Yamaha at NAMM 2026

This year’s NAMM Show, which coincided with the 125th anniversary of the National Association of Music Merchants, shined a bright spotlight on 1,650 exhibitors and 5,400 brands. While attendance came in around 60,000 this year (63,000 last year), nearly twice as many artists demonstrated and endorsed products, and the Anaheim Convention Center was packed.

As always, Yamaha had a strong presence at the show, unveiling a wide array of new products and participating in numerous learning sessions and panels. Here’s a look at what we had going on at NAMM 2026.

The Yamaha Display

Even before entering the main Yamaha display area, visitors had the opportunity to get an up-close look at the custom C7 Concert Grand piano we created for famed touring artist Benson Boone for his sellout 2025 American Heart Tour. This remarkable instrument, with its distinctive silver-flake finish and special high-traction grip coating, served as the visual and musical centerpiece of the main stage during live performance, as well as the launch surface for many of Boone’s trademark backflips.

Drums

The drum area was, as always, a hub of excitement as experienced and burgeoning drummers alike had the opportunity to sit down behind a Yamaha drum kit (including the DTX6K5-M with mesh pads and the DTX8K-PROX with TCS [Textured Cellular Silicone] pads) and try them out.

Large crowds were drawn to the ongoing demonstrations of the new EAD50 Professional-Grade Electronic Acoustic Drum Microphone System and its companion DSU50 stereo condenser microphone/trigger pickup, which were both recipients of prestigious “Gotta Stock It” awards from a panel of gear experts and buyers who shopped the show floor. Together, the system combines the capabilities of a DTX-PROX Drum Module, a built-in digital mixer, and processor to deliver expanded drumming flexibility and enhanced audio capture capabilities suitable for home practice, live performance and studio recording environments. The EAD50 offers five XLR mic inputs plus an eight input/10 output audio interface, as well as 2,317 Voices and 252 Digital Effects, plus Looper, Sampler and Playback functions.

Included with the EAD50 and also available as an add-on or stand-alone microphone, the DSU50 is built specifically to capture the natural sound of an acoustic drum kit. In addition to traditional bass drum hoop mounting like its revolutionary Yamaha EAD10 counterpart, it also has a 3/8″ threaded base compatible with microphone stands, allowing it to be used for overhead miking of drums. The DSU50 is also ideal for capturing fresh tones from instruments like acoustic guitar or mallet keyboards, delivering balanced mids and crisp highs.

Percussion

The Percussion area showcased a wide variety of timpani, mallet percussion, and marching drums and accessories. The new line of Power-Lite Series Marching Drums and Carriers drew special attention and were recognized as one of the top overall products at 2026 NAMM, winning a “Best In Show” award. Designed specifically for young percussionists, these products feature a lightweight construction that helps reduce fatigue while maintaining the superior tone, durability and adjustability that Yamaha is known for, combining comfort, performance and reliability.

Paired with the carriers are Power-Lite Series snare, tenor and bass drums. Newcomers to the lineup include the QD-6312 Micro Quad (6″, 8″, 10″, 12″ configuration) and QD-6313 Small Quad (8″, 10″, 12″, 13″ configuration) multi-toms. Featuring a pre-assembled mounting rail and REMO drumheads, these are ready to play straight out of the box.

Winds

On display in the Winds area were a number of new instruments, including the limited edition YTR-8335IIRSKG NAMM26 XENO trumpet (only 100 units produced), the bold style of the YAS-480SGLK alto and YTS-480SGLK tenor intermediate saxophones, and the next evolution of the acclaimed Yamaha Geyer-style Custom horn, the YHR-871II.

The new YAC Flute-Assist attachment, an innovative teaching and performance support tool, also received its debut at NAMM 2026, and was awarded a “Gotta Stock It” designation. Engineered to make learning the flute easier, this small plastic device supports students at various stages of their development by promoting proper technique and enabling more confident play. Its recognition underscores the Yamaha dedication to developing solutions that empower players and educators alike.

Strings

The Strings area featured many acoustic stringed instruments as well as electric and SILENT™ violins, cellos and violas. The revolutionary line of Yamaha SILENT Cellos^™ was enhanced with the debut of the SV300C and SV300F models. The SVC300C offers show-stopping looks and expansive sound capabilities, while the SVC300F brings a more traditional, acoustic-like experience to its sound and feel. Both allow for a combination of different sound types through a blend control, onboard EQ and easy control of multiple reverb settings, and their geared tuning pegs provide quick and easy tuning. In addition, both are lightweight and easy to transport in their included soft cases, with the SVC300C model collapsing into a narrow, travel-friendly footprint.

