Yamaha YSL 646

[JLivi]

I saw a YSL 646 for sale online. I've never heard of that before, but that doesn't mean it doesn't exist. Yamaha trombones have always confused me. Do you think it was a typo (446)? What is the 646? Is it a pro horn? What's the bore size? How much are they worth?

[Matt K]

No typo. 646 is the F attachment version of the 645 - both of these models are, in my estimation, perhaps the most underrated model of recent vintage. The 600 are all pro series horns, including the 646; the 800 series are the "artist" models but otherwise, there is not much of a difference beteween the 800 and 600 series, generally speaking. (Though there are perhaps exceptions as they've changed their nomenclature over the years.)

There aren't a ton of these floating around so you don't see them for sale as much as other more popular models like the Bach 36, so price can be hard to pin down. Anywhere from $800 to $1600 would seem reasonable to me, depending on the condition.

[PhilipEdCarlson]

What's "Artist" mean?
I guessing it's either specked by a celeb or, more likely, it means "step up".

[sirisobhakya]

446 and 646 have the same configuration (the same goes for 445/645, 447/647, 448/648). The difference is in the construction. 600 Series uses more nickel silver (nearly all the places that are made of nickel silver on a Bach or a Conn are made of nickel silver on the 600 Series, except slide oversleeve) while some of those on 400 Series are made of brass. The bell construction method should be different as well if I understand correctly: 600 series' bell stem is made from sheet brass while that of 400 series starts as a tapered brass pipe.

The 800 Series (both Xeno and Custom) differs from the 600 Series in many ways, mostly "cosmetic". The bell is one-piece, the slide has nickel silver oversleeve (on most of the model), difference in mouthpiece reciever, tuning slide cross brace, more hand-built proportion, etc.

[PaKETaZ]

The 800 series was developed with not Japan players but international players in mind if I correctly understood.
Yamaha calls it the Xeno series.
- 882: Peter Moore
- 882O: Peter Sullivan
- 882OR or 882OR 20th anniversary: David Finlayson (not sure for this model)

Same thing for the bass series.

Could be an approximative answer though... But I think it’s the general idea.

600 series is more generic and a bit underrated since there is Xeno series... But I do think my 640 is a very very nice 525.
As I own a 882O I’m trying to sell (because I don’t use it, not because I don’t like it), I’d like to A-B test it with the 620.

[sirisobhakya]

The 800 series was developed with not Japan players but international players in mind if I correctly understood.
Yamaha calls it the Xeno series.
- 882: Peter Moore
- 882O: Peter Sullivan
- 882OR or 882OR 20th anniversary: David Finlayson (not sure for this model)

Same thing for the bass series.

Could be an approximative answer though... But I think it’s the general idea.

The 800 series also includes the "Custom" Series (820GII and altos, and also the older ones like 820G, 8420, 8440, etc.). Those are not collaboration models AFAIK.

[PaKETaZ]

You’re right. I’m more talking about the Xeno series indeed... Wich is included in the 800 series. That’s not pertinent for the the whole 800 series. I realize now.

[BGuttman]

There were also Artist models in the 600 series. The 682B is for Ian Bousfield. It's a 682 with a heavier bell and larger valve. Note that my 682 had a one-piece bell.

What Yamaha often does is to "downrate" models from Pro to Intermediate when they are replaced by newer models. The 645-648 series was made into the 445-448 when the 681-684 came out. The step-up models were stripped of some bling but are quite similar to the Pro versions.

[Redthunder]

I own several 600 series yamaha trombones now. I just recently bought a YSL 647, which is actually a straight .551 bore. It plays fantastic and based on this horn I would easily recommend any other yamaha 600 series horns.

I also have a YSL691, which is the .508 bore predecessor to the 891Z, and the 691 also is just a great horn. It was also the horn JJ used in the late 80's and 90's.

[JLivi]

I own several 600 series yamaha trombones now. I just recently bought a YSL 647, which is actually a straight .551 bore. It plays fantastic and based on this horn I would easily recommend any other yamaha 600 series horns.

I owned that horn as well. It was a monster! But that's coming from a guy that plays a 3b regularly.

[greenbean]

There were also Artist models in the 600 series. The 682B is for Ian Bousfield. It's a 682 with a heavier bell and larger valve. Note that my 682 had a one-piece bell.

What Yamaha often does is to "downrate" models from Pro to Intermediate when they are replaced by newer models. The 645-648 series was made into the 445-448 when the 681-684 came out. The step-up models were stripped of some bling but are quite similar to the Pro versions.

Yet again...

The 445 is a totally different horn than the 645 was. Same for the 448 and 648.

[tonyycanolli]

Yet again...

The 445 is a totally different horn than the 645 was. Same for the 448 and 648.
How is the 448 different from the 648? I’m currently looking for a decently priced trigger horn from Yamaha and I’m seeing a lot of both of these. Is one better than the other? Or are there just different strengths? Also are the differences between 448 and 648 the same for 446 and 646?