Saxophones Can I still get a new Yamaha yas-62?

[jools28]

Hi all,

I finally have the funds for a brand new Yamaha yas-62 sax-yay! Problem is they are all mostly mk IV now which I believe is not quite as good as the 1st or second version? I really wanted a mk1 or mk2, can I only get them used? Sorry if this is a stupid/obvious question, I don't wanna research too much cos I feel like I'll only end up even more confused-I've settled on the Yamaha yas-62 so not gonna budge from that but if the mk IV is not as good that is a bummer...Plus it's a lot of money as you can understand. Anyway I thought I'd ask you good people first.

 

[SaxBoss]

Short answer is no.
But why wouldn't you want the latest key work?

The biggest difference is in the neck, but this could be overcome with a change to one of their (Yamaha's) other necks to your taste of sound and resistance.

 

[DavidUK]

Long answer is yes... but only if you seek out a new old stock horn sitting on a dusty warehouse shelf somewhere in the world.
Oh it'll exist all right, but are you the one destined to find it... I think it unlikely.

 

[nigeld]

I don’t think that the Mk II was better than the later models, and Yamaha stopped making the MkI more than 15 years ago, so your chances of finding an unplayed one are pretty slim.

So if you want new, it has to be a Mk IV. But if you want a sprinkling of magical pixie dust then you should go for a used Mk I with the pruple logo (though stamped logo ones are more or less identical and are generally cheaper). Either will be excellent. You should be able to get a Mk I for less than a new model, but it won’t be as shiny. As @SaxBoss says, the difference is supposed to be mostly in the neck.

 

[SaxBySW]

I’ve got a Mk IV, it’s brilliant, sounds amazing, does exactly what I want it to do. You literally cannot go wrong

 

[jools28]

Short answer is no.
But why wouldn't you want the latest key work?

The biggest difference is in the neck, but this could be overcome with a change to one of their (Yamaha's) other necks to your taste of sound and resistance.

Key work is fine, it's just from reviews it didn't sound like it had quite such a good sound as the first two versions and another couple problems (I'm taking this all from the shwoodwind review) I dunno it just put me off a bit. Although I must say there are a few reviews on the site where I'll buy from if I do get the mk IV and they are all 5*.

Yeh the neck, good point I could change that. Although I was kinda hoping I could just take it out and play it and not make too many alterations etc.

Long answer is yes... but only if you seek out a new old stock horn sitting on a dusty warehouse shelf somewhere in the world.
Oh it'll exist all right, but are you the one destined to find it... I think it unlikely.

Yeh I guess I always had in my head to get the mk1 since I only ever could afford used before, I didn't take into account a new one would be the latest upgrade, pretty stupid oversight lol.

I don’t think that the Mk II was better than the later models, and Yamaha stopped making the MkI more than 15 years ago, so your chances of finding an unplayed one are pretty slim.

So if you want new, it has to be a Mk IV. But if you want a sprinkling of magical pixie dust then you should go for a used Mk I with the pruple logo (though stamped logo ones are more or less identical and are generally cheaper). Either will be excellent. You should be able to get a Mk I for less than a new model, but it won’t be as shiny. As @SaxBoss says, the difference is supposed to be mostly in the neck.

Yeh I really want new at this point but I also want a Mk I-can I go back in time? Lol. Thank you for the advice and info.

I’ve got a Mk IV, it’s brilliant, sounds amazing, does exactly what I want it to do. You literally cannot go wrong

Thanks! This is invaluable in helping me decide, I'm so glad you love it. I'm sure I will too and usually I wouldn't be this "picky" it's just been years I've wanted one. For someone like me probably can't tell the difference between the versions anyway.

 

[stitch]

Good as new?
Is it a MkI?

 

[nigeld]

Good as new?
Is it a MkI?

That one is a 32, not a 62, but it is a Purple Logo model.
Should be a nice horn, but a bit expensive in my opinion.

 

[jools28]

Is £2,300 the going rate for a brand new Yas-62 btw, that's the kinda price I'm seeing.

 

[DavidUK]

You could buy an excellent condition 2nd hand MkI (inc. purple logo) today at around £1,500.
You're unlikely to find the one mint one which comes up for sale most months at £1,000 or less.
So either buy a near mint MkI at £1,500 or have a new MkIV. It's up to you.

 

[jools28]

Thanks David, I'm not far from Lutterworth, any good places I can take one to and get it looked over around here?

Yeh I have to make a decision, guess I need to check out ebay again and see what's around.

 

[DavidUK]

Where are you based?

 

[jools28]

@DavidUK I'm near Coalville. I used to take my old sax to Sheehans in Leicester but they closed a few years ago.

 

[DavidUK]

Paul Carrington in Flintham is your best bet.

 

[jools28]

@DavidUK Thanks very much I'll keep him in mind

 

[Jimmymack]

You make the sound.

 

[stitch]

That one is a 32, not a 62, but it is a Purple Logo model.

 

[SaxBoss]

Have you considered the Custom YAS-82Z?

 

[jonf]

Don't pay too much attention to reviews. All versions of the 62 are good saxes, differences are small and any interpretations of the sound quality are not 'better' or 'worse', just expressions of personal preference. The really important factor in the sound is the player. Recently I was playing my main tenor, a Yanagisawa T992, and a King Cleveland. Ergonomics were a bit different, and I felt the tone was too, but when I did a recording, both just sounded like me playing tenor. My advice would be to stop agonising over it, buy a sax and play it. Keep playing it, and don't worry about any infinitesimally small differences in tone between a mk1 and a mk4 or whatever.

 

[jonf]

Have you considered the Custom YAS-82Z?

The OP has just got to the funding for a YAS 62. The 82 is 50% more, so I guess it's not going to be an option.