 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: shahn
Date: 2013-03-17 21:27
While staying in [close to LA] before going back home in Carmel, Indiana, I just bought a Bb CSGIIHL in LA. . Why not? - rather than ordering one at the local Yamaha dealer (Paige's Music has a bunch of R-13s but probably don't stock high-end Yamahas) and pre-paying without the option of trying out...
I may not be qualified enough to have this superb instrument since I am still only at beginner level (less than 3 years learning) with no hope of becoming a pro (being over 60 years old).
I am largely happy with it. . It produces more vibrant sound than my 20-year-old Yamaha wood Bb. . Comparing the two Yamahas, the old one sounds more like from rubber body (no ping). . It's a near-perfect toy for me, but my pet peeve is wishing that they made a nickel-plated keywork --- gold color doesn't look attractive to me. . Silver looks most beautiful but it tarnishes...
My biggest complaint so far is that the right-thumb-operated pinky key that operates low E/F tone correction mech is hard to reach when needed, all the more because I play with the adjustable thumbrest moved up to max high position. . The effort to reach and press the key strains my hand and affects other right-hand fingers. . With my trade as mechanical engineer, I could have designed it with better detail. . The pinky key could have been made parallel to the axis, instead of being slanted as now.
Another, minor compaint is that the "natural" wood finish doesn't look even enough. . The upper joint is too dark, near-black and almost like the old black-stained Yamaha; the bell and one of the two barrels are light and brownish; the lower joint and the other barrel is in between.
Are most of you (with E/F tone correction mech) satisfied with it?
- Sam, a proud owner of a CSGII -
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Author: michael13162
Date: 2013-03-17 21:35
I have the original CSG's and I actually like those more than the CSG-II's. To me, the E/F correction mechanism seems a bit superfluous.
Mines also seem to have different levels of coloring on both joints. I don't really mind though.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2013-03-17 21:37
You have to remember that wood is a natural product and is highly variable, so the chances of finding an unstained clarinet where all the joints are a perfect match are very low. That's what sets this clarinet apart from others - they're all individual instruments so you should expect there to be some variation in the colour and grain pattern of each section. If it was a problem, then this clarinet wouldn't have left the factory.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: shahn
Date: 2013-03-17 22:46
When I called YASI in NYC, the lady that answered said that for CSGII the E/F correction mech was now standard and to get one without it would take a special order and would be at the same price or higher !?!?
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Author: Ken Shaw ★2017
Date: 2013-03-18 02:56
There's nothing illegal, immoral or fattening about taking off the keys and evening out the "natural" finish with wood stain or a light coat of black shoe polish followed by vigorous buffing. That's what the makers themselves do when they stain the wood.
As a mechanical engineer, you're better qualified than anyone to figure out the proper design for the right thumb key. There are lots of people who will make a key alteration to your design. Frankly, I would prefer to have the Selmer Recital design, which is fully automatic. I've seen at least one key specialist who offers this addition.
Ken Shaw
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Author: YamahaCollector
Date: 2013-03-22 11:21
You mention you prefer nickel keyword, the "H" in the model name actually is what Yamaha refers to as Hamilton plating. Apparently Hamilton plating is an alloy of nickel silver and gold, so you are actually half way there.
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Author: Pappy
Date: 2013-03-23 22:52
I recently went through the new instrument exercise. It was precipitated by dissatisfaction with my old Selmer CT A and the need to replace it. Decided that I would look into acquiring a more or less "matched" set (my "old" Bb is a 1964 R13, which is decidedly NOT "matched" with a Selmer CT.). So I trialed a pair of CSGII's with Silver, a pair of CSGII's with Hamilton and a pair of CSVs. In the end, I went with the CSVs. Mostly it was a tonal concept decision but I was not that impressed with the E/F correction key - sacrificed a good tone for the sake of slightly better intonation on those notes. And there were also some other parts of the range that were consistently stuffy on all the CSGs. All that being said, I am VERY impressed with all of the Yamaha Custom clarinets I have played, whether they are "Gs" or "Vs".
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