[snazandmatt]

Is it just marketing (i.e. Yamaha calling it a classical horn)? Price? Or is there more to it?

The 875EX seems to have some dedicated fans but the 82Z appears quite a bit more popular...

 

[Jazz House]

Aside from what you point out, the EX is also slightly more expensive. Also, the Z is available without lacquer, which is a popular option these days.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Aside from what you point out, the EX is also slightly more expensive. Also, the Z is available without lacquer, which is a popular option these days.

Actually, the Z and the EX are the same cost for the lacquered models. The Z is $500 more for the non-lacquered model. I got a great deal on a EX back in 2012 and it's a great horn. I've never tried the Z but I'm sure they're excellent horns as well.

https://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YTS-875EX-Custom-Tenor-Saxophone-469061.wwbw

 

[snazandmatt]

Aside from what you point out, the EX is also slightly more expensive. Also, the Z is available without lacquer, which is a popular option these days.

Actually, the Z and the EX are the same cost for the lacquered models. The Z is $500 more for the non-lacquered model. I got a great deal on a EX back in 2012 and it's a great horn. I've never tried the Z but I'm sure they're excellent horns as well.

https://www.wwbw.com/Yamaha-YTS-875EX-Custom-Tenor-Saxophone-469061.wwbw

Yeah the price seems similar - depending on the store and on what finish you choose

 

[Atonal]

Marketing, I think. They are both excellent horns and flexible enough to cover any genre/style. I have a Z tenor and EX alto and I play lots of classical and jazz.

Not one person has ever said "how can you be playing a Z for classical" or "why are you playing that EX for jazz", which is how these horns seem to be marketed.

 

[LostConn]

The Z also has a no-high F# option, which is important to some jazz players. The EX does not.

Still, without actual sales data from Yamaha, or at least from a big Yamaha dealer or two, I'd be cautious about these judgments. Sometimes, "What sells more?" is really just, "Whom do I know?"

 

[Benjamin Allen]

I don’t think the EX is less popular. It’s an extraordinary instrument, and I see lots of folks playing it.

 

[DryMartini]

Both are sweet horns. From my experience the 82z cuts more and is brighter. The EX is more of a full round sound. The EX actually reminded me more of my 66XXX Mark VI. The saxacademy guy, Dr. Wallace sounds great on an unlacquered EX check him out!

 

[HeavyWeather77]

I'll definitely agree with the consensus that they're both great horns, and I'd be happy with either. I personally play a Z, but one of the greatest tenor players alive, Mr. Quamon Fowler of Fort Worth Texas, has played an 875 for as long as I'm aware, and there's not a single thing wrong with how that guy sounds!

 

[Scott E]

It's certainly a lot easier to find the YTS 82Z in stock in the US. When I was looking for a new tenor, I only found one new 875ex to try in the NYC/NJ area. I doubt many players had a chance to compare these horns side by side over the last few years.

I do think there are so many good options now. I would be surprised if Yamaha continues to produce two Custom horns.

 

[lydian]

deleted

 

[snazandmatt]

It does seem difficult to play both side by side unless you have an unusually good store nearby. And Covid makes it even harder to try out horns

 

[snazandmatt]

This is from a JazzTimes article:

"Some players have cast a disapproving glare toward Yamaha saxophones because of one thing: sound. Neither the YAS-62 nor the 875 Custom models offered jazz players the depth, power and focus they needed. Thankfully, Yamaha recognized that trend and now offers the 82Z alto and tenor saxophones. Be prepared: An 82Z is nothing like the little Japanese import you used to tool around with in high school."

 

[Tenor Mattness]

What's more popular: jazz or classical saxophone? The EX came to be known as a "classical" sax, and the Z was pushed as being the "jazz" sax. That's why the Z is more popular in stores. I recently had an EX and Z tenor side by side. Using the same neck on both, the EX was better.

My main gripe with the EX is that the side Bb and C keys use balls that make me think of a noisy late Mark VI's. They're different than a late VI, but from a non technical standpoint, the way it's done on a Z seems much nicer.

 

[SimonJazzSax]

I'll definitely agree with the consensus that they're both great horns, and I'd be happy with either. I personally play a Z, but one of the greatest tenor players alive, Mr. Quamon Fowler of Fort Worth Texas, has played an 875 for as long as I'm aware, and there's not a single thing wrong with how that guy sounds!

You talking tenors or alto?? I've known Quamon for a while now and I've only ever known him to play his Tenor Madness horn or the MK VI he has. I haven't ever seen him play a Yamaha tenor. All his videos are on the TM that I've watched recently.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

 

[snazandmatt]

Yeah not sure about Quamon... But... James Carter definitely played on Yamaha customs. Probably the 875 or the precursor to that model, but too early to be the 82Z

 

[Jazz House]

Yeah the price seems similar - depending on the store and on what finish you choose

Oops - thinking of Australian prices here! And there's only a few hundred dollars in it, I think.

 

[snazandmatt]

Yeah the price seems similar - depending on the store and on what finish you choose

Oops - thinking of Australian prices here! And there's only a few hundred dollars in it, I think.

Haha its ok I'm in Australia too! The prices do seem wildly variable here, and very difficult to try out horns

 

[Mark R]

You talking tenors or alto?? I've known Quamon for a while now and I've only ever known him to play his Tenor Madness horn or the MK VI he has. I haven't ever seen him play a Yamaha tenor. All his videos are on the TM that I've watched recently.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

Quamon transitioned from playing not the new EX but the old original pre-82Z Custom 875 Black Lacquer tenor before switching to Tenor Madness....he may have even played a MacSax Empyrial briefly...he has been on TM for quite some time now...regardless which model horn he is a masterful player and he did sound killer on the 875.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Is it just marketing (i.e. Yamaha calling it a classical horn)? Price? Or is there more to it?

The 875EX seems to have some dedicated fans but the 82Z appears quite a bit more popular...

I do believe that it is marketing. But I think it's more from the 82Z being marketed as a "jazz" model horn that makes it more popular. It would be interesting to see Yamaha's sales stats on these two.