Pricing and availability

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Average Price: $1,500

Budget/Beginner

$1500

$3501+

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High-end

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Description

Crafted with precision and designed for ambitious musicians, the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone delivers a rich and resonant sound, making it an ideal choice for advancing players. This intermediate saxophone artfully bridges the gap between beginner models and professional instruments, providing a seamless transition for those ready to explore more complex musical territories. The YAS-52's construction showcases Yamaha’s dedication to quality, boasting a yellow brass neck, body, and bell that ensures durability and a warm tonal quality that responds beautifully to nuanced playing.

The YAS-52 is equipped with a Yamaha 4C mouthpiece, offering players an exceptional level of comfort and control. Its leather pads with wool felt and plastic tone boosters enhance the instrument's response, providing a clear and robust sound across all registers. Nickel-plated keys not only add to the sleek aesthetics but also ensure a smooth and reliable action for more expressive performances. For added versatility, the saxophone includes Front F auxiliary keys, expanding the range and allowing for more intricate musical expressions.

Whether you're preparing for a solo performance or joining a band ensemble, the Yamaha YAS-52 is designed to support your musical journey with quality and style.

Key Features:

  • Yellow brass neck, body, and bell
  • Yamaha 4C mouthpiece included
  • Leather pads with wool felt
  • Plastic tone boosters
  • Nickel-plated keys
  • Front F auxiliary keys

Product specs

Brand Yamaha
Model YAS-52 Alto Saxophone
Finish Brass
Year 2000s
Categories Saxophones

FAQs

What level of player is the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone suitable for?

The Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone is ideal for intermediate to advanced players, offering a professional sound and build quality that supports skill development and performance.

How does the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone compare to the YAS-23 model?

The YAS-52 offers a more refined sound and advanced features compared to the YAS-23, such as an improved key mechanism and a richer tonal quality, making it suitable for more experienced players.

What material is the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone made from?

The Yamaha YAS-52 is crafted from high-quality brass, providing durability and a warm, resonant sound that is characteristic of Yamaha saxophones.

Does the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone come with any accessories?

The Yamaha YAS-52 typically includes a hard case, mouthpiece, and ligature, making it ready to play right out of the box.

Is the Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone easy to maintain?

Yes, the Yamaha YAS-52 is designed for easy maintenance, with a durable finish and reliable keywork that withstands regular use and cleaning.

ebaylistentomusic

ebaylistentomusic

Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Sax

Video thumbnail for Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Sax by ebaylistentomusic

Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Sax

ebaylistentomusic

ebaylistentomusic

Video thumbnail for Yamaha YAS 52 Alto Sax by jgn840

Yamaha YAS 52 Alto Sax

jgn840

jgn840

Video thumbnail for SaxMall.com Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone Sax played w/ CE Winds Silver Shocka Mouthpiece by CE Winds

SaxMall.com Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone Sax played w/ CE Winds Silver Shocka Mouthpiece

CE Winds

CE Winds

Reviews

PROS

  • Balanced playability, sound, and price for a versatile experience

  • Recommended by experienced woodwind teachers and repair professionals

  • Sounds full and satisfying with a nice tone

  • Suitable for collegiate and casual musicians

  • Feels responsive and quick once you start playing

  • Durable construction, can clean up nicely

CONS

  • Not ideal for full-time professional musicians

  • May have minor cosmetic imperfections like scratches or dents

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Yamaha YAS-52 Alto Saxophone.

Comparisons

  • The YAS-52 shares its body with the YAS-62 but lacks ribbed construction and engravings, offering similar ergonomics at a lower price point.

    Source
  • The YAS-52 includes a high F# key, unlike the YAS-23, making it more aligned with pro models in terms of key features.

    Source
  • The Martin, a vintage horn, may lack modern keywork compared to Yamaha models, affecting ergonomics for players used to contemporary saxophones.

    Source

Value and pricing

  • It's noted that used YAS-62s can often be found at prices similar to new YAS-52s, suggesting a potential better value in the used market.

    Source
  • The Yamaha YAS-52, in good condition, retains value around $2.5k, but if it needs repair, it might only fetch about $2k.

    Source
  • Although the YAS-52 is out of production, it remains a viable choice for those seeking quality at a lower price than the YAS-62.

    Source

User experience

  • A long-time player returned after a 25-year break and found the YAS-52 to be a reliable and satisfying choice as a backup instrument.

    Source
  • Players coming from modern horns find Yamaha's ergonomics more consistent, potentially making it a better fit than vintage options like The Martin.

    Source

Setup and maintenance

  • Authenticity checks for Yamaha saxophones can include verifying the logo, serial number, keywork, and pad color, as well as consulting with saxophone resellers like GetASax.com.

    Source

Features and functionality

  • The YAS-52 includes a one-piece bell key and C sharp guard, and uses red felt and flat orange pads, which are characteristic of genuine Yamaha saxophones.

    Source

Mods and upgrades

  • The Selmer S80 C* mouthpiece, often paired with the YAS-52, is considered an upgrade over stock mouthpieces, and can be sold separately for added value.

    Source

Use cases and applications

  • The YAS-52 is considered suitable for players transitioning from student models, particularly those familiar with modern saxophone ergonomics.

    Source

4.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 1 Rating

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mikau

Solid intermediate, collegiate/casual adult alto sax

Solid alto sax for the collegiate aged musician, or someone looking to take their playing up a little. Although not the horn you'd see a full time musician using, this is perfect for the casual musician, be they playing in a bedroom or jam band. Sounds relatively full, tone does what it needs. It feels kinda fast, once you get moving, it's hard to stop

Genre Usage

Based on how artists on Equipboard use this gear, it is most commonly found in the following genres.

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