Maybe you guys have it wrong.....could be Yamaha used Orla to develop it's line

Here is a brief portion taken from the Orla website...

BTW: Apparently some of you folks have never played an Orla...they were always decent instruments..


The story begins when Nazzareno Orlandoni (known in the industry of musical instruments such as Mimmo), the company began to assemble pieces of reed organs and accordions under the name Orlandoni and Co. Since the beginning of the new company, Mimmo was associated with Monks Alfio (his brother) and the name was changed to the new company and the company was officially founded in 1965 ORLA Castelfidardo, the capital of Italian music. The company began producing electronic organs and quickly gain a solid reputation in the world market and is today the only company in Italy and in Europe known as a manufacturer of a complete line of: Mobile organs, church organs, digital pianos, keyboards portable, and Sound Modules Electronic Accordions.



(Orla's stand at the fair in Frankfurt)ORLA not only produces his own brand but also for other companies. Many companies in the international music market (American, Japanese and European) have used the facilities of research and development and production ORLA has to offer. ORLA performs at the Frankfurt Musik Messe International Fair for the past 35 years and performs regularly in the U.S. at NAMM Show. International Distributors ORLA presented the brand in all major trade fairs, national or regional, throughout Europe, USA, Middle East, China and Australia. The Management of ORLA is now in its second generation - Henry Monks, Alfio's son is in charge of product development and sales across the international market. - Claudia Orlandoni, Mimmo's daughter, is in charge of the purchasing and del'amministrazione. - Bontempi Lucy, wife of Henry, is in charge of sales in Italy and logistics. - Charles Tornatola, Claudia's husband, director of production and shipments. A true family business. The main strategy of the ORLA 'ensure the maintenance of family tradition is good quality and reliability of products with the Typical Italian taste is a constant in all products. The sounds are carefully selected and sampled sounds cleverly creating warm and clean, suitable for both beginners and professional musicians. The styles are the result of long hours of meetings between the ORLA musicians from all over Europe (Italy, England, Germany and Holland) to be sure that the final product corresponds to the demands of the market.

Actually Fran, Korg and Roland arrangers are spiritually closer to Orla, as all three are/were made in Italy...the home of the reliable and rust-free automobile.

Ian