Superior Tenor Sax with Exquisite Sonics and Playability
Aimed at the professional player, the Yamaha YTS-82ZII Custom Z tenor saxophone is crafted to deliver superior sonics, exquisite playability, and steadfast durability for gigging musicians. Constructed from annealed brass with a hand-hammered 1-piece bell and a free-blowing V1 neck, the YTS-82ZII tenor saxophone has astounded the saxophonists at Sweetwater with its classic appointments and versatile voice. Fragile, whispered notes creep from the bell with pristine clarity, and vocal growls sound with insistence. Embraced by players across a range of genres, including jazz, fusion, pop, and even classical, this instrument empowers you to fully engage with your artistic spirit and lose yourself entirely to the music. The Yamaha YTS-82ZII tenor saxophone is your conduit for self-expression — ready for any stylistic flourishes and extended techniques, including smooth glissandos, multiphonics, and mictrotonal playing. Elegant hand-engraved decorations, mother-of-pearl key buttons, and a stunning lacquer put the finishing touches on an heirloom-quality instrument that's destined to become your constant companion and musical partner.
Impeccable ergonomics and responsive mechanisms
A thoughtful and ergonomic layout encourages economy of motion and invites your hands to glide upon the Yamaha YTS-82ZII’s spring-action keys. Whether you’re playing an adagio line or firing off a flurry of notes, you’ll appreciate the fluid, synergistic response of the Yamaha YTS-82ZII. Plus, the Yamaha YTS-82ZII is outfitted with vintage-style metal resonators for crisp pronunciation and a wide dynamic range, enabling your musical expressions to ring out with vibrancy. The YTS-82ZII also features an improved low B-C# connection, ensuring consistent closing of the low C# and a clean and clear representation of the notes in the instrument’s lower range. Dig deep into the subterranean reaches of the treble clef without hesitation! Additionally, a lighter thumb rest and thumb hook base increase comfort, allow for a nuanced touch, and help you maintain a more cohesive tone; while an adjustable front F mechanism lets you customize the level of resistance in the altissimo range to reach the upper octaves where players like Jeff Coffin roam.
Hand-hammered 1-piece bell with delicate engravings
When revising the YTS-82Z for the mark II edition, Yamaha examined the construction techniques used to produce sought-after vintage instruments, leading to a significant performance-enhancing upgrade. The YTS-82ZII now features a 1-piece bell, which, like the body and neck, is hand-hammered by Yamaha’s expert craftspeople. The 1-piece bell provides focused and impactful bass tones, offering saxophonists unprecedented ease in the low register while opening up the instrument's overall tonality. Plus, the bell features elegant hand engraving with a delicate floral design that accentuates the YTS-82ZII's natural beauty and evokes old-world craftsmanship.
V1 neck: free-blowing design with wide bore taper
Yamaha outfitted the YTS-82ZII Custom Z Tenor Saxophone with their V1 neck — a top choice among experienced and professional saxophonists. The V1 neck offers Yamaha’s widest bore taper, the most flexible tone, and a responsive feel. With its free-blowing design, the V1 gives you total control over the dynamics and timbral variation of the YTS-82ZII. Growling, raspy, breathy, or sweet — the V1 neck allows you to explore the full voice of your instrument, and you can push it as hard as you want with the confidence you’ll be rewarded with a commanding sound.
Yamaha saxophones: designed and built for artists
In 1967, Yamaha debuted their first saxophones: the YAS-1 alto and the YTS-1 tenor. Both found favor in the sax player community. In fact, jazz great John Coltrane, who built his reputation on the tenor and soprano, played the prototype YAS-1 gifted him by Yamaha extensively during his 1966 tour of Japan. In 1972, Yamaha partnered with renowned classical saxophonist Eugene Rousseau to develop a new line of professional-class saxophones. After arduous years of prototyping, testing, and revisions, Yamaha released the fruits of that labor: the YAS-62 alto, YTS-62 tenor, and the YSS-62 soprano. Designed with three guiding principles in mind — superior acoustics, top-notch mechanisms, and artistic feel — the 62 Series saxophones represented a milestone for Yamaha, setting the company on the path to becoming one of the world’s most-respected saxophone makers. Today, Yamaha continues to adhere to the principles established during the creation of the original 62 Series nearly half a century ago, providing musicians with gorgeous-sounding instruments to inspire their artistry and meet their technical demands.
Yamaha YTS-82ZII Professional Tenor Saxophone Features:
- Bb Tenor Saxophone with standard key mechanism, adjustable front F key, and high F# key
- Hand-hammered annealed brass body and 1-piece bell produce full-range tonality
- Free-blowing V1 neck provides incredible control and expressiveness
- Ribbed post construction reinforces the strength of the instrument
- Vintage-style metal resonators deliver crisp pronunciation and a wide dynamic range
- Lighter thumb hook and thumb rest bases increase comfort, allow for nuanced touch, and help you maintain a more cohesive tone
- Improved low B-C# connection ensures consistent closing of the low C# for a clean and clear representation of the notes in the lower range
- Premium appointments include mother-of-pearl key buttons and hand-engraved floral design
- Lightweight case and hard rubber mouthpiece included
Specs
Key: Bb
Level: Professional
Finish: Amber Lacquer
Auxillary Keys: High F#, Front F
Body: Ribbed/Fanged Post Construction
Body Material: Brass
Neck Type: TV1
Key Buttons: Mother-of-pearl
Bell Type: 1-piece
Bell Decoration: Hand Engraved
Pads: Metal Resonator
Mouthpiece: 4CM Hard Rubber
Thumb Hook: Adjustable
Case/Gig Bag: TSC-820 Hardshell Case
