[Chico222]

Hey guys as some of you know I got a sexy, good-looking, beautiful, shiny, glistening.....well you get the idea YAS-82Z on the way.

I keep reading on previous posts about getting it "set-up", is that really necessary? I don't really know what it is or how to determine if a sax needs a set-up, I figure since it's brand new it should be in good playing condition.

Can you please advice?

Chico

 

[fellex]

hi Chico, usually the setup depends on what type of music youre gonna play. The only person who can tell you that is you. cheers.

 

[Jonathan C.]

Yeah, as fellex said that it really depends on the music.
However, it really depends on the sound you are looking for, who you want to immulate. Since we as muscians often immulate greats that came before us. I am not saying that an exact setup of Horn/mouthpiece etc. Will get you playing like Trane, or Parker.
Set up is important, I am not saying that is not. I would recomend finding a price range that you would feel comfortable in. Go to a music store BRING YOUR HORN and play. You will find something that you will like, and that you are comfortable spending, well maybe you may just get some GAS

 

[AltoRuth]

Hey guys as some of you know I got a sexy, good-looking, beautiful, shiny, glistening.....well you get the idea YAS-82Z on the way.

I keep reading on previous posts about getting it "set-up", is that really necessary? I don't really know what it is or how to determine if a sax needs a set-up, I figure since it's brand new it should be in good playing condition.

Can you please advice?

Chico

Chico, do you mean "set up", as in which mouthpiece/reed combination should you choose?---this seems to be what the previous replies refer to--OR do you mean "adjustment"? Generally, it is advisable that your newly arrived horn be thoroughly checked out for leaks, spring problems, whatever, since, even if it is totally checked out before leaving the factory, conditions of transient can throw things off. A good dealer will have this done before handing off the horn to you, but it's good if you ask if this was done and by whom--you want this check out done by a competant tech.

Enjoy your new horn---it's what I play as well and I'm very happy with it.
Ruth

 

[Dave Dolson]

Ruth got it. Set-up can mean too different things.

1. The mouthpiece/ligature/reed combination.

2. Mechanical adjustment (pad-seal, key-heigth, spring tension, etc.).

I took the initial post to ask why a new horn requires a "set-up," meaning - doesn't a saxophone play well right out of the box?

No, a new saxophone needs to be checked over by a technician, whether by the selling dealer or the buyer's tech. Instruments are tossed about during shipping and may need adjusting.

Or, in the case of our highly regarded Selmer-Paris, they just aren't shipped ready to play (at least those that I've tried, and it seems many of us have experienced this).

Even Yamaha and Yanagisawa, known to be among the best prepared-before-shipping saxophones, need to be checked out before the sale.

And I disagree that the kind of music one intends to push through the horn dictates how it is set up. A good playing saxophone will play anything the player wants to piush through it - good tone is good tone, good intonation is the same regardless of the style of music one plays.

MAYBE the mouthpiece set-up needs changinging for different styles - many believe that - I don't. DAVE

 

[cjk_712]

I have a YTS-82Z unlaquered, no high F#. It was one of the early "prototype" Z's, and was in Ronnie Laws' possession for a couple of years before I got it. It has brass resonators, and I am using the unlaquered G1 neck and a Ponzol 110S M2 Plus mouthepiece with a Plasticover 3. I am really enjoying this complete set-up. I hope you enjoy your new Z as much as I like mine.

When you get your horn, you should definately have your horn fully adjusted and checked out by a good tech for any problems, so that when you play it, you know the horn is doing what it's supposed to do. After that play it for awhile, and if you want anything tweaked for your preference, then bring it back to the tech that did the original "set-up", and have whatever you need taken care of.

The Yamaha "Custom" saxes are "set-up" at the factory in Japan. Before they are sent to the dealer, they are sent to a Yamaha "Custom Shop" in the U.S., and then they are gone through there, and "re-" "set-up." However, they still should be checked over again before a customer trials a horn, just to be certain everything is like it should be.

I am certain that many people who try out saxes don't realize that a horn in proper playing condition will outplay any sax that isn't. Any of the well known saxes, from modern to vintage, should be a decent playing horn........if properly set-up, of course.

 

[Chico222]

Hi fellas, yes altoruth I mean mechanically (sorry for the confusion).

It never even crossed my mind having it checked especially since it was a new horn. I don't even know what to ask the tech. I never did that with my Bundy II.

 

[gearaholic]

Any competent technician will know what to do. Just tell them it's a brand new horn and you just want it checked over. This is especially important if you've ordered from an internet dealer. If you're buying from a local shop, they may or may not have their own people to check it when it comes in. But, either way, it's always a good idea to have any horn periodically checked over. You'd be amazed at the difference it can make. By the way, this type of work will be very cheap, unless there's something very wrong with the horn. Congratulations on the new horn!

--JT

 

[Chico222]

Thanks gear, yeah I'm going to have it checked over. It actually WAS an internet dealer, (samash.com) now all I have to do is find a competent tech.

 

[AltoRuth]

Thanks gear, yeah I'm going to have it checked over. It actually WAS an internet dealer, (samash.com) now all I have to do is find a competent tech.

Chico, If you let us know where you are, most likely someone on this forum can point you to a competant tech in your area. You might try posting a query in the sax repair and maintenance section of this forum. Someone there should be able to assist you.

 

[Chico222]

Chico, If you let us know where you are, most likely someone on this forum can point you to a competant tech in your area. You might try posting a query in the sax repair and maintenance section of this forum. Someone there should be able to assist you.

Thanks alto, I'm in denver, co. I'm gonna go ahead and post in the repair section as soon as I have the horn in my hands, which I was told will be Tuesday INSTEAD of Friday:x