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Yamaha YAS-875EXIIB Custom Professional Alto Saxophone — main product image
Yamaha

Yamaha YAS-875EXIIB Custom Professional Alto Saxophone

Yamaha's flagship custom alto saxophone in black lacquer, hand-crafted with annealed brass and a V1 neck for professional performance.

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Overview

The Yamaha YAS-875EXIIB represents the pinnacle of Yamaha's alto saxophone line, built to meet the demands of professional performers and advanced students pursuing a world-class instrument. The body is constructed from annealed brass — a process in which the metal is carefully heat-treated to release internal stresses — allowing the material to resonate more freely and produce a tone that is warm, complex, and dynamically responsive. Paired with the V1 neck, the saxophone delivers balanced intonation and a centered sound that projects clearly without harshness, giving the player a reliable foundation to shape their personal voice.

The custom-level keywork is engineered for fast, precise action with a comfortable feel under the fingers, which is critical during technically demanding repertoire. The striking black lacquer finish sets this model apart visually from the gold-lacquered YAS-875EXII while providing a durable protective layer over the brass. Yamaha includes an ebonite 4CM mouthpiece and a semi-hard case, making the package gig-ready out of the box. Whether performing in a concert hall, a jazz club, or a recording studio, the YAS-875EXIIB offers the tonal depth, mechanical reliability, and playability that professional saxophonists require from their primary instrument.

Key Features

Semi-Hard Case - Black Lacquer

Ebonite 4CM Mouthpiece

Eb Alto Saxophone

Annealed Brass

with V1 Neck

Specifications

Brand
Yamaha
Model
YAS-875EXIIB
Type
Eb Alto Saxophone
Body Material
Annealed Brass
Finish
Black Lacquer
Neck
V1
Included Mouthpiece
Ebonite 4CM
Case
Semi-Hard Case

Pros & Cons

👍 Pros

  • Annealed brass body produces a warm, resonant tone with rich harmonic complexity
  • V1 neck provides balanced intonation and even response across all registers
  • Black lacquer finish is visually distinctive and offers durable surface protection
  • Yamaha custom-level keywork provides precise, comfortable action for demanding passages
  • Professional-grade build quality backed by Yamaha's consistency in manufacturing tolerances

👎 Cons

  • Premium price point places it among the most expensive alto saxophones on the market
  • The included 4CM mouthpiece is adequate but most professionals will want to upgrade it separately
  • Black lacquer finish can show fingerprints and wear marks more visibly than gold lacquer
  • Only one neck option (V1) is included; exploring alternate Yamaha necks adds additional cost
  • Heavier than some competing professional altos, which may cause fatigue during extended performances

Frequently Asked Questions

The "B" suffix indicates the black lacquer finish. The standard YAS-875EXII comes in a gold lacquer finish. The keywork, bore design, and tonal characteristics are otherwise the same.
The V1 neck is Yamaha's standard neck option for the 875EX series, offering a centered and focused tone with even response across all registers. Yamaha also offers alternate necks that can shift the tonal character, but the V1 provides a balanced starting point.
Annealed brass is brass that has been heat-treated to relieve internal stresses from manufacturing. This process allows the metal to vibrate more freely, resulting in a richer, more resonant tone compared to standard untreated brass.
Yamaha includes an ebonite 4CM mouthpiece. While it is a capable mouthpiece suitable for getting started, many professional players choose to pair the instrument with an aftermarket mouthpiece matched to their preferred playing style.
Yes, Yamaha includes a semi-hard case that provides solid protection for transport while being lighter than a full hard-shell case.

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