Yamaha YTS-23 Student Tenor Saxophone  

I've been playing Sax since i was 8 years old and I've had this horn ever since (with the addition to better ones I've bought along the way)... It's been very durable and plays okay after all these years.  The thing to remember however is that this IS NOT a pro. horn.  The intonation is nothing to write home about and due it's age, my YTS is now so out of  tune on the upper register, that I have to pull out on the neck to play it.  In my opinion, if your not just starting, spend the extra money and get a Custom Z...

I've been playing since 2001, and got this instument, and havent had problems, its been great to me. I used this all through highschool as my marching sax, and its done great! While I might not use it in concert, simply because it sounds a little tinny on the lower notes (with a Vandoren V16 mouthpeice and a 2 1/2 reed.) overall its simply a good, solid sax :)

This YAMAHA YTS- 23 is one of the best saxes ever built, I have one since  1993 and I still use it in stage and for  gigs  everywhere.  I combine the  SELMER  D  Jazz metal mouth piece  and I make  a  big solid strong  sound.  The Yamaha YTS 23 is my buddy for any kind of presentations, I dont use any other brand on saxes ..only  YAMAHA. 

This is rough times right? so a $2000 music instrument is not the best investment for real life, maybe its the best investment for your inmortal inner musician... Once I got it I took classes (total newbe) and I can tell you the sound and the deep tone make me sound like Im more advanced player... I like it a lot, obviously once I tried to press the keys me and the other people realized Im still a newbee. Even the teacher felt in love with this beauty, visually and sound, beauty.

I've played this sax for as long as I've been playing sax, and it has never let me down. This thing is great. Also, remember: it's the player, not the instrument. That Cannonball may look pretty, but I'll kick your butt with my Yamaha any day. The only thing I haven't liked about this sax is the lack of a high F# key. Other than that, you won't be disappointed.