90% if the time I agree but I witnessed a great tenor player sound terrible. He'd had just bought the black laquer Yani and it sounded tinny compared to his Mark VI. It was a long night when he brought the Yani instead of the six to the gig.
While the tone on a well-made student instrument can be surprisingly good, it's often forgotten that where pro instruments really make their value felt is in things like ergonomics, key fit, build quality, quality of materials, etc. Those things are usually appreciated over long periods of time.
Yeah, my local service center told me that they don't service the cheap, no-brand Chinese saxophones, since the material quality is poor and there's a high chance something will break.
Not skipping ahead but imo #1 is a bit richer and has a little more character, but honestly the difference is so minute. I think the real takeaway is you're a damn good tenor player
I thought they both sounded pretty much the same in the higher register but #2 more defined in lower register. This makes my wallet very happy. listened to heaps of different comparisons and always liked the student one more :)
I knew #1 was the pro model particularly on the low notes. There’s more juice to those notes and they’re a bit more crisp. I’ve played and experienced this when I played 2 different baritone saxes. My main Baritone was a higher end model and the substitute not even close. My volume suffered a lot which is a big deal on a baritone sax. Same mouthpiece. There were other differences but that lower end model sounded more muffled.
I couldn't care less about the "tone" - your body, the reed, mouthpiece, ligature and neck are responsible for >95% of it. Which one was easier to keep in tune? How did each of them feel under your hands? Are the ergonomics on the 62 better? Will any of them get me closer to the raw speed and virtuosity of our lord and saviour Kenny G?
I liked #1, and as soon as #2 sounded, it sounded tinty, there was more body, richness, and soul in #1. To me the difference was immediate. Is it worth the price difference, I ain't gonna speak on that.
This is the same as what I heard. More bite to the lower register and really didn’t focus on the higher notes for the pro model but you could still hear it.
I got it right, and one of the main reasons is because on both the higher and lower registers, it was louder on #2 which could mean it's harder to get high notes out and needed more air to get out well, which I definitely find to be the case on student instruments so I guessed #2 was the YTS-23
I prefered the YTS-23 ... I'm baffled, I thought it was the other way around, the sound trough my studio monitors is very close ... I'm sure the feel will be different though
I was definitely fooled. I thought #1 had more sizzle, #2 darker. Both great, obviously. The Yamaha 23 series is so solid, everyone should have a few around just in case!
Yamaha horns are made extraordinarily well. Honestly, if you're a quality player and have a good mouthpiece and reed, then the average listener would not know the difference and in the end thats all that matters.
Bottom line is ur a great player overall. You don't need a professional horn to sound good. I thought that number 2 was the professional until I was proven wrong. Great job man! I love where you traded 8's it sounded good!
I am just learning and I read sheet music and until I can get to the point of reading sheet music and be able to play any song after a few practices I feel a student model is just fine for me. I have so many song books my place looks like a song book store everywhere I turn in my chair there is a song book on my keyboard on the keys laid out on the board on the book rack of the keyboard on my computer desk on printer two music stands not one but clip on lights holding book open on the other. I did not hear the difference between the two horns but then again look at who is playing them a pro sax player who can most likely tie a string as a ligature and make the sax sound great. One of my song books is "techniques of the saxophone" volume 1. It has all the chords of all the notes up and down and I can play any page fluently and now I know three easy by memory. Thanks Dave. Pete
While the sound of the two is pretty close, there are other things to consider between a student model and a pro model. The 'feel' of the Mark VI in your hands is undeniable. That is, the key work has a very solid feel an that translates into an ergonomic interface with your hands. Secondly, there's something about the way a pro horn (not all but many) 'speak'. That is the horn's ability to immediately and with little effort, produce sound. You some cheaper horns take considerable effort to 'initiate' the sound (of course the mouthpiece/reed setup effects this but when comparing apples to apples), the play-ability can be significant. A better player like Pollack can overcome the limitations much easier, but most quality instruments of any type (trumpet, piano, sax etc.), the 'feel' is where the pro instrument starts to show its stuff. Cheers to all who make music!
Funny, I've done blind ABing between YAS 61 and a YAS 23 and it was much easier to tell the difference there than with the tenors. I was having a hard time telling when you switched without looking
I could tell the difference, especially in the low register, but really, in every register, the student horn is just thinner sounding. Great Vid! Thanks!
