Yamaha

Why r/BuyItForLife recommends Yamaha

52 mentions from real owners

• #1Dec 30, 2025

  A few brands I'll probably stick with for life

  Apple Doc Marten Adidas Honda Wusthof Fender Yamaha Haden KitchenAid Guinness

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• #2Dec 23, 2025

  What's a Good CD Player to Buy?

  You will want to look for higher end "audiophile" manufacturers, Marantz, Yamaha, Denon, Oppo, among others. Look for CD, SACD, or Universal players from these manufacturuers. Cost more, but should last 20 to 30 years. Any new products sold at Walmart, Target, etc will likely be low quality. You will probably need to spend $500 - $1500, unless you find used gear that is affordable and in good working order.

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• #3Dec 1, 2025

  ISO good CD players in Japan

  Check out Hard Off stores - they're like thrift shop heaven for electronics and you can definitely find some solid Pioneer or Yamaha units within that budget

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• #4Nov 4, 2025

  Yamaha is the epitome of BIFL

  Totally agree with you — Yamaha really feels like BIFL (Buy It For Life) when it comes to their products. I own a Yamaha digital piano that I bought from [Ubuy](https://www.ubuy.co.th/), and I’ve had it for years with zero issues. The keys still feel smooth, the sounds are crisp, and it hasn’t needed any maintenance beyond basic cleaning. From what I’ve seen and experienced, the same applies to their other music gear — keyboards, mixers, and even some guitars. They’re just built to last, and you can feel the quality when you play or use them. That’s probably why so many schools, studios, and home musicians trust Yamaha so much — reliability combined with consistently great sound. Honestly, I think Yamaha’s “low-key” reputation is part of why they don’t always get the flashy hype. People who know, know — and they stick with it for life.

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• #5Sep 4, 2025

  What product would you seriously stockpile if you found out they weren't going to sell it anymore?

  ipods, sandisk sansa that has option to roxbox, xbox 360 controller, philips she3595, honda cg125, yamaha ybr 125

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• #6Aug 11, 2025

  What brand will you never buy again?

  anything Samsung. Any brand that makes more than one type or generes of products are shit low quality. the only «make it all» brand that is actually any good is Yamaha. everything they touch turns to diamond.

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• #7Aug 9, 2025

  What's the best BIFL item you own?

  A 1999 Yamaha 6335HGSII trumpet

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• #8Aug 6, 2025

  What’s your favorite “Buy It For Life” purchase you’ve made - new and used?

  That Rhodes sounds like a dream—I’ve only played one once at a studio and it left a mark. My favorite has to be my old Yamaha Reface CP. Found it secondhand at a pawn shop and grabbed it on impulse. It’s not super fancy, but it’s portable and just feels *right* every time I play. For newer gear, I picked up a MIDI controller that weirdly came with some decent drum pads—found it while browsing Alibaba of all places. Wasn’t expecting much, but it actually helped me get out of a creative rut

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• #9Jul 3, 2025

  Help! Looking for home backup power recommendations!

  This is the answer if they need bifl as even the best batteries will only last 5-15 years and that 15 years isnt realistic for most users. A good honda or yamaha generator can last a lifetime and if something does go you can likely repair it

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• #10Jul 2, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  I'm American, but I have grown to love and respect Japanese quality: 1. 1985 Nintendo NES 2. 1988 Yamaha U1 Piano 3. 1997 Sony Trinitron TV 4. 2003 Toyota Tundra 4x4 5. 2004 Honda Shadow Motorcycle

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• #11Jul 1, 2025

  Name your top 5 BIFL items

  I have a 1977 Yamaha C trumpet that plays like a dream and still has perfect compression using light oil. I’m not sure what they were putting in the brass 50 years ago, but I’ve never played a better instrument. Cosmetically it’s a mess, but it sounds better than any new trumpet on the market. I’ve tried every flagship/artist model trumpet from most major manufacturers and haven’t been able to find a reason to upgrade. There’s a reason so many professional musicians play on vintage instruments, and it’s not because of how they look.

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• #12May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Yamaha drums are also nice. The Recording Customs and Stage Customs are some of the most popular kits around.

