Yamaha 642 Neo

[Euphman]

Yes, my 1st slide is pushed the all way in.
I've found that the pitch is worse when playing with my mute (i have to use it in my flat unfortunately), as my test with a tuner was not so bad without the mute.
I suspect that i bend the pitch inadvertently to match the tuner center though...
According to the tuner , most notes are very good in tune, and the C is about 10 cents lower.
12 fingered notes are slightly sharp but it's barely noticeable even watching at the tuner.

[Euphman]

I had a rehearsal yesterday night, and while i am still happy with my neo, something weird happened...
First, my little slide on the 2nd valve started to slip down and i had to hold it with my left hand to avoid it to fall.
As i read here, it is a fairly common problem so i will try to put some sticky grease to make it remain in place.
Nothing i can't workaround, but secondly i was playing a really loud note, about ff to fff and as i was trying to put even more air my sound began to "crackle". It was like i played a flutter-tonguing, but i was only blowing with much air...
It occured twice, and i checked if i had some water somewhere in my slides, but nothing except e few drops which couldn't cause such a sound.

Any idea ? I played a few baritones and euphonium, and never heard that before !

[davewerden]

...but secondly i was playing a really loud note, about ff to fff and as i was trying to put even more air my sound began to "crackle". It was like i played a flutter-tonguing, but i was only blowing with much air...

Let me take a guess on this one. I believe your chops are not quite ready to play as loudly as you tried to play. You're playing a large horn - it is fairly free-blowing and capable of putting out a LOT of sound. This almost encourages us to try to play louder (when the music is compatible, I hope!). Playing louder with a full sound requires more muscle strength than you may be used to.

In my current playing condition I can make the same thing happen on my euphonium. It occurs when my mental concept/memory causes me to go for a volume that I used to be able to produce when I was a full-time player. But today I don't have the same foundation of muscle tone that I used to. I suspect if I took up playing full-time, especially in large ensembles where high volume is required, I'd have the ability back again after several months.

Playing loud with good tone is a skill, like any other. To do a good job, you (or I) have to practice playing loudly while maintaining good sound. Be patient and consistent and you'll get there.

[tampaworth]

As a part time player I can also make this happen at the end of a concert or long practice when trying to get that fff (and I overblow). It happens more on my larger bore horn. On the tuba it happens in the mid-range of the instrument and is thankfully steadily improving as I build more muscle tone. I always figured it was a double buzz.

[Euphman]

Thank you for your answers.
I understand what you mean, but this may occur even if i don't feel any particular vibration on my lips ?
Because i don't remember that kind of sensation...
Gulp, it seems that this horn is stronger than me !

[Euphearted]

I'll chime in here as well. This has happened to me the last two rehearsals my band has had for its THIRD of July concert: my horn sounds like it is being run through a fuzz box (at high volume). Since I am using a Conn 30I, my problem cannot be traced to "too much horn"; I think it is due to worn out chops, since the buzz only presents at the very end of the program when my lips are pretty much played out. As Dave suggests, it's a conditioning thing as much as anything else.

[Glenn Call]

642 Leadpipe

Hi folks!
FWIW, I'll take credit for putting the lead pipe higher on the bell on the original 642, carried over to the Neo 642.
When Yamaha decided they were going to make some improvements on the 641, they came to my house 4 times with engineers and translators.
When they left the fifth time, gave me the 5th version, serial number 00005 - I was told that serial numbers 000001, 000002, 000003 and 000004 were destroyed in the design process.
I don't know this for a fact, but I believe the 842 was designed by somebody a bit shorter than my 6'3" frame.

[RickF]

Nice to see you post again Glenn.

That was a great improvement to move the lead-pipe higher on the 642. I played on a 641 for about 14 years and had to use a fairly thick pillow to elevate the mpc to the proper height. My horn of choice now is a Miraphone 5050 where the lead-pipe is even a bit higher. I think Shoichiro Hokazono from Japan helped with the design of the 842 (don't know his height).