I have strong opinion about this kinda of stuff. I don't wanna trigger the sax community- but honestly the best horn is the one that you own. I've heard great players play on sewage plumbing and they all say the same thing to me when I ask, "I just like how it feels". I think that's all that really matters in the end.
@@DavePollack wow really? all I see them posted for is $600-700 when they're beat up and then up to $900-$1000 for better conditions and possibly upgraded mouthpieces.
I liked the pro horn (just going from the "blind" test). That horn had a little more bite to the sound. I wouldn't necessarily say it was "Better" but it was more of a sound I gravitate towards.
I did pick right, but definitely started wondering as it went on. Very little, if any difference in sound at all. I will say, as someone who did jump from a YAS280 to a YTS82Z, that it does feel different (not just alto to tenor) to play, particularly the ergonomics. Was it worth the $5k difference? Don't know about that. But in the end, I guess it comes down to what it's worth to you
They both sounded good on the low end but when you started getting mid range and higher the 62 sounded more full to me, but I am just getting started back taking lessons. My sax falls right in between I have a YTS 52.
I thought #1 sounded more open in your upper register and richer in the lower register. Nice work on both horns and agree with prior comments re: build quality and personal preference. Always great to know you can buy a Yammy at whatever level and it will sound great.
i own the YTS 23 and paid only $ 450 for it . As a former professional saxophonist i say there is no difference in the sound . However. its the Player not the horn that sounds difference . I use a Runyon Mouthpiece and a # 2 Fiber Cell Reed and its a very bright sound . bobby G..
Ok i was really worried that in the end i would had not reconize the Student one from the professional one cause they were very similar, but i did. The interesting point is that the difference beetween each one is very thin and that's because most of the work is done by the player. You can probably hear the differences better only if you hear someone playing live, professional Horns are more powerful and keep the harmonics better, but with a mic on this difference is flattened; still, in the end i think the player is the most important thing; i've played live with people who had a YAS-62 and my YAS-25 still sounded much better and much more powerful, so just stop buying and start practice more often.
After reviewing the comments below, I am not embarrassed to say that I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference! I'm assuming you are using the same mouthpiece and reed to play both to get the similar sound.
I'm a tenor sax jazz player and I preferred horn #2. There's no way for me to know if it was more difficult for you to finger, but there were nuances that my ear preferred. I play a horn from China and it sounds great. My gripe is with reed inconsistency. By the way, your playing is great!
Well, as someone with a yts-23 and have played an 82z, the difference isn’t in tone, it’s in ease of play and consistency, I can’t physically hit alitissimo g or f# but I can hit every other alitissimo note up to triple g, whereas on the 82 I can hit altissimo g effortlessly, not only that the low notes are easier to push out as well.
The question then becomes "is the setup on both horns equally good." Normally, expensive "pro" horns are cared for well and kept in great playing condition. Student instruments...less so, but if the same care is taken they can often be real giant killers.
Got #1 right in the first take. Sound wise rather minimal difference. But the main differences between pro and student horns is how long they stay adjusted. All the student horns I played the last 40 years had rather weak material for the mechanics and went out of adjustment rather quick. I’m talking of months compared to years.
It sound better for me too. However I was not playing it. What the player feel could be completly different. Recently I played on my former sax (low cost brand) and it plays well. But once I re-played the same stuff on my Selmer Mark VII it was like night and day for ME as a player. What was the feeling of the player for that trial ?
Hey Dave! I thought number one sounded the best but it was very close. My belief is that you can have the greatest Sax equipment in the world but if you don’t sound good as a player, none of that matters. 😄🎷👍
Interesting video and great playing! As you know, there are all sorts of reasons we pick the horn(s) we play, so this is a useful argument, but so much of it comes down to personal preference and perception. Many years ago, Yamaha sent me an unstamped prototype for evaluation. I gigged it and really liked it. I was aware it wasn't a top of the range 'custom' horn, but was so surprised when they told me it was their prospective student model (it became the YAS 275). Sadly they wanted it back. Now I play a gold plated YAS 875 EX. It's a great horn, but is it worth the nearly 10 times the price of the student model? Actually, for me, yes it is. Even though I'm happy to gig a cheaper horn, tiny differences make a difference to the way we play. We spend silly money on mouthpieces and reeds etc, but I believe it's worth it if we perceive it makes us better... I hope that makes sense! Keep up the good work.
