BrassBug

Hi All,
First post here, hope you don't mind a cornet post I do own a King Cleveland 600 trumpet though.
Anyway, my story is like many of yours, I started playing young (at 6, in a Salvation Army band) and continued through HS & college age, becoming a pretty good player. Then I got a job, traveled, got married, etc. and got away from playing. But, I did learn bass guitar...
Now, in my mid-40s, I'm serious about playing again and I'm shopping primarily for a shepherd's crook cornet (no surprise there with the SA history, eh?) to be played mainly in a church venue.
Not finding what I really wanted at a bargain price, I was going to settle on a $50 King 602 found locally until my lip was in shape.
I just came upon a Yamaha YCR-731 in very nice shape. I can only find a few web references, so I'm looking for more info on it, including a fair price range.
Thanks for all your help!!
Dan

Pedal C

I don't think I've played that exact model, but every Yamaha cornet I've ever played has played really well (for me, at least). For whatever that might be worth...

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ComeBackKid

I am not familiar with the model 731. However, if you are looking for a Shepard's crook cornet that is very open, easy blowing, great sound, clear at both ends of the register, and, best of all, inexpensive, I would recommend the Holton 605. I also have a Yamaha 2310 and I found that as a new comeback player, I had a difficult time getting in sync with it. In fact, somewhere back a few months ago, I posted a question about whether I should even keep the Yamaha because it seemed so difficult and 'stuffy'. However, as I progressed and became acquainted with it, one day it just magically opened up. It was like it was waiting for me to pay my dues and become worthy of it. Now I like it a lot and find that I can play it very well (relative to my progress level at this point). But, for overall feel and tone, I still like the Holton better. But, I also have two Olds and I like them a lot, too, as I do my King Cleveland (but, they aren't Shepard's Crook models). I guess I must admit, I adhere to the philosophy, "If you can't play the horn you love, then love the horn you play." I like them all. I just like to play. After 40 years with only one horn (including a 25 year layoff) I found out that one can just never have too many.
Good luck on your search.

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Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)

rowuk

The 7xx series means that it is a pro horn.

The only danger on an old instrument is wear. Get someone reliable to look at it before laying downcash. Fair for this axe would be a couple of hundred dollars.

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Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

BrassBug

Thanks for everyone's help & advice! I picked it up tonight, it was 95% new. I'm very excited about it and can't wait to get going with it. I'll be around the forums...
Cheers!

ExtraTeeth

Congratulations. Let us know how it goes.

amanitas

Have a YCR-231 (the student model) with a serial # of 001xxx and I love it! I play it all the time professionally and have toured the world with it. It's my main axe for my current gig and it plays, sounds and looks fantastic. I paid 120 for it on Ebay, which was right after someone took all the laquer off of it and fixed it up.

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Manhattan Bach Strad Bb (#1945)
Elkhart Bach Strad Bb 180LR
King 3B Valve Bone
Jupiter Flugelhorn
Yamaha YCR-231 Cornet
Besson Euphonium
Besson Alto Horn
Bach Mercedes Marching Baritone
Jean Baptiste Slide Trumpet
B&H Slide Trombone


www.mushroomstamp.com

BrassBug

Update... my friend in the repair business said I have monel valves, not Yamalloy, (YAY!) and he said the lead pipe looks fine. He was able to take care of 4-5 minor dings, including a minor bell bump. I bought a Selmer polishing cloth (he said they were the best), and gave it a good rub tonight. It looks absolutely new! I've practiced several times with it now, and really like it. It's a 40 year old, almost NOS, Yamaha. Gathering music to practice... Cheers!

ComeBackKid

Great! We love a good success story from time to time. It gives us renewed faith that some things can go right.

__________________
Come-Back Kid
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
Selmer Invicta London (T)
Olds SuperStar (T)
Olds Super (2T)
Olds Special (2T+C)
Olds Ambassador (9T+7C)
Andreas Eastman (2T)
Conn Director (T+C)
King Cleveland Superior (T+C)
Holton (T602+C605 Shep Crk)
Holton Collegiate (T+C)
Blessing (T+C)
Yamaha (T+C)
Getzen 300
Amati ATR213
(+Revelle, Bundy, Alcazar, & ?)