From all the sax reviewers, I've seen so far, you seem like the most genuine and trustworthy to me. No BS, no fancy schmancy waffling. A greybeard (well he's shaved...but you get the point) doing the servicing. Making an explicit point about relatively low wear. Still recommending new saxes for a newbie. Not getting hung up on 'vintage' stuff or 'new saxophone feel'. Very believable. Caveat emptor remains, of course, but, I am definetely putting you into my list of highest considerations for advice in the future.
@@GetYourSaxTogether Lol, well, you know I"m just a random person to an established teacher. But to me it's a bit the other way around. A lot of people wanting in on the action and I gotta decide who to join that. I've seen flat out pretty women (well singular...) in quasi revealing clothes, showcasing yamaha pricing tier saxes, for example, advertising for a store, and lo and behold, the more expensive the magically she got better. And even though I enjoy looking at women quite a bit...couldn't help but feel like there was a liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttle bit of bias there. But if what she said was true, then altissimo and co magically flies out of the thing and becomes part of your body. But only on the premium model.
I think that’s probably one of the best videos on tube ever. Your frankness, honestly and sense of humour when talking about an unfortunate purchase is uplifting. The section involving the examination by your sax tech was gold. You don’t see much of this and I’m always fascinated when a knowledgeable person looks over an instrument
Thanks Jamie. I totally agree with buying and fixing used saxes. Not only can you get unique and awesome sax sounds (my 1930 Transitional Conn alto) but we are saving resources and keeping skilled repaires in jobs. Great video topic as usual.
Nice video, I started out on a Yamaha YTS21 in my teens and two years ago I bought a Mark 7 tenor. I am very happy with both horns now. They are both great and have their own sound (because I use different mouthpiece and reed on both, the difference is quite clear).
I bought a second hand Trevor James The Horn Alto from a music shop a number of years ago. It's still going strong and I've been very happy with it. Thanks for the video, your repair guy has done an amazing job.
Hey Jamie, First thing, thanks so much for all your great content - it's really helping me learn sax from scratch. I started clarinet in grade school (like you) but that was almost 60 years ago! I play guitar mostly and can read music and understand a lot of music theory. My journey with sax began on a whim just a couple of months ago when I saw a YAS-23 at an 2nd hand shop, asked if there were any problems they were aware of, and the owner pointed out a broken neck screw. I bought it for $200 and ordered a new Yamaha mouthpiece, reeds and a neck screw. I was able to easily remove the broken screw with a dremel and with the help of your website and a few others I was playing. The YAS-23 seemed pretty tight, but I took it to a music shop and had it tuned for $125, some pads replaced and adjustments. I started realizing how much I love saxophone and bought a new Jean Paul TS-400SP silver plated tenor. Your videos and supporting pdfs have helped me a lot and I'm making steady progress. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
Hey! If you were able to get a YAS-23 in excellent condition, first, congratulations. Second, either, the previous owner didn't play it so much or got a serious overhaul. I also have a YAS-23. It's still a great horn, but it needs a serious overhaul. I just have to keep looking around because in my area (Japan) for the same price of the overhaul, I could get a new YAS-28, which my oldest daughter has, and it's also a great horn. Congratulations!
Well, in April i bought a 1989 Yamaha YTS62 purple logo. It was in optical good condition, but has many leaks and a few damages. So I got it overhauled for €750,-. Now it is nearly mint and plays fantastic. I am a beginner and very happy to have that horn as my first. Tomorrow will be a first lesson at a music school.
A big plus 1 from me on Yamaha's quality, I managed to find a YTS 61 which I have as my second tenor,built like a tank and seriously great sounding, I'll have to be honest, I could find little difference in your playtest comparison, but id put that down to you Jamie 😉 great advice to any sax shoppers out there 👏👏
Hi Jmie I am a new player and started on a Selmer AS300 in very good condition was on loan by a church member friend and then I bought a almost new AS400 Jean Paul in like new condition from a pro player and then my church member gave me the Selmer as300. Bought 6 or 7 mouthpieces all 3 and 4 size. 1.5 and 2.0 reeds My playing is going very well like I was a natural. Also play Guitar 30+ years and Violin 15+ years keyboards too. Love your videos the most of the few I follow Better sax ok and McGill is ok too. You are the best of the 5 or 6 I follow.
I recently found a used YTS-23 and original case in really good visual condition at a local consignment shop for $360 US - about £300. Stock mouthpiece had a chip so bought a new Yamaha 5C. After a few months of beginner playing, I reached the point to know something was wrong with the horn. Low D would warble, and all the notes up the horn through A were thin and "stuffy." Took it in to a local repair shop, and they immediately identified several problems while I was standing at the counter: leaking pads, loose neck tenon, and several regulation adjustments were needed. About $240 in repairs. So I'm now at around $650 for what seems to be a really good horn. Jamie's advice is spot on. Don't wait like I did to get a used horn into the shop, especially if you're a beginning player! You'll save yourself a load of confusion sorting out which problems are coming from you and not the horn.
Hi Jamie... really liked your 'Second hand Sax' video! Just bought a 2nd-hand ST90 Series II Keilworth Soprano sax (made in Germany mid-1990s) from a local Brass & Woodwind shop. Paid $AU1200 (approx £600). Their tech did an excellent service on it (£300) and replaced all the pads, and did a major fix-up of the keyworks. Really happy with it... sounds great!
Bought a Yanagisawa T901-II, it's a later model of the T901 and earlier model than the current TW01 plays like a dream got it for around 3,995 local right after it had been serviced.
Hey fella. Great vid and totally agree. Bought a YTS21 for Gleneagles regular gig and simply not having to lug a horn from the car park and through the hotel every time has a culminate effect on reducing hassle 👍
Perfect! Hey do you remember my first tenor? That was a yammy, and I bet you anything it was a 23. Should’ve kept it! Although we used to think it was fun to clash our bells together. *cringe* 😂 That stopped when I got my 6!
I saw this sax at a pawn shop. I liked it because it was blue and brass. I took it to the Oberlin conservatory in hope that i could get some one to use their mouthpiece and blow it to determine if it was good or needed serviced. However no one was willing to do that. It is a Lazaro
Wow Jamie! This video came in the right time for me! I’m buying a second hand alto sax (I play tenor), and your suggestions are great. The one I’m buying is a 1974 Vito sax. Those saxes were built by Yamaha, so it is actually a YAS-23 but “Vito” branded. A local luthier is overhauling it, so he told me it’s going to be like brand new (except for the lacquer and small scratches that won’t affect sound or intonation). When I get it I’ll let you know how it went. Thanks!
Just purchased a YTS-23 inspired on your video. Ordering it online I only saw photos and videos from the seller. It's currently being serviced and already have a new Strap, Mouthpiece and Case ready for it.
Hi I took a chance earlier this year and bought a second hand Yamaha yas 280 From ebay. Paid £700 All works great :-) I think the trick is research the more you look the better feeling and price aware you become. If it's to cheap beware Next year I fancy a Yamaha yas 62 or a yana and I would buy second hand online again. Cheers
Thanks Jamie! In the play test I could hear a slight difference (but definitely not a 10 X better difference). The Yamaha sounds good, but has a slightly muffled sound compared to the Mark VI. I learned on a Conn alto that I borrowed, then bought a Mark VI, which got stolen a few years later. I bought an Italian made horn (don't remember the brand), which also got stolen 2 years later. (Both incidents are long stories -- over 40+ years ago). 25 years ago I bought a used Amati (1980 model) for $200 in Ukraine (after the collapse of the Soviet Union everyone was selling things to dollars as the local currency was crashing). It needed to be overhauled, but I found a technician who did it for $100. More recently, when visiting the States I rented a YAS-23, which was nice to play, the action was good, but the tone felt a bit muffled compared to my Amati.
I honk on a second hand YTS-23 and have to say they are excellent (it's the second one I've owned) . Never drop a saxophone, of course, but a YTS-23 it's even worse because of the "soft" metal. The trade off is that they are lightweight. I am looking to save up for a YTS-62 iii, but I don't have the budget for it, yet. So for now, I am extremely happy with the 23. They are bright sounding horns, so the sound, at least for me is that it slants more Rollins and less Coltrane ( but, also that could be me). Great review! Okay, Jamie even though I am saving up for a 62, I can wait a few seconds more and buy you a hot cuppa! Thanks again for reviewing my model horn so favorably! I knew it was a great horn for the price and until now I never heard anyone come out and say it. Thanks!
I bought a YTS-475 used. I took it to my tech to have some minor tweaks done to it that I knew about before buying the sax. He had a Mark VI in his shop that was on consignment. He told me my YTS-475 ($800.00) was much easier to play because it was free-er flowing sax compared to the Mark VI ($5,000.00). I've been very happy with it and wouldn't hesitate to buy another Yamaha used.
Being in nz finding 2nd hand instruments is a little harder as there are not so many around, but I took my time and was lucky enough to come across a mark 6, that had been left behind by someone when they went back to the USA, due to covid. The house owner where it was left didn't know what it was, and I picked it up for.... Nz $250 (about £125!!) changed the mouth piece and checked it for leaks etc but it was all pretty good.... Think I got the bargain of the century!
