 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: miriam joy
Date: 2008-05-01 00:44
I am a trombone player and I don't know that much about clarients. My daughter plays the clarinet and will be going to HS next year. Her director has recommended that she purchase a Yamaha wood clarinet. When looking at the Yamaha website they show as their wood clarinets a YCL-450 and 450N, YCL-650 and then several custom models. When I look on Ebay I also see YCL-32, YCL-34 and a YCL-72. I am assuming that these are older models that are no longer made? Which of these models would you recommend for a HS student? I also saw a Yamaha XT-1, does anyone know anything about it? thanks for your help.
Post Edited (2008-05-01 04:29)
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Author: SVClarinet09
Date: 2008-05-01 01:08
You're right on when you assumed the eBay clarinets were older models. Correct me if I'm wrong but the YCL-32/34 is the same now as the 450 and the YCL-72 is the same as the 650? The 450N has nickel plating, 450 silver. Personally, I'd recommend the 650. I played one this year and wow, blown away. Beat every clarinet I tried that day except for a Selmer Paris Signature. There weren't and CS models or I would've expected that to be top notch. Yamaha clarinets are generally fantastic. YCL-650s are usually in the same range as a used Buffet R13 or a new Buffet E13. If the child wishes to major in music, try the CS models, those are even a step higher, great instruments.
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2008-05-01 13:11
I understand the 450 and 650 are totally redesigned models and are not same as the models that preceeded them
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-05-01 13:37
Norman, you are correct in saying the 450 and 650 are improvements of the older models. I'm not sure it's a total redesign, however. But, they are improved.
Back to the original question; I suppose it depends upon the money you have to spend as to which model you would get. I have a 34 that is a backup clarinet and also one that works to give a lesson or two or loan out to a player whose instrument is in the shop. These are really nice instruments and have a good tone and are pretty tough with students. A good one from a respected seller would be a find, indeed. I would make sure it had new pads and was guaranteed to return if the teacher didn't like it. It might be hard to find a good used one.
So, if you can't find a good used 34, you might look for a good price on a new 450. And, it is correct that the 450N is a nickel-plated instrument. If you purchase from an online store like Woodwind and Brasswind (wwbw.com), you will be able to try two or three and let the teacher help you select the best of them to keep.
If your child is a serious student and loves to play clarinet and you think she might want to play in college or beyond, you might look to a more expensive model. However, David is correct to suggest you get the teacher involved in the process.
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Author: claritoot26
Date: 2008-05-01 13:58
I played a Yamaha 650 in high school and liked it a lot...had a hard time parting with it when it was time to sell. I actually picked it above the more expensive but below average Buffet R13 that was being sold at the same shop. I think it is regarded as a low-end professional instrument. I think it beats the Buffet E11, especially in terms of the keywork. As for the ycl-450, I had a student who played one and it was flat above the break and the tuning was generally uneven overall. Keywork wasn't as nice, either. So, I second the Yamaha 650. I do recommend trying several and having a professional playtest them with you before purchasing, if possible. Although, you might get lucky.
Lori
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Author: Synonymous Botch
Date: 2008-05-01 14:12
The YCL-72 is one of the great bargains in clarinet design...
It wasn't the top line professional model, but it had the same basic features as the "Custom" line, without the final hand tuning.
Since you're likely to repad a used clarinet anyway - these are a steal.
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Author: glin
Date: 2008-05-03 02:44
I would also suggest having a teacher or good clarinet player help you pick out a clarinet. It maybe prove to be a Yamaha or it may be a Selmer/Leblanc/Buffet. There are many good clarinets out there from different mfrs. It should be fun trying them out!
If you decide to go on your own and hunt for a used older Yamaha, the YCL-34 is considered a good in betweener beginner-intermediate wooden clarinet and the YCL-52 is considered a good intermediate clarinet. They can be found for under $500 and $1000 respectively on that Auction site that can't be named. Always get a return policy confirmed if you decide to bid.
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Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2008-05-03 11:21
Hi,
I have a Yamaha CS as my #1 and also have a YTS 475 as my backup tenor. These are fantastic instruments and great values as well. The 475 has many of the features of higher numbered instruments and in my book, have become even better playing values. Yamaha seems to do these little upgrades with regularity.
