Yamaha Commemorates 40th Anniversary With Limited Edition Drum Set

(Click for a close-up)

For 40 years, Yamaha Drums has handcrafted renowned products that enable musicians to fully express their unique sounds. To commemorate this milestone, Yamaha Drums issues a 40th Anniversary Washi Drum Set at Winter NAMM 2007. Wrapped with washi paper (a type of Japanese paper used in traditional Japanese arts), the limited edition drum set's artwork depicts scenes from the Genpei War, which threw Japan into tumult from 1180 to 1185.

"This limited edition drum set draws on the rich history of Japan and the heritage of Yamaha Drums," said Dave Jewell, marketing manager, Yamaha Drums, Pro Audio & Combo Division. "The Genpei War is the most famous clash known in Japanese culture and was a pivotal point in Japanese history. It is only fitting that we put this important design on this special kit."

The Genpei War between the Taira and the Minamoto clans established the Kamakura Shogunate, the first Shogun to wield power nationwide, marking the rise of samurai power and the suppression of emperor reign. In the aftermath of the war, the colors of the Taira and Minamoto standards, red and white, respectively, were established as Japan's national colors, as reflected in the country's flag.

Several spectacular battles of the Genpei War have been represented in various Japanese artworks. Yamaha used scenes depicted in a hand-painted paneled screen that is displayed in the Takamatsu Historical Museum in Japan as a basis for the washi wrap. In the artwork and on the drumset, the gilded golden clouds provide a striking contrast to the dark blue sea water, while the vivid colors on the armor of the soldiers and horses draw the viewers into each battle scene.

A complete Washi Drum Set will also be displayed in the Japanese museum, bringing together old world history and new world technology.

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Using its flagship Recording Custom set as its template, the 40th Anniversary Washi Drum Set features a 22-in. x 17-in. bass drum, 10-in. x 9-in. and 12-in. x 10-in. mounted toms, 14-in. x 14-in and 16-in. x 16-in. floor toms and a matching 14-in. snare drum. The all-birch shells boast one-piece, high-tension lug casings, vintage wood hoops and 60-degree bearing edges, which give the drums remarkable warmth. The specially-designed bass drum head adds a complementary finishing touch.

Since 1967, Yamaha Drums has developed several innovations, including the hideaway cymbal boom arm, locking hi-hat clutch, a ball joint tom mount that rotates 360 degrees and interchangeable pipe diameters to provide maximum flexibility in hardware set-up.

The limited edition 40th Anniversary Washi Drum Set is scheduled to ship in July 2007. A limited number of Washi Drum Sets will be available.

For more information, visit their web site at www.yamaha.com.