62 vs 82 vs 875

[Orion]

Are the differences mainly cosmetics? If not, what makes the tone different?

[Raphyel]

I have played a 62 a while back. I hated it. Its ergos were nice, but it seemed limited as far as if you wanted a different sound. I had an 875...a very upright horn in my opinion. Bur the 82z was amazing...very buzzy and jazzy. I dont know what makes them different, but the 82z is my favorite yamaha tenor. Funny enough the YAS52 is my favorite yamaha alto.

[Yellowhorn]

I second your comment on the 52 alto. I have played three so far, two silver and one gold, and they have a very warm sound that you don't hear in the 62.

[Pitagoras]

The 82 is based on the 62. I tried somd 62 and 82 some months ago.
For me they are almost the same horn.
The 82 is a little darker and spread. The 62 has a more compact and centered sound and clear articulation. The 62 seems to have better intonation. But the differences were very subtil. Maybe it had to do with the horns I tried only.

I've tried only one 875 (non Ex). It's a very different beast. Remembered me the brightest MkVI I've tried, but with a lighter end more delicate tone.

[Orion]

Thanks for the input.

I don't know if it matters but I'm interested in the tenors.

[sycc]

I played a 82Z awhile back. Very warm sound. The 62 I also played had a more neutral sound. I liked the 82Z much better. More warmth and overtones to the sound.

[Orion]

Does an unlacquered one sound different than a lacquered one?

[rispoli]

I owned briefly a YTS 62II and and 82Z, unfortunately not at the same time, and have tried the 875 of SOTW member Saxobari. The only one which gave me the impression of "neutrality", meaning not bright, not dark (and not so distinctive either, should I say...) was the 875. Then the 62, bright, and the lacquered 82z, very bright and brassy sounding.
All were very comfortable to play, "precise machines" I'd call them.
There are reasons to like them, such as ease of play, great response and intonation. They also seem to hold adjustment well. If you like the tone they are certainly a good choice.
If I had to buy one I think I'd go for the 62 because I did not find them terribly different, so it makes sense to me to opt for the cheapest.

Having said that, I think Yanagisawas have the very same quality of Yamahas and, for my ears, better tone (although not so different, but closer to Selmer than Yamaha). So you might want to add those to your watch list too...

[hgiles]

Orion, the answer to your question is 'no.' Furthermore, there is a lot of banter on here and everyone wants to be 'right'. The fact of the matter is any of the big 4 plus B&S would be more horn than anyone could need.

If you put Sonny Rollins on a Yanagisawa do you think anyone would care?

Any of those horns will work -- Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Keilwerth, B&S, Selmer...

[heinz]

I have just acquired a 875ex Tenor because I LOVE it. It's the first Yamaha model I have come across that I really like. It's easy blowing with a full sound and it can do everything you want it to do. Way better than Yamahas earlier/other models which I find bright and brassy soundwise.
As simple as that. And I am selling my Selmer for it. :)