Yamaha Pianica 36/P-36 Mid-to-late 1960s to 1979
Succeeded in 1979 by the P-37C (which was in turn succeeded in 1988 by today's P-37D). Yamaha's flagship vintage professional metal tray melodica. Originally marketed as the Pianica 36 and then (virtually uchanged) from about 1970 as the P-36. An impressive instrument in terms of build and engineering. Has an effective slide air release ("spit valve") mechanism found in only a few other models. Likely Yamaha's response to the Hohner Professional 36 and/or Piano 36. Has other unusual design features,. Similar in feel and sound to the earlier Pianica 32A and Pianica 34.
The Pianica 36/P-36 is completely different in design and sound from today's P-37D. The all-plastic P-37D shares the basic design introduced in the 1978 P-25C and P-32C. So it is a radical departure from the P-36 and shares the roots of the P-25F and P-32D/E. The P-37C is something of a mystery but, given the timing of its introduction and a comparison of parts lists, it is probably the point of departure from the earlier design and closer to the P-37D.
Rare. For some reason, more likely to be found in Latin America or Spain than elsewhere in the West. Don't buy one with noticeably uneven key heights, which indicates that some keys, which employ plungers, have been pulled up out of their sockets, which is hard to fix. Otherwise, a very desirable, distinctive and playable vintage Yamaha. For playability, a P-36 is a better bet than an original Pianica 36, with a chance for late 1970s manufacture of a 1960s design.
Read MoreThe Pianica 36/P-36 is completely different in design and sound from today's P-37D. The all-plastic P-37D shares the basic design introduced in the 1978 P-25C and P-32C. So it is a radical departure from the P-36 and shares the roots of the P-25F and P-32D/E. The P-37C is something of a mystery but, given the timing of its introduction and a comparison of parts lists, it is probably the point of departure from the earlier design and closer to the P-37D.
Rare. For some reason, more likely to be found in Latin America or Spain than elsewhere in the West. Don't buy one with noticeably uneven key heights, which indicates that some keys, which employ plungers, have been pulled up out of their sockets, which is hard to fix. Otherwise, a very desirable, distinctive and playable vintage Yamaha. For playability, a P-36 is a better bet than an original Pianica 36, with a chance for late 1970s manufacture of a 1960s design.
