YTS-23/25/275 Differences

[Andres]

Just out of curiosity, what are the differences between these models? It looks to me that the 275 is just a 23/25 with an F# key and gold lacquer instead of nickel silver keywork, and the 25 is just a 23 with lacquered keys.

Is this correct? :?

[W. Minier]

Andres: Your pretty much 'spot on' although I'm not sure about the high f# key on the 25s. To confuse the issue even ,more, now, Yamaha is introducing the 275 tenor and alto, and ,of course the soprano which is already out. 275s are just the 52s with different engraveing and a different neck reciever. The other,so called new model, is the Advantage model. It's the 23 with different logo, and different lacquer on body, bell, and keys. :?

[singlereed]

The 25 is the same as the 23 with a F# key, the 25L had lacquered rather than the nickel plated keys of the earlier models. The 23 has been sold for much longer in the USA than elsewhere (still is?), I think I read somewhere they assemble them in the US for the local maket. The 275 is a replacement for the 25L and has been substantially re-designed. We've had it in the UK for about 2 years. It is also gold-lacquered rather than clear, and the one my daughter plays has a very different feel to the 25 I started on - it plays like a dream actually, it scertainly a lot more than a cosmetic change. The 275 is only available in alto and tenor. As far as I know the 275 is a totally different horn from the 52 (or 32 as it is called in some places), the 475 is the one that has replaced the 52/32, and is now available in sop, alto and tenor. I have not seen a 475 to compare it with a 32/52. From what the brochures say, virtually all the Yamahas have had new necks too.

[W. Minier]

Sorry I have to correct myself. Not 275s in the above post but rather 475s.

[kevinm]

When I was shopping for a tenor last year (to start playing again after 10 years away) I looked into buying a Yamaha 23 here in the states. I don't know why but I didn't like the look of the 23 with it's yellow color and nickle plated keys. I also didn't like the fact that it was missing the high f# key either. When I found out that the 275 was basically the 23 with all gold laquer and the high f# key I purchased one from overseas rather than buy a 23 here in the states. I'm glad that I did.
I really don't understand Yamaha's marketing. Why does the rest of the world get such a pretty horn with nice additions like the high f# and cool ABS molded case, while we in the states are stuck with what obviously looks like a student horn from the get go? Oh well...I guess that is what is nice about the internet, power to buy where ever one chooses.