Yamaha YCL-255

The Yamaha YCL-255 is a Bb student clarinet built from ABS resin with a matte finish and a surface that mimics the grain of grenadilla wood. Resin is a practical choice for a first clarinet: it resists cracking from everyday knocks and climate changes, so it suits the commute between home practice and band rehearsal.

Several design details come from Yamaha’s professional instruments. The redesigned 65mm barrel draws on those designs and is intended to give the tone more focus. A lightweight bell with an integrated resonance chamber is designed to help projection and tidy up intonation in the low register, aiming for a more even sound from bottom to top.

The silver-plated keys move smoothly under the fingers, and the Valentino synthetic pads are built to hold up through regular practice. An adjustable thumb rest and a neck strap ring help younger or smaller players find a comfortable position and share the instrument’s weight during longer sessions. It covers band class, lessons and solo études.

• ABS resin body with matte, wood-grain-style finish
• 65mm barrel derived from Yamaha professional designs
• Bell with integrated resonance chamber for low-register intonation
• Adjustable thumb rest, neck strap ring and Valentino synthetic pads