Differences in YAS 23 and 475

[Kini]

I recently noticed that the street prices for these are very close, yet Yamaha classifies the 475 as an "intermediate" horn. On the Yamaha site the differences seem minor - neck, key finish, high f# key, lacquer color. So are there meaningful differences between the horns? Or is this a method to expand their market?

I'm not shopping, just curious.

[DanSax64]

Two different things that I've known of: 475 has high F# key and same coloured lacquer for both body and keys. YAS23 doesn't have high F# and has two-tone colour (silver lacquered keys with honey coloured lacquer body)

Their cases supposed to be significantly different too...

[Coach Daddy]

Yamaha has always had student and intermediate horns (the 475 replaced the 52).

The biggest difference regarding sound, is the 475 has the 62 neck. I know it makes a difference in the sound between the 23 and 475 tenors.

BTW, the 23's have nickel plated keys and no lacquer on them.

I think that the close prices are due to where the horns are made. 23's have been assembled in America from parts made in Japan. (The reason for the A on the end of the serial number.) I think the 475's are made/assembled in one of the Pacific Rim countries.

[mlscnr]

So this all makes the 475 a pretty good buy, eh?

[Coach Daddy]

It's a good buy if the difference in price is worth the difference in what you get. The key work also has differences: many of the keys are from the 62.

If the price difference is only a couple of hundred dollars then you're probably getting your money's worth.