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• #13May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  I have a lot of these. Here are some: * Casio G-Shock wristwatches * Raspberry Pi computers * Sony bluetooth headphones * Steinway pianos * Savotta bags * Barbour jackets * Sterkowski hats * Lezyne air pumps * Mavic wheels * Shimano derailleurs * Logitech mice * Cordura fabrics * Fisher pens * YKK zippers * ThinkPad laptops * Metrix oscilloscopes * The United States Playing Card Company decks * Ray Ban sunglasses * Anker powerbanks * Yamaha guitars * Samsung TVs * Victorinox multitools * Olight flashlights * Montblanc fountain pens * La Sportiva shoes * Playstation consoles * GNU software

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• #14May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Any mass-produced violin is probably not great, but Yamaha's electric violins are pretty good value (at least the YEV series, don't have experience with others)

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• #15May 10, 2025

  Brands you swear by that have Buy It For Life quality products

  Darn Tough socks. Patagonia everything. Yamaha musical instruments, which at least for guitars and pianos are way better than their pricing suggests (their violins, not so much)

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• #16May 2, 2025

  Best generator to buy for my situation?

  Don’t discount Yamaha inverter generators either. Couple things they do better than Honda. All the controls are on one side unlike the Honda, and when you turn the fuel off on the Yamaha, it actually turns the fuel off to the carb. The motor will run for a couple more minutes, emptying the fuel bowl. No need to add fuel stabilizer etc. And I would buy the inverter in the 2000w range. I know they are expensive, but the eco-throttle (or whatever term your brand uses) is a game changer. As a back up for the refrigerator, it idles down (saving fuel) whenever the fridge compressor is not running.

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• #17May 1, 2025

  What’s the best TV soundbar you’ve owned long-term?

  Holds up over time? I have a Yamaha ATS1060 that I bought in 2016. Still going strong.

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• #18May 1, 2025

  What’s the best TV soundbar you’ve owned long-term?

  I've been using a Yamaha YSP-3000 Digital Sound Projector for years.

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• #19May 1, 2025

  What’s the best TV soundbar you’ve owned long-term?

  I've quite enjoyed my Yamaha ysp2700. It was fiddly to set up and for some reason needs the directional speakers realigned from time to time, but it sounds ok. It's lasted well and has been blared quite a lot. The bounced surround sound is a bit hit and miss, but when it does work it works brilliantly. I will only change it when I find something with Dolby Atmos that takes my fancy.

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• #20Apr 3, 2025

  Meta: Can we stop with the "but its all made in the same factory" BS

  So I really should pony up for the Yamaha and not the CFMoto, huh.

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• #21Apr 3, 2025

  This will only leave in a coffin

  I have a Yamaha, built like a tank. Can't justify getting a new unit, as I still use a 2.1 setup. Supports older DTS and Dolby etc.

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• #22Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  >If you simply want a headphones that block sound and be BIFL, I'd suggest most popular **closed-back** (it's important) models from Beyerdynamics, Audio-Technica, Yamaha, and Sennheiser. This is what I would recommend. It comes with a massive audio quality upgrade too.

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• #23Mar 1, 2025

  I need noise cancelling head phones that are big enough that they competely cover the average adult woman's ears

  Noise cancelling headphones are usually wireless ones and those are never BIFL. At this point you'll do better in r/Headphones. My rec? Sony's XM4 or XM5 headphones. There's also Bose, if your focus is on noise cancelling ability. If you simply want a headphones that block sound and be BIFL, I'd suggest most popular **closed-back** (it's important) models from Beyerdynamics, Audio-Technica, Yamaha, and Sennheiser.

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• #24Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I have a Yamaha Revstar II electric guitar and it punches high above its weight. Looks fantastic as well. They knocked it out of the park with that guitar.

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• #25Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I didn't say that. I never said best in the world you added that. It's the best entry level stuff, meaning I believe a cheap yamaha pacifica is better than a squier. I own tons of high end guitars, PRS, Gibson, Fender, Suhr and some local customs too, and own absolutely 0 yamahas, but my kid has one, and it's awesome. I've played tons of other Yamahas even the new high end ones. Go play a cheap pacifica and tell me it isn't better than the comparably prices squier, then play the pro level pacifica and tell me it isn't as good at a suhr classic S.

