Yamaha YFB-821

[MikeMilnarik]

Besides the better position of the valve cluster and the larger bell, does anyone have an input why they would buy an 821 over a 621?

I realize that this horn is smaller than the 822. But I'd like to know how the 821 is a step up from the 621.

I have read past posts, from a couple of years ago, about this horn, but didn't find any compelling reasons to spend the extra dough besides the two reasons I mentioned above. Does the larger bell give the player better "feedback" like the 822?

More opinions?

Thanks!

Mike Milnarik

[eupher61]

that one goes to 11.

[PMeuph]

that one goes to 11.

+11

[tubacrow]

The bell is larger
The valves are set at a different angle
The 5th valve can be either a #12 or a b1 depending on the slide you chose to use. I comes with both
The valve buttons are larger
The horn comes with a gig bag instead of a case
The horns are produced by order and often require a wait time for delivery

As for how they play. I am biased, I own one. I love it. The horn is great as either a chamber horn or solo horn. I feel it also has one of the most stable low ranges of all of the Yamaha Fs. The horn also has a darker color, and has served me well in pit, chamber, and solo work. This is only my personal feeling, and I am sure there are some who do not like the horn, but again I am biased. I like it.

[TheHatTuba]

Has anyone tried to get just the bell from Yamaha?

[MikeMilnarik]

Thanks, everyone!

Mike Milnarik

[Tubadork]

Hey,
They play really well, Mike Moore here in Atlanta plays one with the symphony and he sounds great on it. I heard him get up and over the orchestra on midsummer nights dream with no problem. Maybe drop him a line.
Bill

[T. J. Ricer]

Hi Mike,

TubaCrow hit the nail on the head with the differences.

I do believe the wider bell is a big help and, for me, so is the valve angle. I've played mine for orchestra, opera, quintet, solo, and auditions and have had good luck with it. Oddly, the main complaint is that it was projecting a little too much (easily remedied by playing softer, I just wasn't used to "getting out" quite as much as this horn does). Having variously owned the 822 and the 621 in the past, I think it is the best of both worlds. It retains the easy playability and solid pitch of the 621 with a sound that doesn't get as "barky" when pushed. Being more 621 than 822, it doesn't "get tubby" when playing big even with the wider bell. All in all it is a very even sounding a playing horn from top to bottom.

My only complaint would be the decision to move the third valve slide to the bottom. . . the pitch is generally quite good on the horn, but I'd still like to have access to the third valve slide. I use 5+1 for Ab at the bottom of the staff, since I can't pull a bit on that note when played 2+3. This was probably a result of re-angling the valve section and if that is the case, I'll take the trade-off for the sake of my wrist.

As tubacrow said, feel free to assume I'm biased since I own one (and doubly so, since I'm a Yamaha Artist). As always, your mileage may vary. Check them out at the conferences if you can.

--T. J.