Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone (Used)
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- Product #483901
Modern action married with classic sound.
Yamaha developed the YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone to be a sax capable of performing both classical and jazz music. The resulting YAS-82Z Custom alto saxophone will knock jazz sax players out with its projection and sweet tone. Classical saxophonists will appreciate the control the alto Yamaha YAS-82Z sax gives them over their tone from pianissimo to fortissimo.
The Yamaha YAS-82Z incorporates several features found on famous Yamaha saxophones of the past as well as offering many improvements on models such as the popular Yamaha YAS-62 saxophone. Yamaha engineers also maintained their consistently high build quality and the free-blowing nature that characterizes Yahama saxophones.
Yamaha's YAS-82Z captures the sound of popular vintage saxophones of the past, but adds the comfort of modern mechanisms and playability. The Yamaha Custom Z's body is made from a special brass alloy for a lighter weight saxophone and tonal flexibility only dreamt of until now. The saxophone's Custom G1 neck helps produce a quick and agile response, while key action and placement feel just right.
Saxophone body design
The Yamaha YAS-82Z saxophone boasts a 2-piece hydro-formed bell for durability and well-formed tone. The body, bell, and bow are annealed during production to increase the YAS-82Z saxophone's response and give it less air resistance.
Mechanisms
The new mechanisms on the Yamaha YAS-82Z sax mean faster action and they make adjustments easy while keeping repairs to a minimum.
Blue steel springs
Yamaha equips the YAS-82Z sax with blue steel springs for faster, more sensitive key response and higher resilience and durability.
New Yamaha case
Yamaha delivers the YAS-82Z sax with a newly designed lightweight case that includes a handy shoulder strap.
Custom-style engraving
The beautiful Yamaha YAS-82Z saxophone's eye-catching engraving gives you the look of a custom horn. And there's even an availabe non-lacquered version for those who prefer that look..
All Yamaha wind instruments come with a limited 5-year warranty.
Features
- 62-style keys
- Mother-of-pearl finger buttons
- 62-style French brass body
- One-piece, rib construction
- Non-annealed, custom G1 neck
- 2-piece water-bulged, engraved bell
- 62-style key mechanism
- High F# key
- Adjustable front F key
- Gold lacquer finish
- Steeper tapered pivot screws
- Adjustable split ball octave mechanism
- Bigger nickel silver ring
- Premium case
A serious saxophone for the serious saxophone player. Order today.
YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone Specifications:
- Level: Custom Z
- Key: Eb
- Neck: Custom G1
- Neck Material: French Brass
- Body Material: French Brass (annealed)
- Bell: French Brass (annealed); Two-piece
- Key Material: Yellow Brass
- Key Buttons: Mother of pearl
- Tone Holes: Drawn
- Auxiliary Keys: Front F; High F# key
- Mouthpiece: Yamaha 4CM
- Mouthpiece Cap: Yellow brass; Gold lacquer
- Silver-plated (YAS-82ZS)
- Ligature: Yellow brass; Gold lacquer (YAS-82Z/ZB);
- Silver-plated (YAS-82ZS)
- Spring Type: Blue steel needle
- Pad Type: Waterproof leather and wool felt with plastic tone boosters
- Bell Decoration: Hand engraved
- Thumb Hook: Adjustable plastic
- Pivot Screw: Bullet tip design with head
- Mounting: Ribbed and flanged
Review Snapshot®
by PowerReviews(based on 7 reviews)
Ratings Distribution
100%
of respondents would recommend this to a friend.
Pros
- Easy to play (3)
- Good audio (3)
- Quality craftsmanship (3)
Cons
Best Uses
Reviews
Reviewed by 7 customers
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Displaying reviews 1-7
Pros
- Bright Tone
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Looks Great
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
Cons
Best Uses
- Everything
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
So I got this sax about two years ago in silver plate and I have not been disappointed with anything at all except the neck. The neck that came with the sax IS good, but not for the silver plate model, mainly due to its brightness. It is just overwhelming. So I swapped it out for the neck from my 23 (which had no lacquer because I removed it :P), just to see if it had any effect. That warmed the tone up a bit. It is now my main neck, but I am looking at upgrading to a phil barone neck or a ponzol or something. All in all though, the tone is very centered throughout the scale, every note comes out buttery smooth, and it is very easy to play overtones. The mechanism is very comfortable for a person with medium sized hands. The sound of this sax is very powerful and has a strong core. A lacquer 62 sounds like this sax with a rag stuffed in the bell, just to give you some perspective. Note: the neck issue is mainly with the silver plate model, as the brightness of the neck and the brightness of the silver plate combined is just overwhelming. All tests were done with a Meyer 5M, a Selmer S80 C*, and a Vandoren V16 A5M.
