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We have received many question about the differences between the YSL-882O Xeno trombone and the new YSL-882OR. To really see the differences between these two trombones lets first take a look at the similarities. Both have a .547″ bore, an 8 1/16″ bell, an open-wrap F-attachment and are made of yellow-brass. And that’s about it.
While those 4 features make these trombones similar in a fundamental way, the differences are obvious, and give both trombones their own unique identities.
YSL-882O
The YSL-882O Xeno trombone was developed six years ago with Peter Sullivan, Principal Trombone of the Pittsburgh Symphony. It features a .547″ large bore, an 8 1/16″ yellow-brass bell and an open-wrap F-attachment. The other features include a standard rotor system, narrow hand-slide (ala older style orchestral trombones), standard tuning slide set-up for both the main tuning slide and the F-attachment and a counterweight.
YSL-882OR
The New YSL-882OR Xeno Orchestral Tenor trombone was developed with Larry Zalkind, Principal Trombone of the Utah Symphony and currently Acting Principal Trombone of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. The bore, bell and open wrap F-attachment are the same as the 882O but with some new twists. The 882OR features a wider hand-slide (more indicative of today’s hand-made boutique-style orchestral trombones). Both the main and F-attachment tuning slides are reversed and the bracing between the F-attachment and the main tuning slides have been changed to allow for more vibration of the bell section. From the outside the two rotors look identical, but on the inside they are very different. The rotor on the 882OR is vented to allow for the release of built up air pressure before the rotor engages. The philosophy of the vented rotor is that it reduces the “puff” that can occur when switching from the open trombone to the engaged F-attachment.
The playability of the two trombones are similar in that a common response we have received is “Wow, these are really easy to play.” In terms of sound though they are as different as can be. The YSL-882O has a brilliant sound more reminiscent of older orchestral trombones, while the YSL-882OR has a darker sound that is found in more of today’s modern orchestras. While words such as brilliant and dark may be fundamental characteristics of these trombones, their versatility by no means limits them to those particular words. Both instruments have the flexibility to produce a wide range of tonal colors and are equal to the tasks set forth by a vast range of orchestral repertoire.
In addition to Larry Zalkind (Utah Symphony, Los Angeles Philharmonic), Yamaha Artist Ko-ichiro Yamamoto (Seattle Symphony) is also currently using the YSL-882OR. |
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