As far as I’m aware, Yamaha did not offer drums until they began in 1967. Those have the “Y” badge.

Around 197x (not sure of exact date), they switched to the rectangular badge attached by the vent grommet. That changed form slightly over the years (earlier had square corners on the bottom and a pink hue; later rounded all corners, later same shape but a pale gold color which continued into the divorce of Sakae when they went to the screwed on badges.)

Above for the “D” series; 9000 series and a recording Custom series. Those with 100% birch shells. Other lines had different badges, but the 8000/tour custom had similar badges at the same time.

If Yamaha dabbled before 1967, they did it without their name attached to the product. If they did, I would think the lugs would give them away. They never used re-rings either, and even the first D-20 kits had the angled ply seams.

Yamaha had drums before 1967 under their own name. I just couldn't find the picture anymore. It was on a Japanese FB page from someone.

And it had almost square lugs, totally different than what they did with Sakae in 1967.

The Y badge with the script logo (they used the script logo on the kits before 1967 too) was only used from 1967 until 1968.

After the script logo, the Y badge got the logo we know so well now.

Fun fact:

The ''Air Seal System'' invention, was invented by Yamaha before they partnered with Sakae in 167 too.

Although that may be true, Yamaha themselves site 1967 as the first year of them offering drums. Evidenced by the release dates of their anniversary kits as well.

I personally have never seen any pre-1967 kits with the Yamaha name on them.

And, if they had the ability to make shells themselves, why would they have farmed that out from the beginning?

Not trying to be argumentative; just trying to solidify the reports.

Yamaha Drums (and its history) was my work for quote some time.

I asked my old collegues at Yamaha in Japan for a picture. Lets hope they still have something 😬

And why did they merged? Most likely because Sakae had a great track record building drums too, before 1967.

1967 was the year they partnered with Sakae and formed the Yamaha Drums branch. It was also thr start of Yamaha Drums as we know it today too.

I’m looking forward to seeing those pictures!

The search continues, but on a side note.

One of my buddies (he was the head of marketing world wide for the Yamaha Drums devision) did just send the first ever made catalog from 1967.

This catalog hasn’t been released online and was only released in Japan.

That’s the first time I’ve seen that bass head logo too!

I’ve seen reproductions but never any legit photos of originals until now.

An your friend find me the correct snares for my RC snare drum? It has the longer snares and I can’t find the part number to order replacements. The website is usually good but I could t find those (which is odd).

very very interesting! are there better resolution images?

but forward in time here is George Ohtsuka on a Yamaha close to Gtretsch, 1972

I have an image of Muraoka Takeru on a Yamaha set, before 1967, with look like rocket lugs, but I can't load it

Looks like a D-20 kit. Same badge and lugs as mine.

They are really nice sounding drums! And, I agree, they were certainly targeting Gretsch at that time...

I'm going to be playing again with a Jazz trio here in a couple weeks, and I might just drag out the old D-20 for that, rather than my black bop kit...