YAMAHA DISKLAVIER PIANOS:
ARTISTRY MEETS TECHNOLOGY

THE YEAR WAS 1987

In the 1970s, solenoid-based player systems were beginning to be added to pianos. In 1987, Yamaha took this concept to a new level. They introduced the Disklavier reproducing piano.

The first Disklavier model was the MX100A. This model was available on the U1 upright piano. The control unit was built into the cabinet.

THE YEAR

WAS 1990

Starting in 1989, Yamaha began marketing the Disklavier system on different grand piano sizes. Even thought this system was ahead of it's time the control unit had a rather substantial power supply. The control unit was also in a cabinet on wheels and this system was termed as the Wagon Grand Disklavier.

In the 1990s, Yamaha built a number of standard models for the Disklavier systems. The most popular systems were the Mark II and Mark IIXG Disklaviers. The Mark II did not use the wagon control unit. They instead, used a relatively small control unit that was mounted under the keys

FROM 1998-2012

1998 marked a historical moment in the evolution of the Disklavier. The new PRO Disklavier was introduced and offered incredible recording accuracy and playback. In 2002, Yamaha updated the Disklavier once again. The introduced the Mark III standard Disklavier and the Mark III PRO. In 2004, Yamaha introduced the Mark IV. This system was a high quality consumer model was available on grands and smaller pianos.

In 2006, Yamaha introduced the first generation E3 Disklavier in a single upright model (U1) and in the C2 and smaller grand pianos. In 2012, Yamaha replaced the Mark IV series with standard and PRO versions of the E3. The standard version (complete with hammer sensors) was made available on the C2 and smaller grand pianos. All larger pianos (from the C3 and up) were outfitted with the PRO system.