Second Was better :)I have sold my conn 21m from 90s ,and bought a Taiwanese Antigua for ergonomic keys.But can not find the sound like it is in conn.I am really disappointed.Why new saxes don’t sound like old ones ?I think old saxes are more solid or something.also new Antigua 4348 is so bright with the same mouthpiece used on conn.I am confused.How to make new sax sound like the old conn ?thanks
I noticed on Straignt No Chaser #1 sounded notably fuller, especially at the extremes of the range. #2 just sounded downright thin relative to #1 in the extremes and #2 simply sounded a little sloppier. Maybe a response thing was in play there. Both sounded great overall though, and my playing can't come close, so know that this isn't meant as judgement, just observation
interestingly i thought the 23 handled the low notes in straight no chaser better but the high notes on the 23 didn’t sound as full and clean as the 62. could’ve just been the take though
That surprised me when you revealed them as I actually preferred the tone of the YTS-23 a little more but I didn't hear much of a difference and I wouldn't say the 62 was better. I do wonder if going a little higher end and comparing the 23 against maybe a Custom Z or 875ex would show a bit more of a difference. What this does show is that a lot has to do with the player, not necessarily what they are playing as long as the saxophone is built and maintained well and sounds good to start with.
There is a very nice video of a guy comparing a 23 with a mark VI I really can't tell much difference in sound if any. ua-cam.com/video/6ooPTXG1q10/v-deo.html&ab_channel=StantawnKendrick
What about construction of each instrument? Ribbed vs post? Intonation, is it easier or harder to get on the extreme range of each instrument? A professional needs a rock solid instrument that can deal with the abuse it will get, on bandstands, in its case while travelling, when girls fondle it, and daily practice and gigs. This is what I want to know. Tone comes from the player (80%), the mouthpiece (15%), and the neck (5%) all of which can be upgraded and kept for a player's lifetime.
It's a beautiful tune (02.05) What's tune? forgive my ignorance. Also is it easier to get to that high G on that expensive one? or hit the low notes on the expensive one? or are you just too good to tell?
I think, even though the sound is mostly about the player, having a pro horn makes playing a lot easier. The keys on a pro horn might be adjusted to require less action, and make playing very faster easier, or the low notes and high notes just come out easier.
Totally agree. I went from pro horn YTS-62II to pro horn YTS-82zII last year. While I there is a slightly richer sound to the 82, it is in the playing that I found the biggest difference. Even at the pro level, the 82z is easier to play over the 62 in terms of having a faster ;"tighter" action , a free blowing smoother/more consistent sound in all registers, and a fuller tone in the palm keys/altissimo. I don't regret making this somewhat lateral move at all. The differences in the higher model are tangible with more consistent stress-freel playing being the main result
Personally, from the first comparisons I recognized the 62 from the 23, I really like the 62, balanced on all registers and it sounds less "fluty" and three-dimensional on the higher octaves. Having said that, they are both splendid instruments, I am a happy owner of the intermediate version (yts 475) and appreciate the whole series which has a super quality/price ratio.
At first #1 sounded a little stuffy and preferred the sound of #2, but as the video went on I couldn’t hear any noticeable difference between the two on my tablet speakers. It’s more player than horn when it comes to sound, I guess, but it sure is nice to have a couple of high-end axes in the arsenal, if it’s in the budget. 🎷😎👍
Also , personally not worth the $ for the pro! Especially when you can buy some great recording gear with that extra money and eq it the way you want in the mix for your individual needs.
I have a YTS-32, and no, it's not 62 for the European market, but 52. Yamaha intermediate horns are the 32 for the European market and 52 for the US market. The 32/52 (they are the same horn) to my knowledge uses the same bore as the 62 but without some bells and whistles. All are great horns anyway.
One technical aspect of the thing is: what mouthpiece and reed are you using (it clearly seems you used the same one on both). But the question nobody ever asks is: since how many years do you play and how many hours a day...? Great demo, anyway!
Great comparison! You sound terrific in both Yamahas. Thank you very much for giving your time and sharing your knowledge and experience. What do you think about all that "purple logo" hype? I guess if there's little to no difference between the saxophones you tested there should be even less difference between a "Purple logo" and a newer 62.
