Yamaha YM-4900A 4.5 Octave Rosewood Marimba
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Yamaha YM-4900A Marimba – 4.5 Octaves with Honduran Rosewood Tone Bars
The Yamaha YM-4900A is a professional 4.5 octave rosewood marimba for players, schools, colleges, universities and percussion departments that need more range than a standard 4.3 octave model, but still want a practical concert instrument with height adjustment and transport-friendly features.
This model builds on Yamaha’s research into its larger concert marimbas, combining Honduran rosewood tone bars, wide graduated bar sizes, a gas-spring height-adjustable frame and a 3-position resonator tracking system. The result is a serious marimba with a warm, full sound and enough range for advanced repertoire, solo work, ensemble playing and professional study.
The 4.5 octave F–c4 range gives you extra depth in the lower register compared with a 4.3 octave A–c4 marimba, which makes a real difference for players working on more demanding music.
What Does It Actually Sound Like?
The YM-4900A has a rich, traditional rosewood marimba sound with plenty of warmth, body and projection.
The Honduran rosewood bars give the instrument a more expressive tone than padauk or synthetic-bar models, with a deeper lower register and a more singing quality through the middle and upper notes. The wider graduated bars help the tone stay full across the whole range, so the instrument feels balanced rather than thin at the top or weak at the bottom.
That extra half-octave range is one of the biggest reasons to choose this model. The low F gives more weight and musical flexibility, especially for solo repertoire, advanced study and ensemble parts that need a wider register.
Why Choose the Yamaha YM-4900A?
The YM-4900A is a strong choice when a 4.3 octave marimba feels too limiting, but a full 5 octave concert marimba is more than you need in size, budget or space.
It gives you a professional rosewood sound, a wider F–c4 range and a frame that is still designed to be moved, adjusted and maintained in real-world settings. The gas-spring height adjustment makes it much easier for one person to set the playing height between approx. 86cm and 101cm, which is useful in schools, colleges and shared percussion rooms.
The 3-position resonator tracking system allows the resonators to be adjusted for pitch and tone control, helping the instrument respond properly in different room temperatures. Yamaha has also used denser alloy resonators with thicker walls to help produce a clean tone and reduce unwanted rattles during playing.
Key Features
4.5 octave professional marimba with F–c4 range
Honduran rosewood tone bars for warm, traditional marimba tone
Wider range than 4.3 octave models, giving extra depth in the lower register
Exclusive Yamaha tuning method for accurate pitch and balanced tone
Graduated bars for consistent projection across the full range
3-position resonator tracking system for pitch and tone control
Cut-away resonator design helps reduce overall weight
Nut/bolt and welded resonators designed to reduce unwanted rattling
Gas-spring height adjustment for easier one-person setup
Height range from approx. 86cm to 101cm
Hinged resonators and rails for easier breakdown
Two-piece crossbar for simpler transport and storage
Oversized 4" casters for smoother movement over uneven surfaces
Suitable for advanced students, colleges, universities and professional players
A442Hz pitch at 23°C
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | YM-4900A |
| Product ID / SKU | KYM4900A |
| Instrument Type | Marimba |
| Range | 4 1/2 octaves |
| Note Range | F–c4 |
| Bar Material | Honduran Rosewood |
| Bar Width | 65–41mm |
| Bar Thickness | 24–20mm |
| Pitch | A442Hz at 23°C |
| Resonator System | 3-position tracking system |
| Frame | Height-adjustable frame with hinged resonators and rails |
| Height Adjustment | Gas spring support system |
| Height Range | 86–101cm |
| Casters | Oversized 4" casters |
| Width | 235cm |
| Height | 86–101cm |
| Depth | 96cm |
| Weight | 78kg |
| Suitable For | Advanced students, colleges, universities, solo work and professional percussion |
What’s Included
Yamaha YM-4900A Marimba
Honduran rosewood tone bars
Gas-spring height-adjustable frame
Resonator assembly
Who Is It For?
The Yamaha YM-4900A is ideal for serious percussionists who need more range than a 4.3 octave marimba, but do not necessarily need a full 5 octave concert grand model.
It is a very strong choice for advanced students, colleges, universities, conservatoires, theatre pits, percussion teachers and professional rehearsal spaces. The F–c4 range opens up more repertoire, while the rosewood bars give the tone and expression needed for serious solo and ensemble playing.
For a music department, this is the sort of instrument that can support players as they move from intermediate study into advanced performance work.
Not Sure If This Is the Right Marimba?
If you are comparing the Yamaha YM-4600A and YM-4900A, the main difference is range.
The YM-4600A gives you 4.3 octaves from A–c4, which is a strong professional option for many players. The YM-4900A extends the lower range down to F, giving extra depth and more repertoire flexibility.
If you are buying for a school, college, university or serious player and are unsure whether 4.3, 4.5 or 5 octaves is the best choice, get in touch and we can help you work out the right model.