Cornet Spotting - Sov vs Yamaha Meastro
Well I haven't got around to creating WAV files yet, but I do have the 2 instruments sitting in front of me:
1. 928 Large Bore Sovereign, one of the first made, at least 15 years old. Note that the modern 928 may vary from any description I give here.
2. A Yamaha Meastro YCR6335HS
Although very similar instruments here are a list of the technical differences I can see
First though the similarities:
Both have sprung loaded first and third slide triggers and 2 water keys (main and third slide). Main tube run orientation is similar with main tuning slide at the back.
Differences:
a) 1st valve slide on Sov is perpendicular with the trigger assembly mounted on the left side in line with the valve casing, such that the movement of the trigger is restricted when the trigger touches the front side of the valve casing (there is a rubber stopper on the trigger - but mine has fallen off!). Due to where it is, as your left hand hold the cornet, the trigger sits in the bend of yout thumb, below the pad. The Soveriegn Trigger spring is strong, making if difficult to accidently operate the trigger.
The Yamaha 1st slide is mounted at an angle with the trigger assembly mounted on the right of the slide. The trigger itself is on the right and clears the 1st valve case when operated. The thumb of the left hand has the pad of the thumb sitting on the trigger. The trigger spring is lighter than the Sov, so could be accidently operated. Another feature of the Yamaha 1st valve trigger is that is looks adjustable (although I am not sure of what benefit this is). The trigger rod is joined to the main trigger by a threaded section, which looks like it has some play in it. The only thing now restricting movement of the 1st trigger is where you place the thumb of your right hand when you are playing. Personally my thumb sits between the 1st and 2nd valve casings, and this effectively restricts the 1st valve trigger to the same extent as the Sov.
b) The Sov has only one support connecting the main wind pipe to the top of the 2nd valve casing. The Yamaha has two: one on Valve 1 and one on Valve 3. Now because I am a player who puts the thumb of my right hand between the casing of Valve 1 and 2, I find the Yamaha support and welded edges dig into my thumb. On the Sov there are no welds or rough edges at the top of Valve 1 and my thumb can sit comfortably. And as above, where I end up putting my thumb on the Yamaha restricts the movement of that trigger. But who uses 1st valve trigger in any case?
c) The Sov Lyre assemble is on the front of the main wind pipe, mounted on the inside, but with a long screw protruding forward. If you hold the Sov in your left hand as normal, you can easily access the long screw to insert your Lyre. However the Yamaha one is a bit more fiddley. The Box section is mounted in the same place as the Sov, but the screw is much shorter and mounted on the inside, facing left (not foward like the Sov). So if you hold the Yamaha in your left hand, you have to work you right hand around the front to access the screw. Not impossible, just a little more fiddley.
d) The Sov valve assembly has the spring mounted on the outside of the upper part of the internal workings, whereas the Yamaha assembly looks a lot tidier with the spring mounted inside. However the Sov looks to have one technical innovation in the the spring pushes down onto a plastic ring that looks like it forms a seal around the top edge of the precision fit part of the valve structure. In effect the plastic ring not only prevents any debris from the top part of the valve from falling into the precision area, but acts as an air seal at the top as well. There is no plastic ring on the Yamaha, so debris from the top part of the valve could work into the precision area, and there is no air seal at the top.
I also recall having a problem with a sticky valve on my Sov at a concert some years ago. Not having time to clean the valve properly, I simply overstretched part of the spring in its position to give it more purchase and this sorted my short term problem. THIS IS NOT RECOMMEDED as a deformed Sov spring may scrape and make a noise inside the valve case if it is not properly aligned. This would not have been possible on the Yamaha.
e) The Sov has top valve felts mounted hidden under the Valve buttons, whereas the Yamaha has the felts mounted inside the top of the valve case crew tops. This gives the Sov a cleaner silver look without felts on show like on the Yamaha. It is up to you what looks prettier.
f) The 3rd Valve trigger of the Sov is more curvatious and compactly designed than the longer Yamaha trigger. Also the powerfull springs on the Sov always allow the 3rd Slide to return home when released. However the weaker Yamaha Spring prevents the slide returning if you release the trigger after releasing the 3rd Valve i.e. the compressed air inside the slide prevents the slide returning. It could be that my Sov is more leaky than the Yamaha (it has had about 13 years more wear). The Yamaha also uses small screws with big pertruding heads on all the trigger assemblies, whereas the Sov uses headless hidden screws (like you get on glasses, but bigger) and flush rivits (however my small hidden screws have rusted over the years - I would not like to remove one!).
g) The Silver plating on the Sov looks a deeper silver, more like that you would expect on an antique coffee jug, whereas the Yamaha silver has a yellowy look about it. Now due to the age of my Sov, it has had a tendancy to Tarnish to black where my hands have been, but my recent refurbish, including a polish, has removed most of this. The Yamaha just looks a yellowy silver (some might use the word cheap looking).
PLAYING THE INSTRUMENTS
I am using a Bach 7E mouthpiece (small and shallow).
There is not much difference between the playing quality of the 2 instruments. So any differences I mention below are very slight. But there are differences:
i) RESPONSIVENESS - by this I mean the time taken from striking a note with your tongue to the note appearing out of the other end. The Yamaha appears to have the edge here. It is slightly easier to start a note e.g. middle C, on the Yamaha than on my old Sov.
ii) TONE - The Sov has a slightly richer tone that the Yamaha. The Yamaha is brighter and ever so ever so slightly heading for a more trumpety sound.
- PLAYING QUIETLY - I can play more quieltly on the Sov. I think the responsiveness of the Yamaha makes it want to burst into life even when you are trying to play quietly. Also the brighter tone cuts through.
- PLAYING LOUDLY - I can play much more loudly and in tune on the Sov - in fact I struggle to blow the Sov to the point where it goes out of tune. However the Yamaha can play loud, but if you overblow it, it goes sharp. I know my Sov is a Large Bore, but I am not sure what the Yamaha is (it has MLH stamped on the valves inside).
iii) FEEL IN THE HAND - When playing normally, both instruments feel alike (see comments on 1st trigger assembly etc above), however in playing right hand only (which is often done if you have a quick mute to do, or page turn) the Yamaha 1st trigger arrangements and wind pipe support get in the way - it is very easy to accidently operate the 1st trigger when holding the Yamaha right handed. No problem on the Sov though, the thumb easily pokes through the gap to support the instrument.
iv) OVERALL - I would stick to my trusty Sov - I think the tone is richer and more like what a cornet should sound like. The Yamaha is not a bad instrument though, and may be more suitable for a player who likes a brighter sound and an easier blow.
I'll put my anorac away now.