SVC300C SILENT Cello.

SVC300F SILENT Cello.

Guitars

In the guitar area, two new Revstar electrics were being debuted: Cardinal Black guitarist Chris Buck’s Signature Revstar, which offers P90-style pickups, a wraparound bridge, a chambered body and a carbon-reinforced neck; and the 60th Anniversary Revstar, which has a distinctive refined Noble Black Burst finish, chambered body, Göldo tremolo, Gotoh locking tuners and custom-designed dual humbuckers.

A new line of Pacificas was also unveiled at NAMM 2026: Pacifica SC Professional and Standard Plus single-cutaway electrics, which combine easy playability with extreme tonal versatility thanks to their Reflectone™ pickups and Focus switch.

The new TAS3 C second-generation TransAcoustic guitar got a lot of attention at the show. It offers modern technology in a concert-size body, incorporating a built-in looper along with reverb, chorus and delay effects.

The new 60th Anniversary FG9 acoustic drew big crowds too. With its Adirondack spruce top and Guatemalan rosewood back and sides, this stunning guitar looks every bit as good as it sounds.

Keyboards

In the keyboard area, three new synthesizers — the M6, M7 and M8 MODX M, with their expressive control and streamlined workflow, and the lightweight portable 61-key PSR-E483 and PSR-E583 — had lots of pros, aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts lining up for hands-on tryouts.

Pro Audio

There were many new professional audio products making their NAMM debut too, including the line of MGX digital mixers, which offer built-in microSD card multitrack recording, dual USB-C audio interfaces and HDMI-USB video capture/pass-through (on “V” models).

These mixers share DNA with the new URX Series audio interfaces, which represent a higher-performance evolution in our audio interface lineup by offering prosumer-level 32-bit/192 kHz audio with advanced onboard DSP.

Last but not least was the Elgato Stream Deck-friendly CC1 USB controller, which aims to make life easier for producers of streaming audio, podcast and video content.

Performances

Even before NAMM kicked off, Yamaha threw a party to celebrate its 60 years of guitar-building with a concert at the House of Blues in Anaheim. Atlanta-based guitarist Ethan Ridings and vocalist Caelyn Carsten opened the night, followed by Welsh band Cardinal Black (featuring guitarist Chris Buck playing his newly unveiled Signature Revstar) and a set from guitar phenom Matteo Mancuso with bassist Vincen Garcia.

At the Experience Yamaha concerts on the Grand Plaza, Cardinal Black and Mancuso played on successive afternoons; keyboardist Ethan Bortnick also did an exciting set.

The 15th annual Yamaha Night of Worship at NAMM 2026 featured Bernie Herms with special guests Natalie Grant and The Belonging Co.

The Yamaha All-Star Concert on the Grand is always a popular event attended by large and enthusiastic crowds. This year, the All-Star House Band was led by Will Wells and Greg Phillinganes and the show featured show-stopping performances from The War and Treaty, Sheléa, Alana Springsteen, and Ethan Bortnick.

Learning Sessions and Panels

Beyond the thrill of viewing exciting new products and dazzling performances, NAMM offers a wide variety of educational opportunities, and, as always, Yamaha had a strong presence in the various learning sessions and panels. Lisa MacDonald, Director of Vertical Marketing, represented Yamaha at the Music Education Leaders Summit as a panelist, emphasizing what it takes to build education and industry partnerships that are effective, meaningful, and long-term. Along with fellow Yamaha team members Brian Petterson (Director of Marketing, Winds & Strings) and Doug Steinmetz (Director of Sales), Lisa also contributed to a data-driven conversation about education landscape trends at an event sponsored by AIMM (Alliance of Independent Music Merchants).

Senior Segment Marketing Specialist Natalie Morrison led a double session featuring the ReVoicing the Future podcast, elevating women’s voices, and spotlighting how storytelling strengthens trust and connection across the industry’s ecosystem, and Segment Marketing Manager for Education Heather Mansell participated in Building a State Advocacy Coalition, focused on practical steps for creating sustainable state and local advocacy networks. In a second learning event featuring GAMA (Guitar & Accessories Marketing Association), Heather led a conversation about guitar and non-traditional education partnerships, highlighting how programs like Teaching Guitar Workshops (TGW) and Lead Guitar are expanding access and creating new pathways for student participation.

Well, that’s a wrap! Hope to see you at next year’s NAMM, which will be held from Jan 26 – 30, 2027 at the Anaheim Convention Center.