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 Question about price vs. value
Author: Photomanliny 
Date:   2009-03-04 19:22

I have been "out of the loop" for some time. I kinda want to start playing again, but I have sold my horns. I have the opportunity to pick up an absolutely mint Yahama YCL-CS Bb for $750.00. Is this a good price? Is this a good horn?

I understand that horn preference is a personal choice, but I wanted to know if I bought this horn and didn't like it, would I be able to at least break even?

I have read on there that the CS horns are slightly above the 650. Is this due to the tapering in the sound holes? Can someone explain/expand?

Thank you very much (in advance).

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2009-03-04 19:53

The CS is over and above the 650 and above the CX - it's one of Yamaha's Custom series clarinet (80 or 800 series) with integral tonehole chimneys as is found on the SE, AE and CSG, so for $750 you can't go wrong.

If you didn't like it, you could easily get back what you paid for it, if not more.

http://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YCL-CSV-Custom-Clarinet-461384-i1142824.wwbw

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2009-03-04 19:58)

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: bmcgar 2017
Date:   2009-03-04 20:34

Which CS model? YCL-CSG? YCL-CSV? Or just YCL-CS? Are you sure it's "just" a CS?

I'm by no means familiar with the many Yamaha models, but from a quick search, the CS seems to be an older model. Yamaha lists it on their corporate site as a discontinued product, and I don't see it on sale from any retails after doing a search.

Mark C. noted, in a 1999 posting here, that the instrument sold new for about $1750 then, so barring cracks or any really screwed up key work, yes, it's a good price, even if it needs some new pads and a few adjustments.

You might be able to break even if you re-sell it, but I wouldn't bank on it. You might get more, you might get less. Depends on where you try to sell it and which way the consumer wind is blowing.

As for the tone hole shape and undercutting, do a search here, and you'll find what you need.

B.

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2009-03-04 21:01

The CS-V replaced the CS, so it will have tapered and undercut toneholes.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Photomanliny 
Date:   2009-03-04 23:24

It is a CS. My brother is a HS Band Teacher in Fairfax County, VA and it belongs to one of his who quit when she went away to college. He confirmed it was a CS. It's just been sent out for a check up and it's in perfect condition. Plus there are no marks on it whatsoever.

I thank you for your replies, and as long as it is a fair price I think I'm going to go for it.

Let me ask this...do you think I'll like it as much as I liked my R13 from the mid 70's? Can someone who knows the horn compare and contrast?

Also, I do believe this horn has to be at least 1994 or newer as per Yamaha's site. Am I correct?

Thanks again, in advance.

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Chris P 
Date:   2009-03-04 23:45

It will have the same shaped barrel (outer shape) as the CX, but is the next model above, so it will look like this but with CS instead of CX on the joints, and a solid nickel silver bell ring: http://www.howarth.uk.com/pic.aspx?pic=./wo/clYamYCLCXBb.jpg&pid=35071

The CS-V which replaced the CS has a thinner barrel.

Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010

The opinions I express are my own.

Post Edited (2009-03-04 23:49)

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: rtmyth 
Date:   2009-03-04 23:52

Try before buy. No two are alike, and few are of artist quality, which is true of all makes and models.

richard smith

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Photomanliny 
Date:   2009-03-05 00:03

I think me "trying before I buy" is useless as my chops are so out of shape I could make the best horn in the world sound horrible :)

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Jack Kissinger 
Date:   2009-03-05 04:55

I have both Bb and A Yamaha CSs. While I originally bought them (on eBay) as backups for the R13s I've played for over 40 years, I find myself playing them more and more regularly. Based on their features, I would rate them a bit higher-end than than a contemporary R13. While the current state of our economy may result in some real bargains on instruments, if it's in the condition you say it is, I think you might have to look a long time to find a better deal. According to the Yamaha website, the CS model (which, at least in the US, followed the 72CS and preceded the Custom CS) was probably made between 1994 and 1998 so it is a relatively recent instrument. If it is, in fact marked Custom as well as CS, it would be even more recent. I've said this before on the Board a number of times: while a given player may prefer another manufacturer's clarinets over the Yamaha, I don't think any of the other Big-4 manufacturers consistently give more value for the dollar.

Based on what I have seen on the Yamaha website and catalogs over the years, I have to disagree with Chris P on one point. From what I can tell the CS and CX were at the same level, the only difference being integral toneholes (on the CS) vs. plastic inset toneholes (on the CX). At the time these instruments were sold, Yamaha considered them slightly different but did not regard one as better than the other. My recollection from old catalogs is that they sold for the same price.

Best regards,
jnk

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 Re: Question about price vs. value
Author: Dawne 
Date:   2009-03-05 04:58

HI,
I say, "Go for it". I have a Yamaha CSV, and before that I had a YCL51 (and wayyyy before that, when I was a serious music major, a Selmer 10G). I had been out of things for awhile when I bought my first Yamaha, and they are really wonderful horns...and underated. Try it, and if you like it, buy it and have fun trying out different mouthpieces, ligatures and reeds, ...and welcome back to the clarinet world...
Dawne

Dawne Morgan

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