tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7197152665905718639.post9220039394773869629..comments2024-03-17T22:14:37.403-07:00Comments on Everything Saxophone: Yamaha Custom Z Tenor SaxophoneBen Brittonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/15168800131826822235noreply@blogger.comBlogger1125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7197152665905718639.post-52189848204254954682016-03-29T06:22:03.111-07:002016-03-29T06:22:03.111-07:00Interesting Ben, thanks! My experience with a bran...Interesting Ben, thanks! My experience with a brand-new 2016 couldn't have been more different. I played it against my MKVI and several other brands. While it had a pretty, and big sound, it certainly lacked the warmth and what I describe as the lush, smoky Stan Getz sound of my Selmer Paris. Let's say it sounds more like a Trane than Stan. <br /><br />But, that, if it is a negative, was the only negative about the instrument. Intonation was perfect, it was the most free blowing instrument I've ever played, and for the first time in 40 years I could go down to slow C, B and Bb effortlessly, plus the Altissimo G just speaks with no effort. As an experiment, the sax sales pro and I switched necks between my Selmer's and the Yamaha's. It turned out that the Yamaha's octave key would not engage the Selmer's vent. With effortless voicing, I was able to play from low Bb to altissimo G without it!<br />Something I can't do with the Selmer.<br /><br />I really believe my MKVI to be a very good example. It was handpicked by myself and my teacher after playing a half dozen other Selmers at the legendary Charles Ponte in Manhattan in 1975. Despite a devastatingly gorgeous tone however, you can with a big modern open metal mouthpiece, it's always been a bit resistant and frankly, I attributed some of this beautiful sound to that very fact. I've always worked too hard for the low range and Altissimo however.<br /><br />I tried to new Selmer Paris Tanners today and found them both to be similar to mine but with poor internation. Definitely not worth double the price of this Yamaha Custom Z. I just wish the Z sounded like my Selmer in the heart of the instrument! Thanks!<br /><br /><br />Best, Warren<br />Warren A. KellerWarhenhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/16659766175989009383noreply@blogger.com