Hmmph lucky, I struggled to find anything decent. Until I came upon a Yanagisawa T901-II for 3.995 plays like a dream although it isn't a selmer mark vi 😅
Last night I bought a 1959 Conn director 14m alto. In decent condition. Pads have been replaced recently. I'm brand new to playing the sax. And brand new to music in general. Hope I can learn this.
I recently found a model 1914 new wonder Elkhart Conn Alto made in 1921. I found it in an antique shop. Pads and Cork intact ( probably redone at sometime). Silver plating mostly in good condition. No leaks or holes. Took it home for $225 and it plays like a dream! Nice vintage horn! Not the finest horn Conn made back the day, but this one seems to be exceptionally good for the series one new wonder model.
For anyone with a limited budget looking to upgrade from their beginner level Chinese sax, I always recommend a used Yamaha (any model from the 21 upwards) if they can find one as well as telling them to expect to have it either fully serviced if the majority of the pads are good, or if most of the pads are shot, to factor in the cost of a full overhaul and to justify it as fairly often that and the cost of the used sax is often way below the cost of a brand new one. New or used, I haven't seen a duff Yamaha yet and I've been repairing for over 30 years. It's getting people to understand the difference between the PURCHASE PRICE and the VALUE which some people have trouble with - the usual argument being "I can buy this brand new student model for more than this used pro level model" when they're not really upgrading, only they seem to think spending more for a shiny new lower level model is better, just because it happens to be new and costs more than a used one including the cost of a full overhaul. Also a fully overhauled sax will have far more time and effort spent on it than a brand new one that had much less bench time when being finished and only passed quality control, when one that's been fully overhauled SHOULD have been done more thoroughly and correcting all the faults that were overlooked when it was originally finished at the factory so it could pass quality control and get shipped out. Another thing some people are hung up over the purchase price is they seem to think that limits how much they're prepared to spend on any repair work, thinking as they only spent X amount means it's only worth X amount and they then in their minds can't justify spending XX amount on a full overhaul as it only cost them X amount without understanding the value of what they have exceeds the purchase price. I had someone moan that the price I was charging for a service was 10% of the cost of their Yanagisawa. If I based the price of a service as 10% the purchase price of a sax that was bought for a couple of hundred, then the cost of parts alone would exceed the cost of a service going solely by that misguided reckoning. Yamaha's quality control and finishing on their saxes is definitely far better than the other big name makes and even the fit and finish on their 20/200 series puts many pro level saxes from the other big name companies to shame. There have been some problems more recently with the stainless steel used for their rod screws rusting which I can only assume is where they source their stainless steel from which could be a problem going right back to the foundry. I haven't seen this on older Yamahas (from the '70s through to the mid '90s), but have seen some rust on the small (2mm) diameter rod screws (rollers, crook key and tilting low Bb spatula) on some saxes from the '90s onwards.
Thanks for your videos Jaimi, there is not so much difference in sound (surely your merit) I have a yamaha 23 high used since 92, I played again 5 years ago and 2 years ago I passed the tenor with a Buescher destroyed in appearance but that sounds (for me) Very good, now that I decided to move forward so I bought a Yamaha tenor 31 which is a gem, easier to emit the sound and powerful, the defect is that it is heavier and I have to be taking care of it more. Big hug from Bs As.
My first horn was a YAS-23 Yamaha alto from a pawn shop. The pads looked good but some were out of alignment, making it play out of tune. Not knowing any better I palmed it off on someone else. Now I play vintage Martins and Kings off eBay, which all needed work, some damage happened during shipping. If you buy off eBay MAKE SURE they have a neck plug, or the octave mechanism will be messed up when you receive the horn. Your Yami sounded great, as did the Mark VI. The player and the mouthpiece affect the sound a lot.
Thanks for the comment Fred. I agree about the end plug, although the octave mechanism on those Yamaha horns doesn’t stick out very much which is good.
I personally could not tell the difference. I took a gamble and bought a secondhand Yamaha student sax from e bay as I am a beginner/Intermediate and could not afford a Selmer or any pro sax. , I am very happy with it. Plays the low notes well.
For the money, it's the YTS-23 all day every day. Love the Mk6 but the prices are now out of control. I had a 62 and sold it because it was TOO close to the sound of my 23. And I have a 1951 Buescher 156 that gets at least equal play time. I love your enthusiasm and excitement! It is contagious sir!
Hi there. Thanks for the video. I was really lucky with my YTS-23. I’ve bought it about a year ago, but i spent a lot of time (months) finding one that matches my expectations and budget. I still consider myself a beginner/intermediate player but this is my third sax so i had some ideas what to look out for. So after a loads of research I went on e-bay and found one which as the seller described it it was some kind of inheritance and it wasn’t played for nearly a year and as he said the mouthpiece that comes with (Otto Link) might need a replacement (as I’ve seen the pictures of it I would have thought so too). After a lot of discussion we made a deal and a few days later I’ve received my YTS-23 for £400 and I had a chance to have a closer look on the mouthpiece as well. That was the time when I realised that the seller probably didn’t really know what value he has given up on for a few hundred quids. The mouthpiece did have some discolouration which is perfectly fine given that how vintage it is. After a bit of cleaning and disinfecting and getting it looked at turned out that now I have perfectly good condition Early Babbit Otto Link Tone Edge 8* whit it’s original facing and nicely flat table which i found amazing to play and i just simply love it. On the sax luckily I did not have to get any major repair done except few little tweaks on some of the low keys as they were bent a tiny bit due to posting probably but it looked like it had an overhaul in the last few years. I have never tried any high end professional saxophone and I know that this was called a student sax back in time but i have to tell this is amazingly free blowing and really fun to play.
I've had a YAS-23 for over 15 years and just started to play it again. Made in Japan and it's in mint condition not even a scratch. I feel so honored to have kept this tucked away and now I treat it like a baby. It's good to know I should never need to get another sax since this one from what I've heard is quaity :) The 4c mouth piece could be upgraded maybe a new ligature? any suggestions? I know nothing.
Musician's Repair Service Akron is one of the best places to get a used sax imo. I just got one from them on Friday actually. I live near Sirvalorsax and he is also having them look for a bari for him I guess. They're cheap and give you a 1 year warranty on it. I just got a "Cleveland" King Super 20 bari. It's from 1959 and it has some wear, but nothing majorly wrong with it. Has the original silver neck (but someone lacquered over it like a goon lol). I didn't play it ahead of time (bc of COVID) but I know about the mechanics of a sax so I just visually gave it a go over. This is the third day I've had it so I'm going to finally play test today. Saw some minor stuff when looking it over close at home that I'll have them fix for free on Monday (mostly just want some old bits of cork replaced with synthetic cork). The pads he used on the horn are really cool. They have resonators that aren't domed, but conical--and sharp enough to cut myself on lol. Got a Berg Larsen (105/2 SMS) mouthpiece to play on it, and a Legere Signature (they don't make the American Cut in bari yet. Wanted to try one). Best advice I can give bc I've bought about half a dozen used horns at this point: learn the mechanics of the horn so you can spot problems, and repairs before playing it. Second best advice is: check pawn shops. I got a Selmer AS600 (alto) from a local pawn shop for $330 that was in mint condition, also found a great playing Bundy I alto at a pawn for $189 with a really nice aftermarket case and all it needed fixed was the one of the posts that protect the octave mechanism was bent and touching it (5 seconds with some cloth-wrapped needle nose plyers). Hope any of this was helpful. Love all the videos Jamie, after learning altissimo from your one video you made I am already up to double G#. Having all these extra notes is so much fun. Cheers!
You can definitely tell there is a difference but no way it’s a £5000 difference ... my first Sax that I am using was from Amazon via gear4you and cost me £430, it didn’t need any rework for it and lucky too ! Keep it up and look forward to the next video too !
Half a dozen years ago I owned both a YTS-21 and a Mark VI. I preferred the 21, and sold the Six. The 21 was stolen. I replaced it with a new-old-stock Japanese Vito, which was made from the same parts as a 23, in the same factory. The pads were soft and were installed with tiny dots of hot-melt glue. Not good. The octave lever was badly manufactured, and it required difficult bending. Many hours of DIY repair later, it plays great and still looks new.
I absolutely love my YTS-23. I recently was able to try a Selmer Reference Tenor and surprisingly I prefer the ergos and response of my YTS over a 10 grand tenor. I guess the best sax you can buy is the one you already have.
That MK VI sounds GREAT. The YTS 23 is not bad. Your vid. other than making your point reinforces how great the MK Vi is. Anyway I'm John who makes Reso-Tech resonators. You've probably heard of them. Let me know if you ever want to try out a set. They will blow your mind! for real. Love ..Hank Mobley .
Hi like the your playing....these are one of my favourite horns...i got a tenor for sale... Best pound for pound sax...still.. First sax i play in the 80ts....
