Redesigned and refined to perfection

Yamaha Atelier Special instruments benefit from the constant interaction between artists and Yamaha ateliers. It is in these workshops that that the company’s designers and technicians collaborate with Yamaha artists in an exhaustive R&D program, the goal of which is to create instruments that are truly special. The program produces horns such as the Custom Z Atelier Special YTS-82ZII tenor sax that give leading artists the elevated levels of musical expression and performance capability they need. Giving full consideration to key layout ergonomics and weight distribution, acoustics, response, resistance, resonance, intonation, and aesthetics, Yamaha artisans have refined and redesigned the horn component by component with the intent of optimizing performance and sonics to a level of perfection previously unimaginable. 

Atelier Special saxophones redefine the state of the art

Yamaha Atelier artisans in Tokyo and Los Angeles have invested countless hours of intensive research and development to bring you an exceptional horn that delivers a massively huge tone reminiscent of vintage tenors while providing modern, optimized ergonomics that make it a pure pleasure to play. Packed with innovation and available in two stunning finishes, with or without a high F# key, the Yamaha YTS-82ZII Atelier Special professional tenor saxophone pushes the performance envelope, giving leading artists — and those who aspire to be — the enhanced expression and playability they require. And thanks to Yamaha’s high-quality Japanese manufacturing and quality control, you can be assured that your YTS-82ZII Atelier Special tenor will go the distance throughout your career and nurture your development as an artist. 

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. 

The relentless pursuit of perfection

The standard YTS-82ZII Custom Z is revered by many players — particularly in the professional jazz world — as the new plus ultra of tenor saxophones. Accordingly, it’s the ideal platform for tweaking into what can only be considered the quintessential tenor sax. The Atelier Special edition’s big, lusty sound is the result of many such adjustments — large and small — done in the pursuit of perfection. In addition to the improvements already mentioned, the YTS-82ZII Atelier Special tenor features seamless domed metal resonators for intensified projection. Its bow has been refined with a flatter solder seam that increases the internal bore size in the nether regions of the horn for enhanced tonal presence. The top bow brace was also eliminated to lessen resistance and open up the sound. The net result of all these enhancements gives you a Custom Z that produces the biggest sound we at  Irvine Art & Music have ever heard from a Yamaha tenor. 

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.  

Yamaha YTS-82ZII Atelier Special Professional Tenor Saxophone Features:

• Numerous refinements ranging from enhanced keywork ergonomics to subtle mass redistribution
• Yellow brass body; hybrid ribbed body construction
• Revised balance across the entire instrument and weight distribution for optimized response
• Lightweight C1 Custom neck; heavy, gold-plated weighted neck screw
• Hard rubber left-hand thumb rest, brass right-hand thumb hook
• New bell brace offers attractive and solid connection between bell and body
• Mother-of-pearl key touches
• Seamless dome metal pad resonators
• Hand-engraved 1-piece bell
• Custom Z Series case
• Handcrafted in Japan 
  

Tech Specs

• Key:Bb
• Level:Professional
• Finish:Unlacquered
• 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-82ZIIUWOF-ASP