Pros
- Consistent
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- Accompaniment
- Jazz Clubs
- Small Venues
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
I was impressed with the construction quality and attention to detail. Rich tone with a feel and action that are spot on.
Pros
- Easy To Play
- Quality Craftsmanship
- Rich Sound
- Warm Tone
Cons
Best Uses
- For my own use
- Sounds wonderful
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
Always wanted to learn to play a musical instrument. So when I retired I settled on the Sax and have not been disappointed. This instrument is both beautiful and has a wonderful mello sound, soft jazzy sound. I could not be happier with my purchase of the yamaha-yas-82z-custom-z-series-alto-saxophone with black lacquer.
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
Purchased the Black Lacquer for my 15 y/o 10th grader who just made all county and wanted to step up from his basic sax. He had tried a friend's "Z" and it was recommended by his sax tutor. We wanted to encourage him and he could keep this sax home and for recitals and keep the other one in school and for marching band. We figured if we are going to do it there is nothing to gain by waiting until he is older. He is thrilled with it, it is easier to play, has wonderful tone and is a beautiful instrument. He has been rehearsing more than ever with no nagging by us. His tutor thought it was terrific and tried it himself. We had it tuned up to close a few minor air leaks which is typical of all saxes and the pro who did it also loved it and said if his twice as expensive Selmer ever went he would replace it with a Z. We ended up buying the Selmer c* mouthpiece from MF and the combo is dynamite. My son insists he can hit notes that he could never cleanly hit. It's a significant investment but it was a win-win for us.
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
I play mainly in a jazz big band as first alto, meaning I have to play pretty loudly to be heard. This horn makes it easy to blast the notes while still sounding big, full, and on pitch. The sound of this horn is amazing, it has a nice bright tone, not shrill, yet enough to cut through the band, nice and chimy. I played it in a music store, and I immediately selected it over a Keilwerth and an Antigua, even though those were new and the Yamaha was used. The intonation is great, but D will always be sharp, and my C# is a little flat, I have to vent the side keys to get it on pitch. Other than that, this horn is amazing, even down to the engraving on the bell, they did a beautiful job with it. I highly recommend this to anyone who knows what they're doing.
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
I've been playing a Selmer Mark VI alto for 39 years, and until recently, never thought of trying another sax. Eight years ago, I had to find a replacement for my worn-in-the-tooth Conn 10M tenor sax, and I purchased a Yamaha YTS62IIS, after I tried several Selmer tenors. For me, the Yamaha had a better sound, more consistent intonation, and was easier to play.So, when I became frustrated playing in one of my bands because I was blowing my brains and chops out trying to compete over a loud rhythm section, I read some reviews on the Yamaha Custom Z Series alto sax. The reviews mentioned the sax having a lower resistance, thus making it more efficient, and it was noticeably louder.I bought a non-laquered used model from Musician's Friend, and it played sweet right out of the box! I just had to treat a couple of pads that were a little sticky. I played a 2-hour gig (with my loud band) with it last night, and with my Selmer, my chops would have been shot, but with my new Custom Z, I wanted to keep playing! Plus, I received a lot of compliments on my playing! It was pretty inspirational -- the best compliment you can give an instrument. The only thing I had a little trouble with was the right B-C trill key -- its location was slightly different from the Selmer.I think my Mark VI is more expressive, and I'll still use it for recording, but for playing live outdoors, the Yamaha really rocks!
Comments about Yamaha YAS-82Z Custom Z Series Alto Saxophone:
I got a Scratch & Dent 82z with NO High F# and absolutely love it. Being a Selmer Mark VI owner, this alto is a great 2nd horn with lots of character. Naturally, you will want to explore some different mouthpieces depending on your style. Gaurdala and other metal mthpcs that work with Mark VI are too bright for the 82z, but a Morgan or Lakey really sing. Technically, there is no faster action out there--absolute lightning quick!I am excited to practice daily again because the horn plays like a dream every single day.
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