(The 2nd) Most Legendary Saxophone? Yamaha YAS-23 / AS-100 Review

Yamaha YAS-280 on Amazon ►► amzn.to/32cM2kg
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In this video, Jeremy reviews the legendary Yamaha YAS-23 (also known as the AS-100), considered by many as the best beginner saxophone ever made.
The Yamaha YAS-23, made in Japan, was discontinued in 2012 but is still widely available on eBay, Craigslist and through private sellers. Know what's even better? Most YAS-23's now sell for approximately $500 USD, making it (in our opinion) the best saxophone you can buy for $500!
Check out Jeremy's full review and sound demonstration in the video above!
Jeremy's sax equipment on Amazon:
Alto Saxophone
Meyer 6 Mouthpiece ►► amzn.to/32bj2sR
Rovner Ligature (for Meyer mouthpiece) ►► amzn.to/2SGw6n8
Vandoren V16 Reeds (size 2.5) ►► amzn.to/2vOklls
Cebulla Neck Strap ►► amzn.to/2HCAjld
Cleaning Kit ►► amzn.to/2wxeAJn
Tenor Saxophone
MACSAX D-Jazz Mouthpiece (Caution: Pro's only!) ►► amzn.to/38LOFMb
Vandoren Java Red (size 3) ►► amzn.to/2Pauvnd
Jazzlab Saxophone Harness ►► amzn.to/2SZrSpp
Cleaning Kit ►► amzn.to/2wxeAJn
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www.saxtuition.com

[@SaxTuition]

🎷🎉Thanks for watching! Start your saxophone journey with the SaxTuition Beginner Series and save 10% by using the code KZbin at checkout ►► www.saxtuition.com/beginner-series

[@steve69uc]

Legendary indeed. I'm still playing my YAS-23 circa 1990. Rock solid quality.

[@aircanuck]

For my first sax and first entrance into music, I managed to pick up a student demo of the YAS-23, that had been used once. I had no idea what I was doing, I just read that yamaha made a decent sax and it was a great value to grow with. I feel like I really lucked out. So much so that I hunted down a demo YTS-23. I've played the YAS-23 like crazy, it's become a dear friend to me in a short time. Thanks for the review, it was also nice to hear how great my sax could oneday sound with some dedication!

[@SaxTuition]

That’s awesome! It’s a fantastic sax, a real legend in my opinion. Glad you’re enjoying it! Thanks for watching.

[@SteveWiddicombe-bv1up]

Me too 😂 You don’t need a Selmer; these are great little horns

[@davidclaro152]

I still have my YAS-23 from the mid 80s. Still a great horn!

[@kellyluck1626]

Sitting here, watching videos and waiting for my YAS-23 to arrive. Nice video. It would be neat to hear the 4C vs the Meyeer or other mouthpieces.

[@SteveWiddicombe-bv1up]

The 4C sounds as good as any of the them and only 60au around 40us

[@SteveWiddicombe-bv1up]

I got one of these in good condition for $550au 😁 thank to a very kind fellow Dirk Marcus of Tritone in Canberra barely 370us. They sound just as good with the original 4C mouthpiece they came with. Mines a Vito version but they are identical; bullet proof little horns. Yamaha saxophones are the real deal

[@juliaf_]

I've got the yas-21 as a hand me down from my dad and it still plays great. It's missing two of the small pads on the table, but that's just a bit of annoying clickiness

[@SaxTuition]

Awesome, yeah the YAS-21 is legendary! And the missing felts is an easy fix if the clickiness gets too annoying 😊

[@Luca-pg5mj]

Hi. I was given a sax as a gift because it had not been used for a few years by my cousin. It's a Dixon sax,model WWX513, but I haven't found much online. It's a saxophone made in Taiwan, I think around the 90s. In your opinion, is it a good, inexpensive sax? Does it sound good? Has anyone ever tried it?

[@wchicaiza2400]

It took me a lot of time to decide to change my Bundy I... My new buddy will be a YAS-23. Thanks for the review.

[@sarabauer6268]

Interesting. I played a YAS-23 and am in the market for a Bundy I or a post-Selmer-buyout Buescher 400.

[@sarabauer6268]

What's your reason for switching from the Bundy I?

[@wchicaiza2400]

@@sarabauer6268 I am looking for a new step... but not an expensive one. I was thinking about this or a Jupiter... What do you think? and thanks for your question.

