Miscellaneous Yanagisawa - What model is this?

[SaxBoss]

Hello All,
I have an aquantence that has asked to assist with working out the model number of this Yanagisawa. I've been around the net and come back here. Any ideas?

 

[SaxBoss]

 

[SaxBoss]

 

[SaxBoss]

 

[SaxBoss]

 

[SaxBoss]

@helen or @Stephen Howard. Any ideas. Thanks in advance.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Possibly a transitional model - A880/900. The 8xx series featured the large bell brace ring (smaller on the 9xx) but the 9xx had the sculpted top F# touchpiece.
Yanagisawa were notorious for 'mixing and matching' between model ranges.

 

[SaxBoss]

Possibly a transitional model - A880/900. The 8xx series featured the large bell brace ring (smaller on the 9xx) but the 9xx had the sculpted top F# touchpiece.
Yanagisawa were notorious for 'mixing and matching' between model ranges.

Thanks for that insight. What could you comment about the intonation of this model? Any differences between this and say the A901?

 

[Stephen Howard]

Thanks for that insight. What could you comment about the intonation of this model? Any differences between this and say the A901?

I've never noticed any particular problems with the 8xx series. I daresay the 9xx features a few tweaks, but they're likely to be incremental ones.

 

[jonf]

Thanks for that insight. What could you comment about the intonation of this model? Any differences between this and say the A901?

Intonation will probably improve immeasurably with the mouthpiece turned the right way up 😀

 

[thomsax]

According to the serial number it's a sax made in mid 90's. My guess a delayed 500 model.

 

[Stephen Howard]

According to the serial number it's a sax made in mid 90's. My guess a delayed 500 model.

I think you're right. I just noticed the 500 I reviewed has the sculpted top F# touchpiece (though a different side F# touchpiece) - but it also has the 'captive' tilting Bb mech rather than the box that features on the 8xx series.

 

[thomsax]

I think you're right. I just noticed the 500 I reviewed has the sculpted top F# touchpiece (though a different side F# touchpiece) - but it also has the 'captive' tilting Bb mech rather than the box that features on the 8xx series.

I'm not sure but I think the 800 had double arms on low C? The 880 model have underslung octave key. Both 800 and 880 are very good saxes. Martin (Yanigisawa) was 800 model,

 

[Stephen Howard]

I'm not sure but I think the 800 had double arms on low C? The 880 model have underslung octave key. Both 800 and 880 are very good saxes. Martin (Yanigisawa) was 800 model,

All the 800 altos I've seen have had a single cup arm on the low C - but that probably just means I haven't seen one of the transitional models from just before the 9xx series came into being.

 

[thomsax]

"800" and "880" are stamped on the back of the sax. When the 800 model reached the market I have quit working in the music shop. I just remember that the were fine saxes.

800 have "800" stamped on the back. Alternative F# key is pearl Botton and from F is a tear drop. Double arms on low C and low B. Brass G# finger touch. Underslung octave key.

 

[thomsax]

880 have "880" on the back. Double low C and low B arms. Alternative F# is oval pearl and G# finger touch is a pearl. From F is also oval pearl. Underslung octave key.

I found the pictures on internet so it's not my saxes.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Unfortunately you'll find variations. All their horns follow much the same pattern as the S6 I reviewed - and what's particularly annoying is that they'd sometimes do away with or change a feature...and then bring it back later within the model number run.

 

[stefank]

Looks like stainless steel springs, like one of my tenors and I read somewhere that this suggested that it was a 500 series. According to the serial number mine is a 1985 model, but it has no model number stamped on it so I don't really know! Edit - but my "500" doesn't have the underslung octave key.