(Special thanks to Kim Rawlings at Rawlings Piano and Music Store in Bellingham, WA)

(Data from the Yamaha Company)

Celebrating a distinguished century of grand piano making
Unparalleled in their beauty and musical range, grand pianos are the ultimate expression of the piano maker's art. In this, our grand piano centennial year, Yamaha is proud to present a comprehensive line of incomparable grands, reflecting the very latest in Yamaha acoustic and technological advances. Embodying 100 years of accumulated expertise, these instruments epitomize the quality, performance and value for which Yamaha has long been renowned, as we enter the second century of Yamaha grand pianos.

Performance
* Refinements in copper-wound string specifications deliver purer, more perfectly pitched and harmonious bass.
* Barrel-shaped treble hammer shanks, similar to those of the concert grand, improve dynamic and tonal response.
* Bridges crafted from choice, finely grained woods, selected to complement each scale design, provide superior sound transmission.
* Rim specifications attuned to the characteristics of each model optimize strength, stability and resonance.
* Model-specific production enables more-focused tuning, voicing and regulation, for optimal long-term performance.
* Precise note-by-note strike point alignment produces crisper, clearer tones.
* Heightened precision in damper installation offers superior pedaling and expressive control.

Crafted with uncommon care and integrity
Yamaha grand pianos have earned a global reputation as instruments of outstanding quality and value. Renowned for their eloquent expressive range, and for their reliable performance over time, they play an important role in the performing arts and music education. They are consistently among the pianos most highly recommended by piano tuner/technicians and a leading choice of pianists at all levels, all over the world.

The Yamaha reputation rests on a century-long tradition of uncompromising care and craftsmanship, supported by an unmatched range of integrated expertise, top-of-the-line production facilities, and an exceptionally skilled, knowledgeable and dedicated workforce. Our strength in the full range of relevant technologies allows us to produce virtually every part of every piano ourselves-an approach that has helped us initiate significant advances and set what has long been recognized as the industry standard in quality control.
An open dialog with professional musicians generates invaluable input that, in conjunction with sophisticated research facilities, has led to continual advances in each new generation of Yamaha pianos. Our global network offers Yamaha customers additional advantages, from cost-efficient regional manufacturing to the ready availability of sales and support throughout most of the world.

Balancing cutting-edge technology and innovation with the timeless skills of expert artisans, Yamaha pianos have come to represent an unsurpassed standard of affordable excellence. It is a standard that continues to generate ever-higher acclaim and make Yamaha grand pianos the first choice of many of the world's most discriminating pianists.

A triumph of timeless artistry and technical sophistication
Today's C Series grands also incorporate all of the quality construction features found in prior C Series models.

Rims are formed from layers of select woods, laminated into shape in special presses, then seasoned to allow the wood to stabilize. Sturdy back posts are joined in a radial configuration and fitted to the rim using exceptionally strong and stable dovetail joints, enhancing both the pianos durability and the integrity of the acoustic chamber.
Iron plates, the internal frame of the piano, are cast in a vacuum molding process that virtually eliminates flaws and imperfections, then attached with an adjustable mounting system that allows precise control over string downbearing-critical for the best tonal performance. A metal tone collector connects the back posts to the plate, reflecting sound energy back through the case for a fuller, more sustained resonance.

Soundboards are crafted from select clear spruce and cured in a proprietary process that ensures a durable, natural crown. This is further reinforced with full-length spruce ribs, securely mortised and glued into the inner rim. Bridges are formed from fine-grained hardwoods chosen for optimal sound transmission, and precisely notched and pinned to carry the strings.
Produced from special steel and pure copper wire, strings are installed with the aid of special equipment for consistent, even tensioning. Duplex scaling, which tunes non-'speaking' lengths of the strings, enriches primary tones with complementary harmonics.

Pinblocks, where the tuning pins are set, are made from layers of dense hardwoods, bonded in a process that seals against fluctuations in humidity. The pins themselves have lathe-cut, rather than roll-pressed, threads, to ensure the best grip in the pinblock, and are nickel plated to resist corrosion. Together with the integrity of structural components, these features help to give Yamaha pianos an exceptionally high level of tuning stability, assuring better sound between tunings and requiring minimal regular maintenance.

