yamaha tenors

[rbsc]

Hey all. I'm a newbie contemplating buying a beginner sax and had a quick question. I see a lot of talk about the YAS-23 on the alto sax forum, but don't see much about its tenor equivalent, the YTS-23, at all. Is this just coincidence, or is the tenor not as good quality for some reason? Thanks in advance, rbsc.

[averageschmoe]

the tenor is up to the quality of the yas-23, the reason for the lack of attention i think is that most people begin on alto. there are many exceptions, and i can not recommend a better student instrument than the yamaha.

[Gordon (NZ)]

I have worked on many student Yamaha altos, and am very impressed with them, except for the hardness of the pads (although these pads last very, very well.)

I have worked on very few equivalent tenors, but twice recently I have been disappointed with what seems to be metal that is far softer than that on the altos. Perhaps it is just because of the larger size of the instrument - hence more flimsy.

I find the altos very robust indeed, especially the body metal, for which it is very difficult to get dents out ,because the metal is so strong. (Of course they don't easily dent in the first place - I've tried it, accidentally!) I was not likewise impressed with the tenor. Perhaps it is made from thinner metal to keep the weight down, or perhaps the tenors were made in another country, whereas the altos I see are definitely made in Japan.

It is one of those mysteries in my life. Other than that, I found the tenors fine.

[rbsc]

thanks for the info. also considering the Woodwind WWTS Tenor Saxophone. any thoughts on this one?

[Steve J.]

I am sincere in throwing this monkey wrench in the thinking. The YTS 52 is the real value.

Jump up to this price range (new model equivalent is not a 52 I think) or find a used one of these and you have a great bang for the buck and pretty much a pro level horn that will not only maintain its value better, but produce real quality when played well.

A win win situation for a beginner. - and should you decide to sell in the future less monetary downside.

[Eddie McLean]

I have a YTS32 which is the European equivalent to the YTS52. It is supposedly of better tone than the 52 but I do not know if this is true.
The 32 has a warm tone, similar to the pro YTS62 I am told. The intonation, ergonomics and action are all great. Very responsive and easy blowing.
The current equivalent is the YTS475, but as there is maybe a 20 years production difference between the two, the quality may have changed. I.E. The older Yamaha's may be better ? Yamaha built their reputation on these earlier horns.
My other tenor is an 1965 MKVI and there is not a lot of difference.
The YTS32 is truly an excellent and underated intermediate horn.

[sycc]

475 is a nice intermediate sax-nice low register,blows easy

[rusty]

I live in Aus. and it is not easy to have access to shops stocking a range of saxes. I`m about to buy a tenor sax and have never played one. I currently play alto. I`m also a senior and hav`nt been playing alto that long. Don`t say "master the alto first" because I hav`n`t got all that time to do that and then get a crack at a tenor. I`ld probably be happy with a student model.
These are makes of second hand saxes available:
Karl Meyer Yamaha YTS62E
King 615 Conn Transitional
Conn 16M
Selmer Bund Your thoughts please

[DirkW]

Don`t say "master the alto first" because I hav`n`t got all that time to do that and then get a crack at a tenor. I`ld probably be happy with a student model.
These are makes of second hand saxes available:
Karl Meyer Yamaha YTS62E
King 615 Conn Transitional
Conn 16M
Selmer Bund Your thoughts please
Rusty, starting with tenor is fine. Of the horns listed above, I suggest go with the Yamaha if you can afford it. It may be the last horn you ever need. The Conn transitional could be good, or it could be a dog; it depends on the models its' transitioning. It's not the best choice for someone starting out. The rest are student horns. Of those, the Bundy is your best bet. But after a couple years, you'll be ready for an upgrade. If you don't think you'll be playing two years from now, go with the Bundy.

[Dog Pants]

Rusty,
Do a search through the "makes and models" area and you'll find a bunch of info on Yamaha and Conn.

I have a Conn, and I used to have a Yamaha. The eighties model YTS-62's are a good horn. I the opinion of many, the best tenor Yamaha have ever done.

