Reply To: Yamaha P37D and generic melodicas

Hohner, Suzuki, and Yamaha were all making melodicas by 1961, Ofir, and the basic design of today’s Yamaha pianicas was in place by the early 1980s. There were a few other smaller manufacturers. Until recently, the true Yamahas were made in Japan, though they are now made in Indonesia. Today, melodicas are mass produced in China and sold under various names, some under false pretenses. Most of them are okay but not comparable to a Yamaha or to the $100 Suzukis. To some extent, this is a matter of opinion and personal preference, but quality of materials and construction are evident when you take a melodica apart and examine it.