This horn is spectacular! Being more than $1,000 under the top-notch considered professional horns, it's like having a $1,000 dollar off sale for buying this horn. Its features, such as intonation and response, are similar, if not better, to the other top euphoniums. Some say that the Yamaha 642 produces a bright-side tone. However, I found this wrong, as the true tone depends on the player himself/herself. And the overall value? Wow! This is a must-try horn.