@@DavePollack, "purple logo" refers to the color of the paint used for engraving the early 62s, the same used on the previous series (21/31/61). Many people say these "purple logo" 62s sound better, mostly the owners of a "purple logo" trying to sell it (LOL)
Thanks so much for this video. For me it was number one, but not because of tone, they are similar. But in terms of breathing and technique it sounds easier on number one, whilst Dave seems to be working harder with number two. I've got a YTS-21 and tone is pretty good but you can't play "lazy" with it. So my guess is the YTS-23 would be the same.....now it makes me want to hunt down a YTS-62, I'm at the age I want to be a little bit lazy some days :-)
So called experts: before the reveal: "I think the professional one was #2. You could tell the darkness and deepness of tone.... So called experts: after the reveal: "I could have told you #1 was the pro model, you can tell by the partials and the overtones coming from the brass and the triple annealing and resonance that comes straight from my ass, etc, etc... blah, blah, blipity blah.
I could just be a mistaken clarinetist, but personally I think the 62 wasn’t the best example of the model, or needs some work done to it. Even before the first 23 clip I noticed something seemed a bit off, sort of like there was something missing in the sound with the 62. In comparing these two instruments, I notice note changes and intervals seem clearer and more defined on the 23, and the tone of the 23 in general was much more satisfying.
Wow...I was convinced number 2 was the 62 from the start. Both sound great but I slightly preferred number 2, the 23. The pro horn had a little more edge but overall the 23 had a bit more of a thicker rounded tone. Surprised.
i actually thought the second on was the pro so i actually preferred the YTS 23 though I admit sometimes it was the other way around. Is it more a question of which is easier to play perhaps and of course the sax player and his ability to play. is
Probably worth noting-- you're comparing the best student horn money can buy with one of the best pro horns money can buy. I liked the YTS-23 sound better, but that's a great horn and both sounded very similar.
I think alot of the difference comes from the player, a good player can make any horn sing!
Agreed I saw another video similar to this
You don't need a professional horn to sound good
All sound great.
Both sounded great overall
Great playing man!
90% if the time I agree but I witnessed a great tenor player sound terrible. He'd had just bought the black laquer Yani and it sounded tinny compared to his Mark VI. It was a long night when he brought the Yani instead of the six to the gig.
Well duh
While the tone on a well-made student instrument can be surprisingly good, it's often forgotten that where pro instruments really make their value felt is in things like ergonomics, key fit, build quality, quality of materials, etc. Those things are usually appreciated over long periods of time.
Yup, I talk about that in my original video.
Yeah, my local service center told me that they don't service the cheap, no-brand Chinese saxophones, since the material quality is poor and there's a high chance something will break.
But you can buy like 10 of the students for the same length of time lol.
I was using my phone to listen and there was almost No difference.
It's the player. A great player (like you) can make them All sound great.
Thanks!
Not skipping ahead but imo #1 is a bit richer and has a little more character, but honestly the difference is so minute. I think the real takeaway is you're a damn good tenor player
Yep. He is good.
Same. The low razzle and high dazzle on #1 seemed better. Nice playing!
I would swear the 2 was the pro.
I agree, same for me
Same
YTS-23!!! YES 👍🏼🙌🏼
I thought they both sounded pretty much the same in the higher register but #2 more defined in lower register.
This makes my wallet very happy. listened to heaps of different comparisons and always liked the student one more :)
I knew #1 was the pro model particularly on the low notes. There’s more juice to those notes and they’re a bit more crisp.
I’ve played and experienced this when I played 2 different baritone saxes. My main Baritone was a higher end model and the substitute not even close. My volume suffered a lot which is a big deal on a baritone sax. Same mouthpiece.
There were other differences but that lower end model sounded more muffled.
I couldn't care less about the "tone" - your body, the reed, mouthpiece, ligature and neck are responsible for >95% of it. Which one was easier to keep in tune? How did each of them feel under your hands? Are the ergonomics on the 62 better? Will any of them get me closer to the raw speed and virtuosity of our lord and saviour Kenny G?
Kenny G man he's not in the top 10 of the all-time greats sax players
@@dukecurry5523 heresy
I liked #1, and as soon as #2 sounded, it sounded tinty, there was more body, richness, and soul in #1. To me the difference was immediate. Is it worth the price difference, I ain't gonna speak on that.
This is the same as what I heard. More bite to the lower register and really didn’t focus on the higher notes for the pro model but you could still hear it.
I got it right, and one of the main reasons is because on both the higher and lower registers, it was louder on #2 which could mean it's harder to get high notes out and needed more air to get out well, which I definitely find to be the case on student instruments so I guessed #2 was the YTS-23
I prefered the YTS-23 ... I'm baffled, I thought it was the other way around, the sound trough my studio monitors is very close ... I'm sure the feel will be different though
Agreed
I too - listening on Alesis M1.
