[mi000ke]

I’ve decided to get an 82zUL as a back-up to my VI, (and after reading through this forum it sounds like the VI might become the back-up before too long).

Anyway, I am debating between a new Jeff Coffin signed model 82zUL which comes with the high F#, or a new standard model without the high F# (82zUWOF). They are both available for essentially the same price.

I have not had the chance to play one without the high F#, but the consensus seems to be that this model has better responsiveness, sound, and altissimo than the ones with the high F#

I plan to purchase it online, so I am weighing the allegedly better sound of the UWOF plus the random chance that I might get a “bad” horn, against the assumption I would get a great sounding horn based on Jeff’s test, but it would be subject to the limitations of the high F# key.

Which one would you favor?

 

[gary]

I've been on a hiatus from playing for a year or so, but when I was playing, I was playing tenor in big bands and pop cover bands. I would consider myself an average player. I've had lacquered w/F# and UL w/o F# and it made no difference to me at all. It's totally possible, of course, that I was just not refined enough a player to tell. But you didin't say what level a player you are, so if you are also an average player who will likely stay about at that level then . . .

As an aside, I was visiting Stephen Boeskin, one of Germany's premier repair technicians, and we happened to touch on the F# question and he was amused. He was working on removing one at the time and he said that he would, of course do the work and do it well for anyone who wanted it done, but he wasn't sure that it really made that much difference.

 

[Ben Marrow]

Hmmm... Jeff's test could either mean it's a great horn or that he's a really great player. You probably won't get a bad one. It probably won't matter. Get the one Jeff played!

 

[caves]

i have a great original 73,XXX VI, which at the moment is resting nicely due to a silver plated (w/F#) 82Z tenor I found. I have to believe that you should be happy with either...

 

[gary]

Hmmm... Jeff's test could either mean it's a great horn or that he's a really great player. You probably won't get a bad one. It probably won't matter. Get the one Jeff played!

I believe there is a price difference.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I believe there is a price difference.

No, I don't think so:

Anyway, I am debating between a new Jeff Coffin signed model 82zUL which comes with the high F#, or a new standard model without the high F# (82zUWOF). They are both available for essentially the same price.

 

[gary]

If the OP has two available to him at the same price, I guess really the only question is, is the lack of the F# limiting. It was not limiting to me. I would go for the hand-picked sax by Jeff, if you are buying a sax sight unseen. According to one source from Yamaha I read, an extra neck comes with it that is also the kind of neck Jeff plays. Seems like a good deal.

 

[mi000ke]

Thanks for all of your comments. I am now the proud owner of a new Jeff Coffin signature 82zUL that comes with a stock UL neck plus a gold-plated G1 like Jeff uses, plus a bunch of other stuff (metronome, reeds, swab, mouthpiece). Although it was originally going for about the same price as a ULWOF, after a little bit of negotiating, the Coffin model ended up costing me $500 less (!) than the 82zUWOF ($3550 vs $4050), plus it comes with the extra neck and other stuff. I’m feeling pretty good about the deal, and I am sure it will make me play like Jeff immediately. Now, how to tell my wife....

 

[82zguy]

Good for you mi000ke! How does your new 82zUWOF compare to your VI?

 

[saxmusicguy]

Sounds like a good purchase.

 

[Borganiboy]

With F sharp or without i could never tell.As for the Z there amazing.My 4 i had my silver Z was the best.Tested a UL Z along with the silver z and it was just the finish that made me pick.

 

[mi000ke]

Won't be delivered for a few days yet. I'll post a comparison after we have a few days to get to know each other.

 

[The Rumbler]

I just sold my beautiful silver plated 1958 MkVI tenor for a 82zs and it's a trade that works on every level.

I owned that MkVI for 28 years and had never found anything as capable as it, until I played that 82z. Jeff Coffin said the 82z is a new MkVI and I agree. Except that it responds a bit better top to bottom, has a very similar tone - and is much cheaper than a nice MkVI. It's much, much more like a MkVI than anything Selmer makes currently, strangely.

I've owned a few tenors with and without high F# keys and I can't say it makes a huge difference one way or the other.

 

[saxmusicguy]

I owned that MkVI for 28 years and had never found anything as capable as it, until I played that 82z. Jeff Coffin said the 82z is a new MkVI and I agree. Except that it responds a bit better top to bottom, has a very similar tone - and is much cheaper than a nice MkVI. It's much, much more like a MkVI than anything Selmer makes currently, strangely.

What do you think the 82Z has that the 875EX lacks?

 

[The Rumbler]

I've only played one 875 for about 15 minutes so I don't have a penetrating insight. My conclusion was that there was almost nothing between them, except about £500, or whatever it was!

 

[Borganiboy]

What do you think the 82Z has that the 875EX lacks?

There both amazing horns.Its what suits you in the end.I find the Z has a faster response,more free blowing and more flexible.Atad more zing and pop to its sound also.I think you can push the z more also.But after all that said i still love the 875ex.I still think for me theres no other brand with better ergonomics.Yamahas build and feel are tops.Superslick is the word.

 

[mi000ke]

Good for you mi000ke! How does your new 82zUWOF compare to your VI?

Never did respond, so here goes. Turns out it took many weeks to finish the deal (long story - see http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showth...e-(but-me)-has-jumped-on-the-82zU-Coffin-deal) but I ended up with a new 82zUL for under $3000 so pretty happy. And it is signed by Jeff Coffin on the bell, but that has not improved my playing at all.

Anyway I've been playing the z for about 4 weeks and love it. Compared to my VI (which I took in to my tech once I had the new horn and it turns out the VI has many leaks and needs many tweaks, so not sure the comparison is fair, but...) the Z just feels so much better in my hands. It's faster, more responsive, and the notes just pop. It has a nice sound, but that may be the one thing the VI has over it - a bit more character in the sound. And it's just fun to play something different after all the years with the VI (I'm the original owner).

Can't wait to get my VI back and do a real comparison, but I'm thinking the VI is now my backup horn.

 

[Dr G]

Anyway I've been playing the z for about 4 weeks and love it. Compared to my VI (which I took in to my tech once I had the new horn and it turns out the VI has many leaks and needs many tweaks, so not sure the comparison is fair, but...) the Z just feels so much better in my hands. It's faster, more responsive, and the notes just pop. It has a nice sound, but that may be the one thing the VI has over it - a bit more character in the sound. And it's just fun to play something different after all the years with the VI (I'm the original owner).

Can't wait to get my VI back and do a real comparison, but I'm thinking the VI is now my backup horn.

The Mk VI is sure to remain in the back line until you get it tweaked equal to the new horn. Give it a chance and get the leaks out - unless you just want to affirm to yourself that the Yamaha is the better horn. If that's the case, sell the Mk VI and get a horn more worthy of being a backup.

 

[buddy lee]

The Mk VI is sure to remain in the back line until you get it tweaked equal to the new horn. Give it a chance and get the leaks out - unless you just want to affirm to yourself that the Yamaha is the better horn. If that's the case, sell the Mk VI and get a horn more worthy of being a backup.

Agree with this.

 

[Tom Walsh]

question (its slightly off topic): what fingering do you use for the Z without high F#?