NEW Yamaha YAS-82ZA 'Amber' Lacquer Alto Sax | Dawkes Music

[@marka8274]

I play a 82z tenor with a v1 neck. I absolutely love the sound and ergonomics. I'm yamaha all the way for saxophones.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Dear Dawkes, please, compare these custom Yamahas (82Z, 875EX) with the latest Selmers (Supreme, Signature) and maybe, Yanagisawas (AW010 and AW020). That would be, for many, a chance to hear all of those saxophones being play-tested and assessed in one place.

[@dawkesmusic]

Yes, we would LOVE to do this, however...the big challenge is getting all the instruments in stock at the same time (and also timing that with Sam & Simon availability). Selmer supply times are chronic and often innacurate, and most of the Supreme/Signature models that arrive are already pre-sold. Similar story with Yamaha who can't give us delivery date info on most of the Custom Range at the moment. Some years ago manufacturers would have 'demo' stock to loan out but these days they don't even have those. However, we will do our very best to get some big combination review organised in early 2024 :)

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

​@@dawkesmusic For general public it's worse. They say, "You should try before you buy". That's not possible anymore, and I wonder if it ever was? No chance I could play-test custom Yamahas and the latest Selmers in any shop; maybe one by one, and with 2 years in between...

[@dawkesmusic]

Hi, it is possible in some shops to try the vast majority (like ours) BUT it's not possible to try every single model in every single finish in just one visit. We always have a selection of 82Z, 875, top Selmers, top Yanagisawa etc but never ALL of them in one place at one time. Of course, not everyone can get to a store of our size so you are correct that it's getting more difficult to physically try instruments for a lot of people. Anyway, we'll do our very best to put a broad comparison video together. Thanks as ever for watching :)

[@peterfeltham8065]

Selmer Mk6 .....can't beat it in the right hands.

[@AlexVolkhin13]

What reed with jumbo?

[@dawkesmusic]

Java Red #3

[@AlexVolkhin13]

@@dawkesmusic Thanks for the answer

[@benhostetler268]

The finish makes zero audible difference, plating thickening is less than a sheet of paper, water base lacquer is extremely thin as well. I love the look of the Amber lacquer and they sound great. I’m probably not going to jump to trade in my Selmer Ref 54 for one but if I was in the market it’d certainly be a contender.