Update: If you’re looking for information about the new Yamaha CK61 and CK88, see my specification and snap review articles.
With NAMM 2022 coming up (June 3-5), it’s time for rumors. 🙂
Yamaha filed for two new trademarks in June 2021. The trademarks are words in stylized form. The scope is “Musical instruments, namely, electronic musical keyboards, electronic organs, electronic music synthesizers, cases for musical instruments”.
The main marks are CK61â„¢ and CK88â„¢. The marks:
- CK SIXTY ONE; CK SIX ONE; CK 61
- CK EIGHTY EIGHT; CK EIGHT EIGHT; CK 88
are alternative forms.
The marks have been published, soliciting opposition as of 29 March 2022. Seems reasonable that a manufacturer would want the product identifier approved before making a zillion units with the name stamped on.
Let the speculation begin! Clearly, 61-key and 88-key keyboards are involved. Duh! “C” for “control”? Somewhat reminiscent of the old control synth product range? No 76 model?
The font is similar to the Yamaha Reface series marks. I’d love to see a merged all-in-one Reface-like keyboard with full-size keys. The MX series is getting a little long-in-the-tooth, so its replacement might be another possibility? Hope the price is reasonable…
When Reface YC and CP grew up, Yamaha kept the stylized names and font in the names of the YC and CP stage keyboards. Maybe a new stage keyboard in the Yamaha synth product group? A combined FM and virtual analog keyboard that doesn’t overlap the YC and CP models?
Copyright © 2022 Paul J. Drongowski