I thought both saxes were identical in sound, the Selmer maybe a tad darker in tone while the Yamaha slightly brighter. The old Yamaha saxophones are really good value second hand market as they were made in Japan, now they are made in Indonesia where IMO the quality isn't as good.
Jamie. Ive done every thing you have said do not do. Although my Yanagisawa 992 Tenor is not the issue it was bought second-hand some 7yrs ago through a London music store. As I was/am an amateur my tutor at the time, was on hand which was helpful. However, I have since move to Cornwall and wanted to buy a second -hand Alto saxophone and made a purchase just as Covid19 hit us. Thro' the internet and purchased a Alto WO37 Silver Yanagisawa, Stamped Silver Made in Japan, from China for around £250. I know they sell in the UK for in excess of £2000. On inspection the quality of the finish does not match that of my Tenor. The strap mount is bent the mouth piece I'm sure is not ebonite, there is no stop-end, is it silver? Is it a knock off? but for £250!!! On the plus side the case is substantial and although my tutor has only heard me play it via Skype, says it sounds in tune (but cannot wait to get his hands on it) My advice to others is, do not buy thro' these outlets; stick with Jamie's comments and you will be in a safer place should you require help.
I really enjoyed your informative video. I am thinking of getting a YTS 23 OR 275. I am however a little confused; how important is having a F# key on a tenor sax?. If not is it difficult for a beginner to achieve? Thank you John
I got almost a year ago a Henri Selmer Paris SA-80 2nd edition (silver edition). I got an expert to review it and he said it was in good shape, although later on I found that I needed to replace the cork on the neck, and to add some missing corks in the mechanism since the metal kept knocking on the metal. Nevertheless, I love this horn, although the low notes sometimes get messed up. I hope it's because of me and not the horn. I used to play a Conn 16M which I still keep and is in great shape, however, I wanted to upgrade, hence this 2nd hand horn. Another bad experience was that I got a shitty case and decided to buy an original one which was quite expensive, and I would have gotten for free had I bought a new saxophone.
Hi Jamie, itss reaaly helpful to see you videos, im a begginer sax player. Dont have any teacher, just practice everything from your videos. I got a teacher for one month but for me he wasnt good for me, I played one easy song for every lesson in month, so I sad Goodbye . What is the normal lesson plan ? 5-10 minutes practice long tunes, another 10 minutes practic scale, another 10 minutes practis improvising , another 10 minutes ???
Jamie would you go for a yamaha 23 or the 275. Seen at similar price other than the 275 has a crease and small dent/ding. Which would you say is the better option. Thanks for your fantastic videos. Cheers.
Thanks for the vid Jamie. I have a Yammy and had never really known anything about it other than understanding it was a "Student" sax. I bought it over 45 years ago from a sax repair technician when I first took up playing. But it has been sitting in its case for over 30 years unused till I got it out recently to start playing again. Because of this vid I decided to look a bit closer and turns out mine is a YTS 61 #88**. I have no idea if that is good or not but it sounds great to me and is in great working order. As I understand it now these are the first Mass produced sax's and are heavily based on the Selmar MkVI. Sure you know more about them than me though. Thanks for being part of my inspiration and learning. Cheers Martin
@@rauljonatanregalini6736 Google Translate tell me you said "Hello, yes the first, top of the range, the 31 is the simile of the Japanese market but without the carvings of the hood, it was a revolution." What do you mean by "top of the range, the 31 is the simile of the Japanese market "??
@@martintook Hola Martin voy a buscar información para enviarte y traducirlo correctamente, según entiendo el 61 era tope de gama y el 31 (mismo materirales pero versión básica salio solo en Japón) ya que no trae labrados en la campana el apoya pulgar de mano derecha es fijo y metálico. Tratare de buscar el link.
23s are excellent horns. I've still got a YAS23 and a YTS23 as seconders. They are tough, and very bright. The lack of a top F# has never bothered me. The 25 series are pretty good too.
I play a killer yts 23 - made in Japan- had it overhauled! Trouble is im always being told to upgrade ?? To what ... my sax cost me $1500 ( aust ) i gig with it .. its great, not fussed that its not a vintage
Couldn’t agree more. If somebody tells you to upgrade, play them by back to back test with my mark 6 and see if they can tell much difference blindfold.
Hi Jamie, Great video thanks. Your Yamaha is quite an early one perhaps 1970's. Have you tried any of the newer Yamaha 23's or 275 or the like? are they as good as the earlier ones?
Yeah this is a very interesting video ... because I have been driving myself around the bend over the last few months. I want to buy a Tenor to play pub gigs with a guitar based band ... (when we can again). I haven’t bought a sax for many many years ... I play a MK6 alto that I have had forever. So the thing I have found is most new saxes are made in China and although the quality is improving it’s still not up with the French or Japanese. So I keep flip flopping over spending a lot of money for something that is a so called pro sax or less second hand for an intermediate one. But what you have just demonstrated is that for the ordinance I’m likely to play for with the sound set up we will have ... it’s very unlikely anyone will notice the difference. I did buy a cheap £400 SML sax but didn’t like it and sent it back. Seemed to lack something in the mid range. I do want to try a Hanson. But maybe I’ll have a look at the Yamaha too as it will save me a fortune even after the Tech has given it the once over. Brilliant stuff Jamie thanks a lot. Martin
My first teacher told me : don't buy cheap Chinese horns, you'll waste your money, I didn't listen to him. Now I regret , I should have bought a second hand better sax
I bought a Yamaha 32 Tenor from 1990 on OLX, from 1/3 of the price to a new sax , and its a great yorn, better metal and sound a new one But my realy good sax, are the Selmers used on OLX, from 1980, too 2006 realy good from 1/3 price, and more quality meyal too the 2021 ones.
Wow very interesting and great comparison ! I guess it depends if you value the slight difference when played by a good player to 10 times the price ? Never played the Selmer, but the Yamaha is indeed great even for some gigs, if you can play well. The Yamaha sound is very good for the money if you can say so. But at the coffee break, it does sound better when you say "... I play the Selmer ..." 🙂
I'm seriously considering a YTS - 25 tenor from an ex woodwind teacher. I've not been playing long, but I've not got a huge budget. What do you think of this horn?
Hi Jamie, I'm a beginner in the tenor saxophone, in comparison with you of course, and I want to know something I hope you can answer me and help me. I have a Conn Shooting stars from the 60's and I want to change this one for a Conn 20M, or maybe a Yamaha 23, do you think this change it's considerably better for me as beginner? Sounds better one or other? I think the key of F# on the 20M probably can help me to practice the higher scale, or maybe the entonation of the yamaha can help me to up grade my skills. I really appreciate your comments please, I from Mexico and apologize for my bad English. Cheers and great chanel, I subscribe 😎🙌👏👍
Thanks for your comment! I've only played the Yamaha 23 out of the horns you said, so I'm afraid I can't comment. A modern horn MIGHT be easier for a beginner as opposed to a vintage Conn though? Better sound with a Conn though I'd wager!
I would like to hear the comparison with a tradiotional mouthpiece like an Otto link ... The sound is so bright .... That said I totally respect and love yts-23 for what they are. I built my technique on one :)
Thanks Jamie this is good advice. I am thinking of buying a YTS-23 from a music shop here in Israel. They are asking for around $1400 for a vintage YTS-23 which was serviced by them (with 2 year shop warranty) but looks pretty bad cosmetically (peeling lacquer spots). Is this a reasonable deal in your opinion or should I look elsewhere? BTW same shop is trying to sell me a YTS-62 which they claim is 20 years old but looks brand new for around $3000. any advice would be appreciated
Impressively, the Yamaha has a slight bit more presence in character, but a live audience would never tell the difference at a gig. I've been performing since 1966 and owned a great deal of horns. I currently own 5 tenors, 3 altos and a soprano. All, except the Chinese soprano (remarkable copy of a Yani) are vintage horns. Except for my 1960 Buescher Aristocrat Tenor, all of my vintage Ebay horns required pad work. They have all been great sonic and monetary investments - especially, the Buffet SDA tenor, Conn New Wonder tenor; and Buescher Aristocrat tenor and altos. They each have a unique character, that I don't hear in new horns. Ergonomics does not mean that much to me, but I am very fortunate to live near St Louis, where the master repairman at Saxquest skillfully lowered the stock high action of my Conn NW tenor down to a much more modern feel. Sage advice to set aside a bunch of bucks ahead of time for repairs. I bought my 1918 silver Conn for $400 and spent $800 on a complete overhaul - but its a wonderful, big bore horn and one of the best tenors I have ever played. I would never give it up. Thx
Thanks for the comment Mike. I think if I had to put my money on a difference the mark six sounds a little bit brighter and the Yamaha is a little bit more boxy but very minimal difference considering the difference in price.
@@GetYourSaxTogether agreed, I have a VI and an Eastman 52nd St tenor. The VI is just a little better tone wise (at least to my ears) but it doesn’t have the punch of the Eastman. In a recording I prefer playing the VI, in a live performance I love the broader punch of the Eastman. It’s great having these options in very reasonably priced horns.
