| My Xeno 8345S story................
After a few months of searching, I selected and bought an 8345S earlier this year. After playing it for a few months (and loving it), I discovered while cleaning it that the leadpipe was badly corroded. I took it back to the store and they contacted Yamaha and sent it back for a replacement horn. (Yamaha was very good about standing behind their product and honoring the warranty) The only problem was, the process took about 3 long months. While waiting, I went to Winsor, tried out and bought a ZeuS. After I got the new replacement Xeno from Yamaha, I sold it on ebay, making some kid in Texas very happy. (I couldn't afford keeping two new horns. Since the ZeuS was now used (by me) and the Yamaha new, I decided I could get most of my money back by selling the new horn.)
If my original Xeno didn't have a problem, I'd still be happily playing it. It has a large bore and is very free-blowing. The mouthpiece that comes with the horn produces a huge, dark sound, although I was more comfortable using my Schilke 13C4. "Silky smooth" is about the best description of the way it played for me.
RIch |