Yamaha Custom Soprano Saxophone Comparisons | YSS-82Z vs YSS-875EX

In this video we compare and contrast the two professional Yamaha Soprano Saxophone models, the 82Z and the 875EX. The YSS-82Z is a one-piece Soprano whereas the 875EX is a two-piece design and the two play a little differently.
Yamaha YSS-82Z (Available via): www.dawkes.co.uk/yamaha-yss-8...
Yamaha YSS-875EX (Available via): www.dawkes.co.uk/yamaha-yss-8...
Dawkes Music are the UK's leading Wind & Brass specialists. Our award-winning staff are on hand to help you choose the best equipment to enhance your playing. Our store has multiple specialist testing suites, the UK's largest Wind & Brass technical department and workshop. Check out www.dawkes.co.uk for more info.
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[@dawkesmusic]

Shop our range of Soprano Saxophones (including these Yamaha's) here on our website: www.dawkes.co.uk/saxophones/soprano

[@benhostetler268]

IMO the best Soprano ever made is the YSS-62 and right on par the 82Z.

[@simonbsax]

Hi Ben, the 62 soprano is excellent and has gone through several changes over the years. The 875 design seems to have stayed a bit more consistent over time! It's a personal choice, but for me, the feel of the Yamahas beat all the other manufacturers.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Another video by Dawkes and Simon Bates is like Christmas. Both sopranos are classy, but I wasn't aware that the 82Z soprano is such a beauty. Definitely a different material from the 875EX, but its voice is full of brilliance and extra sparkles that the EX model does not deliver as such.

[@simonbsax]

Christmas in August! What could be better. Thanks for your comments. I was surprised listening back how much brighter the 82Z is, but I love the fullness of the EX sound.

[@thecoolorphan5876]

@@simonbsax hello man, you look like you know a lot bout soprano. What’s the best for you between a s-wo 10 or a 875/ 875ex ?

[@francistaylor5097]

The dream team at it again! Great video, chaps, as ever. Simon's playing is an absolute pleasure to behold but will Sam ever give it a whirl on a video?

[@simonbsax]

Thanks Francis. Sam playing soprano?! I'd better not continue along that path... 😂

[@dawkesmusic]

The cheek of it! Although if Sam was to make his on-screen playing debut he assures us it would NOT be on Soprano :)

[@mambojazz1]

Is it just me or does the Yamaha Custom 82ZR sound clearer, more in tune, more focused, id better?!🤷🏿‍♂️😂

[@zangsax]

Iown an 875EXHG and a yani 901 sold my serie III I play the 901 regularly Found the 82 too bright and buzzy None of them have the roundness of my old MK VI (HAD TO SELL BOO HOO ) 875 is greatm but I prefer the 1 piece horn 901 for all around work

[@jazztime4]

Is that a Bari mouthpiece with a BG ligature? Love that sound!

[@billducker7404]

Thank you both for this excellent Choice is personal and Yamaha make great instruments. The Selmer Series three is also excellent. Beauty is in the “ear” of the beholder. As I sometimes comment Simon could also play a chair leg if possible and make it sound good ! Thank you both for your informative and amusing videos. God bless you both. Bill. UK

[@simonbsax]

Thanks Bill. I agree that the Selmer III is a good instrument (if a little over-engineered!), but the Yamahas edge it for me. It's a personal thing, particularly for more experienced players, and Selmer make some incredible saxes. I know we seem to bash Selmers a lot, but I do own MKVI tenor and alto and really enjoy playing Selmers of all ages.

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

​@@simonbsax Your criticism of Selmer, if it exists, is well justified and for a good reason. Japanese manufacturers gain the edge we really see, and it comes from consistency and excellence because they have long employed principles of kaizen, that is, continuous improvement in all aspects, and then, vertical dissemination of values and sharing of the same cost. Product lines of Yamaha and Yanagisawa are so structured, that whatever is applied at the top level product, reaches lower-end products too. In Europe, I think Buffet has done the same in instrument manufacture, together with European car manufacturers who quickly learned from the Japanese. But Selmer never learned anything of the sort - their production is horizontal, and their lower models do not exist, they are outsourced. So they never benefit from the know-how of the top models and development money spent there. Their top models are so different and from different eras that they keep them as separate lines, with all their issues and quirks. Continuous improvement in such a scenario, from which better consistency and lower cost to the customer could ensue, is not possible for Selmer. They have no kaizen, which increases the value, fixes issues and lowers the overall cost, so they must hike the prices despite repeating flaws in products. But they get away with it because they heavily bet on their name, its historic and imaginary value in people's perceptions of the past, and are positioning themselves as a luxury brand.