Hi Jamie! Really like your channel and tips. You have obviously preformed at the very top level and know your saxophone 🎷 stuff!! Do you do sheet music ? 👍👍👍👍😎👏😎👏👏👏👏👏
@@GetYourSaxTogether Good morning Jamie. What I’m asking is that I’m learning tenor sax and one song I have always loved is “ The man your gonna fall in love with “ by Curtis Stigers but I can’t find sheet music for tenor sax anywhere. Would you be able to put it together? Cheers Si
Great video. I was just wondering about whether I may get a cheap sax while I am overseas. Cant take alto and tenor. I had wondered about a cheap Chinese horn. But I had also thought about these Yamahas and you make a very good case. How does it feel under the fingers?
No discernable difference on either. Both sound like you. However if the selmer feels better you'll play more freely, improvise more etc. So the listener gets more
Hi thx for the vid this week, for Christmas im trying to persuade someone to buy me a tenor or bari sax but i dont know which one to ask for, any ideas??
Damn! This video was worth watching just for the hank Mobley solo! I think I’ll lift it from your video first before the original because it’s so clear. P.s I got a made in Japan Vito tenor and read that it’s a Yamaha stencil. Seems to be a good horn, except need to fix the bent octave key. Like you said, budget for repairs. Need to fix my Rhodes too. Now that’s another story... a few broken tines, sticking notes, etc.
I don't think the comparison did the Selmer any favors. I don't think one necessarily sounded better than the other, just very slightly different. As a thought experiment, if you would have switched the audio, would people still have "preferred" the Selmer? However, what the audience hears is not as important as the feeling the player gets behind the horn. The number one criteria should be how much the horn inspires you to play and makes playing fun.
Nice video. To my ears, the difference is there but nothing to get excited about. I'm on my quest for a beginner alto and considering either renting or buying second hand. Honestly, the fact that even you bought a bit of a lemon is giving me pause. I guess as you say, you need to budget for a full overhaul. Anyone recommend a tech in Kent at all? Currently, I don't see any UK YAS 23s at the moment and I don't know if the newer YAS 280s are as well regarded. What do you say?
I haven't played a YAS 280 but I hear they're really good. Don't know any repair people in Kent I'm afraid, maybe google it? You might be lucky and get a perfect one!
You sound "killer" on both and I hear no difference at all, on my earphones. The fact that both horns sound much the same; may owe it to the player's dexterity. Rather than the audience hearing any difference, it would be more pertinent to ask you about how both horns felt. How different were the horns in the way they resisted to you, which one yielded in a pleasurable way, which one did let you get what you wanted out of the horn more easily? Great video! Thumbs up!
wow - hardly could make out any difference. I bought a second hand yamaha and replaced with a good mouthpiece. Have the option to change neck in future. Good enough for me!Thought the Selmer resonates better on the harmonics (2nd, 3rd etc) while the Yamaha dampens them more and preserves the fundamental - suspect it is the characteristics of the alloy used
@@GetYourSaxTogether had a look at the spectral composition - definitely interesting. From that it appears as though you had to work harder on the Yamaha to get the right sound
Can"t here the differents, so its more aboout the players skills and musicality. You"l sond dam"d good on any sax that is o.k (working.) Got a mark 6 from 61 and a yamaha first pro model and the difference sondvice is"t that big. Anyway can you make a video about yousing tritone subs. and maybe some drills ? (maybe you have already done that ? Anyway thanks for you!r great channelOlaf Copenhagen Denmark
Thanks Olaf. Look in my technique playlist on my channel for drills, and the harmony playlist for theory stuff. Can’t remember if I’ve done tritone subs specifically though.
Don't know what you think Jamie, but I have the Yamaha 280 both alto and tenor. Both are made in Indonesia and they are fantastic. Both bought from a local music shop. £500 for the alto almost new and £1100 for the tenor, brand new. (About 4-5 years ago) The shop owner persuaded me to spend a little more on the Yamahas rather than a"cheap" model. He was right . They both play great . I was dubious at first as I knew the reputation of the Japanese models was really good but my Indonesian sales are great. Admittedly I'm just an amateur but I wouldn't be put of by the non Japanese Yamaha saxes. Interested to hear what you think.
Hey! I bought a new Yamaha 62 and I used to play Alto (transitioning). I have no issues with notes except with octave G notes which if I don’t play exactly in a certain position it comes out as a high F. Is this a common issue when changing from Alto to Tenor or could it be an instrument issue?
im looking for an used jamaha tenor saxophone, most of the times they are pretty overpriced, because made in japan and vintage reputation...don't know how worth is to get it 500 eur cheaper than the new one..
My Yamaha YTS 23 seems to work okay for the first two or three songs. Then it gets water logged and I can't reach the high notes. So how do the pros keep from getting too much spit into it? Or is there a problem with the sax?
Help yourself to my free one hour Masterclass! www.getyoursaxtogether.com/masterclass
From all the sax reviewers, I've seen so far, you seem like the most genuine and trustworthy to me.
No BS, no fancy schmancy waffling. A greybeard (well he's shaved...but you get the point) doing the servicing.
Making an explicit point about relatively low wear. Still recommending new saxes for a newbie. Not getting hung up on 'vintage' stuff or 'new saxophone feel'.
Very believable. Caveat emptor remains, of course, but, I am definetely putting you into my list of highest considerations for advice in the future.
Well, I feel very privileged to rank so high in your evaluation! 🙏🏻
@@GetYourSaxTogether Lol, well, you know I"m just a random person to an established teacher.
But to me it's a bit the other way around.
A lot of people wanting in on the action and I gotta decide who to join that.
I've seen flat out pretty women (well singular...) in quasi revealing clothes, showcasing yamaha pricing tier saxes, for example, advertising for a store, and lo and behold, the more expensive the magically she got better.
And even though I enjoy looking at women quite a bit...couldn't help but feel like there was a liiiiiiiiiiiiiiiitttttle bit of bias there.
But if what she said was true, then altissimo and co magically flies out of the thing and becomes part of your body.
But only on the premium model.
I think that’s probably one of the best videos on tube ever. Your frankness, honestly and sense of humour when talking about an unfortunate purchase is uplifting. The section involving the examination by your sax tech was gold. You don’t see much of this and I’m always fascinated when a knowledgeable person looks over an instrument
Thank you ! 🙏🏻
Thanks Jamie. I totally agree with buying and fixing used saxes. Not only can you get unique and awesome sax sounds (my 1930 Transitional Conn alto) but we are saving resources and keeping skilled repaires in jobs. Great video topic as usual.
Thanks Charles!
Nice video, I started out on a Yamaha YTS21 in my teens and two years ago I bought a Mark 7 tenor. I am very happy with both horns now. They are both great and have their own sound (because I use different mouthpiece and reed on both, the difference is quite clear).
Good stuff. 😊
I bought a second hand Trevor James The Horn Alto from a music shop a number of years ago. It's still going strong and I've been very happy with it. Thanks for the video, your repair guy has done an amazing job.
Thanks!
Hey Jamie, First thing, thanks so much for all your great content - it's really helping me learn sax from scratch. I started clarinet in grade school (like you) but that was almost 60 years ago! I play guitar mostly and can read music and understand a lot of music theory. My journey with sax began on a whim just a couple of months ago when I saw a YAS-23 at an 2nd hand shop, asked if there were any problems they were aware of, and the owner pointed out a broken neck screw. I bought it for $200 and ordered a new Yamaha mouthpiece, reeds and a neck screw. I was able to easily remove the broken screw with a dremel and with the help of your website and a few others I was playing. The YAS-23 seemed pretty tight, but I took it to a music shop and had it tuned for $125, some pads replaced and adjustments. I started realizing how much I love saxophone and bought a new Jean Paul TS-400SP silver plated tenor. Your videos and supporting pdfs have helped me a lot and I'm making steady progress. Thanks for sharing your gift with us.
Great comment, thanks. So glad you’re enjoying your sax. 👍🏻
Hi Jamie , I am a learner and bought a YAS 23 alto, secondhand it is in excellent condition and I find it very easy to play.
There you go. Exactly like I said! Fantastic horns. Thanks for watching.
Hey! If you were able to get a YAS-23 in excellent condition, first, congratulations. Second, either, the previous owner didn't play it so much or got a serious overhaul. I also have a YAS-23. It's still a great horn, but it needs a serious overhaul. I just have to keep looking around because in my area (Japan) for the same price of the overhaul, I could get a new YAS-28, which my oldest daughter has, and it's also a great horn. Congratulations!
Considering buying a second-hand as my first alto. It was helpful, Jamie, thank you.
Anytime man.
Well, in April i bought a 1989 Yamaha YTS62 purple logo. It was in optical good condition, but has many leaks and a few damages.
So I got it overhauled for €750,-. Now it is nearly mint and plays fantastic.
I am a beginner and very happy to have that horn as my first.
