Look closely at the Yamaha logo on a guitar and on a motorcycle, and you will find they are not the same. One belongs to Yamaha Corporation, the musical instrument and audio company; the other to Yamaha Motor, which grew out of it. This guide explains the two companies and the small but deliberate differences between their logos. For Yamaha guitars as a whole, see our Yamaha Brand Guide.
Yamaha Logo Quick Facts
- Two companies: Yamaha Corporation (instruments, audio) and Yamaha Motor (motorcycles)
- Why two: Yamaha Motor was spun off from the instrument maker in 1955
- Shared symbol: Three crossed tuning forks in a circle
- Tuning fork tips: Inside the circle on the music logo, reaching the ring on the motor logo
- The M: Floats above the line on the music logo, touches it on the motor logo
- Colors: Violet for Yamaha Corporation, red for Yamaha Motor
Prefer to watch? This article is based on my own video below.
Two Yamahas: Yamaha Corporation and Yamaha Motor
The Yamaha on your guitar is Yamaha Corporation, the company behind musical instruments and sound. It began as Nippon Gakki and took the Yamaha Corporation name in 1987.
Yamaha Motor came later. Its first motorcycle, the YA-1, was developed while it was still part of Nippon Gakki, and the motorcycle division became an independent company in 1955. The two are separate companies today, but they still share the Yamaha name and the tuning-fork symbol.
Where the Tuning Fork Symbol Comes From
Nippon Gakki adopted a tuning fork as its mark back in 1898. The three crossed forks stand for the cooperation of technology, production and sales, and also for melody, harmony and rhythm. The circle around them was added later.
Yamaha Music vs Yamaha Motor Logo: The Differences
At a glance the two logos look identical. Put them side by side and the differences are clear.
| Detail | Yamaha Corporation (music) | Yamaha Motor (motorcycles) |
|---|---|---|
| Tuning fork tips | Stay inside the circle | Reach the outer ring |
| “M” in YAMAHA | Middle floats above the baseline | Middle connects to the baseline |
| Letter shapes | Slightly asymmetric | Symmetric |
| Color | Violet | Red |
Why the motor logo is different
According to a story told inside Yamaha Motor, the fork tips reaching the ring were meant to suggest a motorcycle wheel, and the “M” touching the ground line to suggest stability. The music logo’s slightly asymmetric letters, by contrast, were tuned to feel elegant and rhythmic.
How to Tell Them Apart in Five Seconds
| Look at… | Music (guitars, pianos) | Motor (bikes, boats) |
|---|---|---|
| The circle | Fork tips float inside | Fork tips touch the ring |
| The middle of the M | Short, not touching the line | Reaches down to the line |
So if a “Yamaha guitar” sticker or part shows the motor version of the logo, it is worth a second look.
Final Thoughts
It is a small detail, but it says a lot about Yamaha’s obsession with design and precision. Two companies, one name, and logos that differ by a few millimeters.
Many guitar lovers are also bike lovers, so I thought it would be fun to take another look at this difference.
FAQ
Are Yamaha guitars and Yamaha motorcycles made by the same company?
No. Guitars are made by Yamaha Corporation, and motorcycles by Yamaha Motor, which was spun off from the instrument maker in 1955. They are separate companies that share the Yamaha name.
What is the difference between the Yamaha music and motor logos?
On the music logo the tuning fork tips stay inside the circle and the middle of the M floats above the line. On the motor logo the tips reach the ring and the M touches the line.
What color is the Yamaha logo?
Yamaha Corporation uses violet as its corporate color, while Yamaha Motor uses red.
Why does the Yamaha logo have tuning forks?
Yamaha began as a musical instrument maker and adopted the tuning fork as its mark in 1898. The three forks stand for technology, production and sales.
When did Yamaha Motor become a separate company?
In 1955, when the motorcycle division of Nippon Gakki, now Yamaha Corporation, became independent.
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