Yanagisawa A-992 alto saxophone

[davidjh]

Hello, I am very interested in your thoughts about the Yanagisawa A-992 alto saxophone.
I am actually looking for some personal reviews of this sax if you have tried it or own one. I am soon myself going to try it but I like to hear other peoples opinions too.
If you want to compare it to other saxophone, then you're welcome.

Kind regards
-David 😉

 

[frankb]

Hi David,

Try these links -
http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/Yanagisawa_992_alto.htm
http://www.saxontheweb.net/Resources/Review01.html

Best regards,

Frank

 

[davidjh]

Thank you Frank that was very helpful 🙂
For those that have tried this themselfs I would love to hear about your thoughts too.
Do you know if any "pro" sax players play this horn so that I could give them a listen?

 

[jonf]

I've had a tootle on one, but just for a few minutes. To me, it felt just as good as the tenor version, which I have owned for nearly a year.

I bought the T992 after playing four Yanagisawas, Selmer Series II and III, Yamaha YTS 62, Trevor James Signiture Custom, Kielwerth SX90, Mauriat 76 and 66. The Yanagisawa T992 was the best by far, so I bought it. Since I bought it I've played it virtually every day, and it's still all I would ever want in a sax, and I can't ever see me buying another tenor. Flawless intonation and ergonomics and a fantastic tone. It even looks great.

Although I can't say with absolute certainty, as I don't have one, I feel pretty sure the alto will be as good as the tenor, which to me is the best currently on the market.

Jon

 

[davidjh]

Amazing Jon!
Do you think that your tenor has a more soft and dark tone than the other horns?
I suppose you tried out the A-991 too? What made you chose the A-992 compared to A-991?

Thank you for all the helpful comments! I appreciate it.

-David

 

[Pete Thomas]

I haven't tried the alto, but have tried the tenor. I don't find it significantly better than the walstein copy I borrowed. (which costs maybe 15% of the price!

However there IS a difference and if you think its worth it then its a good horn. Not a lot of character though - but then I'm a fan of some vintage instruments which have lots of character, sometimes without the smoothness of a Yanagisawa. Of course its very subjective and this is just an opinion. It sounds like Jon did some thorough research and his sounds like a very good recommendation and I think you should take that as seriously as mine. He's right - the intonation is flawless (well as flawless as possible on a saxophone) as for the tone being fantastic, I think that is very very much a matter of personal taste. I suggest you do as many comparisons as Jon did - you'll end up with the right horn that way.

 

[davidjh]

Thank you Pete Thomas.
I have decided to try out these four saxophones when I go to the store:
Yanagisawa A-991
Yanagisawa A-992
Yamaha YAS-62
Yahama YAS-82z

What I really like is the dark, round and sort of relaxed sound which the alto can have as heard with players like Paul Desmond and Johnny Hodges.
Currently I have a Meyer 5 medium and I think it feels good. I am however looking for a ligature that could help me getting an even better tone and I was thinking about the BG L12.
I know this is a very subjective and personal decision but I like to hear and discuss with other people and their opinions about the options that are available.
And Pete Thomas you have made an incredibly great site that offers everything you could dream about. Thank you and good job!
-David

 

[frankb]

I'd be interested to hear your impressions of your try outs once you've done them, David.

Whatever you end up with, I hope it works out well for you!

All the best,

Frank

 

[Pjonah]

There are so many variables(mouthpiece, reed, style/type of music, ability, ergonomics, etc), you could almost say what works for one will not necessarily work for another.

I'm pretty sure the difference between the 991 and 992 will be nought, other than the difference to your wallet.

The different mouthpieces used will play a huge part in the finished tone. These are all pro instruments and so there will be differences that become academic and down to personal taste and feel.

The Yani 991 feels totally neutral to me, but thats my taste, others may find that some feature is not to their liking. That same neutrality allows a modicum of fettling from a datum or base point, ultimately its the position of the "base point" that is the issue.