Tomorrow will be a first lesson at a music school.
Fantastic, good luck with it all!
I would say so!
A big plus 1 from me on Yamaha's quality, I managed to find a YTS 61 which I have as my second tenor,built like a tank and seriously great sounding, I'll have to be honest, I could find little difference in your playtest comparison, but id put that down to you Jamie 😉 great advice to any sax shoppers out there 👏👏
Thanks man! Great comment.
I bought a yts 23 based on this video! Thanks for the advice!
Have fun with it!
Hi Jmie I am a new player and started on a Selmer AS300 in very good condition was on loan by a church member friend and then I bought a almost new AS400 Jean Paul in like new condition from a pro player and then my church member gave me the Selmer as300. Bought 6 or 7 mouthpieces all 3 and 4 size. 1.5 and 2.0 reeds My playing is going very well like I was a natural. Also play Guitar 30+ years and Violin 15+ years keyboards too. Love your videos the most of the few I follow Better sax ok and McGill is ok too. You are the best of the 5 or 6 I follow.
Most kind 🙏
I recently found a used YTS-23 and original case in really good visual condition at a local consignment shop for $360 US - about £300. Stock mouthpiece had a chip so bought a new Yamaha 5C. After a few months of beginner playing, I reached the point to know something was wrong with the horn. Low D would warble, and all the notes up the horn through A were thin and "stuffy." Took it in to a local repair shop, and they immediately identified several problems while I was standing at the counter: leaking pads, loose neck tenon, and several regulation adjustments were needed. About $240 in repairs. So I'm now at around $650 for what seems to be a really good horn.
Jamie's advice is spot on. Don't wait like I did to get a used horn into the shop, especially if you're a beginning player! You'll save yourself a load of confusion sorting out which problems are coming from you and not the horn.
Great advice thanks for sharing Alan 😊
Hi Jamie... really liked your 'Second hand Sax' video! Just bought a 2nd-hand ST90 Series II Keilworth Soprano sax (made in Germany mid-1990s) from a local Brass & Woodwind shop. Paid $AU1200 (approx £600). Their tech did an excellent service on it (£300) and replaced all the pads, and did a major fix-up of the keyworks. Really happy with it... sounds great!
That’s incredible Charles. I actually play a Keilworth soprano sax as well! Might even be that model I can’t remember.
Bought a Yanagisawa T901-II, it's a later model of the T901 and earlier model than the current TW01 plays like a dream got it for around 3,995 local right after it had been serviced.
Perfect! 👌🏻
Hey fella. Great vid and totally agree. Bought a YTS21 for Gleneagles regular gig and simply not having to lug a horn from the car park and through the hotel every time has a culminate effect on reducing hassle 👍
Perfect! Hey do you remember my first tenor? That was a yammy, and I bet you anything it was a 23. Should’ve kept it! Although we used to think it was fun to clash our bells together. *cringe* 😂 That stopped when I got my 6!
@@GetYourSaxTogether Yep. Remember it well. The Brig Inn/Drookit Duck (or it may have still been The Central). Good times 👍
I saw this sax at a pawn shop. I liked it because it was blue and brass. I took it to the Oberlin conservatory in hope that i could get some one to use their mouthpiece and blow it to determine if it was good or needed serviced. However no one was willing to do that. It is a Lazaro
Sweet.
Wow Jamie! This video came in the right time for me! I’m buying a second hand alto sax (I play tenor), and your suggestions are great. The one I’m buying is a 1974 Vito sax. Those saxes were built by Yamaha, so it is actually a YAS-23 but “Vito” branded. A local luthier is overhauling it, so he told me it’s going to be like brand new (except for the lacquer and small scratches that won’t affect sound or intonation). When I get it I’ll let you know how it went. Thanks!
Fantastic! Good luck.
That’s why I bought YAS23 made in Japan, It’s simple and high-quality built instrument. Awesome video Jamie.
Thanks
Just purchased a YTS-23 inspired on your video. Ordering it online I only saw photos and videos from the seller. It's currently being serviced and already have a new Strap, Mouthpiece and Case ready for it.
Fantastic!
Hi
I took a chance earlier this year and bought a second hand Yamaha yas 280
From ebay. Paid £700
All works great :-) I think the trick is research the more you look the better feeling and price aware you become.
If it's to cheap beware
Next year I fancy a Yamaha yas 62 or a yana and I would buy second hand online again.
Cheers
Wise words.
Thanks Jamie! In the play test I could hear a slight difference (but definitely not a 10 X better difference). The Yamaha sounds good, but has a slightly muffled sound compared to the Mark VI. I learned on a Conn alto that I borrowed, then bought a Mark VI, which got stolen a few years later. I bought an Italian made horn (don't remember the brand), which also got stolen 2 years later. (Both incidents are long stories -- over 40+ years ago). 25 years ago I bought a used Amati (1980 model) for $200 in Ukraine (after the collapse of the Soviet Union everyone was selling things to dollars as the local currency was crashing). It needed to be overhauled, but I found a technician who did it for $100. More recently, when visiting the States I rented a YAS-23, which was nice to play, the action was good, but the tone felt a bit muffled compared to my Amati.
Great deals you’ve had!
I honk on a second hand YTS-23 and have to say they are excellent (it's the second one I've owned) . Never drop a saxophone, of course, but a YTS-23 it's even worse because of the "soft" metal. The trade off is that they are lightweight. I am looking to save up for a YTS-62 iii, but I don't have the budget for it, yet. So for now, I am extremely happy with the 23. They are bright sounding horns, so the sound, at least for me is that it slants more Rollins and less Coltrane ( but, also that could be me). Great review! Okay, Jamie even though I am saving up for a 62, I can wait a few seconds more and buy you a hot cuppa! Thanks again for reviewing my model horn so favorably! I knew it was a great horn for the price and until now I never heard anyone come out and say it. Thanks!
Great to see you comment again Stephen. Glad we both agree about the Yamaha 23!
I bought a YTS-475 used. I took it to my tech to have some minor tweaks done to it that I knew about before buying the sax. He had a Mark VI in his shop that was on consignment. He told me my YTS-475 ($800.00) was much easier to play because it was
free-er flowing sax compared to the Mark VI ($5,000.00). I've been very happy with it and wouldn't hesitate to buy another Yamaha used.
There you go. Boom!
Being in nz finding 2nd hand instruments is a little harder as there are not so many around, but I took my time and was lucky enough to come across a mark 6, that had been left behind by someone when they went back to the USA, due to covid. The house owner where it was left didn't know what it was, and I picked it up for.... Nz $250 (about £125!!) changed the mouth piece and checked it for leaks etc but it was all pretty good.... Think I got the bargain of the century!
OMG!!! 😍
Hmmph lucky, I struggled to find anything decent. Until I came upon a Yanagisawa T901-II for 3.995 plays like a dream although it isn't a selmer mark vi 😅
Last night I bought a 1959 Conn director 14m alto. In decent condition. Pads have been replaced recently. I'm brand new to playing the sax. And brand new to music in general. Hope I can learn this.
Good luck!
omg they sound exactly the same!
Right?
Terrific content in all your videos. It is good to see that even a professional can get fooled by a sub standard purchase.
😜
I recently found a model 1914 new wonder Elkhart Conn Alto made in 1921. I found it in an antique shop. Pads and Cork intact ( probably redone at sometime). Silver plating mostly in good condition. No leaks or holes. Took it home for $225 and it plays like a dream! Nice vintage horn! Not the finest horn Conn made back the day, but this one seems to be exceptionally good for the series one new wonder model.
Very nice! Enjoy the horn
For anyone with a limited budget looking to upgrade from their beginner level Chinese sax, I always recommend a used Yamaha (any model from the 21 upwards) if they can find one as well as telling them to expect to have it either fully serviced if the majority of the pads are good, or if most of the pads are shot, to factor in the cost of a full overhaul and to justify it as fairly often that and the cost of the used sax is often way below the cost of a brand new one. New or used, I haven't seen a duff Yamaha yet and I've been repairing for over 30 years.
It's getting people to understand the difference between the PURCHASE PRICE and the VALUE which some people have trouble with - the usual argument being "I can buy this brand new student model for more than this used pro level model" when they're not really upgrading, only they seem to think spending more for a shiny new lower level model is better, just because it happens to be new and costs more than a used one including the cost of a full overhaul. Also a fully overhauled sax will have far more time and effort spent on it than a brand new one that had much less bench time when being finished and only passed quality control, when one that's been fully overhauled SHOULD have been done more thoroughly and correcting all the faults that were overlooked when it was originally finished at the factory so it could pass quality control and get shipped out.
Another thing some people are hung up over the purchase price is they seem to think that limits how much they're prepared to spend on any repair work, thinking as they only spent X amount means it's only worth X amount and they then in their minds can't justify spending XX amount on a full overhaul as it only cost them X amount without understanding the value of what they have exceeds the purchase price. I had someone moan that the price I was charging for a service was 10% of the cost of their Yanagisawa. If I based the price of a service as 10% the purchase price of a sax that was bought for a couple of hundred, then the cost of parts alone would exceed the cost of a service going solely by that misguided reckoning.
