Yamaha serial # catalog?

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Loganchovie
Posts: 53
Joined: Sep 23, 2019

by Loganchovie »

Does anyone know of any catalog of the time periods of Yamaha trombone production based off serial number? I looked online briefly and couldn’t find anything for trombone (just pianos) I’ve bought an alto trombone (ysl-673) and was wanting to get an around about date of production. Thanks!
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BGuttman
Posts: 7368
Joined: Mar 22, 2018

by BGuttman »

I don't think such a thing exists. When I bought my 1985 682G I tested 2 horns: a yellow bell S/N 0011xx and my gold one, S/N 00123x. I am certain Yamaha made more than 1200 trombones prior to 1985.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

Yamaha doesn't have a sequential serial system. They are probably only meaningful in some Yamaha way we don't know.
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spencercarran
Posts: 689
Joined: Oct 17, 2020

by spencercarran »

There was once a Yamaha serial number list on some Geocities page that I used to date my first bass (a 321). As best as I can tell, it has been lost forever in the mists of the prehistoric internet.
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noordinaryjoe
Posts: 101
Joined: Jul 06, 2020

by noordinaryjoe »

[quote="spencercarran"]There was once a Yamaha serial number list on some Geocities page that I used to date my first bass (a 321). As best as I can tell, it has been lost forever in the mists of the prehistoric internet.[/quote]

I think the page you are referring to was moved to here:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/tro ... bone1.html">https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/trombone/trombone1.html</LINK_TEXT>

I don't remember it having serial #'s for Yamaha, but it is the most comprehensive list of Yamaha (and other manufactures) model variants and years produced that I have ever seen. I don't think it is 100% accurate 100% of the time, but it's a pretty good reference. Look at Discontinued Models:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/tro ... specs.html">https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/trombone/discontspecs.html</LINK_TEXT>

As well as Current:

<LINK_TEXT text="https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/tro ... v2ehtm.htm">https://www.oocities.org/yuenli_low/trombone/allspecsv2ehtm.htm</LINK_TEXT>

...since 'current' was 15+ years ago. -Joe
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officermayo
Posts: 654
Joined: Jun 09, 2021

by officermayo »

I called Yamaha last week. I was trying to find the date of manufacture of a cornet I recently acquired. The rep who called me back said they didn't have records of serial numbers.
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jorymil
Posts: 304
Joined: Oct 26, 2019

by jorymil »

It's probably a fair assumption that the numbers stamped on Yamaha horns aren't unique. Something else I'd be curious about is whether they're specific to a given model of horn, or if the same number is reused between horns. Likewise if they're sequential or not. A store with a large rental fleet might have some interesting records on this.
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dad
Posts: 1
Joined: May 02, 2023

by dad »

[quote="spencercarran"]There was once a Yamaha serial number list on some Geocities page that I used to date my first bass (a 321). As best as I can tell, it has been lost forever in the mists of the prehistoric internet.[/quote]

I got my bass in 1969 and the SN is 326. I've been trying to find out more about the number but have not had any luck. Might this mean yours is 5 trombones older than mine? Dean
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asmith
Posts: 77
Joined: Dec 04, 2021

by asmith »

This is probably the closest thing out there.

https://www.yamahacollector.com/trombone

Based on the model, it's from somewhere between 1994-1997.

If you wanted a more exact date, then you'll likely need to contact a Yamaha rep. Yamaha is not forthcoming with any information they feel can be used against them or used to aid their competitors.
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Burgerbob
Posts: 6327
Joined: Apr 23, 2018

by Burgerbob »

[quote="dad"]<QUOTE author="spencercarran" post_id="173354" time="1646929519" user_id="10390">
There was once a Yamaha serial number list on some Geocities page that I used to date my first bass (a 321). As best as I can tell, it has been lost forever in the mists of the prehistoric internet.[/quote]

I got my bass in 1969 and the SN is 326. I've been trying to find out more about the number but have not had any luck. Might this mean yours is 5 trombones older than mine? Dean
</QUOTE>

His was a model YBL-321, not 321 serial number.
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JohnL
Posts: 2529
Joined: Mar 23, 2018

by JohnL »

As I understand it, Yamaha serializes each model (or maybe family?) separately. IIRC, they also skip to a round number when there is a significant design revision.
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Feebranch
Posts: 1
Joined: Feb 20, 2024

by Feebranch »

Thanks for the catalogue list I have apparently a 681G which I know nothing sbout apart from I love it. I've been offered plenty of others to play but I love my Yamaha