Selmer Paris Mark VI (1973) vs Yamaha Custom Z (YAS-82z)

[@MVargabass]

Confirmation 1:48 Yamaha 4:32 Selmer

[@harppsricprince]

How do they compare in terms of weight ?

[@rattlesnakejake5513]

Harps Prince weight doesn’t matter they’re both great.

[@devilshark6694]

@@harppsricprince i weighed a z and mark vii alto and they were the same weight on the nose

[@donaldanderson8284]

I bought a Selmer Mark 6 Tenor around 1977. I’ve been playing with different bands from the 60’s - 90’s. I really loved the sounds of the Selmer and I liked the sound quality of the Alto Selmer you were playing.

[@markwhite672]

I purchased a new Mark VI alto in 1975. I could make it sound beautiful with warm sounding mouthpieces (it was a little on the bright side). I switched to a Yamaha 62 alto a decade later which I liked more than the Mark VI... the intonation was so much better and the sound was beautiful the whole range. I switched to the Yamaha 855 alto in 1995. The 855 alto had super easy low notes (compared to the 875 alto) and I loved the sound even more than the 62 alto. A few years ago I switched to the 875 EXII alto and I love this alto the most. I still love the sound of my Yamaha 875 tenor I purchased in 1995.... especially with the new Yamaha necks... E1 and V1. I now realize I should have kept that Mark VI alto... I didn't realize back then, how you can improve a sax tremendously with a different neck. I recommend the 875 Yamaha models over the 82z models because you can get plenty of brightness out of the 875 with a bright mouthpiece and you can get very warm lush sounds with warm sounding mouthpieces. The 82z models are more on the bright side... Yamaha purposely made them to play brighter with less resistance... many saxophonists love that brightness... but, I can get plenty bright on the 875 with the right mouthpiece.

[@IsaelMelo]

Já testei ambos e optei pelo Yamaha 82z exatamente por ser mais preciso em afinação, ter mais projeção, ter uma resposta mais rápida e o timbre que mais me agradou sem falar que o design é muito mais bonito e tem uma construção mais perfeita em acabamentos.

[@georgekosich5563]

I own both and feel that Selmer projects better and fuller. Both good horns.

[@JavierCavacini]

The VI has a richer sound in my opinion. But Z is a great horn anyway. I made a video comparing a VI, a VII and a Yamaha 32. Check it out

[@bazbuco]

I've had both of these altos in my life at different points and Mike is spot on with the differences in key-action, C#-D issues, etc. Only trouble with your video Mike is that you were clearly closer to the microphone while playing the Z and farther away from it when playing the Mark VI which altered the quality of the two recordings.

[@satosheeee6557]

I play a Yamaha 82Z as well as American Selmer Mk6 78xxx . Both are very excellent.

[@wilkermonteirodemelo2238]

Sem dúvida prefiro o custom 82z... mecânica moderna, afinação impecável e timbre apaixonante...

[@adamstein7302]

confirmation! love that song. the mark vi definitely sounds better in my opinion. definitely opens up your sound. they don't make 'em like they used to.

[@MikeBlock]

Yeah, I prefer the VI as well! However, that was really only the 3rd time I had ever picked up the Yamaha. I'm sure if I worked with it more I could have gotten more control and a better sound out of it. Thanks for watching!

[@andymartinez5300]

I have a mark vi, but in this comparison I like more yamaha has a clearer and brighter sound. In my opinion Win the yamaha!!!

[@psmitty3715]

I Have nether, But the Mark IV has a slight low elongated tone. great for Jazz.

[@brekedekdang39]

I noticed you appear to be closer to the mic when you play the yamaha than the mk vi. It might have impacted how the horn sounded to the listener of the recording.

[@lexigone]

1973 Selmer is still making amazing sounds. Yamaha 82z’s tone is very pleasing with silky intonation.

[@tanduong3224]

Just like compare Sea Doo and Yamaha watercraft.Which is better?

[@thomaskipfer1008]

I personally think the musician had an easier time making solid pitches on the Selmer. When I play Selmer- my expectations are never disappointed. I know it's going to be there. Yamaha and Asian horns are made with softer alloys. I dropped a YAS 61. It wouldn't play... The tech told me about the soft metal. I've never played another. A pro horn should be more solid. I was changed for life!

