6/28/2015

Yamaha Trumpet Model Number Code - YamahaCollector Yamaha Loyalist

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Yamaha Trumpet Model Number Code

This is an approximate guide to deciphering the meaning of the numbers and letters used
to create the model numbers used on Yamaha Trumpets

1st Number Range or Grade

The pre1982 range of Yamaha Trumpets with three digit model numbers appear to have
been marketed as such:
1xx : Standard / College
2xx : Standard / College
3xx : Standard / College
6xx : Professional
7xx : Professional

9xx : Custom
Does anyone have any old brochures or marketing material from this time that they are
willing to sent to me or share as a .pdf?

Post1982 with the change to the 4 digit model numbers, the marketing material
suggests the following.
Txxx : T Series (Student?)
xxxQ : QClass (2005 only, Student?)
xxxAD : Advantage (Student?)
1xxx : Standard
2xxx : Standard
3xxx : Intermediate
4xx : Intermediate (Rotary only)
4xxx : Intermediate
5xxx : Allegro (introduced 2010 , intermediate?)
6xx : Professional (Flugel range only)
6xxx : Professional
6xxxH : Professional Heavywieght (introduced 1987, replaced by Xeno Range)
6xxxH : Maestro Range (UK Brass Band marketing, now marketed as NEO range except
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cornets)
6xxx : Professional Signature Series (Bob Shew, etc...)
8xx : Custom (Unique Japan only medium bore range)
8xxxH : PreXeno (Custom?) (Japan only) 19861990
8xxxUS : Xeno I (Japan only, 19901994)
8xxxUSII: Xeno II (Japan only, 19942001
8xxx : Xeno (international model, 2001)
8xxxZ : Custom Z (Bobby Shew)
9xx : Custom (Rotary only)
9xxx : Xeno Artist Series (Chicago, New York etc. introduced 2005)
9xxx : Custom
9xxx : Custom Artist (Allen Vizzutti, Bergeron, etc...)
As you can see there is quite a lot of varience in the way models are described, breaking
away from the Range/Key/Bore/Model number structure.

2nd Number Key or Pitch

I think this seems to be fairly well established, although the listed items in italics are more
theoretical.

1 Bb Bass (eg: YTR916) (as only one set of custom made Bass Trumpets exist it is hard
to say whether this was the intent of the the series number but it seems to make sense
although doesn't fit into the 3 digit model numbers.)
2 Eb Alto (no known Eb Alto trumpets exist but it would make sense that the number 2
was reserved for this pitch.)
3 Bb (eg: YTR6335)
4 C (eg: YTR8445)
5 D (eg: YTR651)
6 Eb/D (eg: YTR6610)
7 G/F (eg: YTR9710)
8 Bb/A Piccolo (eg: YTR6810)
9 C Piccolo (eg: YTR9910)

3rd Number Bore Size

I think this was probably the intended system when the 4 digit model numbers were
developed, but it just seems to dissappear in any organised form as more models have
been introduced into the range. There simply isn't enough (appropriate) numbers to
accomodate all the possible bores in a logical sequence. Also worth noting is the variance
of measurements in the same bore sizes. I'd like to work out if this is a deliberate change
of measurement made by Yamaha for speccific models or simply anj case of the original
imperial measurements being changed to decimal and back again, each time changing
slightly for the previous. Any thoughts or knowledge in this area? The measurements I
have are as follows:
1
2
3
4

=
=
=
=

Step Bore (YTR6310Z)

M (Medium) (YTR6320)
ML (Medium Large) (YTR6335)
L (Large) (eg: YTR8445

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But this doesn't have space for the S (Small) Bore or MS (Medium Small) bore, nor does it
differentiate between same bore sizes, so I'll list the measurements in order and assume
that the number system simply doesn't hold true anymore, other than maybe the 3 and 4
designation.
Step Bore
S = 10.50mm / xxx" (eg: YTR6810)
MS = 11.00mm / 0.433" (eg: YFH631)
M = 11.24mm / 0.442" (eg: YTR946)
M = 11.25mm / 0.443" (eg: YTR948FFMS)
M = 11.30mm / 0.445" (eg: YTR6310)
ML = 11.65mm / 0.459" (eg: YTR6335H)
ML = 11.68mm / xxx" (eg: YTR4335G)
L = 11.73mm / 0.462" (eg: YCR2310II)
L = 11.76mm / xxx" (eg: YTR6340)
L = 11.90mm / 0.469" (eg: YCR8335)
If anyone wants to supply me with the correct fractional imperial measurements it would
be appreciated.

