In this Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet review, we are going to have a look at what many see as one of the best student trumpets on the market.
Yamaha needs little introduction. They are the largest manufacturer of musical instruments in the world. And they produce instruments at all levels from beginner through to the highest professional standard.
They were founded in 1897 and produced their first instruments, keyboards, and pianos, in 1900. The first guitars in 1942. It would be a while before they got round to other instruments. The trumpet was the first of a new breed of Yamaha instruments.
They have grown into a multinational conglomerate, and their musical manufacturing division is just part of this enormous organization. They have never lost their musical roots, though. Their logo is still intertwined tuning forks.
They can be very proud as an organization in the knowledge that their instruments are so influential. They have introduced thousands of young people to play music on a range of instruments. There are many people whose first question about any instrument is ‘where was it made.’
The first question should be, ‘is it, Yamaha?’
If the answer comes back, yes, that is all you need to know about its quality. We are going to have a look at one of the beginner range of trumpets. This is the Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet.
An Overview
The YTR-2330 is the forerunner to the later 2335 model of Yamaha student trumpets. The differences, though, are minimal, and many students and teachers prefer the 2330 model. It is an instrument built with the beginner in mind, but it will go beyond their early days. This trumpet should last them into an intermediate level of play.
It is made using the latest methods and technologies to give you a rich and constant sound.
On trumpets, you don’t really get extra features as you improve and get better instruments. There will be some changes in design occasionally. Things like bore size will vary as the player goes to higher levels. However, on the whole, they are all made the same way.
What you do get is an increase in quality, especially of the moving parts. The quality of this trumpet exceeds starter status. So whilst with some instruments, there will need to be an early upgrade, not with this. If you like, the upgrade is built-in. The Yamaha trumpet is built like that.
So, let’s take a closer look at the Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet…
The Build
As with most trumpets, it is made from Yellow Brass. It has been given an impressive gold lacquer finish. The lead pipe is made from gold brass. Brass is an alloy, and there are varieties. Yellow brass used for the body has a 70% copper and 30% zinc. Gold brass, however, has a higher level of copper at 85 %, and the zinc is 15%.
Gold brass is often used on the lead pipe, the pipe that ‘leads’ from mouthpiece to instrument. It has an effect on the overall sound and does create a warmer, richer sound. The tubing is made perfectly rounded to ensure a smooth flow of air through the instrument.
The Bell, another important part of the trumpet for tone creation, is yellow brass. It is a two-piece bell. There has sometimes been a problem with a two-piece bell. On some instruments, the welds overlap on the join. This can cause erratic sound vibrations, which, of course, will affect the overall sound.
Yamaha has solved this problem using a laser that fuses the two pieces together. This creates a seamless join. This, in turn, delivers a smooth vibration-free output. The bell itself has a 4 and ⅞” inch diameter. The bore is 0.459 of an inch and is therefore ideally suited for the student.
The quality of the construction of the instrument is shown in many ways. One of these ways is in the tuning slides. The main slide and the second are made using the same designs as higher-end Yamaha trumpets. Apart from extra durability, it gives a much nicer tone.
There is a design feature that Yamaha is noted for on all their instruments. That is to ensure the build and design encourage the correct technique. Many manufacturers don’t pay attention to that in an effort to keep down costs.
The trigger on the third valve is adjustable to suit the individual player. This allows you to get the playing position right to develop good technique. On the 3rd valve slide, there is a water key to remove any build-up of natural moisture. The instrument is also beautifully balanced, which also improves its playability. More on the later.
Stress points can be critical for the performance of a trumpet. Yamaha has used nickel silver as it is a strong material making the instrument very durable.
It has Monel pistons, which are an interesting choice over stainless steel. One is preferred by some, the other by others. There is a good fit tough between casings and pistons, giving little or no air leakage. They are fitted with Delvin valve guides. These one-piece guides are very durable and are quieter than metal versions. The valves have white plastic buttons.
The build on this instrument is excellent.
But for the sake of balance, is there anything we can identify that we don’t like?
The answer has got to be not really. So many positives have been included. All of them for the benefit of the player just starting. But there are also features that place this trumpet further up the progress ladder. This means it will last a lot longer as an instrument than most others as they progress.
