Thanks so much for tuning in today! This review is from a while ago, but make sure to stay tuned for more reviews of awesome instruments, including more flugelhorns!
The girl who sat next to me in high school band owned serial nbr 000611. Sadly, she died in 2021. Her sister, who was also in band, has graciously offered to give me the horn because she knows I still play. Incredible.
I have the same set up--A Yamaha YFH 631 Flugel, serial number places date of manufacrure in 1972, and I use a Denis Wick gold plated 2FL mouthpiece,(plating almost all gone) and I just love this horn and would never part with it. Mine did not have a first valve water key, so I had one added. Now I'm looking for a proper third valve slide trigger. I really like playing on the Wick 2FL mouthpiece. My Cornet mouthpiece is a custom Schilke 23, and my Trumpet mouthpiece is standard Schilke 24. I like the deep dark sound I achieve with the large deep mouthpieces. Thanks for your reviews, I enjoy all. Regards John.
Thanks for your comment, John. My preference is generally for smaller-bore flugels like the 635 or 6310, but the 631/731 are great horns and a wonderful match for a Wick 2FL. Hope you’re able to find a trigger setup for yours. Also, props on being able to keep your Schilkes in tune. I like the Schilke 18 and 20 a lot, but anything larger is almost impossible for me to keep up to pitch.
Regarding the large Schilkes, every time I show up for a show, I get the same thing said to me---You will never be able to the 1st trumpet (cornet ) parts wirh that equipment. My Cornet is a Holton Statadyne bore 0.464, Trumpet is a Bach Stadivarius Model 43 XL bore 0.468, and you already the Yamaha Flugel and Wick, and all that happens, is that I sit down and play the charts placed in front of me. I keep telling people, that every person is different, what works for you may not work for me and vise versa. Thanks for your reply, and keep the good work coming. Regards and best wishes. John. @@SamuelPlaysBrass
My dream is similar-to own the YFH-635ST, which is an even less common vintage Yamaha based on early F. Besson flugelhorns. It combines the unrivaled darkness and depth of sound of the old Bessons with the playability, evenness, and ease of blow of a Yamaha. Definitely not to everybody’s tastes, though.
Thank you Joshua! Seems as though they can range anywhere from $800 to upwards of $2000, depending on the condition, finish material, and presence or absence of a 3rd slide trigger.
Thanks for a great, informative review! How comparable is the current Yamaha YFH-631G model to this vintage version? Also, are flugelhorns typically Bb instruments?
Thanks for watching, Craig! I personally prefer the YFH-6310Z or 8310Z over this horn. This was sort of the predecessor. And yes, flugelhorns are almost always in Bb.
Agreed. Hopefully through mediums like the modern British Brass Band and trumpet choir (which usually features 1-2 flugels and a piccolo trumpet) the flugelhorn can once again make its way back into American concert settings.
I have the YFH 631 (in beautiful dark rose brass) but it doesn't have the tuning trigger. Would it be worth the time/money to have one put on? I'd have to send it somewhere obviously to have this done and I'm reluctant to put anything of real value in standard shipping.
That’s a fair question but it’s really your call. Personally, I absolutely hate lipping pitches into tune on the flugelhorn, so I’d say yes, get a trigger installed. However, if the time and money aren’t worth it in your opinion, and you’d rather just lip the pitches as necessary, then there’s no need for the hassle. It mostly depends on how often/seriously you perform on the flugelhorn.
@@SamuelPlaysBrass Yeah it does play out of tune; I play it weekly at church and it is ideal to blend with the vocals. Years ago I shipped a vintage rare (7x) Benge trumpet for a repair and it came back with severe bell damage during shipping. Ever since I have been very reluctant to ship horns. Thanks for replying!
If I come across one locally. That's the only circumstance in which I can review instruments. I do keep a close eye out for Yamaha flugelhorns, though!