[@saxoTuấnĐặng]

Anh chị có kèn cũ hoặc ko sài bán lại cho em được ko , vì em ko có khả năng mua , yêu thích và đam mê lắm

[@diegomarinhosax]

O yamaha custom 82z tem som mais aberto Com mais brilho e um som mais nítido. Mais resposta da lata tambem. Fico com o som do yamaha 82z 👏👏👏👏

[@qq-hk2sq]

It's hard to call for me because the horns are not played back to back without commentary and the test play is too long causing dilution of recall. We're human beings and subject to judgement bias based on knowledge of the horns and associated preferences before hand. In my experience, how a horn feels in my hands and the feedback I get from it when I play it would determine which is best for me. I really like both of my horns which to me are the best I've ever played. They both sound great however, they play different because they are different and that difference is mainly in the spring tension and comfort of hand layout. As a result, I feel faster and more agile on one horn than the other which only matters when I want to play fast, otherwise I'm fine with both and wouldn't dare want to move backwards to the ergonomics of a vintage horn that so many rave about. I really like the way some of the keys feel as if they are cradling my fingers and how some of the key contours guide my fingers into place on my modern horns. I did feel that the Selmer played a little darker and that could have more to do with the neck than the body of the horn. That wouldn't make it better, or worse, just more suitable for those who prefer a darker sound to bright.

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

Excellent response. I'm in the same camp.

[@davepierremusic3974]

Excellent review as always and really love your channel. I was wondering what you thought about the pmauriat horns especially the system 76 dark lacquer alto?

[@cjhinds8331]

Everything gets clearer on the Mark 6. I might be biased as an owner, but if we are being fair, I do own one for a reason. It is interesting that you find more resistance on the Selmer, because I have noticed the exact opposite.

[@arbous65]

Nice comparison. It sounds as if Yamaha is more free blowing (May be a bit bigger bore in upper stack). I found whenever there is a resistance created either by thicker reed, vibration restricting ligature, and smaller bore, it ends up sounding slicker and sort of with more character. The metal needs to be more vibrant in the body to make up for it and not sound boring so you mix a focused tone of small bore with richness of the metal vibration. In the new horns they increased the bore to have easier playability and bigger sound which is great but you don’t get that slick and sweet tone profile. Your mark Vi is probably not one of the most charactered mark Vi tones because mid or late 60s onward, Selmer started increasing the bore and their brass metallurgy was also a bit different (less vibrant) but more or less still it has some of that slick focused core tone. I imagine a pro performer may not care about that tone character difference and stick to one that performs the best.

[@lboy9889]

What size Reed?

[@MikeBlock]

3 Vandoren Java Green Box

[@ronhendon6381]

Mark VI has more warm full sound. The yami is very live and responsive sounding. Both nice

[@Gliderking80]

Your playing position between the two horns is more changing the sound than any brand names on it.

[@ernoe303]

My observation exactly!

[@peterchristlieb]

Mike, my Dad has been using Yamaha Tenors on out of town gigs for years and years and he swears by them, even when he was playing the Cannonball. I guess they are very consistent. He used to buy an extra seat on the plane for his SBA but that doesnt always work out. They'll never make anything that compares to the Super Balance but they are very comparable to a Mark VI.

[@abilioj.mattos6980]

kkkkkkkkkk, Ja tive um Yamaha custon mas após tocar em um vintage.... que é isto, sem comparações, nem saudades eu sinto de Yamaha!!

[@SaxophoneDanLive]

Not all Mark VI's are created equal.

[@dwalkervocalman1]

Daniel Weiss I TOTALLY AGREE! Too many changes in design and function made those horns a “hit and miss” option. The Yamaha Professional line of “Custom” saxes are hard to beat.

[@georgekosich5563]

@@dwalkervocalman1 Perhaps the Yamahas are more consistent but if one likes the Selmer sound..... tough decision sometimes on two fine saxes. Own both! LOL

[@jimmytrue1181]

hi mike ! in your opinion witch one is better ?

[@benjaminmarks8765]

Mkvi is warmer, Yamaha very nice but soooo bright

[@Ramdas_Devadiga]

The way he is positioning them in front of those is altering the sound. Not a good representation of how each sounds imho.

[@jessica_barros]

1:48 Yamaha 4:31 Selmer Thanks!

