Yamaha 620G vs 835GD

[Blenky]

Looking to move from my existing Rath R900 to a Yamaha bass, mainly for weight reasons.

I’ve been lucky enough to try a friends Conn 62H which made a great sound and played nicely, but was even heavier than the R900. Same friend leant me his Yamaha 620G and I love it, great sound and significantly lighter and better balanced.

There are a few reviews of the Yamaha line up on here and I see that the 835GD got some great reviews and is a more recent horn, and my budget would stretch.

Can anyone comment on the weight of the 835GD, maybe compared to the 620G (neither of these are in stock anywhere close to where I line in the UK). Yamaha seem to keep instrument weights a closely guarded secret!

I’d be using it for a bit of everything, brass band, wind band and orchestra.

[Burgerbob]

835 is a bit lighter than some basses, but not nearly as light as 620G.

[sirisobhakya]

If weight is your concern, I would recommend the 835 or 835G (non-cut bell). There are lighter than the cut-bell counterpart (I think at least 50-100 g) and the resistance and the sound might be closer to the 620G.

If you are still interested in the 835GD, I recommend trying the 835D (yellow brass bell) as well. The 835D is a bit freer-blowing, and is a bit cheaper.

[Reedman1]

If weight is a serious concern, check out Butler. He does make a bass:
https://butlertrombones.com/specificati ... -trombone/

[izMadman]

Yamaha's weights are always hard to pin down, but the 835 feels like it sits between the 620 and the Rath in heft. It's not uncomfortable, just a bit front-heavy

[Blenky]

Thanks all, the Butler looks interesting but like most Bass trombones in the UK at present no one has any stock to at least have a blow before buying! A $7100 C12 might be great, but I’d need to pay import taxes on this and might hate it!

Looks like the 620G might be the ‘safe’ but boring option

[blast]

One of my past students had a 620. Best Yammy I've ever played. They vary, of course, but it could be a great choice. Remember, a Hagmann equipped Rath R9 is basically lighter than your R900.

[WGWTR180]

One of my past students had a 620. Best Yammy I've ever played. They vary, of course, but it could be a great choice. Remember, a Hagmann equipped Rath R9 is basically lighter than your R900.

Chris I find it interesting that a Hagmann equipped Rath is lighter than the R900. Where does all of the extra weight come from in the R900?
And to stay on topic I've always heard great things about the Yamaha 620. Sounds like a good choice!

[tbonesullivan]

The Yamaha 620G and it's predecessor, the 612R II, are quite light compared to just about any bass on the market. They have a nickel outer slide with no oversleeves, and no fancy ferrules and such that add weight. I believe the 612 and 620 were pretty much designed for Band type use, but can be made to do just about anything with the right mouthpiece and sound concept. Also, if you aren't using the second valve, you can always swap in the Eb Crook to make it even lighter.

The only complaint I remember hearing about the 620 is that the cross brace on the outer side is smaller than the cross brass on the inner slide, which is exactly how it was designed. Some people don't like it though.

[blast]

The extra weight in the R900 is mostly in the valves...that and a bit more bracing. Same with the Rotax on my R9. They are so well balanced weight wise, I don't mind.