My Current (And Favorite!) Sax Setup 🎷

[@lesgoe8908]

82zii tenor and alto player here. (Moved up from an old 61 "purple logo" alto and a 62 tenor.) Took me a year or so to find my sound, but wouldn't trade them for anything. Enjoyed hearing about your set, a year late, but, frankly, I think you'd sound amazing even on a perforated paper straw. Best of luck!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks so much! Yamaha makes great instruments, no doubt. There is a difference in the sound from the 62 to the Z but I would daringly say that this difference primarily comes from the neck and not the actual horn itself. Thanks for sharing your experience and the kind words - always great to get different perspectives ✌️🎷

[@amiema3775]

Very cool set up. I never knew you played on a 62. I feel you in the sentimental value… esp with a horn you learned everything on. Awesome exercises. 🎉

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes the sentimental value is something I never appreciated ❤️ thanks Amie :)

[@ed.z.]

Fascinating video. Fabulous sound and technique.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks Ed! much appreciated :)

[@Debukochi]

Wow! Great info. Thank you for taking the time to put this together. As an aside, I'm an old man with a weak heart and every time you picked up your horn and rotated it, my heart skipped a beat. Maybe it's the angle but your mouthpiece looked like it was less than 1-inch from smashing into the wall behind you. Twice, I yelled out, "Watch out, Steve!" 😅 It got me so nervous that I put a post-it note over that part of the screen. 😬

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks so much !! Yes! I thought the same thing watching it back - I think it’s a bit of an optical illusion - im leaning forward and am definitely far enough from the wall but i you are right - that would not be pretty! Thanks for watching the video 🙏🏼

[@MARKLINMAN1]

I LOVE My Yamaha Horns, I play on a 62 YTS iii, may get a Silver plated Tenor Next.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Awesome! Yes indeed they are very fun to play :)

[@EmileRyjoch]

feel the same way bro. Yamahas are insanely good. ive been on my 62ii since 2014, upgraded the neck from the stock "62" neck to the "Custom G3" neck in 2015, made a huge difference. - at the time I was on a Navarro Bebop Special 7* with #3.5 Robertos reeds and a Marc Jean "Gen" ligature. - aug 2018 switched to a Ted Klum FocusTone Acoustimer 7*. I've since moved onto #4.5 Boston reeds with same lig. I'm gonna get my horn delaq too (it's really scratched up) and gonna try some other necks

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Man YES! I’m so happy to be back with the 62 - the neck makes all the difference. I tried a friends Custom with a G1 neck and it had a killer vibe to it. G3 might be my favorite Yamaha neck… if you haven’t had a chance to try the BSS neck or a KB neck though - look out 👀

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Also you sound awesome on that horn 🔥🔥🔥

[@davidolahmusic]

Have you tried Heidinga neck?

[@gikasmarkantonatos2168]

I got my YTS62iii serviced by a master player and tech for the first time (prior to this, it was serviced on a regular basis at the retail outlet I bought it from). Honestly, after the master tweaked it for not that long, it played better than any horn I have ever played, including an 82z. Also, he told me exactly what you said - that if I upgrade the neck it will be equivalent to an 82z.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Wow awesome to hear this, and yes this has been the same experience for me - I hear virtually no difference between the horns when using the same neck!

[@gikasmarkantonatos2168]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Shout out to The Sax Clinic in Valparaiso, IN. I still can't believe that I am playing on the same horn.

[@Tremaine26]

Great tone

[@JoeAlMaliki]

Killer Vid Steve!!! I love seeing the deep dive you take with these horns and the gear, it’s always a fun journey!!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks man :) what neck are you using on your YTS?

[@JoeAlMaliki]

Totally!! So my setup now is an unlacqured Yamaha Custom Z and I’m just shredding on the OG neck which is a custom G1 neck that came with the horn!! Keeps it balanced between bright and dark but is very warm!

[@bluessax5089]

YES!! I’ve been playing the 62 for years. Also won’t be able to afford that Boston sax shop neck for years 😂😭💁🏽‍♂️. Sounds great looks great

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Right on and understood ! Thanks for checking it out 🎷🚀

[@RFDSAX]

I used to own a EX and really didn't like it but really loved the E1 neck.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Interesting! So the horn came with an E1 or you switched to that and/or used it on other horns?

[@gerrycappuccio4186]

Wonderful video Steve ! I play the 875 Yamaha tenor with an E1 neck . Thanks for sharing your thoughts!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Very good to know - so it came with an E1 or did you try that one out and decide to buy it? I have heard people say now that their 875 has came with a G1 and G3 neck but not the E1 yet although this is possible. The E1 is of medium size I believe.

[@johnwhitehead3685]

I have a YSS61 soprano that I bought new in 1977 for $620. I have a YAS61 alto with a custom finish that I bought three years ago. It's silver plated body with gold plated keys and key rods. Looks and plays great, but I still love my soprano!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

There’s definitely something special about those 61/62 sopranos!