[@Desertduleler_88]

The VI is softer more centered tone, whereas the 82Z feels a tad brighter and open in tone.....Both great horns all the same.

[@JunkMailBoxStuff]

I'd like to see a studio conyrolled blind test of a Selmer Mark VI, Yamaha 875, and 82z. Now THAT might be a better test. Vote, the see the results. 😉

[@adrianquialv3021]

se nota el sonido mas brillante del Yamaha y el sonido un poco mas oscuro del Selmer !!! Excelente Saxos

[@pukuel]

Voltei o vídeo várias vzs, praticamente não tem diferença de som. Os dois são top!

[@TCJAZZ-MUSIC]

Mark VI ........... Hands down man .... Free blowing, incredible range and excellent tone quality. Great video man - thanks for sharing .

[@JakeWerkmeister]

The VI should have a very light action. The springs on the VI may be sprung a little harder than need be. Yamaha has excellent leverage in their mechanism, but the VI should be just slightly lighter to the touch. The key is in the longer springs on the VI. Talk to your tech about backing some tension off on the VI's springs. It should make a very big difference. This is a very interesting video. You're correct in that the 82Z is more free blowing than the VI, but I've always found pre-VII Selmers to be more flexible than most modern horns. They're more resistant, but somehow you're able to voice notes more easily. I'm guessing that this is the result in the neck design, and this is especially noticeable in their tenor models. I personally love Yamaha horns, but that's due to a price/playability/practicality factor moreso than being the superior horn. Primo Selmer saxes are just simply fun to play. Oh, and your model has a longer bow than the early VI's. Earlier varients are known as "short bows", and are a few ounces lighter than Yamaha student horns. Short bows tend to "motorboat" in the lower registers, and are often fitted with post-manufactured baffles located on the top part of the bend in the body to bow connection point. Your horn has a longer bow, probably has a high F#, and has a ball socket mechanism on the side Bb and C keys. They're slightly heavier altos, but have better intonation than their earlier counterparts.

[@MikeBlock]

+Jake Werkmeister Thanks for your comment. I honestly like/prefer the action on the 6 as is. Not sure if that is factory, from a past setup, or just the age of the springs. It does indeed have a baffle in the bow and is quite a heavy horn. High f#. It's not bad for a pawn shop find and nicely contrasts my Keilwerth SX90R Shadow Tenor.

[@JakeWerkmeister]

Mike Block JK have awesome bores and a big sound. There's just something clumsy about their action that I can't get into. I mean, I'd play one, but I still prefer the feel of modern Yamahas and Yanagisawas. Selmers are a bit more of a mixed bag in this department. Post VI horns are fine, but are usually best after their first overhauls. Selmer Super Series-VI's are just extremely nimble horns. Still baffles my mind as to why they don't add those extra few millimeters onto their springs. The extra few cents saved per horn doesn't justify the loss.

[@pageboy25]

These cannot be compared since one is a modern and the other is vintage. The size in bore is so incredibly different that they should be in their own respective category.

[@IsaelMelo]

Prefiro o timbre do custom Z 👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼👏🏼

[@kmarigunter4327]

love the mark 6 sound awesome

[@ralphewell8398]

I own both and still prefer the Selmer

[@zacheryhanson214]

I like the Mark VI better but the 82z is really nice to. Both great horns!

[@TedMaciag]

Selmer is the richer sounding horn. The Z is brittle. Now it depends what venues' and material one is playing. The real question is: How does it feel from the mpc side? Which has the better response? Good luck!

[@diegomarinhosax]

Afinação do yamaha 82z tambem é superior

[@HonestSaxSound-unEdited-]

Selmer MVl ist wärmer... Yamaha hat wohlmöglich die beste meschanik, aber klingt zu brilliant. Beide sind grossartig.

[@sergoblak4360]

Даже без наушников слышно, что селмер звучит мягче, приятнее и привычнее для уха. Как не крути 😀😀😀

[@saxefoner]

Thanks for this demo. I prefer the Selmer sound, although the Z might be easier to play, like Phil Woods said.

[@sleeplezznightz]

Love how edgy the Z sounds.

[@dcp8nts]

So do I

[@sleeplezznightz]

@@dcp8nts I'm actually wanting to change my vote now listening to it again lol

[@jamessimpson9690]

Mark VI not only sounds better, more rich, it's also got better intonation.