Here's an image of the 642 (left) next to a 641. You can see the height difference compared to grip:



Pics of Neo, 642 and 842 showing lead pipe height:

[eufcharles]

Hi
I m italian and I play the euph since 20 years ago. First yamaha yep321, than Yamaha yep642 (last 10 years). First question: the yep642 is the same of yep642 MAESTRO? I dont know if my 642 is a normal 642 or a 642MAESTRO. In the second valve of my horn it is only impressed YEP642.
Now I 'd like to buy another euph but the dealers here have not in their store any compensating euph like Sovereign, prestige yep642 or others, which I m interested in.
So the only choice for me is to request some trial horns, even if they are too expensive because of fhe shipping cost. I read somewhere of the dark but even smooth sound of YEP642 NEO but I wanted to know more about the difference between 642 neo vs the old 642, or between 642neo vs Sovereign 967. Is the sound of the 642Neo dark as the Sovereign or not? And the good intonation of the old 642 is the same of 642neo? Is the 642neo easy to play as the old 642 or it is more loud? And the high range is bright like the old 642? Is there anyone who has played both the 642 / 642neo and can tell me some informations. Many than and excuse my bad English. (Ps.Obviously before I'll buy a new horn I will try it for a test, but first I need those few informations)

[RickF]

Hi 'eufcharles',

Welcome to the forum. Unfortunately I've not ever tried the 642-II Neo model to know any differences you ask about. Pretty sure the 642 is also known as the Maestro.

You might find this discussion thread of interest:
B&H Sovereign and Yamaha Maestro euphoniums???

[Jasonium]

Hi
I m italian and I play the euph since 20 years ago. First yamaha yep321, than Yamaha yep642 (last 10 years). First question: the yep642 is the same of yep642 MAESTRO? I dont know if my 642 is a normal 642 or a 642MAESTRO. In the second valve of my horn it is only impressed YEP642.
Now I 'd like to buy another euph but the dealers here have not in their store any compensating euph like Sovereign, prestige yep642 or others, which I m interested in.
So the only choice for me is to request some trial horns, even if they are too expensive because of fhe shipping cost. I read somewhere of the dark but even smooth sound of YEP642 NEO but I wanted to know more about the difference between 642 neo vs the old 642, or between 642neo vs Sovereign 967. Is the sound of the 642Neo dark as the Sovereign or not? And the good intonation of the old 642 is the same of 642neo? Is the 642neo easy to play as the old 642 or it is more loud? And the high range is bright like the old 642? Is there anyone who has played both the 642 / 642neo and can tell me some informations. Many than and excuse my bad English. (Ps.Obviously before I'll buy a new horn I will try it for a test, but first I need those few informations)

The YEP 642 is called the Maestro, and the YEP 642II is the Neo. The Neo has "Neo" engraved on the bell and the Maestro has "YAMAHA"

[eufcharles]

The YEP 642 is called the Maestro, and the YEP 642II is the Neo. The Neo has "Neo" engraved on the bell and the Maestro has "YAMAHA"

Thank you for info but I would know something about tone, if you can explain to me.
If you have got a Besson and a yep642neo , do you think that tone of besson is still darker than yamaha? Does the tone of yamaha neo nearest the Besson than the old 642? Have you tested it and can say to me about it? Many thanks

[Jasonium]

I have not spent significant time on the original 642 but from reading other reviews, the Neo is a significant upgrade. In my opinion, the Yamaha custom 842 plays and sounds very similar to my Besson Prestige 2051 in terms of resistance, resonance and tone than the Neo. The sound is more ethereal, round and dark on the Besson compared to my Neo. The Neo advantages are that it’s more freeblowing, focused and responsive. I’ve been thinking about the differences a lot lately and I’ve come to the conclusion that my tone would be better on the Besson if I were a more serious player. The Besson requires much more stamina to maintain a great tone.

[JTJ]

Thank you for info but I would know something about tone, if you can explain to me.
If you have got a Besson and a yep642neo , do you think that tone of besson is still darker than yamaha? Does the tone of yamaha neo nearest the Besson than the old 642? Have you tested it and can say to me about it? Many thanks

Yes, the Neo is closer to a Besson sound than the older 642.

[TheJH]

Algirdas Matonizz made a comparison video between the 842 Custom and the 642 II Neo (both models WITH main tuning slide trigger).
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BMgmS8yNxKI&t=0s

I have to say I was blown away by the sound of the Neo, I did NOT expect this... so smooth, warm, velvety... simply gorgeous. Amazing sound. What I also liked about his sound discussion was that he includes the frequency charts, which are VERY interesting in how certain frequencies influence the sound quality.