What's your unlacquered 82Z look like now?

[draper]

I've been reading through some old posts about unlacquered 82Z finish, care, etc. Mostly old stuff from quite a while back when people were just getting these horns, and discussing the beginning phases of tarnishing. Now that a year or more has gone by, what do these 82Z's look and feel like now, and how have you cared for them?

I like the typical vintage look and wouldn't mind a new but worn-looking sax if it gives me the sound I hear from the 82ZU. The unlacquered YAS-875 on this page looks pretty rough, though; I guess it's the deep reddish-brown I'm not liking, vs. a greenish or matte-vintage look. Makes me wonder if the zinc is being depleted from the metal or something. Has anyone's 82Z turned out this way?

http://tensax.s5.xrea.com/AltoSax.html

[Brendan Muse]

What's wrong with that? Nothing shouts "vintage" like a red horn, right?

[saxchado]

I saw Jeff Coffin playing an 82ZUL a couple of months ago, and it was beautiful! I think it was the final straw that made me actually go out and get one. He's had his for several years now, and it looks great. follow this link to see what I mean. He's using a gold plated neck, though.
http://www.yamaha.com/Artists/ArtistDetail/0,6841,CNTID%253D32855%2526CTID%253D,00.html#
Mine is only a month or two old, and although it's starting to develop a patina, and really glows under the stage lights, it's a long way from looking like this.

[draper]

saxchado,

Thanks for the link! Found this in the gallery on his site also:
http://www.jeffcoffin.com/images/stories/gallery_pics/mutet2005feb_tour/P0016379.jpg

Brendan,

Dunno. Guess I don't dig the fully-covered red as much as the dull, cloudy brass look. It's also hard to tell from the YTS-875 pic if that's just its patina, or if it's from dezincification. I'm not familiar enough to tell the difference.