@@SamuelPlaysBrass No me, I have to really hit it hard (my Yamaha 631 Flugelhorn) as compared to my 2335 trumpet, is that a Flugelhorn thing or what could be wrong?
@@user-sp8eb6iz7f Oh, apologies, I understand now. That's partially the nature of the flugelhorn, but it's deceiving... essentially, the healthiest way to approach playing the flugelhorn is with a soft, warm airstream. If you blow too much harder, the instrument backs up on you and feels very stuffy, at which point you would sort of feel like you're fighting a brick wall. I've experienced this when trying to play flugelhorn in loud ensembles. With that said, definitely do get the horn checked for leaks, because Yamaha's metal quality hasn't always been consistent over the years. My Yamaha YTR-8310Z trumpet is one of the best trumpets I've ever played, but it formed red-rot spots on the leadpipe within just a couple years despite regular cleaning.
I understand its traditional spelling is Flügelhorn, but in the English convention we don’t include the Umlaut. In fact, if you use an English keyboard to spell it either with “ü” or “ue,” the spell check function marks it as incorrect. It’s just a cultural difference.
Thanks so much for tuning in today! This review is from a while ago, but make sure to stay tuned for more reviews of awesome instruments, including more flugelhorns!
You ever tried announcing, you have a pretty good voice. Sorry, kinda off topic, thanks for the flugelhorn review.
Haha thank you! My friends used to joke that I ought to read audio books for a living.
I own a YFH 631 from ‘77 with rose brass bell.. Magnificent sound !!!!
What a wonderfully thorough review, Sam! The brass world is benefiting aplenty from your presence!
Thank you! So glad you liked it!
The girl who sat next to me in high school band owned serial nbr 000611. Sadly, she died in 2021. Her sister, who was also in band, has graciously offered to give me the horn because she knows I still play. Incredible.
That’s a great story. I’m sorry to hear of your loss but it’s amazing how music is a gift that always continues to give.
Never sold it, it would be a shame given this story... Keep it or give it !
Love this video for sure Samuel,I have a Flugelhorn myself now.
I have the same set up--A Yamaha YFH 631 Flugel, serial number places date of manufacrure in 1972, and I use a Denis Wick gold plated 2FL mouthpiece,(plating almost all gone) and I just love this horn and would never part with it. Mine did not have a first valve water key, so I had one added. Now I'm looking for a proper third valve slide trigger. I really like playing on the Wick 2FL mouthpiece. My Cornet mouthpiece is a custom Schilke 23, and my Trumpet mouthpiece is standard Schilke 24. I like the deep dark sound I achieve with the large deep mouthpieces. Thanks for your reviews, I enjoy all. Regards John.
Thanks for your comment, John. My preference is generally for smaller-bore flugels like the 635 or 6310, but the 631/731 are great horns and a wonderful match for a Wick 2FL. Hope you’re able to find a trigger setup for yours. Also, props on being able to keep your Schilkes in tune. I like the Schilke 18 and 20 a lot, but anything larger is almost impossible for me to keep up to pitch.
Regarding the large Schilkes, every time I show up for a show, I get the same thing said to me---You will never be able to the 1st trumpet (cornet ) parts wirh that equipment. My Cornet is a Holton Statadyne bore 0.464, Trumpet is a Bach Stadivarius Model 43 XL bore 0.468, and you already the Yamaha Flugel and Wick, and all that happens, is that I sit down and play the charts placed in front of me. I keep telling people, that every person is different, what works for you may not work for me and vise versa. Thanks for your reply, and keep the good work coming. Regards and best wishes. John.
@@SamuelPlaysBrass
Great Samuel!😁👍👏👏
Nice pedals. Someone made a lot of money playing a flugelhorn back in the day.*
*not me!
I reckon Chuck Mangione made a dollar or two off the tune I played in the intro!
Nice video you got there
My dream to own one of these things. Sadly they cost over 2,000 dollars which my young self doesn’t have.
