Yamaha YSL 445g

[jchiang9]

Has anybody played/owned a Yamaha 445g? What were your thoughts on it compared to other .525's out there?

[modelerdc]

They play well and easy. Tone is somewhat broad for a .525 horn due to the 8.5 inch bell, but still light. Not as dark or complex as a Bach 36, or as bright as a Conn 78H, and won't drive nails in a wall like a 3B plus. I think that these other horns each do some things better, but the Yamaha is good middle of the road, well balanced, and easier to find a good example than the others.

[Matt K]

Do they have 8.5? I thought 400 series were all 8” for medium bores.

They’re good horns. Middle of the road is a reasonable description like mentioned.

[ethel72]

Do they have 8.5? I thought 400 series were all 8” for medium bores.

They’re good horns. Middle of the road is a reasonable description like mentioned.

They are about 8.5". I just double-checked my 446G, which came in just a bit below 8.5" for the bell diameter. I know not explicitly the same instrument, but almost the same. Also, if you check the Wind Instruments catalog here it confirms that they are 8.5":

https://usa.yamaha.com/products/content ... k=&c=winds

[sstelmack]

I have one that was an old college pep band horn. I had it completely redone with a scratch brush finish and a slide job. The slide still isn't the best, but that is my only negative for that horn. I keep it as a backup and my son will probably take it for when he gets into marching and pep band. As stated above it is a good middle of the road horn. I do like how it almost feels like a bigger horn than a .525.

[captain]

I think the Yamaha YSL-445G Trombone is great, like a Toyota Celica is great. Everything Just Works® and works well. Sure, it may not win any awards, but the slide is smooth, and the honks are good. I think mine came with a Yamaha 48 mouthpiece which has been fine. I got mine used and had to put another $250ish into repairs, but for <$1k I don't think it can be beat. Oh, and the hard shell case is spectacular! I've carried it on planes, boats, cars, bikes, and more! It takes a licking and keeps on ticking! I want a case like that for ALL my 'bones!

[dcslideman]

I had one for many years as my only horn. Very easy player. Slide was fantastic. Not very mouthpiece dependent, so you can use that to help change the sound some. The 48 or bigger mouthpieces could make it full and warm with that big gold bell. CAn make it a bit brighter with smaller cups/throats. I only got rid of it because I wanted an F attachment on my .525 once I started to have more than one horn. So I got a YSL-640.