Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

I was looking for the highest quality instrument for a reasonable price without getting into the $2K range. Tried an E11 and was very disappointed with intonation issues and breathy throat tones. Tried the Yamaha YCL450 and was pleased with its even intonation, but it wasn't as easy-playing as I expected and had fuzzy mid-range notes also, which I was told would be fixed with a pad adjustment. Decided to try 650 instead and glad i did! For the minor price difference (with a sale and rebate, especially!) the silver keys, beautiful wood, playability/great action are much better - definitely worth it. C# a bit fuzzy but will likely be fixed with pad adjustment. Clearest throat A I have played on any instrument. My only minor complaints are that low E and F are not as booming and warm sounding to me as the 450, i guess because of the bell, but the better playability is worth it . Playing through the break is slightly difficult, but better than any other clarinet I've played. . I actually love the sleek and small case (although a handle would be nice). I can fit reeds in it, and don't want to carry the wet swab in the case anyway. The extra outside case is nice for protection and storage. 4+ stars

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

I wrote a review of this clarinet the day I got it, about 3 months ago. I have returned to say more! SInce I recieved this amazing clarinet, I have discovered Vandoren 56 Rue Lepic reeds and Brancher Jazz Double-Cut reeds! They both work very well on it.I have added a new ligature--a luyben one. It was to replace the not-top-quality stock one. Thelogature so far has been my ONLY complaint obn this entire clarinet! With Buffet clarinets, you recieve a stock mouthpiece that isn't too great. I have found the mouthpiece supplied with this to be quite good for a stock one! Even so, I am planning on getting another soon. I brought Clarissa (my clarinet) out to practice marching music for next year (I typically play bassoon in band). Sitting in second chair (next to a girl with an R13--and that's hard to beat, considering she's a grade ahead of me), the other clarinetists who had never seen Clarissa asked what model it was. My friend (3rd chair) now wants to upgrade from her 450 to a 650!Overall, I am as impressed as I ever thought I could be with this clarinet. My occassional squeaks are NOT Clarissa's fault--they are just "embouchure slips" (that's what I call them!) because I am used to the bassoon's embouchure. This clarinet has imprved my tone, playing, and confidence. I you are looking to buy a professional clarinet, but you are a little low on the dough, this isstill the one to get! Thanks!

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

It takes a truly phenomenal clarinet to bring true happiness to a musician. Trust me, with this clarinet that is just what you will find true happiness! A few months ago, I decided I was done with my olde plastic Selmer. I (graduated to a wooden Selmer, which was olde and cracked. My parents thought that this would (teach me to take care of a wooden clarinet. After a few months passed, I decided that I finally needed something for next year. I would be the jazz band clarinetist (Clarinet is not my main instrument, by the way. Bassoon is.). I would need something that would get me solos. After looking through many clarinets, including the R13, I decided to try the YCL-650. Why not the R13? Because clarinet is not my main instrument, my parents thought I could get by with something $1,100 less! I received my new clarinet in band (It came from our music shop) and opened it in pure delight! Gorgeous! The description is correct! It looks like a piece of artwork! It has beautiful reddish-brownish streaks on dark black! Everyone was so jealous! It looks so much prettier than most of my friends clarinets. I am astounded with the looks of it. I hadnt even started playing it and I already loved it! I carried it home with me, along with my bassoon case, and after applying cork greaseablew into it! Impeccable! That is all I can say. My friend who is first chair clarinet has an R13, so I wanted to compare my sound to her sound. I sound GREAT with to her. There is VERY little difference! I sound much better than the kid who has an E11, too. As for the case, I love how miniscule it is! There is not very much room, but there is enough to get by with, and I always have a little bag for my supplies, anyway. I can cram it into my book bag (With care, of course!) and for once, have a free hand to hold other things on those dreaded days where I have to carry two instruments! I also love how the case looks! I love how the instrument looks! I LOVE THIS CLARINET! Trust me; you will love it, too!

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

It takes a truly phenomenal clarinet to bring true happiness to a musician. Trust me, with this clarinet that is just what you will find true happiness! A few months ago, I decided I was done with my olde plastic Selmer. I graduated to a wooden Selmer, which was olde and cracked. My parents thought that this would teach me to take care of a wooden clarinet. After a few months passed, I decided that I finally needed something for next year. I would be the jazz band clarinetist (Clarinet is not my main instrument, by the way. Bassoon is.). I would need something that would get me solos. After looking through many clarinets, including the R13, I decided to try the YCL-650. Why not the R13? Because clarinet is not my main instrument, my parents thought I could get by with something $1,100 less! I received my new clarinet in band (It came from our music shop) and opened it in pure delight! Gorgeous! The description is correct! It looks like a piece of artwork! It has beautiful reddish-brownish streaks on dark black! Everyone was so jealous! It looks so much prettier than most of my friends clarinets. I am astounded with the looks of it. I hadnt even started playing it and I already loved it! I carried it home with me, along with my bassoon case, and after applying cork greaseblew into it! Impeccable! That is all I can say. My friend who is first chair clarinet has an R13, so I wanted to compare my sound to her sound. I sound GREAT with to her. There is VERY little difference! I sound much better than the kid who has an E11, too. As for the case, I love how miniscule it is! There is not very much room, but there is enough to get by with, and I always have a little bag for my supplies, anyway. I can cram it into my book bag (With care, of course!) and for once, have a free hand to hold other things on those dreaded days where I have to carry two instruments! I also love how the case looks! I love how the instrument looks! I LOVE THIS CLARINET! Trust me; you will love it, too!

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

I have owned my YCL650 since Yamaha first came out with them over 10 years ago. My clarinet is still in excellent shape, even though it's seen some hardships. (Ice Storms, lost power for weeks, busting pipes) Yet it has not lost any of its sound quality, nor, like other wooden clarinets I have had has it cracked.

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

I just received this clarinet for a Christmas present and wow. It plays well in both the low and high registers and is perfect for anyone who will continue playing for years to come. I rate this a four because the case is a little small and doesn't offer very much to carry things like your reeds or cork grease. Other than that, FABULOUS

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

I had purchased several clarinets in the last year, Buffet E-11, R-13, Artley Limited Series, and also Selmer. I returned all of them after several days of playing them to our music store. I finally bought the YCL 650 Yamaha clarinet and WOW what a perfect clarinet.The sound is incredible, I never did like the Buffet brands and had alot of problems with the two I had tried, the Yamaha clarinets are beautiful.The case is a little small, for carrying extra supplies, but I always have a tote with me for concerts, so its not a problem.Also I was very happy from buying from WWBW over buying from a music store.There prices are excellent which help me purchase the clarinet I wanted for the price I could afford. Music stores are over priced and don't always give you a 45 day trial period like WWBW. So this clarinet is the best of the best, and WWBW is the place to purchase it from

Comments about Yamaha YCL-650 Professional Bb Clarinet:

Gorgeous clarinet. (Brownish/reddish with wood grains) Very nice, rich tones, especially in the lower register. Easily playable. The mouthpiece is quality. The description is correct: 'looks as good as it plays'! I LOVE this clarinet! I am rating this a 4 because of the case.