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• #26Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Toyota, Arc'teryx, Michelin, Sennheiser, Sony, Yamaha

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• #27Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  History of Yamaha]  - They started out by repairing imported organs → making musical instruments. - They started making electronic instruments while making musical instruments → making LSIs. - They made LSIs, so they made computers → They tried to use them for other things, so they made routers. And so they started making musical instruments, electronic devices, and network-related products. The reason why they also made engines and furniture is because. - They were given advice on woodworking when making organs and pianos → They made furniture → They also made housing equipment. - During the war, the military said, "Since you make furniture, you can make wooden propellers," so they stayed and made aircraft propellers → They made motorcycles and engines with the equipment that was returned to them by GHQ in a war against the Soviet Union. - They started up Yamaha Motors → They won a race with the first motorcycle They made 9 days after the company was founded. - The president did Kyudo, so he made archery equipment out of FRP → He also made boats because he had FRP. - The president's American outboard motor often broke down, so he made outboard motors. - They made a swimming pool using FRP → They also made a water slide. - They made a water purifier because the family of an Indonesian expatriate complained that the tap water was dirty. - They started a bio business, thinking that they could do something about the carbon dioxide oxide emitted by motorcycles.

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• #28Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Even Yamaha's entry level instruments are great

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• #29Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Seems like everything they make (and that’s a whopping portfolio) is supernaturally good. God loves Yamaha.

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• #30Feb 7, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I like boats. Like, live for boats. When I travel, I notice boats. Yamaha outboard engines are everywhere in the world. Even commercial fishermen, tour operators, and other professional boaters love them, and they use them very hard. I have a 1997 50 HP 4-stroke that came on a boat I bought in 2006. I have put hundreds and hundreds of hours on it and not taken especially good care of it, either, but it has never — ever — let me down. Operator error, sure … water in the gas, running aground, the usual … and routine replacement of consumables like water pump impellers, control cables, and whatnot … but damn, that thing is the best. Okay, one thing: I have put three electric trim pump motors on it. It is constantly exposed to salt water and I rarely rinse, and the housing bubbles up with rust so badly that I replace it just because I am afraid it will fail. It never has, but it sure gets ugly and then I buy a new one. I’ve coated the replacements before installation with paint, liquid rubber, etc but it makes no difference. Okay, you know what, I don’t buy the OEM Yamaha part, too expensive, so I buy aftermarket at 1/3 the price. Can’t blame Yammy for that. TL/DR: Yamaha makes a badass outboard engine.

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• #31Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I’d put my $800 Yamaha stereo amp up against many $2000-$3000 amps and think it sounds just as good, better in some cases. Plus I love their simple, no frills but everything you actually need classic designs.

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• #32Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Ibanez and Yamaha make some solid basses from entry level to professional

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• #33Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Bought these bad boys in 2004 [Yahmaha NS-777](https://www.adorama.com/yans777.html) They’re kicking ass. A year later damn near bought one of their jet boats, but went sea doo utopia 205. Have owned a Yamaha classical guitar, and electric. Yamaha was a great pull!

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• #34Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I would disagree. The problem with the “guitar world” is we are still stuck in the 50s. People don’t want to touch anything other than Gibson, Fender, and Martin. It’s very hard for a brand to overcome this bias, but a few have done it such as PRS or Taylor. Even when these brands do, it’s usually a modified/copied “Gibson/Fender/Martin”. Yamaha just isn’t one of the “cool” brands.  I have several vintage Yamaha acoustics that I much prefer over any Martin or Gibson. I would take an entry level Yamaha over an entry level main player any day. 

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• #35Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha drum kit, fucking class

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• #36Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  I love my Yamaha ebike.

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• #37Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha

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• #38Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  In electronic drums, Yamaha is beaten out only by Roland, and IMHO simply because the Yamaha kits are not as easily upgradeable and a little less value for manner than Roland. They're supposed to still be fantastic quality. If you were not getting Roland or a budget brand, you were probably going Yamaha.

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• #39Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Coach, Toyota, Yamaha, Patagonia

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• #40Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha and Bach are the big 2 in the pro trumpet world. 

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• #41Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha has always served me right. 

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• #42Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  In the guitar world, Yamaha is severely underrated. Their entry stuff is the best entry level stuff. Their high end instruments are world class for the price too, but no one outside of beginners really seems to be buying them, which is a shame.

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• #43Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Panasonic, Sony, Yamaha, PRS (guitars), Guild (guitars), Husky (truck accessories)...

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• #44Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha is comically remarkable company. From lawn mowers to trombones, they make industry leading versions of almost everything you can imagine. I don't know how they do it.

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• #45Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  My buddy had this Yamaha 2 stroke dirt bike that just would not die, we beat the absolute piss outta that thing, crashed it so many times. It probably just needs some carb cleaner and a fresh tank of fuel and it would start right up if he still has it.

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• #46Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  My 1991 superjet, 97 waveblaster 2 and my 2013 ttr110 confirm this. Nothing but gas, oil and plugs over many years of abuse.

