After being a beginner using a student sax I tried a yas 280 and found it wonderfull for my fingers. It is actually my principal instrument and i do really love it !
Thanks. Informative. One thing I thought about the 87x series is the bell is manufactured in one piece. That might also contribute to sound? Came back in June after a 43 year pause of 7 years of Yamaha Alto and Tenor. Knew I didn't want a bright sound, went with a John Paul. Love it, great sound. Made great progress. Age 61, excellent health, air capacity a slight issue. Practice every day and do the work, however, even as a hobbyist, believe that a 280 with a 4C mouth piece (and easier table keys), is my best path. The easier airflow for the win. Keep up the good work.
I’m going to buy a YAS-62III in a few months and I’m really excited. I’ve played tenor primarily for 5 years and just recently tried my school’s Yamaha intermediate alto (so, the 480) and loved it. I’m going to be a music major so I’ll certainly need the pro one. I came to watch this to see how it feels to play. I currently play the YTS 200AD as my tenor and it just… doesn’t play well. It’s also old and leaky and needs new pads and all that, but I’m sick of it. Is the YAS 280 comparable to that? I’m curious because I’ve never played a 280 so I want to know how what I’ve played kinda fits in this comparison (I mainly want to know how the YTS 200AD compares to the YAS-62III)
Excellent review Jim. I have a yas 280 alto which I’m looking to upgrade to an 82z. But have been a little put off by the view that intonation is a little more difficult for a non-professional like myself. Is it a major concern?
The intonation is tested at (A) various dynamics, from pp to ff; (B) with jumps in thirds, perfect fifths and octaves; (C) with two different tip openings, narrow and wide; (D) at 60 bps and 120 bps. When cheaper models start coughing, wheezing and producing hiccups, users will understand where the money goes with each more expensive model. But the rest of the video was good, thanks.
Great video, would love to see a video on the Yamaha tenors too (including the 82Z). I currently play a 'Purple Logo' YTS62 with a BSS neck (actually prefer it to my Mk6) and am looking to add another Yamaha to the collection, either as a spare or as the main horn. Considering the Z, the EX, and another 62, perhaps with an alternative neck (V1/E1). A Jim Cheek side by side review of the tenors would be really interesting!
That would be amazing! I'd love to hear you make the comparison between the pro-Yamaha tenors! A comparison of the Yamaha necks on a YTS62 would also be an interesting (separate) video. (For me) the necks make a huge difference, particularly on Yamaha's and it's a great upgrade/development option if you have a 480 or 62 and can't afford a custom! Perhaps throw some other necks into the mix too. The BSS heritage is fab for example.@@saxworldwide
The differences seem very miniscule, but my perspective as you go up, the "fffff" sound of the air seems to reduce and the 280 seems a little slower to get the first note going than on the others. At my skill level there would be no difference at all
Many of the differences between these horns centers around how easy/difficult they are to work on, and how much abuse they'll take before needing to be worked on!
This was a really fantastic structure for the demo. Would love to see this done for other lines of saxophones - maybe modern horns that try to capture a vintage feel
I first played on a conn selmer and then a yas 32. After that I bought a yani Aw02 and then played a mint yas 62 purple logo, which is by far the best alto I have played. The purple logo has a whole write up done by Stephen Howard. The feel is definitely amazing on the fingers for me.
Me gustaría centrar mas la comparación en modelos intermedio y profesional como lo son YAS-480 Semi profesional & YAS-62 Profesional. o será que es tan mínima la diferencia que no justifica compararlos. De antemano gracias si pueden contestar.
Acquired my 1992 YTS-62 in 2014 as a college student. I like it so much, the search for an alto of similar era made sense; Acquired a YAS-62 dated 1988. Now I need to afford a pro level soprano since mine is in rough shape and a student model. May look into a Yani soprano when it's time!
Really interesting, esp. the neck lift. I don’t play anymore. Switched to piano. But I started on a Guban alto (licensed Selmer Mk.6). Very heavy, superb alto. From Czechoslovakia as it was then. Going back to the early 1970. I later bought a Selmer SA80 Tenor which I was never satisfied with.
I play King 662 tenor right now and as i said in the other comment, i played some Yamahas which are great, but even 875 model does not win over the sound qualities of King 662... Yes, it's better thought out ergonomically, yes it's more precise, but i don't play classics and saxophone wasn't made to play classical music, so... There's one i'd say best company after Selmer which made Mark IV - it's P.Mauriat Just look at them! Not ridiculously overpriced and sound is fantastic, like it is on Mark IV, ergonomics from Yamaha and Yanagisawa which was mentioned by James Carter on a masterclass, intonation is good, quality is good, it's just fantastic overall!
