Play Testing the 3 Most Popular Yamaha Altos

Play Testing the 3 Most Popular Yamaha Altos
I recently had the opportunity to play the 3 most popular altos Yamaha makes side by side: The YAS 62III, YAS 82ZUL and the YAS 875EXII. Spoiler alert, they're all great. I apologize if you are looking for more information on these instruments - there is a lot online about them but not a lot of people actually playing all 3 side by side so I wanted to do that here.
I hope you dig this video and stay tuned for more like it in the future :)
visit me at www.stevekortyka.com for educational info and to hear more of my music ✌️🎷

[@parkerpolen]

You sound excellent on all of them, Steve!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Much appreciated!

[@positivelyprogressing]

Excellent review Steve! For my future alto shopping I now know what I'm looking for 😁🙌

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Right on thanks man!!

[@jwilliams986]

They all three sound great to me!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I agree! Yamaha makes some super solid saxophones, no doubt :)

[@simonkoolaurch4449]

YAS 875 EX11 Sounds the roundest and most versatile has a tad more character than the 62 plus a smidge of the darkness of the Zul.Great stuff Steve.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks man!

[@richardwalker4903]

NICE!! I'm just an old honky tonk player, but am fortunate to have gotten the Yamaha YAS 875EX-W......Yamaha's 50th Anniversary edition....only 50 produced. Great horn!!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yamaha makes great instruments!

[@petegalindez9961]

Great stuff. I thought the EX was the brightest, then the 62III, then the 82! I own a 62I I bought new in 1998 and I absolutely love it. I have had exactly zero issues with it and the finish still looks brand new even after my son used it for 3 years in band. My only regret is I always wanted a silver sax, but didn’t have the extra dough back then to get it. SO, I just purchased an 82ZII in silver to add to my collection (I have a YTS Custom Z in black). I can’t wait for it to arrive and see how it compares to my 62I!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Nice! I noticed a pretty big difference between the 82 and 62 - I think you'll love it!

[@l.j.2917]

Great vid Steve! The 82Z seemed to have a slightly darker sound to me too. I'm in the process of deciding on my first pro horn so this was a great help! I feel like if they all sound pretty similar, then I might as well save a little money and just go with the 62III 😂

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

When I was playing the horns I noticed almost no difference at all. Listening back I did hear a difference but it was subtle - that being said, they're all very good!!!

[@jakewinters850]

Yamahas are best bang for buck IMO. The 61/62 are common enough you see them used at bargain prices too. I got a silver YAS-62II for about 1200 USD.

[@juanjomadrid]

I feel that the punch of the yas82z is more attractive, I think it reaches more, I feel its sound is easier and more powerful and with much more brightness. I think it helps more to express the musician. That's how I feel, even if there is little difference between the other two. Greetings from Carthago Spartaria Spain.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks for sharing your thoughts. I have found similar things. There are definitely differences but they are very small. Yamahas are a force of their own and incredibly consistent :)

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

A good test, thank you. The differences are audible in the following areas: 1. intonation, 2. pitch stability, 3. richness of overtones or timbre, 4. quality of transitions between different pitches. Out of three, 62 is the worst: the worst intonation, the pitch is unstable (it's ok on its own, but subpar compared to the other two), timbre is generic and nothing to write home about, tonal transitions come with tiny pops and squeaks and unevenness. 82Z and EX are much better in all of these, but the main difference between the 82Z and the EX is (3.) richness of overtones or timbre. There 82Z and EX take two different sound-quality paths. It could be due to the different construction approach, different materials used (different brass), or slightly different geometry of the tone holes and pads used. Both are made with equal attention to detail, it's audible (and which the 62 lacks). If the EX is the more expensive of the two, I would guess it is because of the more expensive raw materials used, which may demand a longer production cycle, but not because of the finishing quality. Choosing between the 82Z and the EX is simply a matter of taste, not a matter of quality.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Aye thankyou very much! These are very specific things you are noticing! My experience with Yamaha has been somewhat different - I find them to all be very similar with the exception of the EX having a definite rounder and darker tone to it. Pops and squeaks seem like they would be much more likely to occur from the reed/mouthpiece than the actual saxophone itself, but that is my opinion. The 62 I find to be a great instrument though - definitely worth testing/comparing when looking for a great pro horn. Thanks for your feedback!

