It seems that this model was made in the 1980's specifically for the Japanese market. As far as we can ascertain, the YCL35 was identical to the YCL34, except that it had silver-plated keys instead of nickel.The YCL34 was replaced by Yamaha in 2001 by the YCL450.

Our family acquired this lovely older model clarinet 20 years ago from a Japanese couple, being valued at that time by a music shop in Surrey at £1,000. Our daughter no longer plays the clarinet, and this instrument has not been played for several years. It has been recently overhauled at a workshop used by our local music shop.

The man who checked it over, who is himself a clarinettist, assured us that it still plays beautifully, and has a lovely tone. Apart from minor scratches on the barrel, it is in very good condition. The mouthpiece has been upgraded to a Vandoren Paris B45 which is professional quality for playing at orchestra level.

It comes complete with red velvet-lined case.