Yamaha's quality control and finishing on their saxes is definitely far better than the other big name makes and even the fit and finish on their 20/200 series puts many pro level saxes from the other big name companies to shame. There have been some problems more recently with the stainless steel used for their rod screws rusting which I can only assume is where they source their stainless steel from which could be a problem going right back to the foundry. I haven't seen this on older Yamahas (from the '70s through to the mid '90s), but have seen some rust on the small (2mm) diameter rod screws (rollers, crook key and tilting low Bb spatula) on some saxes from the '90s onwards.
What an amazing comment/article!! Thank you so much for that wisdom from the frontline. 🙏🏻
Thanks for your videos Jaimi, there is not so much difference in sound (surely your merit) I have a yamaha 23 high used since 92, I played again 5 years ago and 2 years ago I passed the tenor with a Buescher destroyed in appearance but that sounds (for me) Very good, now that I decided to move forward so I bought a Yamaha tenor 31 which is a gem, easier to emit the sound and powerful, the defect is that it is heavier and I have to be taking care of it more. Big hug from Bs As.
Thanks for that great comment!
My first horn was a YAS-23 Yamaha alto from a pawn shop. The pads looked good but some were out of alignment, making it play out of tune. Not knowing any better I palmed it off on someone else. Now I play vintage Martins and Kings off eBay, which all needed work, some damage happened during shipping. If you buy off eBay MAKE SURE they have a neck plug, or the octave mechanism will be messed up when you receive the horn. Your Yami sounded great, as did the Mark VI. The player and the mouthpiece affect the sound a lot.
Thanks for the comment Fred. I agree about the end plug, although the octave mechanism on those Yamaha horns doesn’t stick out very much which is good.
Really good advice Jamie. The horn sounds terrific! I hope your gig will start again soon.
Thanks bob!
I personally could not tell the difference. I took a gamble and bought a secondhand Yamaha student sax from e bay as I am a beginner/Intermediate and could not afford a Selmer or any pro sax. , I am very happy with it. Plays the low notes well.
Brilliant!
For the money, it's the YTS-23 all day every day. Love the Mk6 but the prices are now out of control. I had a 62 and sold it because it was TOO close to the sound of my 23. And I have a 1951 Buescher 156 that gets at least equal play time. I love your enthusiasm and excitement! It is contagious sir!
👍 Thanks
Hi there. Thanks for the video. I was really lucky with my YTS-23. I’ve bought it about a year ago, but i spent a lot of time (months) finding one that matches my expectations and budget. I still consider myself a beginner/intermediate player but this is my third sax so i had some ideas what to look out for. So after a loads of research I went on e-bay and found one which as the seller described it it was some kind of inheritance and it wasn’t played for nearly a year and as he said the mouthpiece that comes with (Otto Link) might need a replacement (as I’ve seen the pictures of it I would have thought so too). After a lot of discussion we made a deal and a few days later I’ve received my YTS-23 for £400 and I had a chance to have a closer look on the mouthpiece as well. That was the time when I realised that the seller probably didn’t really know what value he has given up on for a few hundred quids. The mouthpiece did have some discolouration which is perfectly fine given that how vintage it is. After a bit of cleaning and disinfecting and getting it looked at turned out that now I have perfectly good condition Early Babbit Otto Link Tone Edge 8* whit it’s original facing and nicely flat table which i found amazing to play and i just simply love it. On the sax luckily I did not have to get any major repair done except few little tweaks on some of the low keys as they were bent a tiny bit due to posting probably but it looked like it had an overhaul in the last few years. I have never tried any high end professional saxophone and I know that this was called a student sax back in time but i have to tell this is amazingly free blowing and really fun to play.
Wow. What a story. It’s like when you hear people who buy an old sax from someone’s loft for £200 and it turns out to be a mark six!
I've had a YAS-23 for over 15 years and just started to play it again. Made in Japan and it's in mint condition not even a scratch. I feel so honored to have kept this tucked away and now I treat it like a baby. It's good to know I should never need to get another sax since this one from what I've heard is quaity :) The 4c mouth piece could be upgraded maybe a new ligature? any suggestions? I know nothing.
Nothing wrong with that set up for a beginner!
Musician's Repair Service Akron is one of the best places to get a used sax imo. I just got one from them on Friday actually. I live near Sirvalorsax and he is also having them look for a bari for him I guess. They're cheap and give you a 1 year warranty on it. I just got a "Cleveland" King Super 20 bari. It's from 1959 and it has some wear, but nothing majorly wrong with it. Has the original silver neck (but someone lacquered over it like a goon lol). I didn't play it ahead of time (bc of COVID) but I know about the mechanics of a sax so I just visually gave it a go over. This is the third day I've had it so I'm going to finally play test today. Saw some minor stuff when looking it over close at home that I'll have them fix for free on Monday (mostly just want some old bits of cork replaced with synthetic cork). The pads he used on the horn are really cool. They have resonators that aren't domed, but conical--and sharp enough to cut myself on lol. Got a Berg Larsen (105/2 SMS) mouthpiece to play on it, and a Legere Signature (they don't make the American Cut in bari yet. Wanted to try one). Best advice I can give bc I've bought about half a dozen used horns at this point: learn the mechanics of the horn so you can spot problems, and repairs before playing it. Second best advice is: check pawn shops. I got a Selmer AS600 (alto) from a local pawn shop for $330 that was in mint condition, also found a great playing Bundy I alto at a pawn for $189 with a really nice aftermarket case and all it needed fixed was the one of the posts that protect the octave mechanism was bent and touching it (5 seconds with some cloth-wrapped needle nose plyers). Hope any of this was helpful. Love all the videos Jamie, after learning altissimo from your one video you made I am already up to double G#. Having all these extra notes is so much fun. Cheers!
Thanks man! Great and informative comment. 👍🏻
You sound great on both !
Thank you so much!
You can definitely tell there is a difference but no way it’s a £5000 difference ... my first Sax that I am using was from Amazon via gear4you and cost me £430, it didn’t need any rework for it and lucky too ! Keep it up and look forward to the next video too !
It’s mostly about the player I think. Thanks for watching!
Half a dozen years ago I owned both a YTS-21 and a Mark VI. I preferred the 21, and sold the Six. The 21 was stolen. I replaced it with a new-old-stock Japanese Vito, which was made from the same parts as a 23, in the same factory. The pads were soft and were installed with tiny dots of hot-melt glue. Not good. The octave lever was badly manufactured, and it required difficult bending. Many hours of DIY repair later, it plays great and still looks new.
👍🏻
I absolutely love my YTS-23. I recently was able to try a Selmer Reference Tenor and surprisingly I prefer the ergos and response of my YTS over a 10 grand tenor. I guess the best sax you can buy is the one you already have.
👍
That MK VI sounds GREAT. The YTS 23 is not bad. Your vid. other than making your point reinforces how great the MK Vi is. Anyway I'm John who makes Reso-Tech resonators. You've probably heard of them. Let me know if you ever want to try out a set. They will blow your mind! for real. Love ..Hank Mobley .
Contact me at info@getyoursaxtogether.com
Yeah Jamie, swinging hard on Hank’s blues without a rhythm 🥁 section 👍🏾
Hey Tony! Nice to see a familiar name in the comments for a change! How’s it going in the zombie apocalypse bro? Thanks for watching man! 🙏🏻
Awesome! I hear no difference at all. Thank you for Great Review! Found lots of YTS on Reverb.
You're welcome
Hi like the your playing....these are one of my favourite horns...i got a tenor for sale...
Best pound for pound sax...still..
First sax i play in the 80ts....
Nice one Peter!
All the saxes are vintage I buy . Bought a second hand Mauriatt that sounds and plays great .
Awesome job. Makes sense.
Very helpful Jamie, also I use Geoff to service my tenor he is brilliant 👍
Aha! The local connection!
I thought both saxes were identical in sound, the Selmer maybe a tad darker in tone while the Yamaha slightly brighter. The old Yamaha saxophones are really good value second hand market as they were made in Japan, now they are made in Indonesia where IMO the quality isn't as good.
Thanks for the comment. 👍🏻
Jamie. Ive done every thing you have said do not do. Although my Yanagisawa 992 Tenor is not the issue it was bought second-hand some 7yrs ago through a London music store. As I was/am an amateur my tutor at the time, was on hand which was helpful. However, I have since move to Cornwall and wanted to buy a second -hand Alto saxophone and made a purchase just as Covid19 hit us. Thro' the internet and purchased a Alto WO37 Silver Yanagisawa, Stamped Silver Made in Japan, from China for around £250. I know they sell in the UK for in excess of £2000.
On inspection the quality of the finish does not match that of my Tenor. The strap mount is bent the mouth piece I'm sure is not ebonite, there is no stop-end, is it silver? Is it a knock off? but for £250!!! On the plus side the case is substantial and although my tutor has only heard me play it via Skype, says it sounds in tune (but cannot wait to get his hands on it) My advice to others is, do not buy thro' these outlets; stick with Jamie's comments and you will be in a safer place should you require help.
