The Clarinet BBoard

My review of Yamaha 650

Author: sfalexi  Date:   2008-12-19 02:40 Yamaha's entry level "professional" clarinet. As for what I do, I'm an army musician with the 1st Cavalry Division Band. I have played a few different clarinets over the years, and right now I have issued out to me through the band, an R13 prestige, an R13 Greenline, and now this Yamaha 650 which just came in about a week ago. I also currently own a Tom Ridenour Lyrique. But I won't be doing any major comparisons (probably just a little to the buffets since this is what I've been playing in the band for the past few months), this is mostly just my thoughts on the 650. Also keep in mind that I don't really have any musical training. I'm working on a math major, and I only have the basic musical theory that I received in the army. I just practiced and practiced and was accepted into the army where I finally had the opportunity to take consistent lessons and improve my skill. I was biased against Yamaha, seeing as the few yamahas I've tried out (two CSVs and one other Custom) have not agreed with me. But I figured, "Hey. it's new, it's free, let's give it a shot." And I'm glad I did. It's the base, entry level to professional clarinets that Yamaha makes. The key action and adjustment from the factory was superb. No clunkiness, no adjustments needed. No ring keys seated higher or lower than another, all of them flush with the chimneys, and even the throat A/Ab levers work great. Although there isn't even the SLIGHTEST bit of play between the A and Ab (which I prefer just a TINY bit of play), it still isn't screwed down so much that it causes a leak. As far as how the keys fit, they fit me a lot better than the Buffets. Sometimes I find myself "reaching" to get that left hand B lever, but the Yamaha is a little bit better. Still not perfect how I would like it, but much better. It has a little resistance. A little more than what I'm used to, but it wasn't stuffy. Just a little resistant. It definitely helps to smooth transitions from note to note. I checked with a tuner and out of the box, with all the joints firmly pressed together, it is in VERY good tune. Everything is within five cents flat/sharp. With one exception. The C# below the staff is VERY sharp. I know this is a compromise note on the clarinet as per it's location, but it is really tough to deal with in certain situations. When I started playing it, it sounded a little rubbery to me. Almost like a student clarinet, but I think that was me getting used to the backpressure and voicing of the instrument. After a day or two I got used to it and I'm able to sound more like 'myself' on this. It's slightly different than on the buffet, but I like it (dare I say, PREFER it?!) When playing notes, it seems to really walk that fine line on flexibility of a note. I don't really have to concentrate hard on my embouchure and don't have to worry about it sliding/bending sharp or flat. However after playing around with some glissandos and bends, it still allows me some flexibility to do so if I need it. Not as much as the buffet, but enough that I could get by. I noticed that the altissimo C# and D tend to pop out a little, but it wasn't anything that a little half-holing couldn't take care of. It seems a little easier for me to hit those extreme altissimo notes (up to double high C is what I'm working on for now), and I think the little resistance/backpressure I'm feeling just helps to voice them a little easier. Been using it for our christmas concert rehearsals and it's been blending very well with the concert band and sounds very well in tune (with the exception of the altissimo G, which I think I just need to work on finding a good fingering for, and that darned C#). Blends well within the section too (three Buffets, and now three yamahas). I think it's a very good clarinet and I'm VERY impressed with it. Definitely something I'd buy and be able to work with. Maybe get it worked over by a favorite tech to work out some finer points, but it's definitely something I can work with. I also tried out my colleague's 650 that he was issued and it played just as well (or better!!) than the one I was given. Although I think that's cause the grass always seems to be greener on his side .. . So I give this clarinet two thumbs up. Definitely worth the look if you're looking for a cheap, professional level horn. Alexi PS - I also think it's kinda nifty to play the same brand clarinet as the motorcycle I ride to work in! Sometimes I put it in the topbox and pull a Yamaha clarinet off my Yamaha bike. hehehe. I think I know what my next tattoo will be . . . . .j/k US Army Japan Band

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