Models

Yamaha DX

Family of Yamaha FM synthesizers

Japan

The DX family is Yamaha's line of digital synthesizers based on FM (frequency modulation) synthesis, launched with the hugely influential DX7 in 1983. It spans flagship and budget keyboards such as the DX1, DX5, DX9, DX21, DX27, DX100, and DX11, the rackmount TX tone generators, and the modern Reface DX.

Roland TR-808

Analog drum machine

Drum machine · Japan

The Roland TR-808 Rhythm Composer is a programmable analog drum machine that Roland produced from 1980 to 1983. Its sounds are generated by analog circuitry rather than samples, giving it a distinctive booming kick, snappy snare, and sizzling cymbals and hi-hats. Commercially unsuccessful at launch, it became one of the most influential instruments in popular music, defining the low end of hip-hop, electro, and dance records and remaining a sought-after sound decades later.

Yamaha CS

Series of Yamaha synthesizers

Japan

The CS series is Yamaha's line of synthesizers, most famous for the powerful polyphonic CS-80 of the late 1970s. The classic series also includes compact analog models such as the CS-5, CS-15, CS-20M, CS-60, and CS-70M, and the name was later revived for 1990s control synthesizers like the CS1x.

Yamaha WX5

Discontinued wind MIDI controller

Electronic wind instrument · Japan

A Yamaha wind MIDI controller with breath and lip sensing, selectable wind-instrument fingering modes, and MIDI/WX connections for external tone generators.

Gretsch G6120

Hollow-body electric guitar model family

Electric guitar · Japan

One of Gretsch's most famous hollow-body electrics, originally developed with Chet Atkins and finished in its signature bright orange. With FilterTron humbucking pickups and a Bigsby vibrato, it became a cornerstone of rockabilly through players like Eddie Cochran and Brian Setzer.

Yamaha DX7

Six-operator FM digital synthesizer

Synthesizer · Japan

Yamaha's landmark six-operator FM digital synthesizer, introduced in May 1983.

Ibanez RG Prestige

Electric guitar subseries

Electric guitar · Japan

The premium Japanese-built tier of Ibanez's RG line, the RG Prestige offers higher-grade woods, fretwork, and hardware than standard RG models. It is aimed at demanding rock and metal players who want top-level fit and finish.

Roland FP-E50

Piano

Piano · Japan

A digital piano and arranger in Roland's FP series, combining the SuperNATURAL piano engine and a PHA-4 Standard keyboard with a ZEN-Core sound set, auto-accompaniment styles, a microphone input, and Bluetooth connectivity.

Kawai MP11

Piano

Piano · Japan

A professional stage piano in Kawai's MP series built around the Grand Feel wooden-key action, with all-wood keys on an extended pivot, triple-sensor key detection, and Ivory Touch key surfaces, voiced primarily for acoustic-piano performance.

Korg MS-20

Patchable semi-modular monophonic analog synthesizer

Synthesizer · Japan

The Korg MS-20, released in 1978, is a patchable semi-modular monophonic analog synthesizer with two oscillators and a distinctive dual filter capable of aggressive resonance. Its hands-on patch bay and external signal processor made it a hugely influential and enduring instrument.

Casio CZ-101

Phase-distortion synthesizer model

Japan

The Casio CZ-101, released in 1984, is a compact, battery-capable digital synthesizer and the first in Casio's CZ line. Using Phase Distortion synthesis, it offers polyphonic (and multitimbral) operation on a mini keyboard at a very affordable price.

Sankyo CF-401

All-silver Artist handmade flute

Flute · Japan

The Sankyo CF-401 is the Artist model of the CF series, an all-sterling-silver handmade flute widely chosen for its accurate scale and characteristic Sankyo sound, and the most popular model in the line.

Sankyo CF Series

Sankyo handmade silver flute series

Flute · Japan

Sankyo's CF series is the company's line of handmade Boehm-system concert flutes, graded CF-201 through CF-901 by increasing level of handwork and finishing, with sterling silver, gold, and grenadilla options.