[@usererror2572]

He sounds great, but good lord when playing confirmation, please play the notes short. Idk, I guess it’s persona preference, but still... bird played them short!

[@saxefoner]

I agree. First thing I noticed, but maybe just a matter of taste.

[@federicoolschansky5684]

Sounds more like smooth jazz than bop.

[@thesmellycatjazz]

I'm not really a fan of his tone, but yea the legato tonguing was bothering me too

[@willisshell6828]

i have been playing since 6 grade and i am 40 now i used to have to mark 6 altos one from 1957 the other from 1961 the the 1957 got stolen in senior year would not play anything else such superior sound

[@nhojcam]

Yama's are bright, Yana's are a little less bright, but for that deliciousness of darkness - - Selmer. I finally found my rig for life...Selmer Reference 54 Tenor.

[@alexgreenbergmusic187]

MK VI all the way!

[@CharlieHoliday369]

If I was doing this whichever one I played second would sound better lol

[@Njderig]

The Yamaha sounds way better. Sorry I dont get all the hype with Mark VI horns. It actually sounds dull while the Yamaha sounds more expressive and lively.

[@lesgoe8908]

Agreed.

[@klop123rt]

Nah you’re just tone deaf

[@CharlieHoliday369]

there’s no accounting for taste!

[@genobourn7423]

I like both, but being "Old School" I favor the Vl. Warmer, softer. Example love many sax players but Grover's warm, soft sound..and not to mention his circular breathing is tops!

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Sorry, you are not comparing saxophones: you are in fact comparing 40+ years of difference in music styles available since 1973! If Yamaha wanted to make Z for the music from the 1970s and before, they would make it differently.

[@gilsomarmouramoura8855]

I like more the Yamaha sound

[@mr.mig2380]

i like more the custom from yamaha

[@rothschildianum]

I like the Mark VI better, sounds more musical.

[@johnjiggler1824]

It has more music. The instrument, it plays.

[@kroganpopy9206]

Both good.

[@leonard_dev]

Mark VI has a warmer and fuller tone. Yamaha already has a more modern tone, with a little more shine. Particularly, Mark VI pleases me more.

[@swingmanic]

I think you're comparing apples with apples - Different pads and reflectors on the pads and people compensate from horn to horn to attain the sound that they like! - I guess with modern manufacturing techniques, they're more like mass produced digital watches these days, whereas in the days of the MKIV, every horn had its own idiosyncrasies, after all they were more hand made in those days. - Sadly, craftsmen are a dying breed.

[@justneky]

Yaaass

[@vladimirlopez7840]

Yamaha all the way for me. Better ergo’s better construction and a mouthpiece change will warm it up.

[@joer3481]

The Selmer sounds more centered...a richer "color".....

[@hazlitt1]

The two sound perhaps 2% difference. In a blind test half of us would have a job to determine which was better. Price difference x 200% or 300%.

[@brunoesso2281]

Bonjour, une comparaison entre le YAS82Z et le super action série II m'aurait semblée plus judicieuse... Je ne comprends pas que les sax selmer actuels soient si peu évalué, le Référence me semble pourtant être un modèle digne de la marque et pourtant il reste encore en retrait par rapport aux SBA, balance et Mark VI.. .

[@bscabc8847]

...............and the price difference ? ? ? 😉

[@ice-iu3vv]

the yamaha costs a little over 5k new, or 3300-4500 used. mark 6 hasnt been made since 1974, and its so popular (not necessarily deserving the popularity level) that they range between 8k -20k depending on condition. the price difference is supply and demand NOT an indication of quality.

[@Ryu_SooHyun_Sax_Recipe]

마크6과 82z와의 아무런 차이를 모르겠네요 그저 일본이 악기를 너무 잘만들었다는것만 증명해버리네요

[@blueeyedsoulman]

MK VI if I had the choice (and I do.) VI for Alto, Tenor I prefer Yamaha's and Cannonball, go figure.

[@ajkirkcaldie]

Chris Nowak interesting. Any particular reason?

[@frankrawlins7328]

Zee for the win!!

[@paracletusrevelation4080]

Both are very nice! Selmer is more "romantic" and Yamaha is more modern...

[@ferminhortelanoserrano1161]

Al Selmer le noto el sonido más compacto, más ekilibrado. Al Yamaha, excesivamente brillante.