Saxophone was specifically built to play classical music. That’s what Adolph Sax had in mind. He thought it would find a place as a section instrument in the orchestra.
Sound preferences are subjective, but the build quality of pro Yamaha saxes is objectively far superior to P Mauriat. Any competent saxophone/woodwind technician will tell you that.
Well, if you want a classical sound - you go for Yamaha and there's not much difference in quality and in sound in the whole range, so the best value for money is the 280 model in Yamaha range. And then you practise a lot... I played some of the range, got up to 875 model and... It feels a little bit different than 280, almost the same as 480, but at the end result is the same, only you waste your money... There are much better value for money saxophones which sound so much better and you can play everything you want more freely.
A 62-II was my first pro horn, loved it.
This is a great comparison video, very clear and concise, and very informative! Thanks Jim!
I bought a YTS 62 111 also was hugely impressed by the 480 .
Many thanks!
I have the 82zii Tenor and Yanigisawa AW020 Elite bronze alto and love them both.
Super happy with my YAS 82 ZB💪🏼
After being a beginner using a student sax I tried a yas 280 and found it wonderfull for my fingers.
It is actually my principal instrument and i do really love it !
The sound differences were minimal especially considering the cost difference. They all sounded great.
Maybe it's time for you to quit music and start knitting?
I'm using a Yani wo1 alto and 82z tenor. both are fantastic! Really love Yani's sound.
Thank you 875 great horn. Yamaha In my opinion make the best student saxophones! - God bless you - Bill - UK
Great video! I am glad you spoke about the brass and the ribbing in regards to sound.
Thanks. Informative.
One thing I thought about the 87x series is the bell is manufactured in one piece. That might also contribute to sound?
Came back in June after a 43 year pause of 7 years of Yamaha Alto and Tenor.
Knew I didn't want a bright sound, went with a John Paul. Love it, great sound. Made great progress.
Age 61, excellent health, air capacity a slight issue. Practice every day and do the work, however, even as a hobbyist, believe that a 280 with a 4C mouth piece (and easier table keys), is my best path. The easier airflow for the win.
Keep up the good work.
That's a good point re the bell. And I believe you're correct - it is made in one piece, which will contribute to the sound.
Wow, what a fantastic review 👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏👏
Thank you Eddie!
Really well done this video, and the 875 EX11 is really worth £2000 more than a Yas62 !.
Great comparison thanks! Would love to hear the same comparison on Yamaha tenors.
Good suggestion. Perhaps watch this space...
Excellent review Jim!
Thanks Bob!
I’m going to buy a YAS-62III in a few months and I’m really excited. I’ve played tenor primarily for 5 years and just recently tried my school’s Yamaha intermediate alto (so, the 480) and loved it. I’m going to be a music major so I’ll certainly need the pro one. I came to watch this to see how it feels to play. I currently play the YTS 200AD as my tenor and it just… doesn’t play well. It’s also old and leaky and needs new pads and all that, but I’m sick of it. Is the YAS 280 comparable to that? I’m curious because I’ve never played a 280 so I want to know how what I’ve played kinda fits in this comparison (I mainly want to know how the YTS 200AD compares to the YAS-62III)
Thanks for the info, bro.
Excellent review Jim. I have a yas 280 alto which I’m looking to upgrade to an 82z. But have been a little put off by the view that intonation is a little more difficult for a non-professional like myself. Is it a major concern?
Well, money has spoken 😊875ex
The intonation is tested at (A) various dynamics, from pp to ff; (B) with jumps in thirds, perfect fifths and octaves; (C) with two different tip openings, narrow and wide; (D) at 60 bps and 120 bps. When cheaper models start coughing, wheezing and producing hiccups, users will understand where the money goes with each more expensive model. But the rest of the video was good, thanks.
Super bro
Great video, would love to see a video on the Yamaha tenors too (including the 82Z). I currently play a 'Purple Logo' YTS62 with a BSS neck (actually prefer it to my Mk6) and am looking to add another Yamaha to the collection, either as a spare or as the main horn. Considering the Z, the EX, and another 62, perhaps with an alternative neck (V1/E1). A Jim Cheek side by side review of the tenors would be really interesting!
Thank you - perhaps to shake things up, I could compare the 62, 82Z and 875EX tenors then?
