 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-17 01:51
YCL-681II: https://uk.yamaha.com/en/musical-instruments/brass-woodwinds/products/clarinets/ycl-681ii/
"The YCL-681II has an attractive warm sound and is ideal for doubling players who need a top quality professional instrument at an affordable price." £3500.00 (Howarth)
YCL-881: https://uk.yamaha.com/en/musical-instruments/brass-woodwinds/products/clarinets/ycl-881/
"The YCL-881 was designed with some of the world's greatest clarinettists, and has a deep round sound which can either blend with others or project a solo passage." £4450.00
The tech specs are the same for both:
Key - Eb
Fingering System - Boehm, 17 keys, 6 rings
Barrel Length - 42mm
Toneholes - Tapered tone holes with hand-tapered undercut
Thumbrest - Fixed
Material:
- Body - Grenadilla
- Keys - Silver-plated nickel silver
Mouthpiece - 4C
Case - Included
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2025-09-17 01:53)
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Author: concertmaster3
Date: 2025-09-17 07:09
I found the difference similar to the piccolo models (YPC 62 and 81). It was hard to describe, but the 881 felt easier to play overall. Both felt great though, and I only sold my 681 because I got my hands on an 881. The student that bought the 681 liked it better than the R13 that the school had.
Ron Ford
Woodwind Specialist
Performer/Teacher/Arranger
http://www.RonFordMusic.com
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2025-09-17 12:59
Funny you mention the YPC-62 and YPC-81/82 piccolos as they popped into my mind just before I opened this thread - the bodies and keywork on both are pretty much identical from what I can see (the 81/82 are apparently 'handmade'), but the headjoints on the 62 piccs have a smaller and squarer embouchure hole compared to the 81 and 82 which are much larger and rounder in shape.
There's now an 80 series piccolo with pointy cup arms on the low Eb, G# and trill keys to make it look more like a Hammig. The 90 series piccolos with solid silver keywork have the fingerplates for the RH main action to give the RH fingers more room (again, like a Hammig).
I had a YPC-81 with both wood and an additional silver headjoint (both fit in the same case), but swapped it for a Hammig as I prefer the wider finger spacing on them and being able to reach the RH3 trill key without having to contort my right hand.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repairer
Single and Double Reed Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2025-09-17 17:29)
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Author: gwie
Date: 2025-09-17 23:51
I play-tested multiples of each for my clarinet students when they bought Eb clarinets.
The 881 is slightly smoother playing and fuller-sounding than the 62. It's definitely the better of the two. Whether it is worth the additional cost is up to the player.
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