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

​@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Hi Steve, thank you. I’m sorry I did not explain what I meant by “pop”. When I listen to an instrument, I’m paying attention to the crucial 20% of the tonal picture, that is at the beginning of notes, and at the end of notes: intonation and decay/handover of notes (tones). What happens in the middle, can often fool our ears because many instruments sound “fine”, generally speaking. But that 20%, which happens very, very briefly, tells how exactly the instrument was made, and at what level of mechanical, material and design perfection. Those “pops” are extremely brief intonation and note handover “issues”, or ”rough edges”, which are audible in many instruments. Only the best-designed and manufactured instruments are smooth in those particular areas. Increased perfection in intonation and note handovers enables players (even less experienced ones), to play demanding passages and challenging stretches with confidence. In that regard, 62 was the worst of the three, performing generally at the level of Selmer Series II, which shares same those particular issues. But 82Z and EX altos are in a different league of mechanical precision. Among tenors, Yamaha Atelier is at that admirable level too. Regarding the particular timbre the EX produces ... I checked Yamaha’s website, and they state they use a different type of brass for the EX. (And other different design choices.)

[@the5thYearSeniors]

Good choice. The 62 should way more restricted and although the EX has a nice open sound, it seems to have less character and versatility. I got the 82z UL and it is mind blowing how close it is to an older mark VI. I let my friend play it who has had the same mark VI his whole life and he immediately said that he could see himself getting the Z if something happened to his horn.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I really like the way it feels/sounds/looks 😎

[@the5thYearSeniors]

You sound great man.

[@petroanhel125]

Custom necks from Yamaha make 62 a totally different sax. If some one looking for a great sax then 62 will be a great choice especially with custom neck. I have silver plated yamaha custom neck the top of the line and it made 62 a totally different beast

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yeah they can add a lot to the sound. What’s interesting though is I find the new 62 necks to be really nice! That being said though, I wish I would’ve tried different combos when I owned my 62 alto

[@adamcohen7014]

I just got an 82z myself and found it to be brighter than the EX and 62, especially with the metal resonators. Maybe your 82z sounded darker because it is unlacquered and the others are. Just a thought!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Could be! They all sound really similar to be honest :)

[@nhr27]

Great video and thank you for creating it! I recently played a new 62 and a new Z. For some reason, I thought the Z would be more free blowing than the 62 and it was not. They were just both extremely nice horns to play and they did anything I asked them to do with ease. Other than the free blowing aspect, I really did not notice much of a difference. I wish they had an EX to try. I play a Selmer SA80 iii. From the reviews I have watched and listened to it seems like the EX is most similar to the Selmer. On this video the EX sounds a little darker than the others and the upper register seemed to speak a little more. I did not hear much of a difference between the Z and the 62. End of the day they all sound similar that it would come down to how it feels to play more than anything else. For me at least. Also, based on what you said about the compact feel in your hands, it sounds like they may have modeled the EX off of the Selmer Paris horns.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks for your comments. I agree with everything you said - the most noticeable tone difference came from the EX to my ears and when I have heard others play it. I find all the yamahas to sound and feel very very similar though 👍

[@jakewinters850]

Jeez they sounded so similar to me. Maybe the 82 was slightly darker. I play tested them in the store and I 82 felt a little more free blowing and responsive to me. I'd be interested in seeing a comparison of the three different yamaha necks with one horn.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I agree for the most part - was really impressed with the 875 I had never tried one before. I agree with the necks - unfortunately didn't have them available at the time.

[@mirosawlewandowski7865]

They all sound similar. Like Yamaha :)

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

💯

[@BeachBoi1000]

82z is raspier. But it’s quite hard to tell them apart if we do a blind fold. The player skill will take over the length of the song.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks for the comment - I think you are exactly right!

[@leycroftcoman5487]

The 62 is slightly brighter very centred the 875 a little darker and the unlaquered is a more open sound .. imo

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks - Sounds about right! I thought the unlacquered was pretty bright too... All very similar in my opinion 😎 It kind of let me know that the neck makes more of a difference than I previously realized...

[@leycroftcoman5487]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka yes Steve the un laq was bright and i heard an open quality to the sound compared to the laquered horns . Great vids . Thanks .

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@leycroftcoman5487 Right on - I totally agree - Much appreciated!

[@curtisvalle5141]

Great playing, young man. What do you think about the V1 neck vs. the G1? I've got a laq and an unlaq. 82 alto. Trying to decide which one I like best. I've got a 61 tenor that I just can't find a good reason to switch away from. it's been to Hell and back. I want an 82z sop.... badly. EDIT: We all know you could take a $600 used 26 that didn't leak and get 90+ there and only you would know (or care) about the last few per cent. When robots can crush Dionna Lee like that, I'll let them drive my car. Rock on and tnx for reply

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I’m not sure on the neck to be honest the G1 is the only one I haven’t tried. I would say hold onto whatever horn you have though - you’ll miss it if you sell it. Getting a new one can be a nice feeling but I just sold 2 82z tenors bc I realized the neck was a much bigger deciding factor in the sound of the horns than the actual body of the instrument 🤷‍♂️ 82z sopranos are great!

