Maple shells.
Currently available, the BSM-1450 retails for $1,122.00 and the BSM-1465 for $1,146.00 Cases and stands are also available.
CSM series concert snaredrums
Yamaha\'s new CSM series draws inspiration from Yamaha’s Grand Symphonic Series of drums. The line includes the 13\" x 4.5\" CSM-1340A, the 14\" x 5\" CSM-1450A, and the 14\" x 6.5\" CSM-1465A.
Each drum is constructed of six-ply North American Maple using Yamaha’s Air-Seal System and features three-piece tubular lugs.
The CSM Series snares also feature a 30 degree / 45 degree double-cut bearing edge, which allows the middle ply of the shell to vibrate first, and then spread through the remaining plies of the shell. According to Yamaha, the increased speed of vibration results in a more focused, articulate sound.
The CSM-1450 and CSM-1465 feature an uncoated stainless steel straight cable strainer in the box as an additional option to the standard stainless steel coiled wire strainer.
The CSM Series Snare Drums are currently available and carry an manufacturer\'s suggested retail price (msrp) range of $534 to $610.
New miking system for percussion in pit
Yamaha also introduced the new line of Randy May International (RMI) mallet keyboard and concert drum miking systems designed specifically for pit applications.
Exclusively produced for Yamaha, the new RMI systems feature a microphone slide rail that pivots to enhance isolation and quality of sound. Additional features include a drill-free mounting system, and shock mounted internal microphone arrangement.
Available in Spring 2009, with msrps ranging from $100 to $634, depending on the product models.
