Yamaha YCB661

[WorldofBrass.com]

Does anyone have any experience of this CC tuba?
I think it might be a discontinued model as it is not listed on the Yamaha UK website.
I've seen one for sale and it's described as 'fully compensating' but I don't see how a 5 rotary valve tuba can be compensating.

[Daryl Fletcher]

Here's some information about the 661. It's definitely not a compensating instrument.
http://www.tubanews.com/instrument329.html



While I have not played one, I have heard good things about them.

[MaryAnn]

wow, the wrap looks squatty to me. Kind of like a piggy...way different from the stove-pipe bell I have on my Mfone.
MA

[Paul S]

....... IMVHO, it was one of Yamaha's best efforts in the CC department.

I really agree with LV on this. They are nice horns.

[ArnoldGottlieb]

My recollection of them (albeit with less mature ears) is great. I tried to buy one from that guy in NC in the late 80's and it didn't work out, but the 2 or 3 that I played at a late 80's brass conference in NYC were great. Sound was "piggyish" but a bit richer than the cervany's I've had (and I love cervany's). I'm set on my horn, but I'd sell my back up for one due to it's playing characteristics (in my mind) and it's size. And you've got to love those cases yamaha makes that look like they're smaller than the instrument inside, wouldn't fly it, but subways, taxi's etc are easily done. I always wondered why they stopped making them. Peace. ASG

[Pete Link]

I used to own one of these horns about 8 years ago and I wish I never got rid of it. It had great pitch, response and a monster little low register. They should have never stopped making them. The way it was told to me when I lived in Japan was that they put it together with parts from the 4 upright piston Eb and the valve section came from the larger rotor CC.

pete

[WorldofBrass.com]

Thanks for all your comments.
They have been very helpful.

[tclements]

I had one; sold it to Deanna Swoboda 100 years ago. I'd like to buy one, if there is one out there.

[iiipopes]

I played one at my regional community band some years ago as a loaner when my tuba was in the shop. Now, granted, it had seen university use as an institutional instrument. I hated it. It was trying to be an Alex. It had all the intonation quirks, tubby tone, too large a bore for the size, and no positives, including a flat tone that was about as far away from Alex as you could get. I was so glad to turn it in when I got my tuba back out of the shop.