Well, I can’t say, but maybe you got a bargain and if you fix it up it’ll be ok? 🤞🏻
I really enjoyed your informative video. I am thinking of getting a YTS 23 OR 275. I am however a little confused; how important is having a F# key on a tenor sax?. If not is it difficult for a beginner to achieve? Thank you John
Not that important john, don’t worry about a high F# key.
Compre un yamaha yts 23 y si necesita un ajuste para que quede como el de usted
Grecia por compartir
Saludos
👍🏻
I got almost a year ago a Henri Selmer Paris SA-80 2nd edition (silver edition). I got an expert to review it and he said it was in good shape, although later on I found that I needed to replace the cork on the neck, and to add some missing corks in the mechanism since the metal kept knocking on the metal. Nevertheless, I love this horn, although the low notes sometimes get messed up. I hope it's because of me and not the horn. I used to play a Conn 16M which I still keep and is in great shape, however, I wanted to upgrade, hence this 2nd hand horn. Another bad experience was that I got a shitty case and decided to buy an original one which was quite expensive, and I would have gotten for free had I bought a new saxophone.
Great comment, thanks!
Hi Jamie, itss reaaly helpful to see you videos, im a begginer sax player. Dont have any teacher, just practice everything from your videos. I got a teacher for one month but for me he wasnt good for me, I played one easy song for every lesson in month, so I sad Goodbye . What is the normal lesson plan ? 5-10 minutes practice long tunes, another 10 minutes practic scale, another 10 minutes practis improvising , another 10 minutes ???
Go and check out my masterclass here www.getyoursaxtogether.com/masterclass and this video ua-cam.com/video/GqQZHfvCEfs/v-deo.html
Jamie would you go for a yamaha 23 or the 275. Seen at similar price other than the 275 has a crease and small dent/ding. Which would you say is the better option. Thanks for your fantastic videos. Cheers.
Not sure. I haven’t played a 275!
Wow, how you play like dat!
The Yamaha sounds really good but that Selmer sings.
Thanks again Jamie.
Thanks Pat!
Hi Jamie the Yamaha does not sound bad at all.
I know, right?
Thanks for the vid Jamie. I have a Yammy and had never really known anything about it other than understanding it was a "Student" sax. I bought it over 45 years ago from a sax repair technician when I first took up playing. But it has been sitting in its case for over 30 years unused till I got it out recently to start playing again. Because of this vid I decided to look a bit closer and turns out mine is a YTS 61 #88**. I have no idea if that is good or not but it sounds great to me and is in great working order. As I understand it now these are the first Mass produced sax's and are heavily based on the Selmar MkVI. Sure you know more about them than me though. Thanks for being part of my inspiration and learning.
Cheers
Martin
Hola, sí el el primero, tope de gama, el 31es el simil del mercado japones pero sin los labrados de la campana, fue toda una revolución.
@@rauljonatanregalini6736 Google Translate tell me you said "Hello, yes the first, top of the range, the 31 is the simile of the Japanese market but without the carvings of the hood, it was a revolution."
What do you mean by "top of the range, the 31 is the simile of the Japanese market "??
@@martintook Hola Martin voy a buscar información para enviarte y traducirlo correctamente, según entiendo el 61 era tope de gama y el 31 (mismo materirales pero versión básica salio solo en Japón) ya que no trae labrados en la campana el apoya pulgar de mano derecha es fijo y metálico. Tratare de buscar el link.
@@martintook look these links cafesaxophone.com/threads/yts-32-differences.13684/ www.saxontheweb.net/threads/yamaha-model-history.120105/
I reckon you’ve probably got a great horn there man!
23s are excellent horns. I've still got a YAS23 and a YTS23 as seconders. They are tough, and very bright. The lack of a top F# has never bothered me. The 25 series are pretty good too.
Agreed.
What's the difference between 23 and 25?
@@niasboiii The 25 series had some pro additions, lke the high F#, but still a quality Japanese made horn.
I play a killer yts 23 - made in Japan- had it overhauled! Trouble is im always being told to upgrade ?? To what ... my sax cost me $1500 ( aust ) i gig with it .. its great, not fussed that its not a vintage
Couldn’t agree more. If somebody tells you to upgrade, play them by back to back test with my mark 6 and see if they can tell much difference blindfold.
couple of month ago, i bought myself a YAS25, in pristine condition... playing sax since 21Juli 2020
Nice one. 👍🏻
Hi Jamie, Great video thanks. Your Yamaha is quite an early one perhaps 1970's. Have you tried any of the newer Yamaha 23's or 275 or the like? are they as good as the earlier ones?
Unfortunately not
Yeah this is a very interesting video ... because I have been driving myself around the bend over the last few months. I want to buy a Tenor to play pub gigs with a guitar based band ... (when we can again). I haven’t bought a sax for many many years ... I play a MK6 alto that I have had forever.
So the thing I have found is most new saxes are made in China and although the quality is improving it’s still not up with the French or Japanese. So I keep flip flopping over spending a lot of money for something that is a so called pro sax or less second hand for an intermediate one. But what you have just demonstrated is that for the ordinance I’m likely to play for with the sound set up we will have ... it’s very unlikely anyone will notice the difference.
I did buy a cheap £400 SML sax but didn’t like it and sent it back. Seemed to lack something in the mid range. I do want to try a Hanson. But maybe I’ll have a look at the Yamaha too as it will save me a fortune even after the Tech has given it the once over. Brilliant stuff Jamie thanks a lot.
Martin
Anytime Martin. Remember it’s 99% player, 1% sax!!
I’m looking to buy a g cannonball vr, but don’t want to pay the retail of $4,000, would it be reasonable to buy secondhand then?
Sure thing. As long as you get it checked it over.
whats the difference between YAS and YTS? Got my YTS for £250 plus yam leather hard case and spare mouth piece.
YAS is alto and yts is tenor. 👍🏻
Really helpful video, thank you!
Glad it was helpful!
My first teacher told me : don't buy cheap Chinese horns, you'll waste your money, I didn't listen to him. Now I regret , I should have bought a second hand better sax
Never mind!
I bought a Yamaha 32 Tenor from 1990 on OLX, from 1/3 of the price to a new sax , and its a great yorn, better metal and sound a new one
But my realy good sax, are the Selmers used on OLX, from 1980, too 2006 realy good from 1/3 price, and more quality meyal too the 2021 ones.
Great comment, thanks.
Wow very interesting and great comparison ! I guess it depends if you value the slight difference when played by a good player to 10 times the price ? Never played the Selmer, but the Yamaha is indeed great even for some gigs, if you can play well. The Yamaha sound is very good for the money if you can say so. But at the coffee break, it does sound better when you say "... I play the Selmer ..." 🙂
😎
I'm seriously considering a YTS - 25 tenor from an ex woodwind teacher. I've not been playing long, but I've not got a huge budget. What do you think of this horn?
I've never tried a 25?
Hi Jamie, I'm a beginner in the tenor saxophone, in comparison with you of course, and I want to know something I hope you can answer me and help me. I have a Conn Shooting stars from the 60's and I want to change this one for a Conn 20M, or maybe a Yamaha 23, do you think this change it's considerably better for me as beginner? Sounds better one or other? I think the key of F# on the 20M probably can help me to practice the higher scale, or maybe the entonation of the yamaha can help me to up grade my skills.
I really appreciate your comments please, I from Mexico and apologize for my bad English.
Cheers and great chanel, I subscribe 😎🙌👏👍
Thanks for your comment! I've only played the Yamaha 23 out of the horns you said, so I'm afraid I can't comment. A modern horn MIGHT be easier for a beginner as opposed to a vintage Conn though? Better sound with a Conn though I'd wager!
@@GetYourSaxTogether I appreciate you answer me, excellent channel and content, cheers from Mexico. 👏🍻😎🙌👌
@@miguelangelbautista6021 thanks man! Have fun.
I would like to hear the comparison with a tradiotional mouthpiece like an Otto link ... The sound is so bright .... That said I totally respect and love yts-23 for what they are. I built my technique on one :)
Em...that IS an Ottolink?
@@GetYourSaxTogether wow. Very bright sound for an OL. Great ... Thanks man.
@@jazzyjack8068 👍🏻
Thanks Jamie this is good advice. I am thinking of buying a YTS-23 from a music shop here in Israel. They are asking for around $1400 for a vintage YTS-23 which was serviced by them (with 2 year shop warranty) but looks pretty bad cosmetically (peeling lacquer spots). Is this a reasonable deal in your opinion or should I look elsewhere? BTW same shop is trying to sell me a YTS-62 which they claim is 20 years old but looks brand new for around $3000. any advice would be appreciated
Impossible for me to day without seeing it I’m afraid. Cosmetic doesn’t always mean bad or nobody would buy a mark VI!
