 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Lglickfeld
Date: 2016-01-26 02:59
I'm considering possible purchase of Yamaha 400AD or 450, and can't seem to find any information re. the difference between these (one comparison chart shows them more or less the same). The 450 is rated "intermediate", while the 450 is "advantage", whatever that means. Does anyone know anything about these?
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Author: Caroline Smale
Date: 2016-01-26 03:16
The 450 is the Yamaha entry level wood instrument, replaced the model 34 II I believe.
Have known a few people who play them and they seem a high quality instrument for their target market.
Personally I like them much better than the Buffet E11 which is probably a comparable price / entry point.
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Author: nbclarinet
Date: 2016-01-26 03:49
I played a yamaha 450 throughout middle and high school before i got my R13. If you get a decent price on it, it's a very good intermediate instrument. In my experience they are indeed very high quality. They seem to have gotten more expensive recently though so definitely shop around and find a good deal.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2016-01-26 03:55
Basically Yamaha use numbers from 1 to 9 to determine their designated level of their instruments, so their model numbers starting with 1 or 2 are beginner/entry level, 3 and 4 are intermediate, 5 is semi-pro, 6 and 7 are pro level and 8 and 9 are Custom (prestige) level.
I don't honestly know if there's any real difference between a regular YCL-450 and a YCL-400AD as they both have the same model level number - chances are they're identical apart from maybe the accessories supplied with them.
http://parts-search.yamaha.co.jp/html/WIND_ENGLISH/orders/Product/model_list_e.php?bcate_code=008&mcate_code=015&scate_code=001
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-01-26 06:29
The Yamaha design and workmanship is top notch. I think the 450 gets very good reviews, but not played on in a while. I've played a 650 a few times lately ... nice, but bright! Owned their pro clarinets back in the 1990s.
However, for the less than the price of a Yamaha 450, you can get a Ridenour RCP-576 that may play circles around the 450. It's worth checking out ...
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Author: gwie
Date: 2016-01-26 14:00
I checked out a Yamaha YCL-400AD in unstained grenadilla for a student over a year ago. It was a stellar instrument for an excellent price.
I have one student who is on a YCL-650 and we agreed with the stock barrel configuration it is a bit more direct sounding compared to the sea of R-13's out here. However, we put a grenadilla Backun MoBa barrel on it and it plays great, and everything still came out to under 2k.
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Author: Tony F
Date: 2016-01-26 16:07
I'm fairly sure that the difference between the Yamaha 400 and 450 is just different marketing packages (Case, accessories etc) and that they are pretty much the same instrument. Either would be a fine instrument. Personally I find very little difference between the 450 and the 650 at a substantially higher price. I think the Yamaha 450 is the great bargain among the Yamaha clarinets.
Tony F.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2016-01-27 21:37
I'm curious, Joseph. What is the basis for your opinion? In other words, what is it about the 34 that makes you think it is far superior to the 450.
Post Edited (2016-01-27 23:48)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-01-28 02:11
My expert tech who has the contract to service all of the woodwind instruments for the School District of Philadelphia for the past several years has had experience with repair and overhaul of many examples of both models and says that the YCL 34 is superior in design and manufacturing. He has the hands on experience to prove it.
Post Edited (2016-01-28 02:32)
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2016-01-28 09:01
The Yamaha 450 IS the Professional Clarinet that my Colleague Nicholas Cox played in the 90's.
Nick is a (if not the) top Yamaha Artist, and he told me that at the Agaete Spain Clarinet Festival this past December.
I asked him to clarify, and he did - on video. He has helped Yamaha with some very major design decisions in the past. The 450 is the Clarinet that was the Professional Yamaha in the 90's.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2016-01-28 09:06
So I beg to differ from Larry F, but the 450 is Professional of the past, and the 34 never was.
For students, especially young ones, though the 34 is the way to go, as the tuning for young players is much more solid for their blowing style. That also was according to Nick.
Beginner instruments can't be professional models, as the starting player who is young won't play it in tune.
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-01-28 10:33
Sorry but I forgot to put the N at the end. It is the 450N that is inferior to the 34.
David, thanks for the clarification. My error. I stand corrected.
Post Edited (2016-01-28 10:38)
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Author: Clarineteer
Date: 2016-01-28 15:30
Yamaha YCL-450 Series Intermediate Clarinet YCL-450N - Nickel Keys
OVERVIEW
Perfect for the advancing student, the Yamaha YCL-450 Bb Intermediate clarinet incorporates some of the most distinctive qualities of Yamaha's professional and custom clarinets but at a student-friendly price. The body of the Yamaha YCL-450 is made from select grenadilla wood and produces a warm and rich sound. The key work on this step-up clarinet is very solid and comes in silver or nickel plating. Complete with case, Yamaha 4C Bb clarinet mouthpiece and Yamaha care products.
Intermediate clarinet perfection
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Author: DavidBlumberg
Date: 2016-01-28 16:54
Joe - that's called "Yamaha's ad text".....
