Yamaha’s Masterful 82Z Soprano
Yamaha’s Custom Z saxophones occupy a lofty perch in the modern jazz world. Developed in collaboration with esteemed jazz saxophonists, the Yamaha YSS-82Z professional soprano saxophone builds on the scale and design of its iconic 62 series progenitors. For rich resonance, the YSS-82Z’s body is made from a proprietary brass alloy, while its fixed neck, 1-piece design sheds weight for a supremely comfortable playing experience. Playing uniformly in all ranges, the Custom Z soprano offers broad tonal versatility and a massive dynamic range. As with all Yamaha saxophones, exceptional build quality and playability are baked in, with precision ergonomic keywork, excellent responsiveness, and superior intonation yielding an instrument that faithfully conveys every nuance of expression in your playing. If you’re on the prowl for a superb professional soprano saxophone, look no further than the Yamaha YSS-82Z.
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The definitive evolution of the soprano sax
The Yamaha YSS-82Z is revered among professional soprano sax players, no doubt owing to its highly evolved design. The saxophone is a marvel of complexity, and the company has brought the instrument to a level of, dare we say, perfection in the modern era. Case in point: As a class, soprano saxophones can be challenging to play in tune, but Yamaha has long since resolved these issues — and the YSS-82Z is a shining example. Construction-wise, the Z incorporates an updated key post rib plate that provides a robust feel while enhancing resonance and durability. Its innovative lower vent tubing design facilitates quieter lower vent key actuation, and a new bullet tip adjustment pivot screw design allows for easy maintenance. Naturally, the YSS-82Z includes a high F# key, which allows for a true high F# and additional alternate fingerings. And as do all Yamaha saxophones, the YSS-82Z is fitted with an adjustable thumb rest for comfortable and precise hand and finger positioning.
Impeccable, versatile design
Designed with input from preeminent jazz saxophonists, the Yamaha YSS-82Z soprano is considered an industry standard in that genre. And indeed, its masterful design and sweetly lyrical, beautifully emotive voice make it a high-performance delivery vehicle for Coltrane-inspired soprano solos. But versatility being one of the attributes of a great professional saxophone, you’ll actually find pro players in many genres who rely on the YSS-82Z as their main soprano. Saxophonists who play both jazz and classical, for instance, can choose an appropriate mouthpiece and reed to customize their horn for the music at hand. However you set it up, the Yamaha YSS-82Z is an impeccably designed and crafted professional instrument that sounds incredible, is comfortable to play, and continuously evolves along with you on your musical journey.
Lightweight, free-blowing 1-piece design
The YSS-82Z features a 1-piece design without any joints between the body and the fixed straight neck, which promotes a free-blowing, even response and a direct tonal quality. Choosing between a straight- or a curved-necked soprano saxophone is a highly personal decision. (Note that Yamaha also makes a curved-neck version of the Z soprano, the YSS-82ZR.) Straight necks offer less blowing resistance than curved necks; and while a curved neck may require more wind exertion, some players will find the ergonomics more comfortable, as it positions the horn at a lower angle relative to your torso, making it less tiresome to support the horn. It should be noted, however, that any additional effort required to hold the instrument at a more elevated angle is offset to a large degree by the YSS-82Z’s 1-piece design, which results in a significant weight reduction as compared to soprano saxes with removable necks. Lightweight and free-blowing, the Yamaha YSS-82Z gives you the best of both worlds.
Hand-hammered 1-piece bell with elegant engraving
In developing the current generation of 82Z instruments, Yamaha examined the construction techniques used to produce sought-after vintage instruments, leading to a significant performance-enhancing upgrade. The YSS-82Z features a 1-piece bell, which, like the body and neck, is hand hammered by Yamaha’s expert craftspeople. The 1-piece bell provides full-bodied, focused lower-register tones, surpassing the low-end response of 2-piece bells, while opening up the instrument’s overall tonality. Plus, the bell features graceful hand engraving with a delicate design that accentuates the instrument’s natural beauty and evokes Yamaha’s tradition of old-world craftsmanship.
Yamaha saxophones: designed and built for artists
In 1967, Yamaha debuted their first saxophones: the YAS-1 alto and the YTS-1 tenor. Both found favor in the sax player community. In fact, jazz great John Coltrane, who built his reputation on the tenor and soprano, played the prototype YAS-1 gifted him by Yamaha extensively during his 1966 tour of Japan. In 1972, Yamaha partnered with renowned classical saxophonist Dr. Eugene Rousseau to develop a new line of professional-class saxophones. After arduous years of prototyping, testing, and revisions, Yamaha introduced the fruits of their labor: the YAS-62 alto, the YTS-62 tenor, and the YSS-62 soprano. Designed with three guiding principles in mind — superior acoustics, top-notch mechanisms, and artistic feel — the 62 series saxophones represented a milestone for Yamaha, setting the company on the path to becoming one of the world’s most-respected saxophone makers. Today, Yamaha continues to adhere to the principles established during the creation of the original 62 series nearly a half century ago, providing saxophonists with fine instruments to inspire their artistry and meet their technical demands. Sweetwater is proud to offer you Yamaha’s distinguished saxophone line, which offers outstanding value at every level, from student models to sophisticated professional saxophones heard in premier venues and concert halls around the globe.
Yamaha YSS-82Z Custom Z Professional Soprano Saxophone Features:
- Lightweight 1-piece design with fixed straight neck
- Material: proprietary brass alloy
- High F# key
- Adjustable thumb rest
- Ergonomic keywork
- Hand-engraved 1-piece bell
- Lower vent tube
- Key post rib plate
- Bullet-tip adjustment pivot screw
- 4CM mouthpiece and Z Style case included