Built to the highest standards to assure lasting value
The legendary Yamaha action mechanism is built to ultra-precise tolerances on aluminum alloy rails-unaffected by changes in temperature or humidity-for superb response, rapid repetition and years of trouble-free playing enjoyment. Designed for each model, hammers are made from top-quality felt, glued and T-fastened to hardwood heads and shanks, profiled to match the characteristics of each model. Matched key sets cut from solid spruce blocks are fitted with durable hardwood key buttons, faced with optimal tactile surfaces, and precisely balanced and laser-leveled for uniform travel and response.
Yamaha piano cabinetry is designed and constructed for long-lasting beauty, with a multi-layer polyester or lacquer finish that provides maximum protection against wear, sun, heat, spills and humidity. All fittings, including solid brass pedals and casters, are engineered for both beauty and functionality, with special protective features like soft-close fallboards and lid prop safety stops.

Finally, every Yamaha piano undergoes exceptionally thorough preparatory procedures. Skilled technicians tuner, 'voice' and regulate each instrument repeatedly over the course of construction, aided by a 'mechanical pianist' that plays every key hundreds of times, enabling the strings and action components to normalize between these procedures. Each instrument is allowed to rest in a controlled environment approximating that of its destination, then sealed in an airtight envelope to ensure optimal condition on arrival

The Mark II System

Unparalleled Triumph of Technology and Tradition
The new Disklavier Mark II XG offers more capabilities than ever before--from built-in digital accompaniment to computer connectivity--in addition to the uncompromising quality and world-standard performance of a Yamaha acoustic piano.

NEW! XG Internal Tone Generator
The sophisticated new tone generation module gives you instant access to a full spectrum of instrumental accompaniment. It's built right into the new Disklavier control unit, so you can easily record the sounds of other instruments or play back fully orchestrated piano/ensemble concerts through the Disklavier and your own amplified speakers. You can even adjust the balance between piano and ensemble volume to get exactly the mix you want.

A Major Advance in Digital Music Technology
Yamaha's new XG format extends General MIDI standards to include nearly 700 instrumental and percussion voices, with enhanced control and CD-quality sound. It's also designed to take advantage of future Yamaha advances, so your state-of-the-art Disklavier today will still be state-of-the-art tomorrow.

Versatile Playback Functions
Search and select functions make it easy to find the music you want to hear. You can control the volume to suit the occasion, adjust the tempo without affecting the pitch, change the key to play or sing along, and repeat any song or passage. With L/R recorded disks, you can even listen to the left or right hand part alone, or play one hand while the piano plays the other!

Keyboard-Integrated Recording
Using an advanced system of fiber-optic sensors, Disklavier pianos can capture any player's performance right from the keyboard itself. The internal Memory Disk lets you record and playback compositions using record and playback compositions using the instrument's own flash memory, or record onto standard 3.5" 2DD or 2HD floppy disks for unlimited capacity and easy portability. L/R dual recording lets you record left and right parts independently or simultaneously.

NEW! Personal Computer Interface
With a simple cable connection, now you can link the magic of your Disklavier piano to the power of your personal computer. You can store and edit performances on your computer's hard drive or other media, play the Disklavier XG from your PC, download music files from the Internet, or take advantage of today's advanced software for 'desktop music' and computer-aided composition.

Comprehensive Utility Functions
A wide variety of supporting features--including formatting, copying, titling and conversion functions--are built into the Disklavier Mark II XG, providing exceptional flexibility, convenience and control. A proprietary Self-Maintenance system provides automatic calibration, keeping your instrument in factory-fresh adjustment for maximum playback sensitivity.

Easy Operational Control
Despite its technological sophistication, Disklavier operation is simple and intuitive. A large, multi-function LCD panel displays settings, menus and operational guidance. And the majority of functions can be accessed both at the control unit and via remote control.

Treat Your Ears to the Ultimate in Musical Fidelity
The vast library of Yamaha PianoSoft(TM) disks offers prerecorded concerts by many of the world's most popular and respected pianists, performed with truly remarkable precision--complete with exact key and pedal movement--right on the piano itself. PianoSoft Plus(TM) ensemble disks augment this acoustic performance with the rich realism of digital orchestration, through the internal tone generator and simple connection to your own amplified speakers.

Explore New Creative Horizons
Students, teachers and developing artists have rapidly come to appreciate the advantages of Disklavier 'piano plus' versatility. Its direct recording and playback capabilities, along with features like dual left- and right-hand recording and playback, help make learning more effective...and more fun! There's even a built-in metronome to help you keep the beat.