![]() Pitched in C only, this model is referenced in the catalogue marked as W-XX “Yamaha Custom Band Instruments” dating from the early 1970’s at in my initial post in this thread. The 4th and final Piccolo trumpet in the 1970-75 range is the YTR-918. Later ranges seem to echo this combination of models. It is my presumption that this trumpet is the Bb/A version of the YTR-918 model pitched in C. The original Japanese list states that this model had 4 valves and was a “straight” model. No reference has been found in any catalogues, eBay or 2nd hand sales. Like the YTR-916, no reference to this instrument has been found other than on the initial Japanese model list that my current up to date list is based on. Again, the YTR-917 is currently a bit of a mystery. The 3rd piccolo model of this range is the YTR-917. YAMAHA TRUMPET SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP SERIESCould or would Yamaha use the same model number twice? My guess would be that this model is the precursor to the YTR-982/9820/9820C/9825 series of piccolos but I still need evidence of that. There does exist a YTR-916 which is a “Custom” rotary valve Bb Bass Trumpet of which only 4 or 5 were ever made. No reference to this instrument has been found other than on the initial Japanese model list that my current up to date list is based on. The second model, the YTR-916 is a bit of a mystery. The YTR-915 was replaced by the YTR-981 in 1975 when Yamaha’s 2nd generation of “Custom” trumpets were introduced. This piccolo is reference in the catalogue marked as W-XX “Yamaha Custom Band Instruments” dating from the early 1970’s at in my initial post in this thread. Similarly, the 4th valve slide is located on the left hand side of the instrument, differentiating it from the current “Professional” range model YTR-6810/S. The 915 is characterised by its 1st valve slide being straight or parallel to the leadpipe. The first model, the YTR-915 is a 4 valve short model, styled after the Selmer short model piccolo trumpets. YTR-918 (C) 4 valves, Straight Long, Curved Leadpipe, "Tarr" Model, YTR-916 (Bb) 3 valves?, Maybe only rotary bass trumpet YTR-915 (Bb) 4 valves, Selmer Style, Straight 1st valve slide W-XX They all use the same “YK” Yamaha piccolo bell profile. In this 1st generation of piccolos the bore size was unified as a medium bore of 11.30mm or 0.445”. With regard to the serial numbers, it seems these early model piccolos use their own series of 4 digit numbers. It would seem that the range was supplied in silver plate as standard, although a later “ Custom” catalogue suggests that lacquer was available upon “special request”, I imagine that Gold plate would have also been available upon request too. There are also discrepancies as to when Yamaha stamped the “ Custom” logo onto the leadpipe or other locations. One difficulty found with in this range is that it appears Yamaha did NOT stamp the MODEL number onto some of these instruments, only their serial number. Note that this initial range of Custom trumpets does NOT fit into the usual Yamaha system of model numbers where the 1st number indicates the “Custom” range, the 2nd number key, the 3rd bore etc. ![]() Focusing on the Piccolo Trumpet range here, it would seem that there were 4 models within the 1970-1975 range. The new " Custom" series included 23 different trumpets, including at least one model of trumpet in every key. YAMAHA TRUMPET SERIAL NUMBER LOOKUP FULLThe first series of “ Custom” range trumpets were released in 1970, the same year as the Toyooka plant opened and full Yamaha Wind Instrument production started on a large scale. These relate to the position of the Yamaha logo and Custom engraving as well as smaller details. Given the nearly thirty year longevity of the Series 3 range, there are several evolutionary changes that happened over that period. This instrument first appeared in 1982 joining the Series 3 instruments as a more budget friendly option. In addition to the Custom series Piccolo Trumpets there is also one " Professional" series Piccolo Trumpet in the Yamaha range. Up until now (2013) there have been essentially 4 generations of Yamaha " Custom" series Trumpets. Whilst Yamaha trumpets first entered production in 1966, it wasn't until 1970 that the very top " Custom" series entered production. Given that the performance of piccolo trumpet and it associated repertoire is generally reserved for professionals and advanced students, Yamaha's Piccolo Trumpets have always been produced as a top level instrument with all but one model being constructed as " Custom" series models. The topic of this article is specifically the Yamaha Piccolo Trumpet range across the years.
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