A Working Player's Trumpet, Designed by a Working Player
Wayne Bergeron is one of those musicians who does it all — big band, studio sessions, orchestral work, live performance — and his trumpet has to keep up every step of the way. The Yamaha YTR-8335LAII Custom LA is the second-generation result of a collaboration that started in 2006, and it shows: every design decision on this horn traces back to real-world playing demands rather than showroom aesthetics.
If you've been searching for a professional Bb trumpet that moves fluidly between different musical settings without asking you to fight it, the YTR-8335LAII is worth a serious look. It's a medium-weight horn — not a wallflower, not a bruiser — with the kind of responsiveness that rewards players who want to shape their sound rather than just push air through it.
The gold lacquer finish isn't just cosmetic; players often find that a lacquered brass body adds a subtle warmth to the horn's character, and this one is no exception. Whether you're splitting the difference between lead work and section blending, or moving from a recording session to an outdoor stage gig, the YTR-8335LAII was built for exactly that kind of versatility.
The Bell: Yellow Brass, French Bead, and Side Seams
The YTR-8335LAII's 1-piece, 5-inch yellow brass bell is finished with lavish French bead and side seams — details you don't find just anywhere, and a clear indicator that Yamaha treated this as a top-shelf build. A one-piece bell construction minimizes seam interference in the acoustic path, which contributes to a more consistent, focused sound from top to bottom of the register.
At 5 inches in diameter, the bell strikes a balance between projection and control. You get a sound that can fill a room or a stage without losing definition in the middle register, where a lot of commercial and jazz work actually happens.
Bore, Leadpipe, and the Feel of the Horn
The 0.459-inch (medium-large) bore is a deliberate choice for this type of playing. It offers enough openness to produce a large, centered sound while still providing the air resistance that helps players maintain control across long sessions and demanding parts. Combined with a gold brass leadpipe — chosen for its ability to deliver maximum air capacity and quick response — the YTR-8335LAII has a blowing feel that experienced trumpeters tend to describe as efficient and fast.
The first valve slide thumb saddle and third valve slide ring give you the adjustment tools you need during performance without interrupting your flow. These are the small ergonomic details that matter when you're in the middle of a live set.
The Valve Section: Overhauled for Generation Two
The biggest change from the original YTR-8335LA to this second-generation model is in the valve section. Yamaha completely revised the design, introducing a 2-piece brass valve casing and heavy phosphor bronze bottom caps — the first time either of those components appeared in Yamaha's trumpet lineup. The result is richer overtone production, especially noticeable in the middle register.
The Monel alloy pistons are hand-lapped for smooth, quick action and long-term reliability. Monel is known for its resistance to corrosion, moisture, and impact — so these valves should feel just as good years down the road as they do on day one. Yamaha also pulled in upgraded water key, piston pad, and cap pad designs from their Xeno Artist series — components that had never before appeared on a Custom model.
Product Features:
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Key: Bb
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Bore: 0.459" (medium-large)
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Bell: 1-piece, 5" yellow brass with French bead and side seams
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Leadpipe: Gold brass for fast response and maximum air capacity
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Valves: Hand-lapped Monel alloy pistons
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Valve Casing: New 2-piece brass design (Generation 2 upgrade)
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Bottom Caps: Heavy phosphor bronze — first of its kind in the Yamaha lineup
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Slides: 1st valve slide thumb saddle, 3rd valve slide ring
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Xeno Artist-derived parts: Water key, piston pads, and cap pads
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Finish: Gold epoxy lacquer
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Series: Custom LA (Generation 2), developed with Wayne Bergeron
Brand: Yamaha
Model: YTR-8335LAII Custom LA
SKU: YTR-8335LAII
Condition: New
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