Yamaha YSL 352 Bb trombone

The YSL 352 was produced from 1969 until 1976 when it was replaced by the YSL 354.
Meanwhile on pre-1990 Yamaha instruments the year of manufacture by serial number is difficult to identify. However the serial number and specs suggest that it may have been made early in the period 1969 – 1976.

It is no secret that the first series of Yamaha brass instruments were closely based on Conn’s USA designs of late 1960’s to early 1970’s and the YSL 352 trombone is no exception. In fact, I would refer to it as the poor man’s 6H with some 48H features. Apart from the slide bore (0.500’’) and bell (8’’) dimensions, if you look at the images below you can see that the shaped main brace of the bell and the hand brace on the slide section are Connstellation cloned (rather like on the YSL 651). Indeed the presence of nickel silver parts, ferrules and hand brace are all trim details superior to that seen on most horns made for the student market. Remarkably it also has lightweight slide (215gr) which is about the same outer slide weight as a 6HLW or 48HLW for the period. Notably, most of these features were not reproduced on the YSL 354 when it replaced the YSL 352 so it would be fair to conclude that these are not the same horns. The 354 is of course a solid horn but rather back to basics so to speak whilst the YSL 352 clearly has pro features as described. A reverse tuning slide is lacking but then you can’t have everything.
Having played a 6H for years I would say that this YSL 352 comes close. It’s just a pity that they are so rare because most 352’s did indeed go to the student and college market and duly suffered as a result. And that’s a pity because they were too good for that... but I’m lucky. I have a survivor.
Great slide action, no dents, lacquer largely intact and just a small spot of Conn-like wear on one (upper) inner stocking. Note that just for fun the counterweight on the horn in the photos is ‘customized’ with my name while the original Yamaha balancer is taking a rest. Horn also has its original case in very good condition. Photos tell the story.
That’s my theory and I’m sticking to it.