Roland Boutique

Series of synthesizer modules from Roland

Synthesizer · Japan

Roland Boutique is a line of compact desktop sound modules introduced in 2015 that recreate classic Roland synthesizers and drum machines using the company's Analog Circuit Behavior modeling. Each small unit revisits an iconic instrument such as the Juno-106, Jupiter-8, or SH-101.

Atelier Z M#245

Jazz-style electric bass model

Electric bass · Japan

The M#245 is Atelier Z's flagship active Jazz-style 4-string bass, built on the company's Original J Body with a 34 in scale, two-piece ash body, maple neck and fingerboard, and a Bartolini XTCT preamp with Spectrum Boost.

Altus 1407

Professional concert flute model

Flute · Japan

The Altus 1407 is a handmade professional concert flute made of sterling silver (.925) throughout, with soldered tone holes. It belongs to Altus's numbered handmade line, where higher model numbers indicate higher silver content or more advanced construction; the 1407 shares the sterling silver of the 1207 but uses more labor-intensive soldered tone holes. It can be ordered with offset or inline G, open- or closed-hole keys, and a B or C foot.

Akai S1000

1988 16-bit professional stereo digital sampler

Sampler · Japan

The Akai S1000, released in 1988, is a rackmount 16-bit stereo digital sampler that set a professional standard for sampling in the late 1980s and 1990s, with high audio quality, flexible editing, and wide library support.

Ibanez JEM

Signature superstrat electric guitar family

Electric guitar · Japan

The signature guitar of virtuoso Steve Vai, introduced in 1987 and built as a high-performance superstrat. It is famous for its "monkey grip" handle cut into the body, a scalloped upper fingerboard, 24 frets, a recessed double-locking tremolo, and high-output pickups, all tailored to Vai's extreme technique.

Yanagisawa A-WO10

Professional E-flat alto saxophone

Saxophone · Japan

The Yanagisawa A-WO10 is a professional E-flat alto saxophone with a brass body, high-F# key, double-arm keys, and a tri-point brace, supplied in gold lacquer with silver- and gold-plated versions made to order.

Yamaha CP series

Electric piano

Piano · Japan

Yamaha's CP series of professional pianos, ranging from the CP-70 and CP-80 electric grand pianos of the 1970s to later CP stage pianos that model acoustic and vintage electric-piano sounds for live performance.

Yamaha Motif

Series of music workstations

Synthesizer · Japan

The Yamaha Motif is a series of flagship music workstations launched in 2001 that became industry standards for production and live performance. Built on sample-based synthesis with sampling, sequencing, and effects, the Motif line ran through several generations (ES, XS, XF).

Tombo Folk Blues MarkII

Diatonic harmonica model

Harmonica · Japan

A 10-hole diatonic harmonica from the Japanese maker Tombo (No. 1210), built around a selected Japanese maple comb with designed cover plates and side holes for a traditional, warm, open blues sound. It uses major-diatonic (blues) tuning and is offered in twelve major keys plus Low F and High G.

Suzuki Manji M-20

10-hole diatonic harmonica

Harmonica · Japan

A Suzuki 10-hole diatonic harmonica with a composite body designed to evoke a wooden-body response.

Takamine Pro Series 7

Top-tier handcrafted acoustic-electric guitar series

Steel-string guitar · Japan

The Takamine Pro Series 7 is the highest-appointed tier of Takamine's Pro Series, handcrafted in Japan with solid spruce tops and solid rosewood backs and sides, flame maple binding, and Takamine's CTP-3 Cool Tube preamp system.

Tama Starclassic Maple

Maple drum kit series

Drum kit · Japan

Starclassic Maple is part of Tama's flagship Starclassic line, built with all-maple shells for a warm, full-bodied tone and a broad tuning range. Over its history the Starclassic family has been offered in maple, birch, bubinga and walnut/birch shell formulas.

