Yamaha Custom YAS-875 (Alto) Question

[Eric_TGS]

I'm curious as to what you all think about the Custom YAS-875; I purchased one yesterday for $2695 and I was wondering if anyone could give me some feedback or history to this particular type of saxophone. I'm a graduating senior, about to attend a university and study music education. Please share any comments about this saxophone! Ahh, and if anyone cares, it's silver ;)

[Giles]

If you like it, that's all that matters. :D

[Storamin]

If you like it, that's all that matters. :D
It is really all that matters.

[Spidercomrade]

I have one, it's great. I haven't played many other altos (1 Yana, 1 Selmer Bundy, and 2 Yamahas) but it's definitely the best sax I've used.

[Spidercomrade]

I have one, it's great. I haven't played many other altos (1 Yana, 1 Selmer Bundy, and 2 Yamahas) but it's definitely the best sax I've used.

[yaucante]

the Custom has good, fast action, very reliable intonation and is an all-around modern sax. I used to play Yamahas and studied with a YAS 25, then switched to the Custom. By that time, I must say I did not know much about the world of saxophones, particularly vintage ones. I recently sold the Custom and I don't regret it because there are cheaper alternatives among vintage horns that will open you to new horizons. Most of them may not be as confortable and "safe" to play as the custom but I found the latter is not very versatile soundwise and has a rather dull tone. But this leads us to a discussion of vintage versus modern saxes that has already many posts. See the chapter on saxpics.com that deals with the choice of saxophones. Compared to other modern saxes, the Custom is among the best but has a weaker projections than most selmers. Now, you should also know that Yamaha came out with a brand new Custom Z with several custom necks that is supposed to be much better than the older brother. You should check out the specific Yamaha posts. My opinion is that you paid a high price for this custom given that their value has just gone down sharply lately (I sold mine for 1,500 and it was minty). Maybe this custom will gain value when it comes back in fashion as a vintage horn, 50 years down the road, but for the moment, it's hitting rock bottom.

The final word has already been said: if you like it and you're advancing in your musical studies, it will be a good serviceable all-around horn. At some point you might want to trade it for something else depending on the type of music you're into.

Y.

P.S One last thing. If it's a new one and it hasn't been play-tested, have it adjusted by a tech and beware of sticking pads.

[atola]

congratulations!! :D it's a great horn!!

I got my own YAS 875 with the new G1 neck last week and I'm very happy... but I have a (small... I hope) problem... sticking pads!!! do you ??


atola

[averageschmoe]

having played an astounding number of horns i'd say that you've made a fantastic choice. people will say that yamahas have a dull sound, but where i come from sound is 90% player. on my custom i can project just as well as i can on a selmer, and can play with almost the same depth of sound as i can with a vintage american horn... but with perfect intonation and even response.

[singlereed]

There are some awesome players using it (e.g. Nobuya Sugawa, Rousseau) and there is nothing wrong with their sound. You may tick the box that says 'high quality equipment'. No excuses on that front, it's all down to the operator! :roll:

[yaucante]

Did not mean to harm any feelings here. I like Yamaha horns and I agree that the sound is mostly depednent on the player. Now, it's certainly not possible to say whether it's 90% or 80 %. If the margin was so minor, my guess is everyone would buy new Yams instead of older Selmers, Conns, Kings or what have you. Now, having started asa classical player, I would say the custom is a very good choice for this type of music. For jazz, I've tried it with different mouthpieces and, well, it's just not my choice (did not get to try the G1 neck though). The final point I made was simply that almost 3k is the regular price and it's certainly not the market price. The new stock models were going for as low as 1,900 a short while ago, when the newer models came out. So, a bit of shopping does not harm anyone.

I hear you about the pads. After 3 or 4 years of regular playing, they were still sticky even though I used powder and cleaning paper. I had it adjusted but it did not help. The mid C#/C/B/Bb were a particular pain in the ***, I must say. Maybe Charlie's products would do it.

Y

[bari_sax_diva]

I've got the same horn, had it about three years. In my opinion, it's a versatile sax that will serve you very well, especially since you'll probably have to do some legit playing in college as well as jazz--just use a different setup if you want a different sound. And don't sweat the price... yeah, they've come down, but I paid $3100 for mine and I still don't regret it a bit. Congrats!

