 The Clarinet BBoard
|
Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2009-07-17 17:03
I've owned three Yamahas in my lifetime: A 350 cc two-stroke screamer in 1970 that was my first motorcycle, a more sedate 750 cc from the eighties, and presently a model YCL 221 II bass clarinet. All three performed at the highest level.
In my opinion, Yamaha motorcycles have always rivaled Honda in quality, slightly superior to the other two fine Japanese motorcycles: Suzuki (I've owned three) and Kawasaki.
Now my Yamaha bass clarinet is just about perfect for my needs. With my band, I play outdoors a lot, in every weather. I use a Pomarico mouthpiece and Legere reeds, and I have no problem playing any note on this horn.
Mike Blinn
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: William
Date: 2009-07-17 17:28
Nobody needs to "defend' Yamaha. They make great musical instruments, beginning clarinet mouthpieces and motorcycles (for those that cannot afford a Hog).
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-07-17 18:00
Hi Mike,
I have three different Yamaha surround sound receivers in my home (a story in itself for a two-person household), a tremendous Yamaha sub-sat system for my home theater, plus several very fine Yamaha instruments.
I wish they made computers and LCD TVs!
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-17 18:20
I got a yamaha FJR and when we get back to the states, our band is turning in the R13s we were issued and has yamaha 650s waiting for us. Most our saxes are yamaha customs.
I played the 650 for a few weeks before deploying, and it's a VERY good instrument. I didn't know yamaha made such great clarinets.
Alexi <- who now has a yamaha baseball cap to FURTHER show his pride in the company!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Ryan25
Date: 2009-07-17 18:53
They also make pretty nice pianos. Their top of the line uprights are hard to beat for the price.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: mrn
Date: 2009-07-17 18:59
I have a Yamaha classical guitar--very nice sound, comparable to much more expensive models I tried.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2009-07-17 19:15
I had a Yamaha motorcycle years ago -- it was not very good.
Yamaha saxes are pretty good, never bad, but never great either IMHO.
The Yamaha stereo receiver and CD player I owned were both mediocre at best.
A few more 'opinion data points' for your YamaFiles.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: jbutler ★2017
Date: 2009-07-17 21:04
I had a Yamaha 500 or 550 inline twin, I can't remember the exact displacement, back in 1978. It was a pretty good bike. I also have a 1996 Honda Magna (750) that never ceases to amaze me with its ability to rival Timex....("keeps on ticking"). I owned a Suzuki C50T for a while.....didn't like all the plastic parts and high rpm's at cruising speed. I now own a Kawasaki 1600 Classic which is a very good bike.
I think Suzuki tried to make a clarinet but don't think Kawasaki or Honda have as of yet.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-17 21:12
I've just rebuilt my bargain of a YAS-62 alto (it was wrongly listed as a flute on eBay and I got it for £320!), and like my two previous YAS-62 altos it plays like a dream.
I play all Yamaha saxes - YSS-62 soprano, YAS-32, 62 (both for marching) and 875EX altos, YTS-32 (for marching) and 875 tenors and a YBS-62 bari (that I'll NEVER march with!), YFL-211SII (with a Yamaha AC silver head) and 874 flutes and YPC-32 and 81 piccolos (with silver and wooden heads), and a modified YCL-24 clarinet that I use for marching.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
Post Edited (2009-07-17 21:14)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-07-18 05:09
>> Yamaha saxes are pretty good, never bad, but never great either IMHO. <<
There are lots of great instruments that some great (or not) players don't necessarily like. Many players do think Yamaha saxophones are great, and I agree. I just recently tried all their clarinet and saxophone models. I didn't like all of them but some of them are great.
Re "never bad", Yamaha student model saxophones, although are pretty good in many ways, have two known problems of un-level tone holes and stack key rod screws loose inside their posts. MAybe not "bad" in the sense that they play badly, but they do have problems.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: BobD
Date: 2009-07-18 13:34
I have 6 Yamaha products and all are excellent.
Bob Draznik
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Doug
Date: 2009-07-18 18:36
Re Yamaha sax's: I have a Yamaha 61 alto sax which I have been told
is a copy of Selmer mark 6, and Yamaha 61 tenor sax , a copy of Selmer
mark 6. Members of the saxophone internet claim the Yamaha 61 sax's
are an improved horn than the 62's.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: pewd
Date: 2009-07-18 18:56
i can't say anything good about their mouthpieces
their pianos, clarinets and saxophones, however, are excellent
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: soybean
Date: 2009-07-20 06:15
I have two yamaha clarinets, 4 saxes, 1 flute, 1 piccolo, 2 guitars, 1 piano and 1 synth. Look at their logo. It's three tuning forks. Their focus has always been on music first.
