Yamaha

Yamaha
Yamaha was was originally called Nippon Gakki, (though the instruments it made were branded Yamaha), and was founded in 1897 by Torakusu Yamaha to make Reed Organs, expanding to Pianos in 1900. It officially changed its name from Nippon Gakki to Yamaha in 1987.

In the 1950's Nippon Gakki expanded its musical instrument range from just Pianos and Organs to pretty much everything and diversified into sports equipment and motorcycles as well.

Ukulele production started in 1955 with the model 80, (there was also a model 60 that was probably introduced at the same time, but I haven't seen this documented?) In 1960 models 150 and 170 were introduced, (there was also a model 300 pineapple but I don't have the dates for that?), and in 1963 production ceased. Yamaha only ever made Sopranos and Ukuleles were never a major item in the catalogue. One notable thing about the early Ukuleles was, although mechanical friction and geared tuners were available and used by pretty much all of the competitors, the Yamaha Ukuleles had wooden tuning pegs. I believe this was changed in later models, though I have no firm information on this and the later ones I have seen may have just had the wooden pegs replaced?

Yamaha pretty much invented the Guitalele with its GL1 in 1995. There were other Guitaleles available before this, I have seen old Hawaiian small 6 string chordophone that may have been ones, but it is the GL1, as part of the Mini Guitars range, took the idea to a worldwide audience.

Yamaha reintroduced Ukuleles in 2013 but only in Japan, with a range of solid koa, (YSU 1000), and mahogany, (YSU 500) Soprano and Concert Ukuleles. There is very little information about these models outside of Japan so I don't know if they are still in production? Nor have I been able to find if the range has increased, I can't find any but does that mean there isn't any?

Credits
Thanks to Barry Ryan for some of the information and photos