Which has a bigger cup — Kelly 31 or Yamaha HR-29B?

The Kelly 31 has a cup diameter of 17.53 mm / 0.6902 in compared to 17.07 mm / 0.6720 in on the Yamaha HR-29B — a difference of 0.46 mm / 0.0181 in. A wider cup generally produces a fuller, darker tone but requires more air support.

How does cup depth compare between Kelly 31 and Yamaha HR-29B?

The Kelly 31 has a — cup while the Yamaha HR-29B has a shallow cup. Deeper cups favor a darker, richer sound; shallower cups provide more brightness and easier upper register.

Kelly 31 vs Yamaha HR-29B

Name: Yamaha HR-29B
Brand: Yamaha

The Kelly 31 has a wider cup diameter, the Kelly 31 features a deeper cup, the Yamaha HR-29B has a larger throat opening.

Overall Comparison Cup Diameter Cup Depth Rim Width Throat Diameter Backbore Finish Material

Surface plating or treatment (e.g. silver plate, gold trim). Affects feel, durability, and appearance.

Mouthpiece A

Kelly 31

• French Horn

General

Finish—

Best suited for

🎻Orchestral playing — large cup for full, dark tone

📣High-volume projection — open throat for power

📋French horn deep cup

Mouthpiece B

Yamaha HR-29B

• French Horn

Finish—

Best suited for

📣High-volume projection — open throat for power

Which is better?

Neither mouthpiece clearly dominates the other — the right choice depends on your embouchure, playing style, and the sound you're after. Try both if possible.

Open in interactive tool + Add third mouthpiece Kelly 31 details Yamaha HR-29B details Kelly 31 equivalents Yamaha HR-29B equivalents

Kelly 31 vs Yamaha HR-29B

Playing Characteristics

What Do These Model Names Mean?

What Changes If You Switch?

Which is better?

Compare Kelly 31 with others

Compare Yamaha HR-29B with others

Popular French Horn comparisons

Kelly vs Yamaha

Browse by specification