Yamaha 631 vs 635 vs 6310Z

deleted_user_a4a6e56 · New Member Joined: 03 Apr 1996 Posts: 0

Hey there!

Yet another Yamaha flugelhorn thread.

Which one do you prefer and why? I am playing on a 631 red brass flugelhorn from the 90s. A very good horn. Like it very much. I also had a 635 some time ago and also tested a 6310Z but I do not like the sound that much. It is too bright for my taste. What do you guys say?

Thanks and all the best from Austria,
Markus

lpennel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:15 am Post subject: 631

I can not figure out how to vote in this poll, however, my horn is a very early 631 in gold plate. It has a Bob Reeves valve alignment. I have also played the 731 in silver plate and it actually played with a nicer, warmer sound than my 631. I like both horns better than the 6310Z, however, it is also a nice horn.

I was at North American Brass Band Association finals this last weekend and the Yamaha rep had the new model flugel. I did not make it back to his exhibit and give the horn a try. I will end up regretting that!

Larry
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lpennel · Posted: Tue Apr 20, 2010 5:16 am Post subject: I voted

OK, I just figured out how to vote!

Larry
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mpo · Heavyweight Member Joined: 24 Apr 2008 Posts: 577

I have owned the 631G and the 6310z (a couple of those in fact). For me, the 631G is the best blend of fluffy and warm with a bit more open blow compared to the Shew. The 6310z is a phenominal french style horn but for me the blow didn't translate well for doubling. I can't wait to try the new ones. Maybe my 631G will find it's way to the marketplace

Jon Arnold · Heavyweight Member Joined: 07 Jan 2002 Posts: 2025

I have an old 631 and love the horn. I prefer it to the shew flugel.

cheiden · Posted: Sat Apr 24, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject:

To my ears the 6310z sounds a bit more trumpet-like when compared to the other two. I prefer the 631 but currently own the 731.
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RNJTrumpet · Veteran Member Joined: 04 Dec 2009 Posts: 398

My 631G is a joy to play. Excellent tone/playability...jazz ballads sound wonderful with a Curry 5FL.

Very easy doubling to and from my trumpet.

GenoValet · Heavyweight Member Joined: 30 Aug 2006 Posts: 1244

+1 for the 631 red brass version. In a few years it will be high on the 'classic'/'vintage' wanted list. I get the silkiest/airy/white noise type timbre using a Curry 3FL.

John Mohan · Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 1:25 pm Post subject:

Adam V · Posted: Thu May 06, 2010 2:25 pm Post subject:

gchun · Guest

Over the years, I've owned a 631, 635 and 6310z. I've also played (not owned) a 731 and the student model 2332(?) I haven't tried the 631g.

The ones I kept was the 635 and the 6310z. The 635, which is no longer made) has "the sound" I was looking for in a jazz/commercial setting. I also enjoy the 6310z because it is so easy to play and probably the most in tune for me. It's closest to the Cousnon sound I was looking for. I liked that it was easy to bend notes on these horns. I will switch between the two, depending on the application. I liked the lighter weight of both the 635 and 6310. However, they both seem to dent pretty easy.

The downside of the 6310z is that the threads on the valve caps are very touchy. The feel very easy to cross thread. The horn is easy to overblow. It took a while to figure that out. Also, with the wrong mouthpiece, it can sound too bright. Once I figured it out, it works great.

I owned a 631 from the 1970's. Good sound, but I had pitch problems and the valves used to hang up. It might have been the "yamalloy' problem. The other 631's I tried didn't have that problem. I preferred the "creamier" sound I could get out of the 731. Both the 631/731 are built like tanks. They really take a beating. It's really hard to go wrong with these horns.

I am very curious how the new Yamaha's play. I've heard the upper register is a bit easier on the new horns. Anyone tried them?

Garry

Adam V · Posted: Fri May 07, 2010 1:24 pm Post subject:

gchun · Guest

Adam V-

I'm mainly using a Reeves 43f. Sometimes I use the deeper ones like the 43HF and 43DF. It's the easiest doubling mpc for me since I use a Reeves 43 rim for Bb trumpet.

I have an old 40 rim Tottle flugel mpc that really gets that Cousenon sound, but the rim isn't a great fit for me. Rim's a bit too small diameter to make a comfortable doubling piece.

Garry

quince_at_dannys · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 12:16 pm Post subject:

I just picked up a 635T in silverplate for a really good price, and I love it! It's similar to the 6310, with excellent intonation and responsiveness; but unlike the Shew you can still get a good sound out of it if you give it a little more gas.
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John Mohan · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:26 pm Post subject:

nyctrumpeter · Posted: Mon Jan 24, 2011 1:58 pm Post subject:

6310Z/8310Z with a Yamaha Shew Fl piece or Marcinkiewicz BS Fl piece. But I can't wait to try the newer 8315G model Flugel. WB, Randy Brecker and a few others play it.

ppaauull0 · Regular Member Joined: 11 Feb 2012 Posts: 13

gchun · Guest

AlfaFreak · Posted: Sun Feb 12, 2012 12:29 pm Post subject:

Hi Folks,
For more info on the horns you are discussing, check out my thread here. Full list of model specs, brochures and database of serials. Hope it helps. Feel free to submit your own serial to the database.

Cheers
YamahaCollector

AlfaFreak · Posted: Mon Feb 13, 2012 6:31 pm Post subject:

In addition to my above post I should add what I prefer.

I own and play a YFH-6310Z, valves aligned by Reeves when new. I was after a good Cousenon but couldn't get one. I went through 1 Cousenon and 1 F.Besson (Cousenon made) to find one but they just were not as good as others I had played. I must add here that I prefer the smaller "petite" but clear and focused sound of these French Flugels. I don't strive for a big fluffy and woolly sound so often described of the Kanstul etc Flugels. This is a beautiful playing horn and I wouldn't part with it. That being said... I have played numerous other Flugels for extended periods over the years. A B&H Sovereign was nice but the stand out was a YFH-731. It was a very early American made one that had also been sorted by Reeves. I'd add one of those to my collection if funds permitted 2 Flugels. I definately prefer the 731 over the 631.

I play all styles and ensembles with the same horn and mouthpiece, a Reeves of unknown size. It was a custom made piece from his early days and was given to me by a former teacher.

Never played a YFH-635

Cheers