[@anderslind6833]

You can´t compare, as the Selmer has at least one leak, check the neck and the body joint.

[@neoherreraneoherrera8968]

More buzz on the z, also more bright. Thr mkvi sound dark.

[@madyeti3224]

Haven't tried the Custom Z..But I got a 72 mkVI and a 2015 YAS62iii...The Yamaha can't replace the Selmer...

[@edwarddesenne6153]

Prefer much more the Selmer for ease of producing fuller differing dynamics and better tone on lower notes

[@MikeBlock]

Hey folks, I'm looking to switch mouthpieces. Can you watch the video below and weigh in on which sounds the best on my Mark VI? kzbin.info/www/bejne/laW0YaCJirCpe6c

[@josedecarvalho5459]

Selmer to the bone

[@rhrh2025]

I played a Selmer Mark VI for 12 years, before going to Yamaha. A good MARK VI is a great horn, but you should know that horns back then weren't as consistent as they are now. My Mark VI was a bad one, and I have friends who had bad ones. Just be careful before buying a Mark VI, and don't assume that it's going to be a good instrument.

[@xlomen]

Getting a sweeter sound out of the MK VI

[@joehuang4325]

Yamaha's sound is too bright for me :/

[@antylemingable7128]

For me - only MK VI.

[@ArtBusker]

Claramente el Yamaha Z es más sonoro.

[@saxofonistacr]

I wanted to like the 82 better, but the difference is big in favor to the selmer

[@DigiDawgDaddy]

Selmer wins every time

[@AlexJaxx]

It's not so relevant.. beacause the distances between you and microphone is a little bit different on the each recording. The Yamaha is more close to the mic Wich affects the sound we hear.. the Selmer is a little farther. Isnt?

[@TheMusicalEvents]

I prefer the Selme by far ...

[@hoangphan4091]

Yamaha Z sound so bright

[@cfny]

Yamaha sounds better to me. Better projection, sweeter tone (more breath in the tone which I like).

[@FriaGram]

The mouthpiece selection will change more between these 2 horns than anything else.

[@tctc2470]

I have two Z’s (including a Phoenix - only 150 made), one VI and a Yani W-O2...my favorite??? My Cannonball A5-S!..let the haters loose...a Taiwanese horn over those classics? Yup....say what you may but it’s better from top to bottom.

[@isabellasorvillo2183]

He laid it down on the keys that will bend them!!

[@lukasalihein]

That's actually the better way to lay a sax down, the rods/keys on that side are all protected. Counter-intuitive but true =)

[@jetcarddude]

The Mark VI is not made any more, why are new horns compared to a discontinued one? Compare new horns to new horns.

[@ArtBusker]

El Selmer a mi criterio es más oscuro el sonido

[@rickstokes2239]

Definitely lean towards the Z

[@alexandrehenriquehenrique9681]

The Selmer, so smooth songs... to music actualy (pop and smooth jazz) is the better !!! But the Yamaha, to play classical and erudit music is good...

[@jimmytrue1181]

the mark VI sounding better then the yamaha

[@Sam123rod]

hola capo me regalas uno? no tengo dame la yamaha gracias jeje

[@lightlyphoenix3312]

Personally custom Z's are the least versatile horns ever made. They can only do so much and Yamaha's EX line is a hell of a lot better

[@robyroby9717]

Yamaha is good but Selmer sounds better

[@sabnavis51]

Yamaha is Bright but Selmer has beautiful intonation. Since Selmer is a vintage model & latter due to the development & research in the design of saxophones probably the companies like Yamaha have come up with such models which gives less resistance to the player making him comfortable to play for a longer time without having any fatigue. but in my opinion, Selmer stands TALL....... I may be corrected by the experienced sax players since we learn a lot by sharing our views as well as experiences.

[@FinleyWheatback]

VI all the way.

[@MrJColtrane68]

Prefer the sound of the Mark VI over the Yamaha

[@Xiluasofficial]

OH MY GOD WHY DID HE LAY THEM BOTH ON THE KEYS FLIP THEM OVER HOLYMOLY

[@furtherdefinitions1]

wrong, when you lay them down like that you do so with the key guards on the bottom. If you lay it the other way, you can knock the pinky and palm keys out of alignmnet and also scratch or damage the bell on the engraved side