Yamaha YX500R 3.5 Octave Rosewood Xylophone
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Yamaha YX500R Xylophone – 3.5 Octaves with Honduran Rosewood Bars
The Yamaha YX500R is a 3.5 octave rosewood xylophone aimed at intermediate players, schools, music services, percussion departments and ensembles that need a proper wooden-bar instrument with more tone and projection than an entry-level model.
It uses Honduran rosewood bars with an open pore finish, giving the instrument a full, authentic wooden xylophone sound. The 40mm wide bars help produce a more consistent tone across the range, while also giving players a little more room under the mallets compared with narrower student instruments.
The YX500R also has a gas-shock height adjustable frame, two-position resonator slots and a foldable frame design, making it practical for schools, rehearsal rooms and performance spaces where the instrument may need to be moved, stored or adjusted for different players.
What Does It Actually Sound Like?
The YX500R has the bright, articulate attack you expect from a xylophone, but with the warmer and more traditional sound of real rosewood bars.
Compared with Pao Rosa or synthetic-bar models, the rosewood gives the tone more depth, character and projection. It speaks clearly across the full range, with enough bite for ensemble playing but without sounding thin or harsh.
The 40mm bars help keep the tone quality consistent across the instrument, and the two-position resonator slots allow the resonance to be adjusted for the playing space. For schools, advanced students and percussion ensembles, it gives a much more serious xylophone sound than a basic classroom model.
Why Choose the Yamaha YX500R?
The YX500R is a strong step up from Yamaha’s student xylophones.
It gives you a 3.5 octave range, rosewood bars, resonators and a height-adjustable frame, so it feels much closer to a concert-style xylophone while still being manageable in education and rehearsal settings.
The gas-shock height adjustment is particularly useful where different players share the same instrument. The playing height can be adjusted from 80cm to 95cm, helping students and adults play in a more comfortable position.
The foldable frame and steel casters also make it easier to move and store than a fixed-frame instrument, which is a real advantage in schools, halls and percussion rooms where space is always at a premium.
Key Features
3.5 octave intermediate xylophone
Honduran rosewood bars with open pore finish
40mm wide bars for consistent tone and projection
23mm bar thickness
Full, authentic wooden xylophone sound
Two-position resonator slots for tonal adjustment
Gas-shock height adjustable frame
Height adjustable from 80cm to 95cm
Foldable frame for easier transport and setup
Steel casters for improved mobility
A442Hz tuning
Suitable for intermediate players, schools, music services and percussion ensembles
Useful step up from student Pao Rosa or tabletop xylophones
Specifications
| Specification | Details |
|---|---|
| Brand | Yamaha |
| Model | YX500R |
| Product ID / SKU | KYX500R |
| Instrument Type | Xylophone |
| Range | 3.5 octaves |
| Note Range | F–C |
| Bar Material | Honduran Rosewood |
| Bar Finish | Open Pore Finish |
| Bar Width | 40mm |
| Bar Thickness | 23mm |
| Pitch | A442Hz |
| Tuning | Octave tuned |
| Resonators | Two-position resonator slots |
| Frame | Gas-shock height adjustable foldable frame |
| Height Range | 80–95cm |
| Casters | Steel casters |
| Width | 137.5cm |
| Height | 80–95cm |
| Depth | 75cm |
| Weight | 35kg |
| Suitable For | Intermediate players, schools, music services, percussion departments and ensembles |
What’s Included
Yamaha YX500R Xylophone
Height-adjustable frame
Resonators
Short cover
Mallets
Who Is It For?
The Yamaha YX500R is ideal for schools, music services, intermediate percussionists and ensembles that need a proper rosewood xylophone without moving into the very highest professional price range.
It is a good choice for players who have outgrown a beginner xylophone and need better tone, more projection and a more serious frame setup. It is also well suited to education settings where the instrument needs to be shared between students, moved between rooms and adjusted to suit different player heights.
For a school percussion department, this is the kind of instrument that can support students as they move into more advanced tuned percussion work.
Not Sure If This Is the Right Xylophone?
If you are comparing Yamaha xylophones, the YX2035PR is a more student-focused model with Pao Rosa bars and a height-adjustable frame.
The YX500R steps things up with Honduran rosewood bars, resonators and a more concert-style sound. It is the better choice if tone, projection and long-term progression are the priority.
If you need the durability of synthetic bars instead, the Yamaha YX500F is the Acoustalon version of this instrument. If you are not sure which model is best for your school, ensemble or student, get in touch and we can help you choose the right option.