I listened to my video of Nick talking about the 450 last night. Still what I recall. Is the Clarinet he played for 10 years as Principal Royal Liverpool Phil and recorded CD's with.
34 pales in sound - different bore/toneholes
http://www.SkypeClarinetLessons.com
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2016-01-28 20:59
Larry, to respond to your original question, I found this link
http://forum.hysonmusic.com/viewtopic.php?t=4
which seems to offer a reasonable explanation of the relationship between Yamaha's regular line and "advantage" musical instrument lines.
In short it indicates that the instruments in the two lines are identical but the Advantage line is re-branded to target the rental market.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: TomS
Date: 2016-06-04 05:25
Spent a couple of hour at the music store this afternoon with my Lyrique Libertas and Korg AT-12 and just tried some clarinets ... MP was 5RV-lyre/88 with Legere Signature.
In terms of blowing resistance, from the most resistant (stuffy) to least:
Backun Protege (blackwood) / Yamaha 450 / Libertas / Yamaha CSVR / Backun Alpha / Buffet E11.
This particular Backun Protege had serious problems with stuffy, fuzzy, dead ... easily one of the worst instrument I've ever played ... which makes be think it had some serious unusual defect. It was so bad I didn't check tuning at all ... they have a Cocobolo version I will check out when time permits. It is a shame that someone will pass judgement on this brand and model when most likely this one is just broken ... I suggested they run it thru the shop, because it will never sell as it is ... or maybe the way it plays is normal. Gawd, I hope not! The good news is the workmanship is first rate ... bad news is that this is the only wood clarinet I played that does not have locked key posts, which seems unusual for a horn of this good reputation.
The 450 still amazes me for it's sound, nice even resistance, tuning and weight. I like the hold in the upper clarion. Tuning was very good with it's barrel. I like these so much I might get one just for variety.
Libertas is what I currently mostly play ... tuning is first rate. Not as dark in respect to the other clarinets as I had thought (comparing side by side), but a round sweetness, especially in high register. Does most things right.
Yamaha CVSR was a little deader sounding with even resistance and tuning good ... actually better in a couple of spots than my Libertas. Does not have the center, projection and power of the Libertas. Didn't quite have the compactness and hold of the 450. Nice horn, well made. Will have to spend more time with this one ...
Backun Alpha didn't fit my funny little fingers very well, but played OK and tuning was fine. Lightweight sound and vibration under the fingers. Not bad, certainly better than the Protege on hand.
Buffet E11 (Germany version with locked key posts) was very well made but just too loose a blow and freewheeling for my taste. Tuning was fine.
So, there is my 3-cents.
Tom
Post Edited (2016-06-04 05:46)
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Author: klim
Date: 2018-01-22 23:01
TomS, do you find any significant differences in the keywork between the 450 and Libertas? I recently move up from a Normandy 4 to a Libertas and while I really like the sound and tuning of the Libertas I don't feel as comfortable with the keys as with the Normandy. Part of that, I'm sure, is fine tuning the thumb rest position but I wondered if the 450 might fit my large hands better. I am looking around the area for one to try out but until then I'd welcome your comments.
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Author: nellsonic
Date: 2018-01-23 11:58
TomS wrote:
> Yamaha CVSR was a little deader sounding with even resistance
> and tuning good ... actually better in a couple of spots than
> my Libertas. Does not have the center, projection and power of
> the Libertas.
Funny, I have a Libertas and a Yamaha CSVR. One of attractions of the Yamaha for me is greatly expanded power and projection compared to the Libertas, which I also love but haven't played much since I got the new Yamahas a few months ago. I have custom mouthpieces matched to each instrument by Ramon Wodkowski. I'm curious as to what set-up you are using.
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Author: EbClarinet
Date: 2020-08-18 18:46
When I was in junior high and high school, I got a catalog of the clarinet family from Yamaha. I couldn't afford them but they sure looked great. Then the 1st chair girl in college had 1 but she didn't sound like the other clarinetists.
I thought the Buffet E11 was more affordable 4 me in college and I almost went 4 it but the clarinet professor told me my Selmer Signet was already an intermediate horn. I had thought Yamaha had the better horns because they make great keyboards, 2 which I have 1 of their rack modules. It has the best piano sound but I haven't used it 2 much in my recordings.
I saw in college that Yamaha also makes motorcycles. So she 1 explain 2 me how a motorcycle company can get good with musical instruments so.
https://www.tapatalk.com/groups/mbtldsongministry/
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Author: Bob Bernardo
Date: 2020-08-19 23:13
I'm playing on the CSVR's and sold all of my Buffets, Several of them. I had to mess around with barrels but I now have the perfect match. I have not played on 450 models. The Yamaha company simply makes great horns.
Designer of - Vintage 1940 Cicero Mouthpieces and the La Vecchia mouthpieces
Yamaha Artist 2015
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