Yamaha YCL-230 Alto Clarinet is VITO Stencil!

[DaveLeBlanc]

Yamaha's YCL-230 plastic alto clarinet is definitively a stencil made by Vito.

This is proved by the shape of the keys, especially the F# plate. This doesn't have the kidney-bean key touches, but not all Vitos have that either.

The smoking gun is the factory-original pads are are marked "Vito" on the cardboard backing.

[Airflyte]

Hmmn, this would explain the "USA" stamp just below the Yamaha logo. Interesting!

I knew Leblanc did source saxophone parts for their Kenosha Vito horns from Yamaha Japan. I had no idea that the Leblanc/Yamaha relationship went further than that with clarinets such as yours.

[DaveLeBlanc]

I don't really come into contact with Yamaha clarinets much at all; I wish I did so I could investigate this further.

If this alto is the exact same one that Vito used, then I would assume that there were other ones as well

[Airflyte]

I like Yamaha saxophones (altos in particular). They have been labeled as "neutral" sounding and I have to agree. It allows an accurate assessment of mouth piece choice. Their is not much of a "built in" sound concept to deal with. An even scale is nice to work with too!

With that said, I have never played a Yamaha clarinet but with the market value on used YCL-34's, that may change. 

[windydankoff]

Looks just like my Vito alto, which I love! The upper chalumeau and the lower clarion have some of the tonal magic of a baritone sax.  I have two old Vito hard rubber mouthpieces. They both sound wonderful. They take alto sax reeds.