[@ricardoparedes3656]

My Yamaha 62 was stolen years ago so I’m likely never seeing it again. As it was, techs and teachers were like “I’ve never seen a Yamaha crafted so perfect” and they definitely meant the one I had Dx

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Ahhhh that’s a HORRIBLE feeling when you know you can’t replace something. Luckily with the Yamahas they are very consistent so I think if you got another one you could learn to love it. Best of luck to you!

[@EricTorreborre]

You've got a gorgeous sound 👏

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks Eric!!

[@ChipTheMusicMan]

Very cool, Steve! Somehow I didn't know the 62s came in a UL finish - I really dig it.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Aye thanks so much - They don’t - more on that later though :)

[@petroanhel125]

Yamaha has line of custom necks that you can order separately and I have the top of the line silver plated neck for my Yamaha alto 62. That neck make a so huge difference like you playing a totally different sax. For anyone who owned 62 models and planning to upgrade for a new sax for any reason strongly recommending to try custom made neck for Yamaha you will be quite surprise

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes! I strongly agree with this! I sold my horn not thinking to try a different neck. Makes you wonder why they don’t put a better neck with the 62 🤔

[@mrkevo70]

looks and sounds great! I have 2 Yamaha tenors, and 2 Yamaha altos. Both tenors are YTS 52...one is currently at the technician for overhaul and stripping; can't wait to get it back, and hope it looks as good as yours! One of my altos is a one owner YAS 52 that I never even had to take to a tech, and the other is a 4 digit YAS 21 that I had re-lacquered in black. Looks great and fun to play as a practice or low end gig horn. I've never tried different necks, but looks like I will be now! Thanks Steve

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Awesome! I would love to see how that black lacquer one came out - very interesting! I'm sure your 52 will look great especially if you are going through the trouble of doing it professionally. This horn looked like it was brand new for about a day and after a couple practice sessions it looked like it was 100 years old 😅. Definitely give the necks a try - you'll love them!

[@mrkevo70]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka here's a video of the black 21...light isn't too good but it's a quick look at least kzbin.info/www/bejne/sGGumnWLlNObp5I

[@GermarDerron]

Play a YAS 23 with a custom silver plated V1 - yes the neck is more important than the body for the sound of the horn. I think I might put mouthpiece over reed. And both over neck. I still haven't found real proof that ligatures matter other than some do a better job of holding the reed properly on the mouthpiece.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

This is right on! Yeah if the reed isn’t held with the right amount of tension it will definitely make a difference so at the minimum level it’s important for that reason. I’m the same as you - I have yet to find a ligature that will make that much difference in the sound.

[@curtisvalle5141]

Awesome..... think same applies to my 61 tenor neck.? How about sop. necks and comments on the 475 vs Z? Nobody has any inventory to A/B horns anymore. I like one-piece but there go neck choices....? Are there custom sop necks available? I have 2 82z altos and want to turn one of those into some flavor of Yam sop. It'd be nice to avoid a 2nd mortgage in so doing. Please excuse my ignorance (and cheapness). My Boomer is showing.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Hey Curtis! Great questions - it should apply to the 61, yes. A better/more modern neck will make a difference for sure. It is definitely difficult to AB horns - I totally understand! I did own a yss soprano 475 and did NOT like it - I have an 82z soprano (both horns have attached straight necks) and I think they’re is a noticeable difference in the way they feel sound and play that it would be worth buying an 82z soprano over the 475 if you can get a good deal on a used Z. You are wise for thinking of selling one of the Z altos - there is no need for 2 in my opinion. Hope this helps!

[@curtisvalle5141]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Thank you sir. Appreciate your considered response. YSS 82Z? ...figures...but ok... it's only money

[@billy_rayes]

Awesome vid. I love my Yamaha 82z Artelier. I play with a custom Syos piece and I've been experimenting with Legere American cut reeds. Wanting to go back to BSS reeds though.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Very cool! I found the BSS worked really well with SYOS - definitely worth a revisit although reeds will be reeds. None are perfect so its just a balancing act of finding which ones are working at the moment.

[@johnfilardi]

Hey will that’s a big nut you spent on that horn, I’ve been eyeing one too , but as a hobbyist I think I just might pick up a used purple logo Yamaha tenor, your thoughts on your horn pros n cons

[@billy_rayes]

@@johnfilardi I have not had the chance to play other tenors but I doubt I'll ever need/want to. I seriously love the 82z artelier with my current set up. Easy free blowing, all registers play well and in tune, and it feels amazing in my hands. I take extra good care of it and hope it lasts me a lifetime which is why I spent the money on it.

[@billy_rayes]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Just ordered some 2.5 BSS reeds for tenor. Gonna see how I like them. Excited nonetheless.

