Some pics of my UL Z- 1yr old

[sinkdraiN]

Ok, here's some pictures of my unlacquered 82Z because some of you have asked. I just got my first digital camera a week ago so I apologize if the shots aren't great. I'm still figuring it out :)

When you open the picture you can expand it to make it larger.

http://www.stahlalbum.com/horn1.jpg

http://www.stahlalbum.com/horn2.jpg

http://www.stahlalbum.com/horn3.jpg

http://www.stahlalbum.com/horn4.jpg

enjoy.

[sweetsax]

Nice Sinkdrain!!

That's not nearly as "crusty" and greenish brown as I thought it would be. How's it playing for you after a year? A lot of people have said it takes some time to get used to the sound and feel of the Z.

[goodsax]

Did you do anything to accelerate the patina development? It looks fairly complete. Have you had a chance to compare yours to the lacquered version for tone quality?

[sinkdraiN]

I absolutely love the sound and feel of my horn. Coming from a Couf, my original plan was to get an sx90r. Those are nice sounding horns but I prefer the Z. And no, I never had to get used to anything regarding its tone. Last year I liked the tone of the Z slightly more than the JK. Now, there is nothing out there I would rather play.

I did nothing to accelerate the patina other than play it a lot. The neck, palm keys, and low Bb,B,C# levers were the first to tarnish. I wipe down my Z with a dry cloth about as much as I do my lacquered horns (which is not too often).

[sinkdraiN]

Have you had a chance to compare yours to the lacquered version for tone quality?

Yes, I did. Last year my music store let me play test an sx90r and this Z for 2 months. I played them everyday and everywhere. When I was sure I liked the Z I tried a lacquered horn because I didn't think the UL was worth it. To my surprise I really liked the UL better. About a month ago my music rep gave me a lacquered Z to play for a week because the "might-be" customer was complaining about a sharp upper register. Man, it was really refreshing to go back to my horn. Something about it. It sounds like a bigger core to me. Even if the vibrations in my fingers are tricking my ears- its significant enough for me to prefer the UL. By the way, the lacquered Z had perfect intonation in the upper register. I notice some players coming from a mark vi blow the palm keys Sharp on the Z at first because they are used to compensating on the vi. That happened to my friend on a gig when he played my horn. He adjusted to it after a few minutes of blowing and commented on how he liked the fact that he could really open up in that register without fear of the pitch dropping.

[KrazyKooter]

I'm absolutely dying to get a hold of an 82ZU. I am still playing the same YAS23 that I've had since 6th grade. (about 20 years) Ever since I saw Phil Woods in concert back in April, I've been going crazy to get a new horn. How does everyone afford these things??? With a mortgage and child #2 on the way, I just can't justify the cost right now.

Thanks for posting the pics!! I check this web site frequently looking to see if anyone has posted any new pics of their ZU's. This will keep me motivated for another 12 months as I continue to sell old CDs, DVDs and anything else I can get a little money for as I save up.

-KrazyKooter