Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2019-11-27 21:40
Yamaha used to have information about discontinued models on their USA website but I haven't been able to find it more recently.
Here's some information I took from the Yamaha website around 2006.
The YCL-72(72A where the "A" designates an A clarinet) was made from 1985-87. It was succeeded by two models, YCL-72CS(CSA) and the YCL-72CX(CXA), which were made from 1988-94. These evolved into the Custom YCL-CS(CSA) and Custom YCL-CX (CXA). These dated from 1994-??. All were listed as discontinued back in 2006, though the Custom CS and CSA were also shown on the website as current models! The Custom CXA was listed as discontinued with no current equivalent. The only difference between the CS and CX models (according to Yamaha) was that the CS had integral tone holes and the CX had inserts.
From what I have seen, the original 72's are identified by a 72 in the logo. The 72CS and 72CX are identified by a CS or CX in the logo (my CS has no 72). Since I have seen a 72CS logo on eBay, I infer that Yamaha dropped the 72 from the logo sometime during the model run. The Custom CS and CX have a very large "Custom" in the logo.
As I recall, the Yamaha UK and Yamaha Europe websites showed some models as current that were shown as discontinued in the US. Also, there were some models available in the UK and/or Europe that were never listed as available in the US (e.g. a YCL-650 A clarinet).
I have never heard before that, nor do I know of any reason why a 64 would be superior to a 650. The 650 (not one of the Custom models) was the direct successor to the 64. It's possible that Yamaha changed the design when they went to the 650, in which case some players may prefer the 64 to the 650 but, in my experience, Yamaha has never deliberately reduced the quality of their instruments when "upgrading" a model in their product line. I don't think its in their DNA. On the other hand, also in my experience, some sellers will say anything to induce a higher price for the item they have for sale.
IMO, the 72/CS/Custom CS clarinets are hidden gems. I have a pair of CS clarinets that I bought as practice horns/backups 15-20 years ago. I paid a little over $600 each on eBay (separate auctions). The first one I bought was the A. When I got it, I couldn't put it down. I practiced everything on it, including Bb parts. It is a wonderful instrument. My Bb is almost as good. I now use always use them when I am in a pit, or outdoors, or traveling.
About a year ago, a very good local professional (college professor who plays for traveling musicals and summer stock but rarely orchestra gigs) who had borrowed and loved my A, needed an A for Into the Woods. I pointed him to a 72A on eBay which he bought for around $US 1,100. He couldn't have been happier with his purchase.
I think Yamaha clarinets probably have the highest value/cost ratio among the big 4. New, the 72CS and 72CX clarinets sold for about the same price as an R13 but, except for the extra Eb key, are closer to a Prestige in features. The 650s were priced comparable to an E13 which (coupled with the lack of a matching A clarinet in the US) caused some clarinetists (myself included) to assume they were high end intermediates. They are not, they are entry level professional models, IMO quite comparable to the R13.
Best regards,
jnk
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