Do not be afraid of getting a 34, 45, or 62 series. One would have to split hairs to be able to tell the difference and in your daughter's case would do well with a good MP. If a repad or some simple repair is needed, that should not present too much of a problem for a competent tech.
BTW, I picked up my CS used for $850 and it is a really fine player. My R13 and L200 LeBlanc hardly get touched any more.
HRL
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-05-03 22:31
"The YCL-72 is one of the great bargains in clarinet design...
It wasn't the top line professional model....."
If I am not mistaken, the 72 was at one time the top clarinet made by Yamaha. The various "Custom" series instruments were introduced later.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2008-05-03 23:59
All the Custom series clarinets will have numbers beginning with 8.
Pro clarinets used to begin with 6 and 7 (and these all had the pro style keywork - the 8x models came in later), and student clarinets used to begin with 2 and 3.
But now, the student clarinet begins with 2, intermediate with 4, the downgraded pro model begins with 6 and the Custom series begins with 8.
The CSG has a model number, but I can't remember what it is - something like YCL-8xxCSG.
Yamaha have fairy recently renumbered and regraded their lineup, so a lot of instruments have been downgraded in doing so - the 650 clarinet, the 62 alto, tenor and bari saxes and the 500, 600 and 700 series flutes have all been downgraded from what they once were to make them significantly different to the 80, 800 or Custom series instruments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2008-05-04 12:25)
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Author: Vytas
Date: 2008-05-04 00:37
ED is correct! The 72 was Yamaha's top model before the "Custom" series were introduced.
Vytas Krass
Clarinet Repair
Professional clarinet technician
Custom clarinet mouthpiece maker
Former professional clarinet player
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2008-05-04 00:49
The 72s were professional quality and pro model clarinets in every regard. In some respects much better than the SE models which came out in the early 90s. For their price they were certainly equal to any pro model french clarinets made at the time. A number of students of mine owned the 72's and I thought they played superbly..tuning was very good. I thought the later custom SE clarinets were much trickier in the tuning zone..however others seemed to like them.
David Dow
Post Edited (2008-05-04 00:51)
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Author: Ed
Date: 2008-05-04 01:37
David says:
"At the time...
Don't show up to an audition with one now."
Use a black sharpie to hide the emblem and model and then play the hell out of the audition.
Or, maybe paying a lot more for one of the new high priced clarinets will make you play better.
:)
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Author: denner22
Date: 2008-05-04 10:58
The Yamaha 72 is an extremely fine instrument. I used one for some time. I believe the 650 is not quite as good as the YCL65 used to be. The YCL34 is a very good intermediate instrument. I have had a lot of students very happy with it - I think significantly better than the 450.
Use a good teacher though to try out anything that you want to buy.
David
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Author: Brenda Siewert
Date: 2008-05-04 14:43
I agree about the 72, although hard to find. I gave one to my niece when she started playing and her teacher couldn't say enough good things about it. She advanced rapidly because the band director liked her tone. The other kids were playing plastic beginner instruments and she had the advantage.
But, the 34 I have as a backup has a great tone as well. I agree that it has the reputation of being a student-intermediate instrument, but it handles the rough 1st clarinet parts I play with ease. They also seem to be pretty tough little instruments and last a long time with proper care. Outdoor solos sound fine, but for indoor concert and orchestral work I use my Buffet R-13 with its Backun barrel and bell and mouthpiece.
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Author: S. Friedland
Date: 2008-05-05 17:20
As to the original question, the XT1 is a clarinet whose price was 1139 and is now being offered for 939, or approximately those prices. There are also similarly priced XT1s in Saxophone, trumpet and trombone, and those too are all or will be discontinued. The XT1s are being offered to retailers and are generally the same as the line being discontinued with some changes in some instruments. The XT1 clarinet has silver-plated keys.
Concerning the 72,The set of 72s I had were quite nice horns, the 82s may have been better, but I did not have both sets at the same time. Now, by better, I do not mean they had a "better sound". Intruments do not have "sounds", but certainly they leave impressions, but let us not in our zeal accord human characteristics to inanimate objects.
Sherman Friedland
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Author: cxl
Date: 2014-06-22 19:44
I owned a yamaha YCL 33 clarinet.
les.cxl@gmail.com
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