You can split hairs about Yas customs, 992/991 & MkVI's but really for me anyway, having been dragged up on old Conns et al, I always feel that at this level its like saying the Merc S class is better than the BMW 7 series.......horses for courses!

There is very little in it, I'm sure whatever brand you go with will be right or if not at least you'll have a decent trade in, just my opinion for what its worth!

Simon

 

[suethesax]

I play both a992 and s992 and love both horns.

For me the ergonomics are perfect - the keys fit under my hands especially the palm keys. The rollers are easy and the high F# key too. Response is excellent with some resistance to push against which I like. Lows an highs are equally effortless as is the altissimo. It is clear and in tune with a darker mellow rich tone which suits me. Projection is also good. No problem with intonation - all 3 c#'s are in tune If you want an edgier sound it may not be for you although it may be possible with a different mouthpiece/reed set up to mine. (Selmer soloist E and Superial DC 2)

I also have a 1933 Selmer cigar cutter, which has a 'different' sound - not better/ not worse just different but the ergonomics are not so good (for me) as the modern horn.

Good luck with your choice.

 

[jonf]

Hi again David

I found that the 992 had a darker, sort of wider, fatter tone than the others, including the 991. It just suited me. When I tested all those horns I used three mouthpieces, a Lawton, a bronze Berg and a Berg duckbill. The differences in tone came through with all the mouthpieces, although with the various mouthpieces, each horn obviously sounded different.

The other variable, of course, is the player. Everyone's different, and will sound different with the same combination of kit. Even if you iron out all the other variables such as reed, mouthpiece and sax, no two players are exactly alike. Things like your basic physiology, jaw shape, and in my case, a, er, 'characterful' selection of missing teeth all change the sound.

One thing about Yanagisawas in particular, and also Yamahas to a slightly lesser extent is that they have a reputation for long term reliability and durability, at least according to technicians I've spoken to. Obviously the likes of Walstein haven't had the chance to demonstrate the same - it'll be really interesting to see how they pan out in this repect. Somehow I think rather well. Time will tell.

Anyway, I couldn't agree more with the suggestion of trying before buying, and picking what suits you, rather than what someone else recommends. Have fun choosing.

Jon

 

[Linky Lee]

I spent a good 6 months looking at tenor saxophones and finally settled on the Yani T902.
I tried out all sorts of different horns and thought the 902 was better than the 992 because of the quality for the price.

The trouble I had was the money.

Pete mentioned the Walstein tenors, being a T992 copy without the overslung crook (which you may or may not think is any good).

I decided to check them out, and had relatively high expectations, but was certain they'd come up short to the Yanis.

I was blown away when I played one with a mouthpiece I liked. It was every bit as good as the Yani T902 and tone wise was easily as good as the T992 aswell, though the T992 had a touch of class and a slicker feel than the Walstein.
No doubt that could be sorted with some high quality pads and a good set-up though.

I've had it probably 5/6 months now and it's been stellar 100% of the time. It's never had anything fail, it doesn't have a mark on it.
It gets better every time I play it and It's a joy to play.

I'd really reccomend checking out the Walstein alto even though I haven't played one. If you like the Yani, the Walstein *should* be a darn good fit. The Walstein is a bit heavier, but it doesn't feel delicate like a Yani, it seems very durable.

 

[snatch182]

I am a proud owner of a Walstein alto. I've had it for a year now and it really can sound sweet with the right mouthpiece. I agree that it probably will require a good setup before you buy it though. I've tried the Yani A901 (not the A992), and the one thing i thought was better in the yani was probably the action. The yani is that bit sleeker, but tone is brighter than the walstein (and slightly 'boring' to my ears). But if the A992 is that much more better than the A901, i say go for the yani, coz it is still a great horn i think (A901, i mean) and i still enjoy playing the yani whenever i get the chance. And plus you get the bronze finish on the yani A992, which i think will look real cool. Let me know how you get on with that.