4th Number Model, Version or Design Series

I'm assuming the 4th number was originally intended to designate the model or design
within a particular set up. Ie: a 6335 and 6330B are both Proffesional Level, Bb, and ML
bore, but the final number differentiates between the actual design of the trumpet. for
example, one may or may not have a 2 piece bell vs a 1 piece bell, a gold brass vs yellow
brass or even the same but with slightly different brace positions. I think that this system
worked initially until model models and artists developed and this system simply ceased
to work as intended. The addition of letters as described below has been introduced to
help over come the limited combinations of numbers only. As far as I can tell there is no
specific meaning to each number other than to differentiate one from others.
EDIT: I have realized that this description is not actually correct for the last number. It
basically alternates between a "0" or a "5" (with a few exceptions). The "0" represents
trumpets with a reverse construction leadpipe, and the "5" represents a standard
construction leadpipe. Of course this doesn't hold true for the higher pitched trumpets
with tuning bells and adjustable receivers etc.

Letters
The use of letters is inconsistent so needs to be looked at individually for each model
really.

= Silver Plate. The letter "S" is used to denote Silver Plating. It is not used to denote a
Small Bore even though the "Custom" range of Bb and C trumpets from 198285 started
including the bore size in the model number similar to Bach's (eg: YTR9330ML).
Additionally, note that "S" is NOT used for ALL silver plated instruments though. It would
appear that the "S" is only used when a particular model is offered in both a lacquered
version and silver plate version. If a model is only available in a silver plate configuration it
would appear that the "S" is not used, eg: YTR9610. This is made more confusing as
Yamaha themselves market some particular trumpets with an "S" in their marketing
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material but not actually stamped on the same instument, eg: the Xeno Artist Series
trumpets, only available in silver plate but marketed by Yamaha as YTR8445CHS in all of
their published material. When you look at the actual instruments, they are stamped as
YTR8445CH. I guess if you are looking at purchasing a Yamaha trumpet 2nd hand you
must know what configurations it was originally offered in before knowing if a particular
instrument has been modified or not. Also note that there is NO denotation for a
lacquered instrument. I deperately need more close up photos of model number to
actually confirm what is actually being done by Yamaha.

GP = Gold Plate. The letters "GP" have been used for a very few select models offered
with gold plating as the only available finish or as an option. It would appear that gold
plating is available as an option from the factory through their Custom Workshop or
Alteliers. Genrally, I believe that gold plating is applied over silver plating or nickel as it
does not adhere to raw brass very well, and as such most gold plated Yamaha trumpets
will have started life as a lacquered or silver plate version of the trumpet.

GL

= Gold Lacquer. I have found one instance of this being used to denote a tinted Gold
Lacquer in a range available with standard clear lacquer also. Not used anywhere else even
when Gold Lacquer is used.

W = Raw Brass. The only instances of the letter W being used are on a particular range of
rotary trumpets and flugel horns designed in conjunction with the Vienna Philharmonic
orchestra, based on the Heckel model trumpets.

= Black Lacquer. A few models have been released in 2010/11 as limited editions
finished in Black coloured Lacquer. Used in the Yamaha saxophone range for a while but
new to the trumpet range.

G = Gold Brass Bell. The letter "G" is used to denote a bell made from Gold Brass. Again,
it was originally only used when a model was available in two different versions, a Gold
Brass belled version and a Yellow Brass version. If the model was only available with a gold
brass bell it was not used. In more recent models it appears to be used even if the model
is only available with a gold brass bell, I would presume as a marketing tool by Yamaha. In
the earlier 3 digit models, it appears that there is the occasional use of rose brass, a
higher copper content again, but ther is no letter used to indicate this. I have not found
any material to classify the percentage of copper in each of the bell materials yet, in a
fashion simialr to those used by Vincent Bach on each of the individual shop cards he kept
for every single trumpet. Note that this does not have any bearing on the material used in
the leadpipe.