Impressively, the Yamaha has a slight bit more presence in character, but a live audience would never tell the difference at a gig. I've been performing since 1966 and owned a great deal of horns. I currently own 5 tenors, 3 altos and a soprano. All, except the Chinese soprano (remarkable copy of a Yani) are vintage horns. Except for my 1960 Buescher Aristocrat Tenor, all of my vintage Ebay horns required pad work. They have all been great sonic and monetary investments - especially, the Buffet SDA tenor, Conn New Wonder tenor; and Buescher Aristocrat tenor and altos. They each have a unique character, that I don't hear in new horns. Ergonomics does not mean that much to me, but I am very fortunate to live near St Louis, where the master repairman at Saxquest skillfully lowered the stock high action of my Conn NW tenor down to a much more modern feel. Sage advice to set aside a bunch of bucks ahead of time for repairs. I bought my 1918 silver Conn for $400 and spent $800 on a complete overhaul - but its a wonderful, big bore horn and one of the best tenors I have ever played. I would never give it up. Thx
👍
Very minor differences, the VI is a little richer in harmonics. But that 23 is tight and focused, it would be great for a pop/rock/funk gig!
Thanks for the comment Mike. I think if I had to put my money on a difference the mark six sounds a little bit brighter and the Yamaha is a little bit more boxy but very minimal difference considering the difference in price.
@@GetYourSaxTogether agreed, I have a VI and an Eastman 52nd St tenor. The VI is just a little better tone wise (at least to my ears) but it doesn’t have the punch of the Eastman. In a recording I prefer playing the VI, in a live performance I love the broader punch of the Eastman. It’s great having these options in very reasonably priced horns.
@@Rockplayer01 yeh, true.
Hi Jamie! Really like your channel and tips. You have obviously preformed at the very top level and know your saxophone 🎷 stuff!!
Do you do sheet music ?
👍👍👍👍😎👏😎👏👏👏👏👏
Hi! Not exactly sure by what you mean when you say do I do sheet music? I certainly read music and I write music. Is that what you mean?
@@GetYourSaxTogether Good morning Jamie. What I’m asking is that I’m learning tenor sax and one song I have always loved is “ The man your gonna fall in love with “ by Curtis Stigers but I can’t find sheet music for tenor sax anywhere. Would you be able to put it together?
Cheers Si
@@sisax6432 I could do that easily, but I’d have to charge it at my hourly rate and it would probably cost quite a bit just for a bit of music!
@@GetYourSaxTogether Morning Jamie . Please can you let me know how much that would cost then for the tenor version ? Thanks Si
@@sisax6432 drop me an email on info@getyoursaxtogether.com thanks.
i play the YTS 32 purple logo. its my prefered purple variant. love it.
and i do all my own repairs.
Nice. Great sax.
Great video. I was just wondering about whether I may get a cheap sax while I am overseas. Cant take alto and tenor. I had wondered about a cheap Chinese horn. But I had also thought about these Yamahas and you make a very good case. How does it feel under the fingers?
Yamaha's build quality is very good
I just both YTS 275 made in Japan. Do you think it is as good as its predecessor YTS-23?
I don't know. Whatever works for you
No discernable difference on either. Both sound like you. However if the selmer feels better you'll play more freely, improvise more etc. So the listener gets more
Exactly. Great point.
Hi thx for the vid this week, for Christmas im trying to persuade someone to buy me a tenor or bari sax but i dont know which one to ask for, any ideas??
Selmer Mark 6 if you’re loaded, Jean Paul if you’re not!
Damn! This video was worth watching just for the hank Mobley solo! I think I’ll lift it from your video first before the original because it’s so clear.
P.s I got a made in Japan Vito tenor and read that it’s a Yamaha stencil. Seems to be a good horn, except need to fix the bent octave key. Like you said, budget for repairs. Need to fix my Rhodes too. Now that’s another story... a few broken tines, sticking notes, etc.
80s Vitos were made in the Yamaha factory and are often overlooked. Just got a student a Vito flute, it's identical to a 211 but half the price!
@@marktyler3381 nice to know about the flute too. I recently got a Yamaha 211 for a song.
Thanks man!
I don't think the comparison did the Selmer any favors. I don't think one necessarily sounded better than the other, just very slightly different.
As a thought experiment, if you would have switched the audio, would people still have "preferred" the Selmer?
However, what the audience hears is not as important as the feeling the player gets behind the horn. The number one criteria should be how much the horn inspires you to play and makes playing fun.
👍
The Yamaha sounds great, but the MK V1 sounds better. (Had to listen carefully though). Your playing is awesome, fantastic sound on both. Thanks Jamie
Thanks Phil!
Does the Yamaha sound slightly brighter? They are really similar...
I kinda thought it was darker! 😂
@@GetYourSaxTogether See, really hard to tell the difference!
Ripping on both, good strategy!
Thanks 🙏🏻
Nice video. To my ears, the difference is there but nothing to get excited about.
I'm on my quest for a beginner alto and considering either renting or buying second hand. Honestly, the fact that even you bought a bit of a lemon is giving me pause. I guess as you say, you need to budget for a full overhaul. Anyone recommend a tech in Kent at all?
Currently, I don't see any UK YAS 23s at the moment and I don't know if the newer YAS 280s are as well regarded. What do you say?
I haven't played a YAS 280 but I hear they're really good. Don't know any repair people in Kent I'm afraid, maybe google it? You might be lucky and get a perfect one!
@@GetYourSaxTogether Thanks Jamie. I have decided to rent one to start with as I might give up or move onto tenor in the future ;-)
@@wooster7571 perfect.
You sound "killer" on both and I hear no difference at all, on my earphones. The fact that both horns sound much the same; may owe it to the player's dexterity. Rather than the audience hearing any difference, it would be more pertinent to ask you about how both horns felt. How different were the horns in the way they resisted to you, which one yielded in a pleasurable way, which one did let you get what you wanted out of the horn more easily? Great video! Thumbs up!
Yeh, that IS the point. I much prefer my mk VI.
Jamie, how do you feel about the Selmer Bundy II?
Haven't tried one I'm afraid.
wow - hardly could make out any difference. I bought a second hand yamaha and replaced with a good mouthpiece. Have the option to change neck in future. Good enough for me!Thought the Selmer resonates better on the harmonics (2nd, 3rd etc) while the Yamaha dampens them more and preserves the fundamental - suspect it is the characteristics of the alloy used
Interesting thought!
@@GetYourSaxTogether had a look at the spectral composition - definitely interesting. From that it appears as though you had to work harder on the Yamaha to get the right sound
@@rameshrao3792 Doesn’t feel that way, but maybe you’re right.
Thanks and really worth to watch...
Thanks!
Can"t here the differents, so its more aboout the players skills and musicality. You"l sond dam"d good on any sax that is o.k (working.) Got a mark 6 from 61 and a yamaha first pro model and the difference sondvice is"t that big. Anyway can you make a video about yousing tritone subs. and maybe some drills ? (maybe you have already done that ? Anyway
thanks for you!r great channelOlaf Copenhagen Denmark
Thanks Olaf. Look in my technique playlist on my channel for drills, and the harmony playlist for theory stuff. Can’t remember if I’ve done tritone subs specifically though.
Yes
😊
how do you compare it with the new yts-26?
Don’t know. Haven’t played one!
Don't know what you think Jamie, but I have the Yamaha 280 both alto and tenor. Both are made in Indonesia and they are fantastic. Both bought from a local music shop. £500 for the alto almost new and £1100 for the tenor, brand new. (About 4-5 years ago)
The shop owner persuaded me to spend a little more on the Yamahas rather than a"cheap" model. He was right . They both play great . I was dubious at first as I knew the reputation of the Japanese models was really good but my Indonesian sales are great. Admittedly I'm just an amateur but I wouldn't be put of by the non Japanese Yamaha saxes.
Interested to hear what you think.
I’ve never tried one but I’ll take your word for it!
Hey! I bought a new Yamaha 62 and I used to play Alto (transitioning). I have no issues with notes except with octave G notes which if I don’t play exactly in a certain position it comes out as a high F. Is this a common issue when changing from Alto to Tenor or could it be an instrument issue?
I’ve never heard of that before? Maybe get your instrument checked out! High F isn’t even an overtone of G.
Maybe try a harder reed. Had a similar problem with my Boucet.
The solution was to get a slightly harder reed.
@@GetYourSaxTogether I had it checked and they said it didn’t have any issues. I’ll get a second opinion on this. Thanks
@@deryetifernweg3653 thanks! I’ll try this out 👍🏽
im looking for an used jamaha tenor saxophone, most of the times they are pretty overpriced, because made in japan and vintage reputation...don't know how worth is to get it 500 eur cheaper than the new one..
Good question! They’re both good is the answer I think.
My Yamaha YTS 23 seems to work okay for the first two or three songs. Then it gets water logged and I can't reach the high notes. So how do the pros keep from getting too much spit into it? Or is there a problem with the sax?
Probably no problem with your sax, try blowing a bit harder to clear it.
Greàt video good advice
Cool, thanks. 👍🏻