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• #47Feb 6, 2025

  What brands do you trust to always deliver a high quality product?

  Yamaha.

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• #48Feb 3, 2025

  A list of BIFL not made in the USA

  Guitars! Absolutely top-tier acoustic guitars available from Japan like Yamaha Red-Label models and Alvarez Yairi models. Every bit as good as mid-to-high end Martin/Taylor for half the price. And even their Korean/Indonesian-made budget models are often better then the budget models of the US makers. Also Seagull, Godin, Larrivée from Canada. Lowden from Ireland. Furch from Czechia. Note: I say this as a huge fan of Martin and Taylor, and I certainly don't want those specific companies to suffer or go out of business!! You can pry my 00-28 out of my cold, dead hands, but there are excellent high-quality instruments available from other countries.

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• #49Feb 1, 2025

  What’s one item you bought that has lasted for YEARS and was worth every penny?

  In 2013, I bought a 1975 Yamaha DT250 dirt bike. I rode that thing in a sometimes unforgiving manner. I never did a single bit of maintenance to it. Never changed the oil. Never cleaned or lubed the chain. Never put new tires on it (it had the originals from 1975). Never washed it. Rode it in mud, snow, rock, you name it. Jumped it. Rode it down stairs. Rode it over logs. Through all that, it never ever gave me a single bit of trouble. No issues whatsoever of any kind. Paid $400 for it in 2013, and sold it in 2024 for $1800. You can’t beat those old Yamaha 2-strokes. I’m too old for all that these days, and with 2 bulging discs in my back, it was time to sell the ol’ girl. I’ve never been one to abuse a vehicle. I always do routine maintenance and such. I bought that bike so cheap that I figured I’d just ride it until it died (and didn’t assume that would be too awful long after I got it) so I just didn’t worry about any of that. One summer led to 2, and then before I knew it, it was 5, then 10 years, then 11 since I bought it. It never did die. LoL

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• #50Jan 6, 2025

  Which snowblower will last a lifetime?

  Yamaha. They are beasts, should last a long time. If you can’t find one of those, Ariens. I had an Ariens for 10 years, bought from a non-big box store. Worked great for years, only sold it to upgrade to a larger unit.

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• #51Jan 6, 2025

  What would you buy if gifted $300?

  Listen, I try as much as I can not to be a snob about guitars. I can appreciate a cheap sub $300 Yamaha as much as any other guitar. For the price point, anyone would be hard pressed to find something better, and what you do get for your money is impressive. My first guitars were a cheapo Fender acoustic hand-me-down, and the cheapest Epiphone Special II LP that was sup $150 for guitar, a small kicker amp, a carrying bag, and some other stuff. I still own and play multiple Epiphones to this day, and I'd rather own a decent Yamaha like an FS3 Red Label than a low end Martin like a D-X2E or X1AE But "makes great acoustics for under $300" and "buy it for life" are two different things. There is still a reason that a Yamaha FG/FX series acoustic is at or below $300 and Martin D-28 or Gibson J-45 are both around $3000. There is still a reason an authentic Bedell from the 1960s will sell for anywhere from $4k to upwards of $10k, but a new one retails for $350 and that Martin D-28 new is $3k but make it 50 years old and it's suddenly $80k or more. There are countless factors contributing to what makes a D-28 more desirable than an FG800J. Not the least of which is that after 20 years, the D-28 is going to sound just as good, or even better than the day it was bought. After 20 years, its price will have appreciated considerably and be even more sought after than the day it was bought. I honestly can't ever remember seeing someone even play a Yamaha that was 20 years old (I'm not being disingenuous or exaggerating to make my point, I genuinely can't think of a time I've ever seen it, which is not to say it doesn't happen!). I certainly don't remember ever hearing someone rave and compliment the sound quality of a 20 year old Yamaha. And I most definitely have never encountered someone actively seeking out a specific vintage Yamaha model, ready to drop buku bucks on it!

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• #52Jan 2, 2025

  BIFL & new hobbies?

  If I'm not already sure that I have a lot of uses for the thing, I usually get the cheapest version that is generally well-liked and isn't missing commonly used features. It doesn't need to be a particularly prestigious brand. The examples I'm thinking of right now are things like Yamaha student instruments or the Skil 10" table saw I'm looking at. There are cheaper options, but they'll have more problems and may not do everything you need them to. There are good used options that may be more interesting or capable, but you're buying an unknown product, and run the risk of sinking money into something damaged or otherwise not usable with no way to get your money back

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