| By far one of the most recognisable brands in | | | | The main difference between the production |
| modern music is Yamaha. Yamaha make a vast | | | | that's carried out at the plants is in the wood |
| array of musical instruments, among which are | | | | used in the shells. High-end drum kits utilise more |
| drums. Yamaha are an old company and have | | | | expensive woods like Maple and Birch, thus the |
| been making musical instruments for well over | | | | Yamaha Maple Custom, Recording Custom and |
| half a century. They began producing drum kits in | | | | Absolute series are made in Japan, while the |
| 1967. Initially Yamaha drums were heavily | | | | Stage Custom and Tour Custom are made in |
| influenced by other big manufacturers at the time, | | | | Indonesia. Although you might assume that the |
| namely Ludwig drums. However they quickly | | | | standard of production is lower on the more basic |
| found there own style, and have since developed | | | | kits produced in Indonesia, the build quality is |
| into arguably the most dominant player, with a | | | | pretty uniform throughout the entire Yamaha |
| strong reputation for innovation. | | | | range, with the price difference often accounted |
| Today Yamaha drums are produced in Japan and | | | | for in material costs and additional features. |
| Indonesia. All drum shells are still produced by | | | | As well as a full range of acoustic drum kits, |
| hand, right across the range. This in itself is quite | | | | Yamaha are renowned for their Electronic drum |
| an achievement, considering the manufacturing | | | | kits and are widely regarded as the company that |
| industries love of lean mass production. Yamaha's | | | | first turned electronic drum kits from a basket |
| high end kits are built in Japan, while the lower | | | | case in the mid-eighties into a credible alternative |
| price range kits are built in Indonesia. | | | | to acoustic drums. |