Yamaha YEP-621 Euphoniums (non-comp)

[Conn 2J CC]

Hello -

Any opinions on Yamaha's YEP-621 non-compensating Euphonium they no longer make? I'd never heard of a "3 on top, 1 on the side" Euph that was non-compensating. A general value range for one in good condition would be great too.

Thanks -

[Rick F]

I've not played one myself, but it got a pretty good review in 2012 over on Dave Werden's forum (you can read here.)

It reportedly plays similar to the Yamaha 321 (bore .571—.661) with an 11" bell - but with the 3+1 valve setup. Also it has a large shank mpc receiver. Hope this helps.

[imperialbari]

I have tried the YEP-621 many years ago. A good instrument, yet with a lighter and brighter sound than my own YEP-641.

Last summer I heard a YEP-621 played as a solo instrument in an outdoor brass ensemble concert. The soloist was a top-notch professional, yet I found it lacked somewhat in projection.

As for non-compensating 3+1P euphoniums, then Besson made them in their 700-series roughly from 1980 through 2000. Very problematic intonation and clearly inferior to the YEP-621.

Klaus

[PaulMaybery]

Yamaha did make at least one 3 + 1 non-compensating back around the 80's. A friend in San Diego had it. How she came upon it is another question.

[snorlax]

I had one in the late 80s and absolutely loved it.
It's possible that they are still being made for sale outside the USA--not sure, though

[BopEuph]

As for non-compensating 3+1P euphoniums, then Besson made them in their 700-series roughly from 1980 through 2000. Very problematic intonation and clearly inferior to the YEP-621.

I saw these at a school I was running sectionals at a few years ago. They really intrigued be but I lost interest within 30 seconds of trying them out. The intonation was really strange. Plus, it's weird having a 3+1 non-compensating in that I still wanted to play it like a compensating horn. I think if I were to go non-compensating, I'd stick with the 321, myself.

[imperialbari]

https://europe.yamaha.com/en/products/musical_instruments/winds/euphoniums/index.html

[Conn 2J CC]

Thanks for the replies, everyone.

[cctubaneeds]

A local player plays a Yamaha YEP-621 as his main horn. He makes a really good sound on it, and has great intonation aside from the comp range. As far as I know he has had it for 25 years, since university. It is essentially a non-comp version of my YEP642, with a bit smaller bell. Build quality is the same.

I have also demoed the Eastman 3+1 non-comp. Very light, responsive, and if use non-comp fingerings it is very in-tune. I was considering those for my high school program, we never need anything below a Eb, so comp vs non-comp isn't a problem.

[58mark]

If you are in the market for a horn like this, don't forget the John Packer 174

[pecktime]

The King 2280 is the other non-compensating euphonium around.

[dwerden]

I believe Willson makes, or made, a 3+1 non-comp euphonium. Roger Behrend (who plays a Willson 2900 3+1 comp) was rather taken with the non-comp, for what it was.

[bloke]

Composers write really low pitches for the euphonium in solos and solos' cadenzas, but rarely (unless they're clueless...or space-music writers) in band-music parts.

Regular pistons are shorter, weigh less, and require less-strong springs to move just as fast (lighter touch/less overall weight). Other than the 2-4 combinations being slightly sharp (vs. over-corrected), a same-body/same-mouthpipe non-comp euphonium plays down to E natural as well as a comp...

...much in the same way that a bass trombone holds that 2nd rotor and tubing circuit up off the ground - for around 99% of the time (unless they're a big-band player) - for nothin'.

[MSchott]

The King 2280 is the other non-compensating euphonium around.

I sit next to a player with a 2280. It has issues like a very sharp first valve but the sound is focused and dark. Really nice tone quality.

[58mark]

my 2280 is the most in tune euph I've ever played (above low E)

I like it so much I added a 5th valve to it

[pecktime]

my 2280 is the most in tune euph I've ever played (above low E)

I like it so much I added a 5th valve to it

Wow, I'd love to see photos! and hear the story.

[58mark]

my 2280 is the most in tune euph I've ever played (above low E)

I like it so much I added a 5th valve to it

Wow, I'd love to see photos! and hear the story.

here you go

viewtopic.php?f=2&t=71662

[LarryPrestonRoberson]

I believe Willson makes, or made, a 3+1 non-comp euphonium. Roger Behrend (who plays a Willson 2900 3+1 comp) was rather taken with the non-comp, for what it was.

Yes they do/did. I believe they still make them, but I'm too lazy to check.

[LarryPrestonRoberson]

I haven't personally played the YEP-621, but I have heard good things about it. A former teacher of mine, who owns a Willson, would've outfitted our high school band's euphonium section with 621s. However, they're not sold in the U.S. anymore, so he went with the next best thing: the YEP-321. In fact many of their parts are shared. There's the YEP-201 (3 valve), YEP-321 (4 valve, inline), both small shank receiver, and YEP-621 (4 valveI, 3+1), large shank. Basically they're all the same instrument except for the 4th valve. I swapped my 321's lead-pipe for the 621's, at said teacher's recommendation, and love the results. Many others have done this as well.

So, back to your original query. If you have played and like the YEP-321, then essentially you can have the same instrument with the added benefits of a 3+1 setup and more mouthpiece options (large shank). I see them on eBay (US) from time-to-time. A used 621 is usually in the same price range (high-end) of a used 321 ($1200+?).