That would be amazing! I'd love to hear you make the comparison between the pro-Yamaha tenors! A comparison of the Yamaha necks on a YTS62 would also be an interesting (separate) video. (For me) the necks make a huge difference, particularly on Yamaha's and it's a great upgrade/development option if you have a 480 or 62 and can't afford a custom! Perhaps throw some other necks into the mix too. The BSS heritage is fab for example.@@saxworldwide
1. Is the V1 neck better than the G1 neck when it comes to intonation?
2. If I bought a V1 neck for my yas 62, would it sound better?
To take you more serious can you please share what mouthpiece(s), reeds, ligature you’re using for each saxophone?
💚💏❤️
👍 top et Bravo
🌹🌹⭐🎷
As far as I know, the 875 also has a completely different bore geometry to that of the 82z and 62. I'm not sure what design the 280 is employing.
would the 480 or 275 be good for lead alto in a high school jazz band with a very low budget?
Why always YAS? How about info on some YTS?
Is it okay to say the real difference between the 62s and Custom models is the neck
The differences seem very miniscule, but my perspective as you go up, the "fffff" sound of the air seems to reduce and the 280 seems a little slower to get the first note going than on the others. At my skill level there would be no difference at all
Many of the differences between these horns centers around how easy/difficult they are to work on, and how much abuse they'll take before needing to be worked on!
This was a really fantastic structure for the demo. Would love to see this done for other lines of saxophones - maybe modern horns that try to capture a vintage feel
Thanks for that. We may well use this kind of format in the future!
Sound-wise and description-wise, I liked the 62 better than the 875. I do have, however, an 875 EX Yamaha Soprano and it is gorgeous and magnificent.
I first played on a conn selmer and then a yas 32. After that I bought a yani Aw02 and then played a mint yas 62 purple logo, which is by far the best alto I have played. The purple logo has a whole write up done by Stephen Howard. The feel is definitely amazing on the fingers for me.
The good old Purple-logo 62!
Me gustaría centrar mas la comparación en modelos intermedio y profesional como lo son YAS-480 Semi profesional & YAS-62 Profesional. o será que es tan mínima la diferencia que no justifica compararlos. De antemano gracias si pueden contestar.
Acquired my 1992 YTS-62 in 2014 as a college student. I like it so much, the search for an alto of similar era made sense; Acquired a YAS-62 dated 1988. Now I need to afford a pro level soprano since mine is in rough shape and a student model. May look into a Yani soprano when it's time!
Dear Santa...
i love yas62 purple
Really interesting, esp. the neck lift. I don’t play anymore. Switched to piano. But I started on a Guban alto (licensed Selmer Mk.6). Very heavy, superb alto. From Czechoslovakia as it was then. Going back to the early 1970. I later bought a Selmer SA80 Tenor which I was never satisfied with.
Time to start up again?
Hello ,Guban was made in Romania !
@@cornelandrei4845 Thanks. It was a fine sax
I have yamaha alto Yas 480 with V1 neck🎷😉 less monney and best quality!
Great review, I have 62… loving it, what is the mouthpiece you use
My horn is a 62 😍
I play King 662 tenor right now and as i said in the other comment, i played some Yamahas which are great, but even 875 model does not win over the sound qualities of King 662... Yes, it's better thought out ergonomically, yes it's more precise, but i don't play classics and saxophone wasn't made to play classical music, so... There's one i'd say best company after Selmer which made Mark IV - it's P.Mauriat Just look at them! Not ridiculously overpriced and sound is fantastic, like it is on Mark IV, ergonomics from Yamaha and Yanagisawa which was mentioned by James Carter on a masterclass, intonation is good, quality is good, it's just fantastic overall!
Saxophone was specifically built to play classical music. That’s what Adolph Sax had in mind. He thought it would find a place as a section instrument in the orchestra.
Sound preferences are subjective, but the build quality of pro Yamaha saxes is objectively far superior to P Mauriat. Any competent saxophone/woodwind technician will tell you that.
Well, if you want a classical sound - you go for Yamaha and there's not much difference in quality and in sound in the whole range, so the best value for money is the 280 model in Yamaha range. And then you practise a lot... I played some of the range, got up to 875 model and... It feels a little bit different than 280, almost the same as 480, but at the end result is the same, only you waste your money... There are much better value for money saxophones which sound so much better and you can play everything you want more freely.
Maybe you should stop dabbling with music and enter the wonderful world of knitting? In knitting, being tone-deaf is not an impediment.