[sessionsax]

The custom is a standard for the session players here in nashville. Of the top 5, all of them use the customs because of their flexibility and superb intonation. Their sound also transfers well to tape.

[phathorn]

I've owned a custom for just one month shy of 13 years now. I find it excellent for all genres of music. Nice full tone, even response, excellent action. Also true what sessionsax said (with the exception of Jeff Kirk, who plays a VI alto and 10M tenor) Jeff Coffin, in particular, sounds fantastic on his YTS-875 with Bela Fleck as well as his own ensembles.

[Gandalfe]

Eric Kloss plays a YAS Custom 875 and he makes that sax do phenominal thangs. I should take lesson with the guy. He's relocated to Seattle now.

[William J. Dillard]

I can't really find the right words to explain how much I love my Custom 875. I don't know much about the horn's projection as compared to other brands, but to me the tone is superb; family and neighbors love to listen to me practice. I bought my Yamaha a couple of years ago from a local Woodwind/Brasswind store and never had the sticky pad problem. But to make sure they don't stick every year I treat the pads with a small dab of the Runyon Pad Formula, and every month or so treat the G# pad with a bit of Charlie A's Gig Dust.

Billy D.

[saxboy]

I bought my 875 off the Yamaha World Tour when they first started promoting them. It has stood the test of time and still is my Alto of choice.
My 875 Tenor was one of the first 5 into the state of California and stood up against the new 82Z's back in January ay NAMM. Even the Yamaha guys said that was MY best sound.
Glad to see so many aware of the person playing the sax having the primary effect on the sound produced.
If you like it - COOL! 8)
SAXBOY

[Goin4DaTone]

Saxboy. I also purchased my YAS875 at the Yamaha world tour when it was in Long Beach Ca. Also a very low serial number.
I tried and tried to find a great Mark VI, but none for sale as good as the Custom. Especially here in LA aera with all the pro players also lookingfor the same thing.
I have played better Mark VI altos, but not many. Most that I have tried do not work as well for me.
A friend of mine has 2 Mark VI altos and both are more responsive than my Custom when it comes to the subtleties. But the chance of me getting one of those isn’t even a consideration.
Now, my YTS62S is a different story, it just plain holds up against the VI's

[saxboy]

I don't remember a Long Beach option. Think mine was bought at the Sportsmans Lodge in the Valley. Dave Koz grabbed the Silver 875 that same day and I fell for the Black 875 - later adding the Silver M1 neck to give it a little more edge up top.
Don't think there were any other Alto's there? We rock!
SAXBOY

[averageschmoe]

hey saxboy, been meaning to ask you, how's the lindeman going? :)
my tech let me try the silver F1 on my black custom, then told me it wasn't for sale... the cruelty is unimaginable.

[saxboy]

how's the lindeman going? ???
Techs are cruel people because they see things from a strange place; but you gotta love them.
SAXBOY

[averageschmoe]

lindeman excercises, the whole leo potts experience...

[Goin4DaTone]

Saxboy - Yes, Whitaker Music on Bellflower co-sponsored the event. It was held in a banquet room at the Marriott Hotel by the Long Beach Airport.
I loved the black alto, but didn't have the $$.
I don't remember them having a silver alto at the show, but that was 12 years ago, if I remember correctly. I even got a T-shirt from the tour, although I wore it to shreds.

[saxboy]

schmoe, not real good if I can't remember what they are :roll:
Oh well...
I do have a copy still but had it sealed and packed away for religious reasons, or not.
How are your Lindeman Studies going?
Anyone working on the Lindeman this week?
SAXBOY

[saxboy]

hi tone guy,
Why did I drive to the Valley?
Your 875 still in your hands? Still love mine!
SAXBOY

[averageschmoe]

lindeman and scales everyday for five years... on my third copy actually. not too long ago leo took the book to copypro on atherton and palo verde, if anyone's curious they may still have a few.

[Goin4DaTone]

Saxboy, yes I still have the horn, and it still is in the same condition as when I purchased it.