Me too. A bit richer, warmer sound, the 62 sounded a little thinner and lighter.
Your skills and talent essentially obscure the differences between the two, amazing demo! Thanks! Rocket 🚀
Thanks so much!
This X1000
I’m always enjoying this UA-cam channel! Thank you!
Thanks so much! Glad you enjoy it.
Number 2 sounds smoother with a slightly richer tone.
I was definitely fooled. I thought #1 had more sizzle, #2 darker. Both great, obviously. The Yamaha 23 series is so solid, everyone should have a few around just in case!
Yamaha horns are made extraordinarily well. Honestly, if you're a quality player and have a good mouthpiece and reed, then the average listener would not know the difference and in the end thats all that matters.
Bottom line is ur a great player overall. You don't need a professional horn to sound good. I thought that number 2 was the professional until I was proven wrong. Great job man! I love where you traded 8's it sounded good!
Better sax just amplifies the players natural abilities, compliments them
I am just learning and I read sheet music and until I can get to the point of reading sheet music and be able to play any song after a few practices I feel a student model is just fine for me. I have so many song books my place looks like a song book store everywhere I turn in my chair there is a song book on my keyboard on the keys laid out on the board on the book rack of the keyboard on my computer desk on printer two music stands not one but clip on lights holding book open on the other. I did not hear the difference between the two horns but then again look at who is playing them a pro sax player who can most likely tie a string as a ligature and make the sax sound great. One of my song books is "techniques of the saxophone" volume 1. It has all the chords of all the notes up and down and I can play any page fluently and now I know three easy by memory. Thanks Dave. Pete
While the sound of the two is pretty close, there are other things to consider between a student model and a pro model. The 'feel' of the Mark VI in your hands is undeniable. That is, the key work has a very solid feel an that translates into an ergonomic interface with your hands. Secondly, there's something about the way a pro horn (not all but many) 'speak'. That is the horn's ability to immediately and with little effort, produce sound. You some cheaper horns take considerable effort to 'initiate' the sound (of course the mouthpiece/reed setup effects this but when comparing apples to apples), the play-ability can be significant. A better player like Pollack can overcome the limitations much easier, but most quality instruments of any type (trumpet, piano, sax etc.), the 'feel' is where the pro instrument starts to show its stuff. Cheers to all who make music!
I prefer the 62 by a country mile, the 23 sounds thin and green in comparison
I used to play a purple logo 62 series, funny I did like #1 a bit better. Seemed to have a little more core. Interesting how close they were
Funny, I've done blind ABing between YAS 61 and a YAS 23 and it was much easier to tell the difference there than with the tenors. I was having a hard time telling when you switched without looking
Number 1 just sounded richer to me, #2 a little thinner.
They both sound great to me nice sound by the way man! 🎷
I could tell the difference, especially in the low register, but really, in every register, the student horn is just thinner sounding. Great Vid! Thanks!
thanks so much!
I have strong opinion about this kinda of stuff. I don't wanna trigger the sax community- but honestly the best horn is the one that you own. I've heard great players play on sewage plumbing and they all say the same thing to me when I ask, "I just like how it feels".
I think that's all that really matters in the end.
100%!
Truth. I’ve had the same horns forever and never really felt the need to switch.
Where the heck do you get a YTS-23 for only $400?
Did it retail for that much originally?
No idea on retail...I just know that people sell them used for around that currently
@@DavePollack wow really? all I see them posted for is $600-700 when they're beat up and then up to $900-$1000 for better conditions and possibly upgraded mouthpieces.
Sorry what model of mouthpiece does the tenor yamaha yts 23 use this video? Thanks for the reply
I'm using my 10mfan "Classic" size 7**
@@DavePollack metal? Ebanite?
Who does number two work for? They both sound good because you sound good.
Forget about the saxes, the one in the middle sounded the best! Great playing man!
Thanks!
One of the best tests/comparisons ever shown on UA-cam.
The musician makes the music, not the instrument.
Thank you so much!
I heared that the #1 is the Profesional one and the #2 is the student sax (without to see all video) , its very clear to my hears
I liked the pro horn (just going from the "blind" test). That horn had a little more bite to the sound. I wouldn't necessarily say it was "Better" but it was more of a sound I gravitate towards.
I appreciate the feedback!
I don’t appreciate much difference between them, but being a little picky #2 (the cheaper one) sounded slightly better to me.
I did pick right, but definitely started wondering as it went on. Very little, if any difference in sound at all.
