The hand-hammered 8-2/3-inch gold brass bell flaunts slightly thicker walls for extra projection and greater tonal control. The overall tone is clean and nuanced with excellent focus and subtle harmonics. It has reversed tuning slides for an open playing feel.

You can hear the Yamaha difference in how the bell responds as you crescendo into a solo passage. You can feel the difference in the way it plays. The narrow, speedy slide effortlessly keeps up with ever-increasing tempos. When you engage the F attachment, the open-wrap design lessens resistance so that you can hit the lowest notes in your register with ease. From glorious melodies to rounded rhythms and everything in between, this horn is more than capable of keeping up with the most demanding players, not to mention the most technical scores.