[@aaronbensi9723]

The 875 and 62 are very close. The Z is my last choice. For the money the 62 Is a great horn.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Im with you on that! Really miss the 62 I used to own but look forward to playing the @JLWoodwinds I have now every chance I get :)

[@mprenn1547]

875 has a bit more spread...which I like

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes I agree. A bit darker as well! Thanks for listening :)

[@richardcasey7521]

Personally, I would like to hear what you sound like on the Yamaha lower priced altos, the YAS-26 and YAS-280. Of the three you played on the video I liked the YAS-62, the basis for the two lower priced horns I mentioned. I have owned the three you tested over the past 15 years and have come to appreciate the YAS-26 as a very capable all purpose alto. The YAS-280 is essentially a YAS-26 with a High F# key and 100% gold lacquer finish. The 280 isn’t offered here in the USA but is at least a thousand dollars less expensive in other countries than what the entry level YAS-26 is sold for in the USA. Just saying …

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I wish i had those available when I did the video I wouldve totally done that. I think their lower end horns are just as good as the professional ones to be honest, the biggest difference is the neck on their models. I didnt realize that there was a 280 but it sounds like a great deal. I am a fan of the high F# - if I ever get to play one I'll try to do a video on it. Thanks for the insight!

[@SaxJockey]

The high cost of the YAS 26 in the USA seems crazy (plus the absence of the YAS 280). I had a brand new YAS 275 (immediate predecessor to the YAS 280, both gold lacquer, high F#). That was a great Sax for the money. I then bought a used (mint) YAS 62-I (one piece key guard) the difference was clear, sold the YAS 280. Then I needed it back for outdoor events, so bought a used YAS 25 (immediate predecessor to YAS 275, high F# but nickel plated keyswork). Because I used them both for different applications, I had the benefit of appreciating the differences. The 62 has more all round, and noticeably fuller tone in the higher register. Finally sold the YAS 25. I bought at the right time, a good used YAS 62-I is a good find. I also tried a new YAS 62-II (G1 neck, two piece key guard) but it was darker/warmer, I preferred the 62-I.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@SaxJockey Thanks for sharing this 🎷 Yes the price for the student model horn seems to be quite high...

[@SaxJockey]

Just found a comparison of the YAS 26, YAS 280 and YAS 62. The 26 seems to sound better (more highs) than the 280. The 26 is the 280 but with nickel keys and no high F#. Maybe the body tube with no high F# really does make a difference? kzbin.info/www/bejne/i6aVfoNrpb2Dq7c

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@SaxJockey very cool - I have an old 23 that I should go revisit… many players do prefer no high F#. It makes sense that having an extra tone hole that high up would change things 👍🏼

[@aaronbensi9723]

Just listening to this. The 875 and 62 are close. The z comes in last.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Thanks for checking it out! What do you not like about the Z? In this play test I had a hard time hearing a difference but I know that its all in the ears of the listener- genuinely curious :)

[@jwilliams986]

I plan to purchase a yas 62 model in the near future. As much as they cost, why couldn’t yamaha put some pretty keys on the 62? Other than that I love the 62!

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yessir, I love the 62. Yeah they use the plastic key touches on that horn. Not sure why but they still do look nice :) I actually prefer those to pearls because they don't wear down. Let me know if you end up getting one!

[@jwilliams986]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka Hey Steve! I received my YAS 62 today. Still in the box. Haven’t had a chance to unbox it. Will make time to open it up this evening hopefully.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

@@jwilliams986 congratulations ! No doubt you're gonna love it. Yamahas are great instruments!

[@nhr27]

So you have a reason to move up/spend more of course!

[@jazldazl9193]

Just replace plastics with pearls/abalone?

[@rogeliogilgonzalez]

How do you play altissimo?

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I have a demo video up on KZbin on my approach to it. Go back about 6 videos 👍🏼

[@antoniomusgrove]

Man they all sound incredibly similar th 62 rings more the unlacquered horn is not darker than the other two.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

I agree - when I did the test and listened back I had a hard time hearing a huge difference myself. I think this is partially because I used the same neck on all 3 horns - I should have used the necks that the horns came with ...

[@georgefurlow1]

I'd take the YS 62III

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Looking back, I should have too!!

[@wcakgilleran]

The low end of the 82ZUL wins for me.

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Right on ! Thanks for checking it out 🙏🏻

[@ArtBusker]

El Yamaha 82Z UL no tiene el cuello correspondiente .

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

It comes with a V1 - I’m using the same neck on all saxes 👍🏼

[@ArtBusker]

@@SaxophoneSteveKortyka El V1 Es excelente Bro !!!

[@martindavis3239]

To this old bloke the 62 has a much warmer sound particularly in the lowe register.Not a great fan of the modern fad of lots of altissimo

[@SaxophoneSteveKortyka]

Yes altissimo can definitely be over done and not sound great when it is ... Thanks for the feedback - I found them all to be quite similar when listening back but that is just my opinion. Looking back I should have used the neck that came with each instrument 🤷‍♂️