~Dan
(Leblanc Bliss, Buffet R13 key of A, Yamaha 250 Bb)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Mike Blinn
Date: 2009-07-20 15:29
Bob Philips,
The 250 Suzukis were certainly popular bikes back then, and very quick. The Yamaha 350s had one less gear, but more power.
Mike
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: blazian
Date: 2009-07-20 17:25
I have a really nice Yamaha upright at my house. It played better than some Steinways, Baldwins, Rolands, and Schimmels I've played. Good quality? Yes indeed! The only thing it lacks is volume but I think that's just because of the size.
- Martin
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: clarnibass
Date: 2009-07-21 03:55
Defense or not here is a story about Yamaha I just heard yesterday.
A saxophone player (I forgot who it was) came to play a concert in Japan. They asked him what he needed and he said some type of effect, and he needed two of them. He asked by the actual model name of those effects (some synth type things).
Well, he arrives to the concert hall..... and two motorcycles are waiting for him.
Post Edited (2009-07-21 03:57)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-21 08:32
I remember saying to a schoolfriend I'm getting a Yamaha sax, and she replied 'Is it electric?'.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: OyJoey
Date: 2009-07-21 15:10
Yamaha also makes great Sound Systems. But I sold my Yamaha A clarinet, which was a good instrument. But they lack of Buffet's subtle characters.
However my good friend who is a pro Sax play says he consider Yamaha the best Sax maker!
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-07-21 20:42
Hi,
I have really considered selling off my very classic Mark VI alto and tenor (so the missus will not take 10 cents on the dollar after my demise) and getting Yamahas. My backup tenor, a YTS 475, gives up nothing to the VI and may be just fine.
I like the Custom alto also. I played one recently and it is almost identical in every way to my Super 80 NOS I. And if I sold the VIs, I'd have a good bit of change in my pocket for a YBS 52 and a Yamaha 221II Bass Clarinet.
HRL
BTW, since I already have a Custom clarinet, I better think about a Yamaha flute as well.
Post Edited (2009-07-22 11:35)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Tony F
Date: 2009-07-29 05:38
I think Yamaha make fine clarinets, with very good tone and intonation throughout the range. The only criticism I have of them is that they seem to be made for smaller hands than mine. I have hands like catchers mitts. Apart from the Yamaha I have a Buffet E11, a Boosey and Hawkes Emperor and an old Conn Henkin. These instruments were all made for a larger hand than the Yamaha, although only the Emperor can match it for tone. Sadly, the Yamaha and I were never meant to be.
Tony F.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Hank Lehrer
Date: 2009-07-29 10:51
Hi Tony,
That's in interesting twist. How are you with computer keyboards, cell phones, and similar tactile devices. You'd probably have no luck at all with any eefer (my hands are pretty much average and I have trouble with fingers being too big).
I suspect you'd do well ergonomically on bassoon, flute, and sax BTW.
HRL
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: Chris P
Date: 2009-07-29 18:57
I find the C#/G# key too short on Yamahas - not sure why they make it so short, but I can't see any harm if they lengthened it by around 5mm or so.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: sfalexi
Date: 2009-07-30 19:38
I felt the same as Chris P with the C# key. But all in all, I was VERY impressed at the yamahas I tried out. I tried out a CSG once a few years ago and wasn't that impressed. The 650s our band purchased and I got to use for a concert or two before deploying were GREAT!
Alexi
US Army Japan Band
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: ohernandez
Date: 2009-08-01 00:31
I might want to buy a yamaha model 20 for my beginner band middle school student. I know its plastic, and its used. Any remarks on this?
Any help is appreciated since the seller only wants about 70 bucks.
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
Author: weberfan
Date: 2009-08-01 02:14
Buying a used Yamaha YCL 20 is not a problem.
Buying one in poor condition might be.
These are great student clarinets and sound great.
The Yamahas play in tune and the key work is very comfortable.
They are well made clarinets. I have a newer model, the 250, and it's terrific.
But unless you or someone you know can play test the one you're considering, you won't know if it has leaks, needs new pads or is otherwise damaged in a way that will cost you $100 or $200 to repair.
You can certainly buy a used one in good condition for $200 and sometimes less.
Post Edited (2009-08-01 02:40)
|
|
Reply To Message
|
|
The Clarinet Pages
|
 |
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
![[up]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smiley24.gif)