I will say, as someone who did jump from a YAS280 to a YTS82Z, that it does feel different (not just alto to tenor) to play, particularly the ergonomics. Was it worth the $5k difference? Don't know about that.
But in the end, I guess it comes down to what it's worth to you
They both sounded good on the low end but when you started getting mid range and higher the 62 sounded more full to me, but I am just getting started back taking lessons. My sax falls right in between I have a YTS 52.
I thought #1 sounded more open in your upper register and richer in the lower register. Nice work on both horns and agree with prior comments re: build quality and personal preference. Always great to know you can buy a Yammy at whatever level and it will sound great.
i own the YTS 23 and paid only $ 450 for it . As a former professional saxophonist i say there is no difference in the sound . However. its the Player not the horn that sounds difference .
I use a Runyon Mouthpiece and a # 2 Fiber Cell Reed and its a very bright sound .
bobby G..
Ok i was really worried that in the end i would had not reconize the Student one from the professional one cause they were very similar, but i did. The interesting point is that the difference beetween each one is very thin and that's because most of the work is done by the player. You can probably hear the differences better only if you hear someone playing live, professional Horns are more powerful and keep the harmonics better, but with a mic on this difference is flattened; still, in the end i think the player is the most important thing; i've played live with people who had a YAS-62 and my YAS-25 still sounded much better and much more powerful, so just stop buying and start practice more often.
I absolutely adore the YAS-25.
I actually prefer the sound of the student horn..lol! The "pro" horn sounded edgy and the student horn was nice and warm.
After reviewing the comments below, I am not embarrassed to say that I honestly couldn't tell much of a difference! I'm assuming you are using the same mouthpiece and reed to play both to get the similar sound.
I'm a tenor sax jazz player and I preferred horn #2. There's no way for me to know if it was more difficult for you to finger, but there were nuances that my ear preferred. I play a horn from China and it sounds great. My gripe is with reed inconsistency. By the way, your playing is great!
Well, as someone with a yts-23 and have played an 82z, the difference isn’t in tone, it’s in ease of play and consistency, I can’t physically hit alitissimo g or f# but I can hit every other alitissimo note up to triple g, whereas on the 82 I can hit altissimo g effortlessly, not only that the low notes are easier to push out as well.
The question then becomes "is the setup on both horns equally good." Normally, expensive "pro" horns are cared for well and kept in great playing condition. Student instruments...less so, but if the same care is taken they can often be real giant killers.
What is the name of the fist song played?
Got #1 right in the first take. Sound wise rather minimal difference. But the main differences between pro and student horns is how long they stay adjusted. All the student horns I played the last 40 years had rather weak material for the mechanics and went out of adjustment rather quick. I’m talking of months compared to years.
The #2 horn student horn sound better for me.
Crazy right??
It sound better for me too. However I was not playing it. What the player feel could be completly different. Recently I played on my former sax (low cost brand) and it plays well. But once I re-played the same stuff on my Selmer Mark VII it was like night and day for ME as a player. What was the feeling of the player for that trial ?
What's the jazz standart sounds on fourth minute?
It’s a blues - Straight No Chaser
@@DavePollack thank's
what is your mouthpiece and reed ?
10mfan Classic 7** and D'Addario Select Jazz 3 Medium Filed reeds
Hey Dave! I thought number one sounded the best but it was very close. My belief is that you can have the greatest Sax equipment in the world but if you don’t sound good as a player, none of that matters. 😄🎷👍
i think it depends on your mouthpiece, ligature, reeds configuration too.
Interesting video and great playing! As you know, there are all sorts of reasons we pick the horn(s) we play, so this is a useful argument, but so much of it comes down to personal preference and perception. Many years ago, Yamaha sent me an unstamped prototype for evaluation. I gigged it and really liked it. I was aware it wasn't a top of the range 'custom' horn, but was so surprised when they told me it was their prospective student model (it became the YAS 275). Sadly they wanted it back. Now I play a gold plated YAS 875 EX. It's a great horn, but is it worth the nearly 10 times the price of the student model? Actually, for me, yes it is. Even though I'm happy to gig a cheaper horn, tiny differences make a difference to the way we play. We spend silly money on mouthpieces and reeds etc, but I believe it's worth it if we perceive it makes us better... I hope that makes sense! Keep up the good work.
