Yamaha YTS-62 Tenor Saxophone

A Standard of Its Own

Some saxophones become popular because they are fashionable. Others become popular because, year after year, musicians simply continue choosing them.

The Yamaha YTS-62 belongs firmly in the second category.

In our opinion, it is the world's most popular professional tenor saxophone. It is also our best-selling tenor saxophone at James Sax Corner, and over the years we have had the opportunity to help players with many different preferences find the right YTS-62 for them.

Since its introduction in the late 1970s, the YTS-62 has become a familiar presence in professional music everywhere—from jazz clubs and concert stages to recording studios, classrooms, and home practice rooms. Its success has never depended on being the loudest, darkest, brightest, or most specialized tenor saxophone. Perhaps that is exactly why it has remained so successful. The YTS-62 offers a dependable foundation: excellent intonation, comfortable keywork, a responsive feel, and a versatile voice that can become part of almost any musical style.

The model has evolved through several generations, from the highly sought-after early Purple Logo instruments to the YTS-62II and the current YTS-62III. Each generation has its own character, and after working with so many different YTS-62s, we understand that players can have very different ideas about what makes one particular generation or instrument feel right for them.

The YTS-62 is not the only important model in Yamaha's professional tenor family. Players looking for a more individual and expressive playing experience may be drawn to the YTS-82Z, while the flagship YTS-875 and Custom EX represent Yamaha's highest level of professional saxophone craftsmanship. Each model has its own character and design philosophy, and comparing them is one of the most interesting ways to explore the Yamaha professional tenor range.

At James Sax Corner, we regularly have YTS-62 tenors from different generations in stock. Whether you are looking for a vintage Purple Logo, a YTS-62II, a modern YTS-62III, or simply a particular sound and playing feel, our experience with this model allows us to help you explore the different possibilities.

For us, the YTS-62 is not simply one of the most popular professional tenor saxophones in the world. It is the model we sell most often—and the model we have perhaps learned the most about through our customers and our own experience.