$5,500 vs $400 Trombone Comparison

A quick sound comparison between a freshly unboxed (used) Yamaha 643-II that I got for $400 from a trombonechat member, and my daily drive, a state of the art and customized Stephens Horn that I hand picked out of all the manufactures at ITF 2022.

[@mikescudder4621]

Love the look of that Stevens....

[@WilliamLang]

it's a beautiful horn!

[@fredericmuscat3217]

Ce que je considérerai c'est surtout le facilité a jouer, car il n'y a pas vraiment de différence sonore entre les deux. Pour moi le poids, la faciliter de produire un son avec la valve sont des caractéristiques que je prendrais en considération. Mais la sonorité d'un tromboniste est unique tout comme la voix humaine, nous avons tous un timbre de voix particulier, donc tu peux jouer dans n'importe quel trombone tu auras toujours le meme son.

[@WilliamLang]

great thoughts! my main horn is indeed easier to play, and has a slightly easier trigger range

[@basstbn89]

To me, the Yamaha sounds tighter and less resonant than the Stevens. However, I have found the Yamahas respond a bit better with a deeper cup, something like a 5G with a 4G cup. Beautiful sounds across the board.

[@WilliamLang]

I agree, and I’m actually using a euphonium mouthpiece in this video (I love deep cups!) but that’s just the difference between the horns. I thought the Yamaha was outstanding for the price

[@marcusschneider2880]

An interesting observation regarding your remark about how with the Yamaha, you feel your throat closing up. I've experienced a similar phenomenon with my Bach 36, even in comparison to smaller bore horns like my Olds Super. So far, I haven't found an explanation. I've considered factors such as how I hold the horn-I have long arms, etc.-and if I'm getting too stiff. Sometimes, this even leads to my voice sounding very hoarse.

[@WilliamLang]

I can totally see that happening - I took out my Yamaha 882V and compared the valves - the 643 definitely is a little less open through the valve - but my gear has been chosen to make that sound as open as possible, so I'm not too surprised. I'll definitely be keeping my eyes open for other horns like this though - they would make absolutely great bridge horns for students

[@IBoughtItMyself]

Yammy sounds good. Screaming good deal.

[@grandert]

Thanks for the comparison. As a student it might be tempting to think that you need an expensive “latest model” trombone to sound great and be able to compete. Me, as an ex trombone player, who has taken up trombone playing again have been experimenting with some older horns as alternatives to the latest models. This includes some Holton models (158 and 159), Yamaha models (like the 648R - the model which Christian Lindberg actually recorded some of his early albums on) and my current favorite - a Benge 195F. They all have their strengths and I still haven’t found the horn that has it all, though the Benge beats my old 1956 Elkhart 88 and my Bach 42 Thayer in some aspects.

[@WilliamLang]

There are definitely a lot of great older horns out there! I'm pretty sure this 643-II is the same as the 648R but with a gold brass outer slide instead of a nickel slide. Super solid horn, and it's fun to know that about Lindberg!

[@grandert]

@@WilliamLangyes, old horns are very exciting! So much history. I actually have two 648R, the older one has brass outer slide, and the newer one has a Yamaha logo and insignia on the bell and nickel slide. The old one plays like butter, and I prefer that one. Both of them has the semi open wrap though, so I think they are slightly different than your horn. Confusingly enough there is a 648 (without the R) that has the same F as the conn. A bit different bell than the 648R as well (less red). I really agree with your statement that lot of these horns are very undervalued.

[@showingYOUtheworld]

The difference is mainly in the play feeling. Still the Shires has a bigger and more rich sound, but from other hand that Yamaha is more versatile. It can be used in all kind of orchestras including Big Bands and combo sections. Everything is just my personal opinion of course

[@WilliamLang]

yeah, my stephens horn was definitely set up to be a big tone machine - the yamaha would be much better on a third part of a jazz band i think! good bridge to the bass bone

[@showingYOUtheworld]

Absolutely agree with you 👍 Thumbs up for your video !!!

[@aammarkhan2661]

I think this really attests to the idea that the player is far more important than the instrument. Both horns sound great, but the Stephens does sound like easier to play/more comfortable.

[@WilliamLang]

for sure! i was still quite impressed with the quality on the Yamaha - i think they get a little bit of an underserved bad rep in American trombone circles

[@schteak7388]

Is this a website where you purchases from I'm really interested in getting a budget trombone on a budget

[@WilliamLang]

i got this one from trombonechat. the facebook marketplace can sometimes have hidden gems as well

[@schteak7388]

@@WilliamLang what do you think of John packer and Wessex trombones

[@WilliamLang]

they're not very good overall, even for brand new budget options. i would rather get a used horn from yamaha or bach for the same price personally

[@WilliamLang]

some people like them a lot, but i'd rather get a used horn from a more reputable maker for serious purposes

[@schteak7388]

@@WilliamLang have you heard of the new y fort trombones?

[@mombooze]

The closed wrap is a little stuffy on the yamaha.... I agree yamahas are undervalued tho

[@WilliamLang]

also has a giant dent in it! so maybe a little better than you're hearing there

[@LukeZellar]

Would you ever sell the Yamaha trombone? Im a college student looking to buy

[@WilliamLang]

Hi Luke! I wish I could, but it's currently with one of my students at OU. Good Yamahas do pop up for great prices from time to time, I got this one from the trombonechat forum, if that helps.

[@LukeZellar]

@@WilliamLang I gotcha! I actually just got an offer for a really good conn 88 HO so I’m very happy I got an open wrap, thank you for the response, if it ever gets back in your hands let me know, I’ll snatch it up

[@joseayala-zg5fm]

whats your thouths on a first time ever beginner with a yamaha tenor 354 trombone.. i have 22 months playing alto an tenor saxophone

[@WilliamLang]

Great beginning horn. Just focus on making musical sounds and have fun!

[@joseayala-zg5fm]

@@WilliamLang thank you

[@joseayala-zg5fm]

😊

[@daglowcruz1607]

Intonation is different

[@WilliamLang]

Others measure intonation in cents, I measure it by $5,100 dollars at a time