Yamaha YCL-255
A newly redesigned standard student clarinet from Yamaha, built with a durable ABS-resin body rather than wood — lighter in weight, more resistant to cracking from humidity/temperature changes, and paired with more temperature-stable Valentino pads, per the manufacturer's own product materials.
A newly redesigned standard student clarinet from Yamaha, built with a durable ABS-resin body rather than wood — lighter in weight, more resistant to cracking from humidity/temperature changes, and paired with more temperature-stable Valentino pads, per the manufacturer's own product materials. Suited to beginner-through-early-student clarinetists, particularly in school programs or climates where a wood clarinet's crack risk is a practical concern.
Key specifications
| Manufacturer | Yamaha |
|---|---|
| Product status | Current |
| Body | Matte ABS resin |
| Keys | Nickel-plated |
| Barrel | 65mm |
| Pads | Valentino |
| Mouthpiece | CL-4C (included) |
| Thumb Rest | Adjustable, with strap ring |
Strengths and weaknesses
Strengths
- ABS-resin construction removes the wood-cracking risk that affects grenadilla student clarinets in dry or fluctuating climates; adjustable thumb rest accommodates different hand sizes; wide retailer and repair-shop availability typical of Yamaha's wind instruments.
Weaknesses
- No hands-on or independent third-party expert playability assessment was located for this specific model in this research pass.
Playability and construction
Not assessed hands-on — this review is based on specification and market analysis (see the badge above), so no subjective playing-feel claim (response, intonation tendencies, resistance) is made here. See the Verdict below for what this assessment is and isn't.
Construction
ABS resin body (bell and upper/lower joints), nickel-plated keys.
Competing models
Verdict
A newly redesigned standard student clarinet from Yamaha, built with a durable ABS-resin body rather than wood — lighter in weight, more resistant to cracking from humidity/temperature changes, and paired with more temperature-stable Valentino pads, per the manufacturer's own product materials. Suited to beginner-through-early-student clarinetists, particularly in school programs or climates where a wood clarinet's crack risk is a practical concern. See our full The Best Beginner Clarinets guide for how it compares to alternatives.
Where to buy
Prices and availability are checked periodically, not a real-time feed.
All links above are affiliate links — see full disclosure below.