It is a conventional size at 23.2 inches by 12.2 by 7.5 inches but is quite lightweight at just 5.51 pounds. Not being heavy is a big plus for any student.
The Intonation
Yamaha is known for its attention to detail, and in doing so, it brings forth rewards. One of those considerable rewards is the intonation.
More experienced players will use a certain amount of intonation control by using their lips. That is not something a new player is going to be able to master straight away. It is, therefore, important that the intonation on the instrument is good. If there is no need for too much adjustment, then the new player is going to benefit.
The reasons there is sometimes poor intonation can be placed in three general categories. Changes in the shape of the lips. This will be overcome with experience and learning how to control the trumpet. Fatigue can play a part. If you start to get tired, then it is going to affect many areas of your playing.
This instrument, as we have already said, is lightweight. That is going to reduce the fatigue factor, especially in the beginner. The final reason could be that the instrument is of poor quality. A poorly constructed instrument, especially the valves and pistons and parts that control sound, will give you a problem. That is something this instrument does not suffer from. The build, as we have seen, is high-quality.
All this adds up to an instrument that is going to give you good intonation. Being able to play in tune is important for all players but especially for beginners. Frustration can creep in if you struggle to play in tune. The Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet doesn’t give you that problem.
The Sound
If there is one thing that can be said about Yamaha trumpets, it is they sound good. The special attention that is given to the materials used for the lead pipe and the Bell ensures a good sound. It is not as good as their top of the range trumpets, but it delivers a rich and warm sound.
The bore size set at 0.459 is good for the student and doesn’t require a great deal of effort to get that good sound. A larger bore can make it more difficult for a beginner to control the sound. The Monel pistons and valves are of good quality and will help the player with the sound. They will need maintenance, though.
For a trumpet that is aimed at beginners, it will be harder to find a better sounding instrument.
How Does It Play
We mentioned earlier in the review about the balance of the trumpet. This is so important to a new player. It is not a natural position to hold the instrument, so anything that can be done to help is important.
Having a trumpet that is ‘bell-heavy’ is not a good thing. This will lead to fatigue and the tendency to lower the angle of the trumpet as you play. This will affect intonation and sound. The YTR-2330 is beautifully balanced and, at less than six pounds, is light enough to make it easier to hold and, therefore, to play.
The weight is something that Yamaha looks at closely. This trumpet has been designed without the main tuning slide having a brace. This seemingly small design change makes it a lighter instrument.
Yamaha is not noted for giving away too much as extras in a package. With the YTR-2330, you get a TR-1184 mouthpiece and some valve oil, which is an important inclusion. You also get a rather nice case with it.
Other Options
If you’re not convinced about the Yamaha YTR-2330, and we do that quite hard to believe, then there are many other excellent choices available. So take a look at our reviews of the Best Student Trumpets and the Best Pocket Trumpets currently available.
It may also be worth checking out our in-depth review of the Yamaha YTR 2335 Bb Trumpet, the Jean Paul USA TR 330, and the Mendini by Cecilio MTT L Trumpet, all excellent choices for a student trumpet.
Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet Pros & Cons
Pros
- Quality construction.
- Very ergonomic and easy to play.
- Lightweight and balanced.
- Excellent trumpet case.
- Loads of fun to play.
Cons
- None apart from the valves need frequent oiling, but that’s the case with all trumpets.
Conclusion
There s no doubt that Yamaha produces very good instruments. This Yamaha trumpet is certainly no exception to that. It is well-built with good materials and certainly looks the part. It has been made by Yamaha for beginners and includes good features. But it goes a bit further than that.
The quality of design and build means this trumpet will take the beginner beyond the early stages. It will take them through the improving period to an intermediate stage. With cheaper brands, you may have upgraded two or three times with some instruments. But you will not need to do that with this instrument.
We often hear the argument that Yamaha is expensive, and there are much cheaper trumpets for a beginner. That is true, of course. The question though, is about quality.
How much quality are you sacrificing with a cheaper model?
If you sacrifice too much, the trumpet could be virtually unplayable. If that happens, the student quits. Of course, you need to be sure that the student is going to continue. But if you are, and more importantly, they are, then quality is always best,
This is a great instrument manufactured by possibly the best overall manufacturer of instruments in the world. The Yamaha YTR-2330 Standard Bb Trumpet is a class act and worth every penny.