R = Reverse Construction Leadpipe. Again, this letter is only used when a model is
available with both a standard or a reverse construction leadpipe. It is not used when it is
only available with one or the other. There is no letter used to denote the material used to
construct the leadpipe.

T = Trigger. Used to denote a mechanical trigger for either the 1st valve slide or the 3rd
valve slide. It is model dependent as to which slide it is. Again, only use where the trigger
is an option within a particular model range, although i think there are instances where it
is used just as a marketing tool on models where it is the oonly setup.

DT

= Double Trigger. Denotes a trigger on BOTH the 1st and 3rd valve slides. It appears
this has only been used once on a 6000 series of cornets before the introduction of the
Maestro and Xeno range. Whilst the later cornets are supplied with double triggers the
"DT" are not used.
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RH = Ring and Hook. Only seen on the YCR8335SRH, it is used to denote a 3rd valve
slide fixed ring and 1st valve slide thumb hook (saddle). Different from the standard
models supplied with both 1st and 3rd slide triggers.

H = Heavyweight. Denotes a heavyweight constructin of the overall trumpet. It appears

the "H" designation appeared in the mide 1980's in Japan and then became international
with the introduction of the "Heavyweight" 6000 range, and subsequent series II of the
same range. Up until this point the Yamaha trumpet range was all medium to lightweight
in a similar fashion to the Schilke range of instruments. Since the introduction of the
heavyweight Xeno range the "H" designation has ceased to be used. Note that there is no
letter to denote Lightweight or Mediumweight.

II = 2nd Series. The "II" indicates the 2nd development of the same model. One might
descride it as an "improved" version of the same model. It is sometimes hard to pin point
what the actual change / improvement is. It might be anytrhing from a change in
thickness of bell material, a change of brace design to the addition of a water key.

U = ???. The letter U appears on a select few of the Japanese only models of the Xeno I
and Xeno II range before it was made internationally available. I have no idea what it
actually indicates or means. "Udon noodles?"

F = Fanfare. A long model trumpet for fanfare use. Sometimes marketed as "FF" but only
seen as "F" stamped on the trumpet.
In addition to indicating material, construction, finsh or option, sometimes letters are
used to indicate a particular Artist, Anniversary or Limited Edition model. I have found the
following so far:

Q = QClass
AD = Advantage Range
AL = Allegro Range
M = Monel Valves
The following three letters pose some questions I haven't been able to confirm yet. I
believe that the A, E and N letters used on some student model trumpets are market
specific, relating only to the trumpet / case combination. I haven't seen any evidence of
the letters stamped on particular trumpets.

A = ???
E = ???
N = ???
M = ??? (YTR83M)
X = ??? (YTR83X)
Z = Bobby Shew (YTR6310Z) The Z originally hails from Bobby Shew's remarks that the
prototype horn had a real "Zing" to the sound as well as "SiZZle"

BP = Black Phoenix (YTR8310ZBP) Black Lacquer with special engraving of the original
Yamaha Phoenix symbol.

J = James Morrison (YTR6335J)

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B = Till Bronner (YTR6330B)

MV = Mike Vax (YTR6335HSMV)
LA = Wayne Bergeron (YTR8335LA) Las Angeles
V = Allen Vizzutti (YTR9335VS)
EM = Eric Miyashiro (YTR8340EM)
GH = Tomonao Hara (YTR8335GH)
FFM = Frankfurt am Main (YTR948FFMS)
CH = Chicago (YTR8445CHS)
NY = New York (YTR8445NYS)
UK = United Kingdom (YTR8335RUK)
E = Europe (YTR8445CHSE)
XV = Xeno 15th Anniversary (YTR8335RGSX)
20TH = Xeno 20th Anniversary Model (YTR8335RS20TH)
more letters to come (via edit) as time allows.

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