 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Dileep Gangolli
Date: 2009-03-31 14:34
Hi All,
Does anyone (preferably someone who actually plays on them) have knowledge on what the differences are between the three Yamaha professional lines:
CSG, CSV, SEV
After trying out a CSG Bb and A (both blew nicely) I went to the Yamaha web site and the information is not comprehensive enough to understand what the differences are.
The WWBW catalog lists the bore size of both the CSG and the CSV as .577 which would make them the largest bore instrument (mass manufactured) on the American market. Not sure if they are a polycylindrical bore or cylindrical.
When trying out the CSG yesterday, I also noticed that the barrels on both the A and the Bb are a great deal shorter than the traditional 66/67 mm (Bb) and 65mm (A) set up.
Does anyone with both playing experience and mechanical knowledge with the Yamaha line add clarity for me?
Many Thanks!
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-03-31 14:44
The CSG has a longer top joint and a shorter barrel compared to other Boehm system/French bore clarinets from the big name makers - this idea has been taken from German instruments where the proportions are similar, though it still has a French bore and tonehole layout. They also have skin pads with a plastic rivet through them like mini sax pads.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-03-31 14:45)
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Author: Old Geezer
Date: 2009-03-31 15:23
The main difference between a Yamaha CSG and other clarinets (Buffet included) is that the CSG is the best! Try one...you'll see.
Clarinet Redux
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Author: Paul Aviles
Date: 2009-03-31 16:32
The "G" in CSG stands for German. The bore is supposedly a hybrid of both the German and French bores. I have played Oehler system Wurlitzers and can say that the CSG does NOT play like a German clarinet. This is NOT a criticism at all.
I can also say that the SEV and CSG have wonderful response and fantastic intonation characteristics in common. I play on both and the playing difference seems to be that the CSG plays a bit warmer.
Those Buffet players amongst you who struggle through all sorts of designer barrels to get the intonation to improve will probably not even believe their ears at the constancy of intonation on both these models.
Don't forget that the CSG is available in what they call Hamilton plating (a nickel/gold combination). I gravitated toward these clarinets specifically for this corrosion resistant feature only to be blown away by the way they play.
The buttons on every pad are there to aid the sound reflection. I'm not so sure they help on this score, BUT the button configuration makes the pads seat flatter than any other bladder pad out there and consequently, they seal like cork! The only down side is that after a year of hard playling, the bladder can start separating from around the button (VERY hard to detect) and the seal will then be compromised.
..................Paul Aviles
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Author: DAVE
Date: 2009-03-31 22:08
My two cents:
My Bb is a SEV and my A is a CSV. I tried and loved a few CSGs, but opted for the SEV. The SEV is IMO, on par, or better than the Buffet Prestige R13. The CSG has everything I wanted except that I could not make it work in the Nashville Symphony; I just couldn't get it to blend with the other clarinet players. That was the only reason for my getting the SEV. The SEV tunes beautifully and the tone is not that far off from a traditional Buffet sound. My CSV A clarinet was chosen just because it plays like I imagine an A should: it is not stuffy, rings forever, and has excellent tuning.
After discovering the quality of these horns I took a good look at the Yamaha E flats and after playing some, bought one and sold my Buffet Prestige RC. IMO, the Yamaha E flat is equally as good as their Bb and A clarinet. Their basses? Never tried one...
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Author: stlclardr
Date: 2009-04-01 01:27
Here is a link to Yamaha Europe:
http://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/winds/clarinets/bb_clarinets/
It's quite better than the Yamaha America site. If you click on the specific model of clarinet, you will see a little bit more detail in the description of the instrument. At the Clarinet Festival in Kansas City, I test played a bunch of clarinets from different makes and manufacturers and settled on a matching set of Yamaha SE-V's, Bb and A. I just absolutely love them!! I played on R-13's for 25 years and can say without hesitation that the Yamahas are far superior instruments for me! I use a B40 mouthpiece on them and the intonation is flawless!
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Author: Matt Locker
Date: 2009-04-01 15:30
Dileep:
I have an SEV chosen over a CSV because I really liked the sound of the SEV. An item I discovered after the fact is that the toneholes in the CSV are somewhat smaller. I didn't realize at the time how much of a difference that would make. It took me a long time to get acclimated to the ergonomics of the SEV I think partially due to that item. If you have small hands like I do the CSV could be easier to play. If you have large hands I wouldn't worry about it.
With the above said, I've now had my SEV for close to 9 years. I did acclimate to the instrument. In fact, I like it so much that I purchased an SEV-A a couple years ago. They are great instruments that seem to be getting better with time.
MOO,
Matt
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-04-01 15:34
With any pro Yamaha clarinet, I think it's worthwhile to have the spring tension reduced and some of the key corks replaced with felt (or similar soft material) to reduce key noise.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-05-31 15:33
My measurements on my CSG put the CSG in at 14.33 mm or so...quite a different number from the large measurement of the WWBW site.
David Dow
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Author: D Dow
Date: 2009-06-01 18:05
The CSG set I use are hamilton plated. I have had no problems whatsoever with blending with r13s etc or other models. That being said alot may depend on what your 2cd player used and also your own set up.
In fact ..I blend really well with oboes and bassoon( much better than when I used my Selmer Recital clarinets or r13s.) Projection is great even in big orchestra.
David Dow
Post Edited (2009-06-01 18:06)
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