Starway

Electric guitar model from the 1960s and 1970s

Electric guitar · Japan

A brand name applied to inexpensive Japanese electric guitars built by Teisco and exported during the 1960s. Like other budget Japanese instruments of that era, Starway guitars are remembered for their bold, idiosyncratic styling and have a following among vintage-guitar enthusiasts.

Roland TR

Series of Roland rhythm machines

Japan

The TR (Transistor Rhythm) series is Roland's long-running line of drum machines, several of which became foundational to electronic music. It includes the analog TR-808 and TR-909 along with the compact TR-606 and the sample-based TR-707.

Sago Shigure

7-string signature electric guitar

Japan

The Shigure is a Sago New Material Guitars signature model for Machiya of the Wagakki Band, built to order in Amagasaki, Japan. It is a seven-string electric with two extra low frets and Sago's in-house L(x) custom pickups (P-90, JM and humbucker), voiced for Machiya's open A/D/G/C/F/A/D tuning.

Roland FP Series

Digital piano series

Japan

Roland's FP series of portable digital pianos, spanning entry-level to flagship models built around weighted hammer-action keyboards and Roland's piano sound engines, in slim cabinets with built-in speakers.

Pearl Reference Pure

Hybrid-wood professional drum kit series

Drum kit · Japan

Pearl's flagship professional drum kit series using blended shells of maple, birch, and African mahogany, with thinner shells than the original Reference line, engineered so each drum size produces its optimal voice.

Pearl Quantz 765

Professional concert flute model

Flute · Japan

The Quantz 765 is the sterling silver model of Pearl's Quantz series, with a .925 silver body, a silver-plated nickel-silver mechanism, and French pointed arms. It uses Pearl's pinless and one-piece core-bar construction, offers Largo, Brezza, and Forza headjoint cuts, and can be ordered with covered or open (ring) keys and an optional split-E mechanism.

Muramatsu EX

Professional concert flute model

Flute · Japan

The EX is the entry model of Muramatsu's handmade flute line, pairing a hand-cut sterling silver headjoint with a silver-plated nickel-silver body and mechanism. It uses the same key mechanism as Muramatsu's top flutes, with a pinned mechanism, drawn tone holes, French (open-hole) keys, pointed arms, A=442 tuning, and a B footjoint; inline or offset G and a split-E mechanism are available options.

Miyazawa PB-202

Professional concert flute model

Flute · Japan

The PB-202 is a Miyazawa flute with a .958 silver headjoint and a silver-plated nickel-silver body, footjoint, and mechanism. It features open holes with French pointed arms, drawn tone holes, Straubinger pads, and Miyazawa's Brogger Mainline key system with a Partial Brogger configuration, and comes standard with a B footjoint, offset G, and a D-sharp roller.

Kiwaya KTS-5

All-solid mahogany soprano ukulele model

Japan

The Kiwaya KTS-5 is an Artist Series all-solid mahogany soprano ukulele made in Japan. Modeled on vintage Martin sopranos, it has a solid mahogany body, ebony fingerboard and bridge, bone nut and saddle, and Gotoh tuners, and is prized for its warm, projecting tone.

Korg Volca

Series of synthesizer modules from Korg

Synthesizer · Japan

Korg Volca is a series of compact, affordable, battery-powered instruments introduced in 2013. Each small unit focuses on a specific role—such as analog bass, lead, drums, or sampling—and includes a built-in sequencer and sync connections, encouraging hands-on jamming and multi-unit setups.

Ibanez Tube Screamer

Overdrive pedal series

Effects pedal · Japan

The Tube Screamer is Ibanez's classic overdrive pedal line, introduced in 1979 with the TS808 and designed by engineer Susumu Tamura to emulate an overdriven tube amp. Its op-amp circuit with symmetrical diode clipping in the feedback path produces a warm, mid-boosted, amp-like overdrive. The Tube Screamer became one of the most influential and widely copied effects in guitar history and spans models including the TS808, TS9, and TS Mini.

ESP Horizon FR-II

Electric guitar model

Electric guitar · Japan

A superstrat in ESP's Horizon line fitted with a Floyd Rose double-locking tremolo, indicated by the "FR" in its name. Built with a thin fast neck and high-output pickups, it is designed for the dive-bombs and lead playing of modern rock and metal.