[@alanhirayama4592]

Great video! Subbed! I thought you played on SYOS pieces? Do switch between different pieces for different applications? Looking forward to more videos, thanks much!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks Alan! I did but started having issues with the way they were playing and the consistency of their customization process. They make great mouthpieces but it just didn’t work for me. I just use the E for everything at the moment but different mouthpieces are definitely great for different things !

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

Good to hear your point of view. Instruments are soooo personal eh?! I've always found the Yammy 62 very vanilla though.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

haha not so much with these I would say :) Trying a different neck might change your mind with that!

[@JayCee-hw4zc]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka ok. Good idea. What type of neck would you suggest??? I play jazz in a big band.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@JayCee-hw4zc Definitely the Boston Sax Shop neck if you're looking to increace your projection/brighten your sound slightly. Do you play a Yamaha? For me all the Yamahas worked really well with the BSS Heritage Neck 😎

[@deanmoriarty6100]

Nice, thanks! BTW, there is a small mistake at 0:20: there is "YAS 62ii", should be "YTS 62II" I suppose.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes, you are right - dumb mistake :/

[@MrGuto]

Not the sound I really dig personally, but I agree with the concept you describe, with the neck being a huge part of how one sounds.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Right on - yes totally. More videos on the way :)

[@rileypup9084]

I own an early YBS-61. Does the neck on a bari influence the sound as much as say a tenor or alto?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Very cool - I’ve heard that it can make a big difference but not sure if anybody is making a specialty version of one yet

[@seandennis3148]

Hi Riley. I have a YBS-62 first version (15 years old) My local brick and mortar store had a variety of Yamaha custom bari sax necks. The bore size makes a difference. I found what I was after sound wise more with the V1 bore. Then I test played a lot between the gold lacquered V1, an unlacquered V1, a silver-plated V1 and the 62 neck it came with. For the powerful sound I am after, I bought the unlacquered V1. Yamaha necks for the 82 might help you out. The only one that I didn’t get to try, was the solid silver.

[@shawjazzy]

Love your channel just sub

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks very much!

[@olebirgerpedersen]

Very interesting. Does this also goes for the Yamaha altosaxes ?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Trying a different neck on any horn will make a significant difference. The V1 neck on the Yamaha horns was not my favorite of all the ones I’ve tried. Waiting to get a BSS neck to see how it compares

[@cjfl1962]

who removed the lacquer for you on the horn?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@jlwoodwinds In NYC 🚀

[@BKrystall]

I saw that you owned tenors and altos. Did you ever own the Yamaha Sopranos or Baritones?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes - I have a 82z straight neck soprano and a 480 Bari. Both great!

[@ПчеловекПчеловек-ц9с]

Horn is first!!! The bore is main for sound, after moutpice, reed, and other...

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

The Reed is first. Put a bad Reed on a great horn and it will sound very different.

[@ПчеловекПчеловек-ц9с]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka lean wind acoustic theory friend... Bore is main.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@ПчеловекПчеловек-ц9с ok! While this is partially true, you see my point yes? The bore will effect the pitch / timbre of the instrument but when you have a crap Reed and a very closed mouthpiece the bore isn’t gonna matter much. You can argue it the other way too that without the bore it wouldn’t sound good either. You’ll notice though that I said it was my opinion. I think no matter who the player is, reeds/mouthpieces are much larger factor than the bore. Would love for you to prove me wrong with a video though :)

[@ПчеловекПчеловек-ц9с]

Yamaha is good, but not difference in groop. Less 875, her bell bore is diffrent.

[@SeanLeonDrumz]

Where do I buy the 22 acappellas?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Hey Sean! They’re at my site here’s the link: www.stevekortyka.com/shop-1

[@SeanLeonDrumz]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Purchased! Thank you.

[@johnfilardi]

I read somewhere Yamaha has 26 different necks out there

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Damn. Sounds about right!

[@benhostetler268]

Who unlacquered it?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@jlwoodwinds took it apart and sent it to Montana - they did it there but not sure who it was though

[@BobDoherty]

Did the un-lacquering do anything to the sound or response?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@BobDoherty not that I can tell it just changed my perception of the horns visual asthetic. Sounds dumb but I think that’s the biggest thing the lacquer / plating does. The overhaul/neck change was much more significant that removing the plating

[@BobDoherty]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka It does look VERY cool!

[@danbient]

Sounds like stripping my purple label was a good way to go...

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yeah it’s not a bad idea - did you do it yourself ?

[@andrewwright6893]

Hi gorgeous looking and sounding sax. Can I ask about the book / sheet music at the end of the video is this book available for purchase etc. Can't find it on Google. Thank you

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Hey Andrew! Thanks :) here is a link: www.stevekortyka.com/shop?page=2 The names of the resources are easy to find on that page 👍🏼