[rusty]

Thank you all. Crikey DirkW I hope I`ll be putting in more than 2 yrs on my new T. horn! Yes I respect the Yamaha & Bundy makes but I wont know till I get down to Sydney how old they are and their quality. I guess the question I`ll be faced with is, is the good brand old instruments better than a newer (or new) student model. Anyway they have agreed to let me use heaps of MPCs and play any new or 2nd hand sax in the shop. Rusty

[jmartin]

If you are going to buy a YTS-23, try to buy it used. I have a YTS-23 and I don't really like it. It might not be a bad buy for $500 or $600, but it's overpriced as a new horn, not worth the new purchase price. IMO

[rusty]

Hi all, I`m actually looking at in this shop a new YTS275 or a 2nd hand Yamaha 62E. They are both the same price at about $1650 US. I wont know quality until I get to look at them but hope they would have been well checked out. Any preferance? Rusty

[rusty]

Thanks all for your help. Well what I ended up with was a YAS475 and a YTS 62. To me ( not an expert judge) they look well made. Both come with the YAM 4C mouthpieces and although I`m trying all sorts of reeds the sound is very "brassy" particularly on the alto. Do you think a different MPC would modify this somewhat? rusty

[baritone]

wow...nice stuff for beginning man :)

yes I think the 4c make it a bit 'brassy' but thats my long time ago memory and havent used one since then...

I think as you play and play and play....a better control will be developed and it will also mend the problem...

getting a better quality mpc definitely help and worth the price...just a suggestion...play with the 4c for sometime says a month....then change...you will benefit more by having a stronger feeling to the superior features with the potential better mpc.

[gary]

Congrats Rusty! Good choices.
Regardng the 4C, I have students who have played on them and I personally wouldn't characterise them as "brassy". No offense, but if you haven't been playing long and if the mpc is new to you, you're likely not in a position to know how the mpc can eventually work for you or not. Experienced players can get a new mpc and need some time to get used to it and see its possibilities. The Yamaha 4C is a generic mpc that'll get you going, but I usually have my students switch eventually.

A really good mpc for beginners-intermediates, which is hand-finished and reasonably priced, is the Morgan Protone. I've not only got a student on one, I personally use one on my soprano and prefer it over many other more expensive and better-named mpcs.

However, if you've still got some extra loot, I would recommend taking a look at a Meyer 5M for your alto and a Hard Rubber Link 6 for your tenor. Both are good mpcs with a long established tradition, are flexible as far as the kinds of playing situations you might eventually find yourself in. Just make sure, if you are interested in one or both, that you try out several of each, don't just grab the first one you see. IMO they are not much more inconsistently made as many seem to opine, but there are differences between mpcs of the same size, model and brand.

To reiterate, though, there's nothing in and of itself wrong with the Yamaha 4C for a beginner and you could play on them for some time before you felt limited by them.

[rusty]

Thanks for your comments Baritone & Gary, they`re appreciated. I`ve heard of the Meyer 5M but not the Link 6 however next visit to Sydney (I`m 400 K away) I`ll try some MPCs out. I`m looking for a soft ,dark,"round", classic ,non jaz tone. I take your advice though to not be in too much of a hurry. rusty

[Ruediger Kramer]

Hey all. I'm a newbie contemplating buying a beginner sax and had a quick question. I see a lot of talk about the YAS-23 on the alto sax forum, but don't see much about its tenor equivalent, the YTS-23, at all. Is this just coincidence, or is the tenor not as good quality for some reason? Thanks in advance, rbsc.

i had a YTS 275 - it sounded like a tin can and was made so... (the 475 is better)

[cleger]

I have a YTS 23, so far it is the only horn that I have owned. I like it quite a bit and am starting to get nice sounds out of it. My only basis for comparison to other horns are my instructor's Mark VI and a Ref 54 I tried at a music store, hardly fair comparisons for a student horn. Mine is solidly made and stays in adjustment for a reasonably long period (I haven't had it in the shop for over 6 months and I can play a soft low Bb with no trouble). I bought mine used and feel good about the purchase. Around here the new version (the 275) is pretty expensive and I'm not sure that it would be worth the investment.