Yamaha Custom YTS-875 tenor saxophone, s/n 1649. This was Yamaha's top of the line tenor saxophone when it was introduced in the 1990s, and this is an early example. These are really incredible horns that I think feel better over time. They uniquely straddle the bridge between vintage and modern. They're still incredibly easy to play, with ideal ergonomics, superb intonation, lightning quick response and very even tone and dynamics across the entire register. But there's an incredible core to the sound that immediately puts my mindset into vintage sax territory.

This sax was previously owned by a well known professional saxophonist. It was his main horn, so it does show quite a bit of honest lacquer wear. My repairman just overhauled the sax, so it has all new pads, corks and felts. He gave it extensive key fitting, so the action feels tight. If you closed your eyes, you'd think you were playing on a brand new sax.

The neck that comes with this horn is a gold plated F1, which is a great match for the horn. The F1 is one of Yamaha's early Custom necks, made from French style brass and offered only for tenor and soprano. It was never standard equipment on a US model and has been discontinued for years, so they're not easy to find, and gold plated examples are rarer still. Players seek them out for a centered, focused core with extra punch and projection in the upper register. On this 875, the F1 tightens up the sound and gives it a little more pop without losing the depth that makes these horns special. The previous owner chose this neck for his main horn, and after playing it, it's easy to see why.