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

How does the generic student mouthpiece compare to a Yamaha 4C? I was under the assumption that my YAS-23 came with the 4C yet as I started looking into adding a 5C I noticed pictures shows a Yamaha logo that mine is lacking. Having just started sax earlier this year (I am a low brass player, however) I don't mind using a generic to learn, but was wondering for comparison sake.

[@davidclaro152]

Keep up the great work. Your videos are great. Cheers mate!

[@johnthomson2377]

I've found that they're excellent for reaching altissimo notes.

[@joeyblue2057]

Good morning, thanks for the great information...and the information on all the Yamaha sax lines of replacements of the YAS-23. I would love to know what the YAS letters stand for? And I just have to say thank you, when I started this December, I started with asking Jeremy to recommend a used beginner Sax, AND THIS ONE IS THE ONE HE RECOMMENDED. And I was able to find a great one. And love it. Only been playin a couple of months, and I can now play Mary had a little lamb. That being said Jeremy it was so nice to hear the potential of how my saxophone could sound listening to you play. And I also found it very helpful to hear the difference between the two mouthpieces. I would love to get more information on mouthpieces and how you determine if you want to be playing something jazzy, orchestra, funky, etc. seems to be a lot out there on how to make the difference sound and what helps it. In the meantime thanks for everything this was a great video to find in my mailbox today. And still loving your course.

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Joey! Thanks again for your kind words :) I will definitely make a separate video on mouthpiece selection because I think it's something that will certainly benefit the whole community. As far as what YAS stands for - I believe it's Yamaha Alto Saxophone. The tenor version is YTS, so it seems like it checks out... Glad you're enjoying the Beginner Series!

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Joey, here's a video that goes into more depth about different mouthpieces that I just uploaded. Hope you're having fun on the sax! kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaibqqpspLN-Zqc

[@dcp8nts]

YAS, perhaps it's Yamaha Alto Sax =D

[@emilianodelacruz3504]

The good also you play with soul and melody touch

[@jakebwithak]

Could you do a video of your opinion on classical vs jazz embouchure please? Great video by the way

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Jakeb - absolutely, I'll add it to my list! In the meantime, this video might help you: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iXuXm4Kpd52rj7M In general, using more mouthpiece when playing can open up your sound, and give you the projection you need for playing jazz and contemporary music. I should have a full video about this in the next couple of weeks, so stay tuned...

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Jakeb, a bit belated I know, but here is the video: kzbin.info/www/bejne/iaibqqpspLN-Zqc

[@Abdulmalik-gd3lm]

Please tell me Chinese saxophone is better option to a new one. Please suggest me a cheap and best . I am from India. i purchase it easily in India .Thanks

[@dcp8nts]

Can you tell me the differences between the YAS 23 and YAS 62 please. Thank you. Great videos!

[@sarabauer6268]

Do you mean YAS 23 and 26? The YAS-62 is considered a pro-level horn and will be way more expensive. The price range looks to be $1500 - $3500, while a good condition YAS 23 will be more like $500.

[@dcp8nts]

@@sarabauer6268 Yes, i mean 62, not 26. I have the 23, and would like to know what the differences are, as far as ergonomics, general feel, ease of playing, sound etc. Thank you

[@sarabauer6268]

@@dcp8nts I'll be honest and say I'm still a novice in this arena, but I've watched a TON of videos comparing various saxophone models. Here is a good one that more or less answers your questions. kzbin.info/www/bejne/gIm0cqGjga6BoLM Like Jeremy said in the video above, the 280 is similar to and an improvement on the YAS-23. In general, a pro horn is going to have improved craftsmanship, better quality of tone, faster/quieter keywork, higher quality components like springs and pads, possibly more options for customization, and prettier engraving :).

[@gretagroce9072]

@@sarabauer6268 o

[@randofax92]

Hello, is there any difference between the YAS-23 and the AS-100?

[@SaxTuition]

Nope! It’s the same saxophone 🙂

[@pablo_domingo]

Where can I buy a Yamaha yas 23 Japan?

[@nahualollin61]

Hello do you know where I can sell one of this saxophones I got one that Ive never used whats the most I can get for it? Can you help meee thak you

[@DaleFedele]

You should do a part 3 with SBA. Because, let's face it, SBA > Mark VI (in my totally unbiased opinion).

[@DaleFedele]

Great video btw, love your channel

[@SaxTuition]

@@DaleFedele Thanks a lot Dale, and you're in luck! I just did a deep dive into a 1948 SBA (comparing it to a modern Series III) over here: kzbin.info/www/bejne/aYfGnaacar6lmqs

[@_mina24]

Wanting to buy one I found but I'm concerned that the keys look worn does that affect the instrument at all?