Second Was better :)I have sold my conn 21m from 90s ,and bought a Taiwanese Antigua for ergonomic keys.But can not find the sound like it is in conn.I am really disappointed.Why new saxes don’t sound like old ones ?I think old saxes are more solid or something.also new Antigua 4348 is so bright with the same mouthpiece used on conn.I am confused.How to make new sax sound like the old conn ?thanks
Personally the audience doesn't care if your a semi professional player cheaper is always best if your not touring ...
I noticed on Straignt No Chaser #1 sounded notably fuller, especially at the extremes of the range. #2 just sounded downright thin relative to #1 in the extremes and #2 simply sounded a little sloppier. Maybe a response thing was in play there. Both sounded great overall though, and my playing can't come close, so know that this isn't meant as judgement, just observation
Yamaha makes student horns at such a high level that they might as well be pro compared to a lot of other student models out there.
interestingly i thought the 23 handled the low notes in straight no chaser better but the high notes on the 23 didn’t sound as full and clean as the 62. could’ve just been the take though
Great video. What the ballad's name @ 1.55?
Sounds great in both only difference I noticed is #1 has a few air leaks when getting into the quiter phrases
I liked the tone on the YTS - 23 slightly better.
I liked the tone better on the YAS-23 SAX too.
Very nice comparison. Saved my wallet as I have YTS 23
The YTS 62 sounds more warmly. I got it right because I also have two models of tenor saxophone.
I couldn’t tell the difference. I want to know which one was easier to play? That is more important to me.
That surprised me when you revealed them as I actually preferred the tone of the YTS-23 a little more but I didn't hear much of a difference and I wouldn't say the 62 was better. I do wonder if going a little higher end and comparing the 23 against maybe a Custom Z or 875ex would show a bit more of a difference. What this does show is that a lot has to do with the player, not necessarily what they are playing as long as the saxophone is built and maintained well and sounds good to start with.
I compared what I could get my hands on - if someone wants to lend me some other horns I'd be glad to do another video!
There is a very nice video of a guy comparing a 23 with a mark VI I really can't tell much difference in sound if any. ua-cam.com/video/6ooPTXG1q10/v-deo.html&ab_channel=StantawnKendrick
2 had the most clarity ,and it was just lovely. hey are you kidding us?
Nope
I liked the YTS-23 better. You played them both very well.
Would a beginner find either of them easier to play than the other ?
What about construction of each instrument? Ribbed vs post? Intonation, is it easier or harder to get on the extreme range of each instrument? A professional needs a rock solid instrument that can deal with the abuse it will get, on bandstands, in its case while travelling, when girls fondle it, and daily practice and gigs. This is what I want to know. Tone comes from the player (80%), the mouthpiece (15%), and the neck (5%) all of which can be upgraded and kept for a player's lifetime.
dear Dave your videos are so cool and you are no only an Amazing musician, you are so funny as well!!! greetings from Germany.
Thanks so much for the kind words! So glad you like the videos 🙏
It's a beautiful tune (02.05) What's tune? forgive my ignorance. Also is it easier to get to that high G on that expensive one? or hit the low notes on the expensive one? or are you just too good to tell?
I think, even though the sound is mostly about the player, having a pro horn makes playing a lot easier. The keys on a pro horn might be adjusted to require less action, and make playing very faster easier, or the low notes and high notes just come out easier.
100% agree!!
Totally agree. I went from pro horn YTS-62II to pro horn YTS-82zII last year. While I there is a slightly richer sound to the 82, it is in the playing that I found the biggest difference. Even at the pro level, the 82z is easier to play over the 62 in terms of having a faster ;"tighter" action , a free blowing smoother/more consistent sound in all registers, and a fuller tone in the palm keys/altissimo. I don't regret making this somewhat lateral move at all. The differences in the higher model are tangible with more consistent stress-freel playing being the main result
Personally, from the first comparisons I recognized the 62 from the 23, I really like the 62, balanced on all registers and it sounds less "fluty" and three-dimensional on the higher octaves. Having said that, they are both splendid instruments, I am a happy owner of the intermediate version (yts 475) and appreciate the whole series which has a super quality/price ratio.
At first #1 sounded a little stuffy and preferred the sound of #2, but as the video went on I couldn’t hear any noticeable difference between the two on my tablet speakers. It’s more player than horn when it comes to sound, I guess, but it sure is nice to have a couple of high-end axes in the arsenal, if it’s in the budget. 🎷😎👍
The difference is so clear
#1 is the best
YTS 62 is so warmer sound
with what Mic are you recording?
