Saxophones Yamaha models with J key guard

[Punchysax]

Hi,
I was looking at different Yamaha models and was trying to figure out why some have the j keyguard and some don’t.
I know the older models Have them I think.
cheers

 

[dexdex]

I’m no Yamaha expert, but that layout was progressively replaced by the more MkVI like.
On tenor, decades ago, I’d say beginning of the 80s.
On alto, 4 tiers, over time:
1. 23-25-275-280 still has the J layout
2. 32/52, J layout, 475/480 MkVI layout (was the switch around the millenium change ?)
3. 62, J to MkVI, not sure exactly when (millenium ?)
4. 875 & 82Z, MkVI layout from the beginning.
These are rough observations and estimates. Someone might be more precise.

 

[thomsax]

21-, 31- and 61 ( not ybs 61) all had the J keyboard (from bell to the bow). alto 23, 25 ... continued but on tenor they dropped it. Maybe it gave better protection? Stabilize the bell and bow? Or just a thing to give the saxes a more solid look? Maybe they dropped it to cut costs?

On my The Martin saxes the bell keys keyboard is connected to the body at 3 points (alto and tenor two screws on the bell and one screw on the body) and baritone on 5 points (3 screws on the bell and two screws on body). King 20 saxes had a "cloth guard" that was also connected on the bell and tube. I think all this counted the parts to became a more solid unit. A guy had a small brace soldered on on his YTS 61 to put together the low notes (body-bow-bell). In have seen several YTS 21 that had problems with the detachable body- bow joint.

 

[nigeld]

3. 62, J to MkVI, not sure exactly when (millenium ?)

YAS 62 purple logo and stamped logo Mk1 altos have the J keyguard, but not the Mk II models and later.
YTS 61 had a very distinctive form of the J-guard but none of the YTS 62 models have it.

 

[SaxBoss]

Hi,
I was looking at different Yamaha models and was trying to figure out why some have the j keyguard and some don’t.
I know the older models Have them I think.
cheers

View attachment 24697

I'm interested as to why you enquire?

 

[Punchysax]

Basic era they were from etc.

 

[dexdex]

Just saw Vincent Herring in concert last week. He was playing a shiny « purple logo » Yamaha alto, which has the J shaped keyguard. The horn looked like new, which is unexpected considering it’s age.
And, needless to say, VH sounded huge on that horn. Amazing player all the way.