Boss DS-1 Distortion

Compact distortion pedal

Effects pedal · Japan

The Boss DS-1 Distortion is a compact stompbox introduced in 1978, one of the earliest distortion pedals in the Boss line and its best-selling compact model. Built around a dual-stage gain circuit, it delivers tight, hard-edged distortion with a wide-ranging tone control, and has remained largely unchanged for decades as a benchmark distortion across rock, metal, and punk.

Akai MPC

Electronic musical instrument

Synthesizer · Japan

The Akai MPC (MIDI Production Center) is a family of sampler-sequencers, first released in 1988, that combined sampling, drum-pad performance, and sequencing in one unit. Developed with Roger Linn, the MPC became a central tool of hip-hop and electronic production and remains an industry standard.

Aoyama Monarch 47D

47-string grand concert pedal harp

Harp · Japan

The Monarch 47D is one of Aoyama's flagship grand concert pedal harps, a 47-string, seven-pedal instrument available with a bubinga or walnut-and-maple body and a gilded gold finish.

Ace Tone TOP-5

Portable transistor combo organ

Organ · Japan

A portable transistor combo organ from Ace Tone in the mid-to-late 1960s, part of the TOP (Transistor Organ, Portable) series. The TOP-5 offers five voice tabs (Flute, Organ, Horn, Oboe, String) with vibrato, delivering the reedy combo organ tone characteristic of 1960s beat and rock groups.

Asano Nagado-Daiko

The long-bodied taiko, carved from one trunk

Hand percussion · Japan

A nagado-daiko is hollowed from a single trunk of keyaki — sometimes a century of drying before the wood is cut — and headed with cowhide tacked down rather than tensioned, so its pitch is decided at build time and never changes.

Miyamoto Shime-Daiko

The rope-tensioned taiko that keeps time

Hand percussion · Japan

The shime-daiko is small, tuned very high by rope or bolt tension, and holds the pulse an ensemble plays against. It is the one taiko whose pitch a player sets rather than inherits.

ATV aDrums Artist Standard

Wooden shells and a continuous-sample engine

Electronic drums · Japan

The aDrums kits use real wood shells with mesh heads and the aD5 module, whose engine plays back continuous samples rather than crossfading between velocity layers — which is what makes soft playing sound soft rather than quiet.

EFNOTE 5

Electronic kit built to acoustic proportions

Electronic drums · Japan

The EFNOTE 5 uses full-size shells, real cymbal shapes, and a hardware set that assembles like an acoustic kit, on the argument that an electronic kit should not have to look like a rack.

Sakae Almighty Birch

The Osaka birch kit

Drum kit · Japan

Almighty Birch was Sakae's flagship under its own badge, built in the Osaka factory that produced Yamaha's drums for decades, with the same shell forming and hardware quality behind a different name.

Canopus Neo-Vintage

Reinforcement-ring shells built to 1960s specification

Drum kit · Japan

The Neo-Vintage series builds thin three-ply shells with reinforcement rings and rounded bearing edges — the 1960s American construction — with modern tolerances and Japanese hardware.

Aoyama Irish

Celtic lever harp family

Japan

The Irish harps are Aoyama's line of Celtic-style lever harps, folk instruments that use sharpening levers instead of pedals. The family spans 34- and 36-string sizes, including a gut-strung version.

Roland JD

Family of Roland digital synthesizers

Japan

The JD series is Roland's family of digital synthesizers known for hands-on, detailed sound design, beginning with the slider-laden JD-800 and its rackmount counterpart the JD-990, and continuing into the hybrid analog-digital JD-XA.

Roland Groovebox

Family of Roland grooveboxes

Japan

Groovebox is Roland's name for its line of self-contained instruments that pair sample-based sounds with a built-in pattern sequencer for electronic music production. The family includes the MC-303 that popularized the format, the JX-305, and the MC-808.