What Is My Used Yamaha Saxophone Worth? Model Guide

Yamaha makes some of the most dependable saxophones in the world, from school band horns to the Custom Z and 875 models pros take on tour. That’s why used Yamahas stay in demand. But what yours is worth depends on which model you have and what shape it’s in.

This guide covers Yamaha’s model tiers, what moves value up or down, why a cash offer differs from a retail listing price, and how to find out what your horn is worth.

Condition means everything. Two Yamahas with the same model number can be worth very different amounts. Dents, past repairs, neck pull-down, worn pads, missing parts, or a missing case can drop a horn’s value fast. The only way to know what yours is worth is to have someone look at real photos of it.

Yamaha’s Saxophone Tiers at a Glance

Yamaha’s model numbers follow a simple logic: YAS = alto, YTS = tenor, YSS = soprano, YBS = baritone. The number tells you the tier.

Student models (YAS/YTS-23, -26, -280)

The 23 was Yamaha’s long-running student horn. The 26 replaced it, and the 280 is a close cousin of the 26 that adds a high F# key. They’re built to survive school band.

Intermediate models (YAS/YTS-52, -475, -480)

The 52 was the older step-up horn. It was replaced by the 475, and later by the 480. These are the horns students move to when they get serious.

Professional models (62, 82Z Custom Z, 875 Custom)

YAS-62 / YTS-62: Yamaha’s workhorse pro horn, made in several generations (the original, the 62II, and the current 62III). Older first-generation 62s, often nicknamed “purple logo” horns, have a loyal following.
YAS-82Z / YTS-82Z Custom Z: Yamaha’s jazz-oriented flagship line, introduced in 2003.
YAS-875 / YTS-875 Custom: Yamaha’s original top-of-the-line Custom models, later followed by the 875EX.

How Yamaha Models Compare in Value

In general, the higher the tier, the more the horn is worth:

Most valuable: the pro Custom Z (82Z) and 875 Custom models, followed closely by the pro 62 line.
Middle of the pack: intermediate horns like the 52, 475, and 480.
Least valuable (but still worth selling): student horns like the 23, 26, and 280.

Baritones and sopranos get looked at case by case. Most Yamahas are valued as dependable “player” horns, not collector’s items, unlike vintage horns such as the Selmer Mark VI, where serial number and year can swing value dramatically (see our Selmer Mark VI value guide).

What Affects the Value of a Used Yamaha Sax?

Model tier: The biggest factor, as described above.
Alto vs. tenor: Tenors usually bring more than altos of the same model.
Generation: A current 62III, an older 62, and a purple-logo 62 each have their own market. The same goes for an 82Z vs. 82ZII.
Condition: Dents, solder repairs, lacquer loss, a relacquer, worn pads, and neck pull-down (a neck bent downward, often from storing the horn with it attached) all lower value.
Finish: Most Yamahas are gold lacquer. Silver-plated, unlacquered, and other special finishes are valued separately, so mention yours.
Original neck: An original, undamaged neck matters, especially on pro horns (early 875s, for example, came with the M1 neck).
Case: An original case adds appeal. A horn with no case is harder to ship safely.
Where it was made: Pro and intermediate Yamahas are typically Japan-made, while some student models are made elsewhere (Indonesia, China, or the USA, for example). Tell us where yours says it was made.

How to Identify Your Yamaha Model

Yamaha says its model and serial numbers are engraved at the bottom of the straight body section, on the back, below the thumb rest. You’ll see something like YAS-62 or YTS-23 along with the serial number.

Yamaha doesn’t publish a simple serial-to-year chart, so the model number is what really matters here. For tips on photographing a faint stamp, see our saxophone serial number guide.

Replacement Value vs. Market Value vs. Cash Offer

If you’ve looked up your model on Reverb, eBay, or a dealer’s website, you’ve probably seen some encouraging numbers. Most of them are retail asking prices or private-sale prices, and many are for horns that have already been cleaned, repadded, or overhauled, sometimes with a shop warranty.

It helps to think about a saxophone’s value in three tiers:

Insurance replacement value: the high end, what it would cost to replace the horn at retail, like the top sale prices you see from dealers and on Reverb.
Market value: what similar horns in similar condition actually sell for between private buyers and sellers.
Cash offer: what a buyer like Cash4Sax pays up front, with no waiting or risk for you, typically around half of the low end of market value.

Why the gap between market value and a cash offer? A buyer who pays you cash up front is taking on everything that comes after. That includes:

Repairs, new pads, or a full overhaul
Marketplace and payment fees
Packing and shipping
Photos, writing the listing, and answering questions
Waiting weeks or months for the right buyer
Returns, damage in transit, and other risks

Every horn is different, so there’s no fixed formula, but knowing these three tiers helps you set realistic expectations.

A quick note on condition: listing prices usually show horns in good to excellent shape. Dents, repairs, pull-down, worn pads, missing parts, or no case can put a horn well below those listings, and they lower a cash offer too.

So why sell to a buyer instead of listing it yourself? With Cash4Sax, you get:

No listing to write or manage
No haggling or lowball messages
No scammers or fake payment schemes
No shipping hassle: we send a prepaid shipping label
Fast payment by PayPal or Venmo
Local pickup if you’re in the Jacksonville area

How to Sell Your Used Yamaha Saxophone

Cash4Sax is run by Brian Seltz in Jacksonville, Florida, and has bought used saxophones by mail from sellers all over the country since 2007. Here’s how it works:

Send photos. Include overall shots, a close-up of the model and serial engraving, and a straight-on side view of the neck so any pull-down is easy to spot.
Tell us about it. Describe the condition, any known repairs or dents, and whether it has a case (original or not).
Get an offer. Offers are based on recent sales of comparable horns and the condition of yours.
Ship it free. Cash4Sax sends a prepaid UPS or USPS shipping label.
Get paid by PayPal or Venmo.

Get your free saxophone evaluation →

Prefer email or text? Reach Brian at cash4sax@gmail.com or text 904-472-3130 (SMS only).

FAQ

Is my Yamaha student saxophone worth selling?

Often, yes. Student Yamahas like the YAS-23 sell steadily because schools and parents trust them. They’re worth less than intermediate or pro models, and condition matters a lot.

Why is a cash offer lower than Reverb prices?

The top prices you see from dealers and on Reverb are closer to insurance replacement value: they reflect a horn that someone has serviced, photographed, listed, shipped, and paid fees on. Market value is what similar horns in similar condition actually sell for between private buyers and sellers. A cash buyer covers the costs of reselling, plus the wait and the risk, so a cash offer is typically around half of the low end of market value. In exchange, you skip the hassle and get paid quickly.

What is a “purple logo” Yamaha 62?

It’s a nickname for older, first-generation Yamaha 62 altos and tenors. Many players love them, and clean purple logo tenors are often listed for more than later 1990s 62 tenors. Mention it if your bell has one.

Does a Yamaha saxophone’s serial number tell me its value?

Not really. Yamahas are valued mainly by model, generation, and condition. The serial still helps confirm what you have, so include a clear photo of it.

Should I get my Yamaha serviced before I sell it?

You don’t have to. Just describe the horn honestly and send good photos, and we’ll make an offer on it as it is.

Will I get more for the original case?

It can help. An original Yamaha case makes a horn more appealing and safer to ship.

How Much Is My Used Yamaha Saxophone Worth? A Model-by-Model Guide