YTS confusion!

[MRC]

Hoping to get the opinion of anyone who is familiar with Yamaha tenor saxophones. I am the owner of a YTS-23 which I am looking to upgrade. It has been a fine horn and I want to stick with Yamaha. However, all my investigations into the upscale models have been very confusing. Even the people at local music stores don't seem to know the differences among the YTS-52/62/62II/new82Z. The official Yamaha website is also not very helpful, the descriptions/specs listed for the above horns make them sound all very similar. I have tried a YTS-52, it seemed exactly the same as my 23 except without the silver keys/posts. Didn't seem to make sense to "upgrade" to that, so now thinking of the 62/62II/or 82Z. Any help would be much appreciated!
PS- I am an amateur who plays just for fun, mainly rock and blues.
PPS-Don't mean to ignite debates over Yamaha vs other brands of sax either, just want opinions/info on those Yamaha models...

[Karen Stephan]

The YTS-62 is a great horn for rock/blues because it offers one of the brightest sounds of all the tenors and responds very freely. The new 82Z is even better yet. I would try both of them. I have had a custom 875 and now own a 62. The custom will give you a darker sound. I like things on the bright side. :)

[kevinm]

MRC,
I was in the same place as you awhile back. I originally as going to buy a 23 but found out that the overseas version (275) has high f# as well as nicer finish, so I bought that instead.
I decided to upgrade when I heard that Yamaha was coming out with a new version of the 62. I went to my local store thinking that the current 62's (the old ones) would be discounted. While I was there I was shown a Yamaha Allegro, a 52, and a older model (but new) 62.....talk about confusing!
Well....to make a long story short, they lowballed me on my 275 for trade-in PLUS they wanted $2,500 for older model 62. I went home, ordered a new 62 II from Prowinds for $1,700 and haven't looked back - It's a great horn!
btw..you are correct on the 52 not being much of a jump up from the 23.
~Kevin

[MRC]

Thanks for the replies Karen and Kevin, they were quite helpful. I took the plunge and ordered a new YTS-62II from USA Horn. I wanted to buy local, but no shops in my area had it in stock.

[Buster]

I used to own a YTS32 which I bought to test my desire to return to tenor after many years. It was possibly the easiest playing horn ever with a loud but thin sound. I now have a 62 which is much more solid with a big full sound. You've made a good decision - enjoy.