My dream is similar-to own the YFH-635ST, which is an even less common vintage Yamaha based on early F. Besson flugelhorns. It combines the unrivaled darkness and depth of sound of the old Bessons with the playability, evenness, and ease of blow of a Yamaha. Definitely not to everybody’s tastes, though.
Really enjoyed your video! If I’m looking to purchase one, what’s typically the price range for this model?
Thank you Joshua! Seems as though they can range anywhere from $800 to upwards of $2000, depending on the condition, finish material, and presence or absence of a 3rd slide trigger.
Thanks for a great, informative review! How comparable is the current Yamaha YFH-631G model to this vintage version? Also, are flugelhorns typically Bb instruments?
Thanks for watching, Craig! I personally prefer the YFH-6310Z or 8310Z over this horn. This was sort of the predecessor. And yes, flugelhorns are almost always in Bb.
I love the sound of a flügelhorn. It's too bad it's under utilized in modern wind ensembles!
Agreed. Hopefully through mediums like the modern British Brass Band and trumpet choir (which usually features 1-2 flugels and a piccolo trumpet) the flugelhorn can once again make its way back into American concert settings.
I. Love. Flugelhorns.
I have the YFH 631 (in beautiful dark rose brass) but it doesn't have the tuning trigger. Would it be worth the time/money to have one put on? I'd have to send it somewhere obviously to have this done and I'm reluctant to put anything of real value in standard shipping.
That’s a fair question but it’s really your call. Personally, I absolutely hate lipping pitches into tune on the flugelhorn, so I’d say yes, get a trigger installed. However, if the time and money aren’t worth it in your opinion, and you’d rather just lip the pitches as necessary, then there’s no need for the hassle. It mostly depends on how often/seriously you perform on the flugelhorn.
@@SamuelPlaysBrass Yeah it does play out of tune; I play it weekly at church and it is ideal to blend with the vocals. Years ago I shipped a vintage rare (7x) Benge trumpet for a repair and it came back with severe bell damage during shipping. Ever since I have been very reluctant to ship horns. Thanks for replying!
Hi! Could you do the review of Yamaha YFH 2310?
If I come across one locally. That's the only circumstance in which I can review instruments. I do keep a close eye out for Yamaha flugelhorns, though!
@@SamuelPlaysBrass Thank you, Samuel!
wow that outro music…
Haha, just a little thing I wrote to mess with darker sounding chords!
I have this horn, why would you have to blow into it like Arnold Schwartzenegger? Is there a leak?
I don't know where you got the idea that I was "blowing like Arnold Schwarzenegger." What do you mean? And no leaks as far as I could tell...
@@SamuelPlaysBrass No me, I have to really hit it hard (my Yamaha 631 Flugelhorn) as compared to my 2335 trumpet, is that a
Flugelhorn thing or what could be wrong?
@@user-sp8eb6iz7f Oh, apologies, I understand now. That's partially the nature of the flugelhorn, but it's deceiving... essentially, the healthiest way to approach playing the flugelhorn is with a soft, warm airstream. If you blow too much harder, the instrument backs up on you and feels very stuffy, at which point you would sort of feel like you're fighting a brick wall. I've experienced this when trying to play flugelhorn in loud ensembles. With that said, definitely do get the horn checked for leaks, because Yamaha's metal quality hasn't always been consistent over the years. My Yamaha YTR-8310Z trumpet is one of the best trumpets I've ever played, but it formed red-rot spots on the leadpipe within just a couple years despite regular cleaning.
@@SamuelPlaysBrass Sam the Man.
Gratings fromm Germany, guys its called fluegelhorn
I understand its traditional spelling is Flügelhorn, but in the English convention we don’t include the Umlaut. In fact, if you use an English keyboard to spell it either with “ü” or “ue,” the spell check function marks it as incorrect. It’s just a cultural difference.
@@SamuelPlaysBrass Alright, thx didn't know that, nevertheless great video for me, as a Trombonist