[atmartin50]

Hi all,

I am in the market for a tenor saxophone after a long break (too long!) from the horn. A reputable dealer in my area has three horns that are within my budget and that interest me. I'm pretty sure that I could make an appointment to try them out (they're just an hour from my home), but I am not opposed to purchasing sight unseen (the seller's pictures and descriptions are great). Though I majored in music (graduated in '00), I am now just an amateur and hobbyist, and will not pursue gigs when that becomes an option again. I love my 62II alto, but I spent a long time playing tenor and have heard fabulous things about the YTS-62 from the players I know that have them.

Having said that, could I have some advice, please? The horns are:

1. YTS-52: 5xxx, just overhauled and re-padded. Some cosmetic issues but no apparent dents.
2. YTS-475: 298xxx. Again, some cosmetic issues, but no dents that I can see.
3. YTS-62II: 45xxx, listed as "very good condition." Once again, there are scratches on the finish but I'm not seeing dents in the photos.

The 62 is $300 more than the 52, while the 475 is $500 less than the 52.

I realize that this is not that much to go on, but: if you were me, which tenor would you choose?

Thanks so much!
Aaron

 

[milandro]

the cheapest one ( made in Indonesia or Japan?) at $800 less than the 62 seems to be a very good buy!

So, I probably would go for the 475 , you still should try them

 

[Dr G]

Play them. If you cannot tell the difference between them, then let your eyes and your pocketbook guide you.

 

[atmartin50]

the cheapest one ( made in Indonesia or Japan?)

The photo shows "Assembled in USA" beneath the serial number.

Thanks for your input!

 

[atmartin50]

Play them. If you cannot tell the difference between them, then let your eyes and your pocketbook guide you.

Good advice; thank you! I'm hoping that the seller will agree to an appointment and trial despite the pandemic (I have my old tenor mouthpieces and I can purchase reeds before meeting).

 

[milandro]

I have heard of Yamaha assembled in the USA but never actually seen one either way Yamaha guarantees the work of all their plants with their excellent quality control

 

[Dr G]

Good advice; thank you! I'm hoping that the seller will agree to an appointment and trial despite the pandemic (I have my old tenor mouthpieces and I can purchase reeds before meeting).

That's great that you have your own mouthpiece. Check out your reeds by assembling them on the mouthpiece, and blowing to see if you get a clear sound.

Enjoy the quest, and welcome back to playing!

 

[Eulipion2]

I can only speak about the 62, but damn, it's an awesome horn! Mine is an earlier version from around 1999-2000 (pre 62II engraved logo), and I really have no desire to look for anything else! For the other models, I've heard a lot of good things about the 475 soprano and the 52 bari, and I've known a few people who use the student model altos and tenors (21/23/32) for occasional doubles on pro gigs, but not much about the 475/52 versions. If possible, definitely try before you buy. Otherwise, whatever best fits your budget will probably be just fine. They're Yamahas: they have a reputation as solid horns across the board. Assuming they're all in similar condition, you really can't go wrong with any of them.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Play them. If you cannot tell the difference between them, then let your eyes and your pocketbook guide you.

+1

 

[atmartin50]

Thanks, Dr G! My soul feels so much better already these past two-and-a-half months! And that's great advice on blowing the mouthpiece a bit before trying the horn.

 

[JimD]

The 62 is a solid horn and it’s the one I would be most interested in though I have no experience of the others, but if you can try them you’ll know which one you prefer. If the price is not a problem then discount it as an issue and see how they play and feel, don’t doubt yourself, and scratches are irrelevant. Being Yamahas they should all be decent horns.

 

[atmartin50]

Thanks for your input, Eulipion2! I think that you're correct in that any of them would do nicely.

 

[atmartin50]

Thank you, JimD! As mentioned, the folks I know locally that own 62 tenors love them, and based on this, along with the fact that I love my 62 alto, makes me most interested in the 62. Having said that, a play test is probably in order, as I won't be switching horns again anytime soon.

 

[milandro]

well there are (as usual in the hyper rich archives which are left often untouched) previous threads with opinions on the 62 /475 dichotomy.

Don't discount the 475

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?51331-YTS-475-vs-YTS-62-II-HELP-WITH-TENORS!

We have just purchased a Yamaha Tenor 480, not sure why some go on about pro sax's and intermediate, as NissanVintageSax points out, pro series were not ribbed in the past. Would anyone be able to tell the difference between a Yami 62 and a Yami 475 with the same mouthpieces and player on the radio?......I doubt it. Same goes for some other pro saxophones, could you tell the difference just by listening to them? I get the impression that, as with guitars, it depends who is playing them and not the brand or model number. A custom V1 neck on a 480 and personal choice of mouthpiece, is their that much difference? : )

Don't look down on your Yamaha 475. I know a pro sax player (with 4 albums, leading and paying his band members) who since 1999 has been and still tours the world with his. He can afford to buy ANY sax but he sticks with his 475 alto.

I had a chance to play both these models recently although not side by side. Soundwise they are actually pretty similar. The 62 has slightly better keywork and fully ribbed construction, and perhaps a slighty more complex tone. Both offer easy blowing and good intonation and either would make a great first horn.

 

[leycroft]

Play test the instruments and include a piece or tune that uses the low notes. I recently tried out an E1 neck on my YAS 62 111 and included Syrinx a flute copy the last 6 bars has lots of low D flats at p and i repeated the change 62 neck then E1 neck several times to check the response . I have bought the E1 .

 

[lydian]

I agree with Milandro. I've had 475's in the past and currently have a 475 soprano. Having playing many other Yamahas, including the 52 and 62, the 475 is just as good in every respect except for the engraving. I highly doubt you'll hear or feel $800 worth of difference (heck, I paid $800 for a YAS-475 alto years ago). If it's in good playing shape, it would be a real bargain and serve you well for many years to come.

 

[soybean]

I don’t know about the tenors, but the 52 baritone does not have a high F sharp.