Saxophones Yamaha Tenor yts 23 serial number on side of horn instead of back under thumb rest

[robonsax]

I recently bought a yts 23 made in Japan, serial number on the side, instead of the back under thumb rest, also it has six digit serial no. followed by a capital A . Anybody have any guess why the side instead of the back, and what about the capital A designation.?

 

[jonf]

The letter A designation denotes Yamaha saxes specifically sent to the US. They were finished off and checked at Grand Rapids, Michigan.

 

[turf3]

...Anybody have any guess why the side instead of the back...

Because that's where the stamps hit it when they held it up to the fixture.