[@SaxTuition]

Hi Mina, that shouldn’t be an issue, it’s natural for the lacquer of the instrument to slowly rub off over time, but that doesn’t negatively affect the tone. The only issue would be if the pads themselves have degraded (inside the keys), but those can be replaced quite easily by a repairer. Perhaps ask the seller when the instrument was last serviced and what the conditions of the pads are like. Hope that helps!

[@kirancotting6588]

how do you feel about the yas200adii? Worth the upgrade to an as100?

[@SaxTuition]

Great question! To tell you the truth I wasn’t even aware of that sax until you mentioned it, on first glance it looks very similar to the AS-100 / YAS-26... are you already playing on it?

[@kirancotting6588]

@@SaxTuition I am leasing the yas200adii currently but tomorrow I'm gonna pick up an as100 for $350. excited to try it out!

[@saxynijudas]

What is the difference in yas 23 student model?

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Judas, I don't think I understand your question?

[@markdavidglase6665]

Is a Muslady Alto Eb saxophone good for beginners?

[@SaxTuition]

Hey Mark, I have never tried one myself but I’ve seen them being sold online for very cheap.. I would steer clear of these ones for now. Check out the Jean Paul AS-400 if you’re interested in an inexpensive, brand new saxophone 👍

[@markdavidglase6665]

@@SaxTuition Thank you! I'll make sure to watch your videos and tutorials. I want to try playing a saxophone. I am a piano/keyboard player in our church. I hope you will help me whenever I bought a saxophone. Thank you SaxTuition, stay safe and God bless!

[@markdavidglase6665]

@@SaxTuition The Muslady Alto Eb saxophone is been sold here in the Philippines for $240. Its the only thing I can afford but I'm not familiar of its brand and quality. I also consider it a little because I'm just a beginner.

[@dcp8nts]

This month, i bought a VITO,, LeBlanc, Japan, which is, essentially , the YAS23. Built in 1989 I'm very happy with it. If you have any thoughts on it, i'd love to know. I'm coming from many years of playing flute. Great review!

[@SaxTuition]

Fantastic! Yes this is something I should have mentioned in the video, great choice. Have fun!

[@dcp8nts]

@@SaxTuition I just received my Yamaha 4C mouthpiece. The ligature I have doesn't go down far enough to create a good seal. Can you recommend a good fitting ligature for the 4C? Thank you so much!

[@SaxTuition]

Sorry for the delay getting back to you! It’s a shame that the 4C didn’t come with a ligature already, those ones usually do. I believe this is the standard Yamaha ligature that fits with the 4C: amzn.to/34pIGet

[@SaxTuition]

In case you’re interested, I also like the leather Rovner ligatures.. they’re very durable and easy to get on and off - that’s what I personally play on. About the same price too! Here’s a link: amzn.to/3c3hoNH

[@Hiroyuki_T]

The ligature for yamaha mouthpieces are Yamaha standard and the rovner dark

[@wisnuadiputra4843]

The most Legendary alto saxophone player : Kenny G Dave Koz Sadao Watanabe ( Japan ) Embong Rahardjo ( Indonesia 1950 - 2001 ) Michael Paulo Grover Washington Jr ( 1943 - 1999 ) .. and many more 🙏🙏

[@christianthomassen8420]

Helliwell

[@MattCouzensMusic]

Kenny G doesn't play alto......

[@alifhassad1864]

If you want this saxophone head strait to Nazareth music center I pretty sure they’ll give you one

[@MattCouzensMusic]

AS-100 isn't made in Japan. I don't recommend it to my students. Much better to get an older 23 IMHO

[@MrRampdog]

Yes it was... my one (bought in Australia) was 100% Made in Japan 🙂

[@MattCouzensMusic]

@@MrRampdog No, it wasn't. Just like in pianos etc. Yamaha does everything they can to blur the lines of "country of origin". Parts for your sax may have been made in Japan but the assembly and much more were made elsewhere in Asia. When you ask a salesperson if the instrument was made in Japan they are trained to say very specific things that are technically true like, "Yamaha is the biggest producer of musical instruments in Japan" or "Everything on this instrument was made in Japan". They leave out the fact that it was actually assembled in Indonesia or China or wherever they're doing their assembly now. But I don't blame the salespeople. They're trained that way and often don't even know they're repeating misleading information. Just like you...... 😉 😘 😆 🤣

[@SuperSamu14]

i have a VITO hahahah but its the same!

[@SaxTuition]

Yes it is! Good pick :)