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With the 204 version, Yamaha has produced what is currently the finest marching mello available. Far better than the previous 203 & 202. The compact cornet-like wrap takes some getting used to and can be fiddly to hold. But the tone is superb and the quicker flair of the 204's is outstanding in projection. With consistent technique, intonation is great for a mellophone. Some notes are still problematic, ie. middle A still sharp and top line F still a bit shaky, but idiosyncrasies are fewer the any other mello on the market. Slotting of notes is more frenchhorn-like and hence can be a bit of a challenge for inexperienced players, but for seasoned mello folks this is the horn they have been waiting for.

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As the title suggests, my opinion on this mello is that it is absolutely amazing. I have 1 season of high school marching band experience with this mellohpone. As a person new to playing any brass instrument (normally I'm a sax player) I tried a few instruments and found that the mellophone was easiest for me. At the start of my first season as a mellophone player my school got new 3 Yamaha YMP-204 mellophones. After having experienced this mellophone, and various other mellophones, I have concluded that this is without a doubt the nicest mellophone by far. The weight distribution is almost perfectly 50/50, the tone quality is absolutly beautiful, and I even like the color. There is plenty of room for most peoples hands (unlike many other mellophones). The sound quality is great on every note in my 2 octive range except for the low C. That's probably just me though. I would highly recomend this mello to anyone who either plays or would like to play mellophone.

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This is an amazing horn and it has a great tone! You definatly need some muscle and a good set of lips. I never had an issue with tuning it. Overall a great instrument!

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I enjoy this Mellophone very much, but never have I played an instrument that varied so much in different climates and temperatures. It gets really affected by heat and coldness, but still a great instrument. (It) takes a lot of muscle to march with though.

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It's a decent instrument, but it is really awkward for me to hold, mostly the pinky ring, it's so far down away from the valves I can't play any fast licks on it but it has an ok sound. Sounds GREAT in the upper register but in the mind and low register, not so great and it is affected a lot by the weather, it took us like an hour to tune 4 of these mellophones with the rest of our brassline at our school at championships last year. Honestly, if I had to pick between the really old Getzen mellophones we have and this one I'd probably pick this one. But between this or say a king or Quantum, I'd pick the Quantum