SOUND ADVICE Gearhead

Yamaha 62II Alto and Tenor Saxophones

odays musicians arent very realistic when it

comes to buying new instruments. On one hand they demand instruments be made of the finest materials and offer all the bells and whistles technology can provide. They also want a great case; a cool, retro look and a sound that harkens back to the instruments of yesteryear. But they also want these instruments to be cheap. To cater to this demand we have seen a flood of new instruments, many coming from the production mills of Taiwan, each one offering the world at a price that can not be refused. Where these companies may produce fine instruments they cannot offer the consumer the one element that they so eagerly crave: a track record of performance. In the 1980s Yamaha made its mark with the YAS(alto) and YTS (tenor) 62, professional saxophones that set the modern standard for quality and sound. As many players put it, the Yamaha 62 was the new Selmer Mark VI. As time went on Yamaha changed its production line and offered new models such as the 875 Custom, 82-EX and 82-Z lines. While each of those is a fine instrument the discontinued 62 left a void. Thankfully, Yamaha has reintroduced the line, with some modern advances, and calls it the 62II. The 62II is an outstanding professional model saxophone. Having played the 875 Custom and 82-Z models, I find the 62II to be in the middle in terms of sound. For the player who demands a saxophone that produces a full sound with focus but not too much edge or darkness, the 62II is the perfect fit. Players who play classical and jazz should really take note of this instrument. The tone is rich and centered with tremendous projection. Both the high and low registers performed effortlessly with outstanding altissimo and effortless sub tone. The very first time I played it I was able to play 12 partials of the overtone series with no effort at all. The feel of the 62II is solid with excellent key placement, especially in the palm keys. The feeling was smooth with particular ease coming in the low spatula keys (low C sharp and B flat). Movement between low C sharp and B is the smoothest I have ever played. The right-hand side keys (side B flat, C and high E) and palm keys fit my Yamaha YTS-62II tenor sax large hands so well that I was sure they would cause problems for Yamaha YAS-62II alto sax some of my students with smaller hands. They didnt. In fact the smoothness of the keys was one of the first compliments my students paid to the 62. I had the pleasure of playing both the alto and tenor versions for over a month in a variety There is one more thing you, the conof classical and jazz settings. Both performed amazingly well. I even recorded the 62II performsumer should know: the price. These horns ing both jazz and classical excerpts. In a blind comparison with the Selmer S-80 II, S-80 III and list between $3,146 and $3,346, meaning Mark VI, the 62II produced the preferred tone 72 percent of the time. I was even fooled when you can pick up an alto for about $1,800 one of my students put my trusted Selmer up against the 62II. I couldnt tell the difference. But ($1,900 and change if you desire the silverdont be confused; the Yamaha is its own master. plate finish). Thats right, a silver-plated gem So, what major changes has Yamaha made to the old 62 horn to create such a fine new infor under $2,500. While I only I auditioned strument? Not as many as you might think. The biggest change comes with the new G1 neck the lacquered models I can only imaging, that Yamaha has found recent success with in the 875 Custom and 82-Z. (Note: The 62IIs rather dream of what these beauties must neck is not handmade like the 875 Custom or 82-Zs, rather it is hydroformed, a process of sound like in silver. shaping the neck using high-pressured water). Other small additions are blue steel springs, siliIn this players opinion Yamaha did it all, con coated pads and a richer lacquer with tasteful engraving. coming through with consistency, sound and Your local repairperson will appreciate the U-shaped brackets on the side C and side B-flat keys, price. Is the 62II is the perfect horn? No, but the angled low C-sharp and B keys and the redefined octave mechanism. I appreciate the adjustafter playing the 62II it is hard to imagine ment screws on the low B key and on the back arms of the left and right hand keys. what the perfect horn is. PAUL HAAR

80

JAZZTIMES > > DECEMBER 2005