Ideally balanced for maximum performance

While some might consider a small detail like a neck screw insignificant, experienced players know that the distribution of weight on a saxophone plays an important role in the instrument’s handling, response, resonance, and ultimate sound. While the YTS-82ZII Atelier Special’s lightweight C1 neck provides immediate response, the additional mass from its special gold-plated weighted neck screw helps to maintain a solid tonal core in the upper register. Another unique feature is its hybrid ribbed body construction, in which the body ribs remain in the left hand for tonal depth, while the right hand features lighter-weight, single-post-to-body construction, which opens up the tonal presence. This also affects the balance of the instrument: the ribs of the upper key stack are adding weight, while the ribless bottom stack removes weight from the lower part of the horn, effectively shifting the weight distribution upward. This not only allows the horn to resonate freely and the tone to bloom, but also makes for a delightfully nimble playing experience, especially when standing.

C1 neck: greater control and excellent intonation

Yamaha outfitted the YTS-82ZII Atelier Special tenor saxophone with their Custom C1 neck — a top choice among experienced and professional saxophonists. The C1 neck offers Yamaha’s smallest bore taper, which promotes a ready response with instant attack and greater control over dynamics and timbral variation, focusing your notes and providing a compact landing zone for intonation. Growling, raspy, breathy, or sweet, the C1 neck allows you to explore the full voice of your instrument, and you can push it as hard as you want with the confidence you’ll be rewarded with a commanding sound. The lighter weight of the C1 neck is offset to a degree by the Custom Z Atelier tenor’s extra-heavy gold-plated neck screw. 

Optimized ergonomics

In the interest of continuous and ongoing product improvement, Yamaha’s leading artists enjoy access to the company’s top designers, relationships that often result in unique customizations to their instruments. The Custom Z Atelier tenor has some of the most-requested custom improvements to the ergonomics of the horn. Featuring a re-angled G key touch, the upper cluster has been redesigned to feel more natural under your left hand. The left-hand thumb rest is fabricated from hard rubber and has a more rounded feel to it, providing a superior grip while still allowing flexibility for the player who doesn’t want to be constrained to one position. The strap ring has also been repositioned further up and to the right, which offers improved feel and balance for players who prefer their horn more centered while standing. The YTS-82ZII Atelier’s right-hand thumb hook is made of brass, while its plate has been decreased in size — another seemingly small detail that, together with all the other enhancements on this superb horn, contributes to the supreme playing comfort of this high-performance saxophone.

Tech Specs

• Key:Bb
• Level:Professional
• Finish:Unlacquered
• Auxillary Keys:High F#
• Body:Hybrid Ribbed Construction
• Body Material:Yellow Brass
• Neck Type:Custom C1
• Neck Material:Yellow Brass
• Key Buttons:Mother-of-Pearl
• Bell Type:1-piece
• Bell Decoration:Hand Engraved
• Pads:Metal Resonator Pads
• Mouthpiece:Included
• Thumb Hook:Brass
• Thumb Rest:Hard Rubber
• Case/Gig Bag:Hardshell Case
• Manufacturer Part Number:YTS-82ZIIU-ASP