82z or EX

[connfusedsoul]

Hey guys,
I am currently looking for a tenor. I have narrowed my choices down to buying an 82Z or the EX. I have played both, and both are amazing. I simply can not decide which one to choose. But I do have a question. I read about Yamaha making the tone holes smaller in the mid range of the horn on the EX, I was wondering, does this effect the intonation of altissimo, alternate fingerings, or the horn in general?

[thejoyofsax]

Hey guys,
does this effect the intonation of altissimo, alternate fingerings, or the horn in general?

Play them both again and this is something you can test yourself! Bring a tuner and check for consistency of pitch.

People could tell you a lot of things about which horn might be better, but no two horns are the same and in the end the choice is up to you. Which one really plays the most comfortably, in tune, etc for you? If they are both truly equally excellent, get the Z and save the cash. There is no need to break the bank on an EX just because of the letters.

Bottom line: people like both horns immensely. Just keep playing them to decide which will suit you best.

[gary]

What Matthew said.

Man, don't read or listen to what other people say about raised tone holes, purple springs, silver is bright sounding, little holes, big holes, removed high F# key, ad naseum. Just play them and pick the one that rings your bell.

[Saxplayer1]

AMEN Gary & Matthew. I too say "play both and the one that makes you go WOW is the one."

[Joe Jazz]

just buy one of each!:smilebox:

[shmuelyosef]

Both awesome horns...I prefer the Z for a few reasons, but they are quite different beasts, and this is preference, not "better or worse". I would encourage you to also play a 62II if you are looking at new horns, as I have run across some folks recently that prefer this horn to either of the above.

In this same realm, I would suggest you try at least one other brand in the same value range, e.g. give a test play to a Yanagisawa T-901 or T-991

[jjmt333]

Try reading http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=84244

They are both great horns, but they are different.

[gary]

Try reading http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=84244

What a concept. :twisted:

As I was re-reading the above thread, I stepped for a moment into new dimension of sight and sound; couldn't tell which thread I was in.