Man... The 23 sounds better... lol ( for jazz definitvely better )
Great playing! What mouthpiece and reed are you using?
Also , personally not worth the $ for the pro! Especially when you can buy some great recording gear with that extra money and eq it the way you want in the mix for your individual needs.
Thanks! Mouthpiece is a 10mfan Classic (generation 2) in Ultem material, size 7**. Reeds are D'Addario Select Jazz 3M Filed
I like the sound of number 2 more.
Sounds like my B&H 400 (student model made in the 80’s, I think) :-)
Without context i thought #2 sounded tighter, then when the backing track kicked in all those little nuances in #1 made sense and #2 sounded duller.
It's more about key work and intonation with different types of horns
Couldn’t tell the difference to be honest. Sounds great.
I was under assumption that yammy horns had same body bore etc i got a 62 great bit of kit but yammy student modles are also great horns ive had three
youve gotta do this with the 23 and a custom series horn, a lot of people including me notice a signifigant difference in custom series and 62
I honestly thought the 23 sounded better but the 62 had a better sound up high
V. Good video!
I own an yas 32 f, and have heard that it is the version from 62 for Europe (the same horn)... is that real?
Many thanks.
I have a YTS-32, and no, it's not 62 for the European market, but 52. Yamaha intermediate horns are the 32 for the European market and 52 for the US market. The 32/52 (they are the same horn) to my knowledge uses the same bore as the 62 but without some bells and whistles. All are great horns anyway.
One technical aspect of the thing is: what mouthpiece and reed are you using (it clearly seems you used the same one on both).
But the question nobody ever asks is: since how many years do you play and how many hours a day...?
Great demo, anyway!
They sounded the same until you played "Straight No Chaser" - then #1 sounded better. But I must add, then difference was minimal.
both sound perfect
Great comparison! You sound terrific in both Yamahas. Thank you very much for giving your time and sharing your knowledge and experience. What do you think about all that "purple logo" hype? I guess if there's little to no difference between the saxophones you tested there should be even less difference between a "Purple logo" and a newer 62.
I honestly have no idea what the “purple logo” even is. Is it a different model?
@@DavePollack, "purple logo" refers to the color of the paint used for engraving the early 62s, the same used on the previous series (21/31/61). Many people say these "purple logo" 62s sound better, mostly the owners of a "purple logo" trying to sell it (LOL)
Thanks, very useful, You've been great.
Much appreciated!
i was surprised I like the buzzier sound of the YTS 23
Thanks so much for this video. For me it was number one, but not because of tone, they are similar. But in terms of breathing and technique it sounds easier on number one, whilst Dave seems to be working harder with number two. I've got a YTS-21 and tone is pretty good but you can't play "lazy" with it. So my guess is the YTS-23 would be the same.....now it makes me want to hunt down a YTS-62, I'm at the age I want to be a little bit lazy some days :-)
So called experts: before the reveal: "I think the professional one was #2. You could tell the darkness and deepness of tone....
So called experts: after the reveal: "I could have told you #1 was the pro model, you can tell by the partials and the overtones coming from the brass and the triple annealing and resonance that comes straight from my ass, etc, etc... blah, blah, blipity blah.
I could just be a mistaken clarinetist, but personally I think the 62 wasn’t the best example of the model, or needs some work done to it. Even before the first 23 clip I noticed something seemed a bit off, sort of like there was something missing in the sound with the 62. In comparing these two instruments, I notice note changes and intervals seem clearer and more defined on the 23, and the tone of the 23 in general was much more satisfying.
Wow...I was convinced number 2 was the 62 from the start. Both sound great but I slightly preferred number 2, the 23. The pro horn had a little more edge but overall the 23 had a bit more of a thicker rounded tone. Surprised.
I was right in my guess its not really that noticeable to the average listener..owner of a YAS 23.
i actually thought the second on was the pro so i actually preferred the YTS 23 though I admit sometimes it
was the other way around. Is it more a question of which is easier to play perhaps and of course the sax player and his ability to play.
is
Great review !
Thank you!
Find me a Yamaha tenor for under $500, video thunbnail lied, a typical Yamaha tenor is upwards of $1500 for any model
You’re joking right? I’m talking used vs used not new...plenty of yts 23s in the 400 range
Ok then that’s okay, I thought it was new, my apologies
Probably worth noting-- you're comparing the best student horn money can buy with one of the best pro horns money can buy. I liked the YTS-23 sound better, but that's a great horn and both sounded very similar.