Which should i get? Yamaha YC-20 or YC-45D.

[Hans S. H.]

I have found theese 3 combo organs made by Yamaha and im wondering about which one I maybe should get.
The YC-20 i think looks very nice, and i like the sounds, but im unsure if its overpriced a bit. it goes for ca. 1070 US dollars (10 000 NOK, as i live in norway).
The YC-45D, It doesent look that nice, but i like the sounds and its nice that there are two manuals instead of one. the price is ca. 590 US dollars (5500 NOK).

When listening to demo's of theese two instruments on youtube it seems like they sound quite similar, but i kinda like the sound of the YC-20 more.
But due to the YC-45D having two manuals (something that fits me well) and that it has more sound options the YC-20 it is also tempting to get that one.
The YC-45D is cheaper, thats nice, but i find that there is just something whit the sound of the YC-20 i like a little better.

Anyway, this is reason i ask on this forum, i want to hear other peoples opinion about these combo-organs and other thing i might want to be aware of (common problems, etc...)


If you know about any songs made where any of theese organs are used, i would be happy if you where to tell me about them (so i can listen to the organs a bit more in a different context).

I want to thank everyone in advance for answers.

PS. Sorry for my terrible grammar.

[andyg]

I'd go for the YC-45D. Much bigger spec, and two manuals plus the portamento strip.

They have much the same 1960s Yamaha electronics in them and trying to remember back to 1974 when I had both in stock, I can't remember any real difference in basic tone. The demos you hear are of course affected by the skill of the player (often lacking in youtube demos!), the amplification used, the quality of the recording equipment, bit rate for the audio etc etc.

All Yamaha organs are basically reliable, but age is against the older ones and you should expect some issues.

You really need to try both of them in person, however tricky that may be. If you're in Oslo, say, and the organs are in Bergen and Narvik, that's difficult! :)

[Hans S. H.]

Thanks for the advice,

For me, I think the YC-45D would be better whit its greater diversety. also its much easier for me to get to the YC-45D then the other one as its closer to where i live.
And if there realy isnt any real difference in the basic tone, then the YC-45D should be better for me in all ways.

Your point about age is something i forgot to think about. even if i have allready experienced a few "sad" things when it comes to age (once i was about to buy a hammond, but the day before i was going to try it, the owner told me it had stopped working.) so i realy should have though about this.

Also, getting things at a lower price is always nice.

Again thanks for the advice, ill atleast try the YC-45D before making a decision. Its also nice knowing that the yamaha organs are reliable.