I am entering my last year as a music ed major. I'm also having to replace my alto because someone stole mine during finals week in spring 09. Something in my gut (besides all the good reviews) tells me to go with the 82z. I hear people say it's a jazz horn, but I've had experts tell me otherwise, that it just depends on your mouthpiece/reed set up. Anyway, my real problem is deciding over the black laquer or silver. I have my heart set on silver, but since I'm doing more classical than jazz, I'd like to stay away from the bright sounds. (I'd go with gold but I'm sick of it.) I don't know much about the black laquer, and haven't heard much from others on it either. I'm just looking for any opinions from personal experience.

Thanks!

First off all, sorry to hear your sax was stolen.
If you're playing more classical, why don't you want a brighter tone? I mean, some songs (like Bozza's "Aria") need a deeper, somber tone, but a lot of songs don't. Anyway, my music teacher has a silver Selmer 82 Super Action Series II (or something along those lines) and he uses it for classical and jazz. It has a beautiful tone for classical but it's bold enough for jazz. I have a YAS 62 II (gold...well, brass, but y'know) and I'm able to use it for classical and jazz. I normally play classical and I've had many compliments on my tone in competitions. I just change mouthpieces- a Meyer for jazz and a Selmer C* for classical. I think alot of the tone comes from the person and mouthpiece/reed. But I would go for the black because it's cool.