Saxophones Your Opinion is valued on a Yani

[Rogerthecat]

I am looking at buying a Yanagisawa Tenor Saxophone Brass (TWO10), and before I start the testing process, I was wondering if anyone here has played or in fact owns one, and if I should consider another horn for the same cost. Any feedback is appreciated.

Thanks

 

[Jeanette]

I would always say try as many as you can, you might be surprised.

I set my heart on a yts62 a while back, I went to play one and tried a Yani and Hanson at the same time. I'm not sure I would have bought what I thought I wanted! In the end I decided tenor wasn't for me.

Jx

 

[kevgermany]

Agree on playing as many as you can before buying. It's a development of the 900 series, top line sax. At this level it's what suits you best, not what we think.

 

[Stephen Howard]

You should always consider other options - even those that come in below your budget.

At the very least you should compare the Yani to a TJ RAW, a Yamaha 62, the Rampone R1...and the cheaper Yani models. Might even be worth trying out the Mauriat 66R.

At this price point they're all of a standard and they all have their own (minor) foibles...but you won't find any lemons.

 

[Ivan]

.....I'm not sure I would have bought what I thought I wanted!

Such decisiveness

 

[nigeld]

I recently compared a Yanagisawa 901 ("professional") soprano with a Yamaha 475 ("intermediate"). Beforehand, I was quite sure I would prefer the Yani because of its reputation, but I actually preferred the cheaper Yamaha for sound and playability. In this case, I suspect it may have been the individual Yamaha instrument I liked, and that given two other "identical" instruments I might have preferred the Yanagisawa. The soprano I actually bought was a Sequoia, which seemed to have more potential than either of the other two.

So you just have to try them.

Another possibility would be a second-hand modern Selmer SA80.

 

[garrobito]

With that kind of $$$ I suggest tried everything. From Yamaha to Keilwerth, form Yani to East Side...
It's huge investment, take your time....

 

[Jazzaferri]

What style of music do you want to play

 

[Rogerthecat]

Thank you all for your words of wisdom, it was always my intension to try other horns, I was just after a posative starting point, this horn is for classical music, I have a clean fresh sharp sound mind, we have limited quality saxophone outlets where I live, a drive to gear4music in leeds is on the cards, I guess I was looking for some negative comments, alas I may have to spend most of the day trying horns,

 

[Guenne]

this horn is for classical music

I've played a few horns in my life, and I have the greatest respect for Yanagisawa's build quality and playability.
In fact, owning a fabulous SBA and Mark VI and a more than remarkable Taiwanese horn (Tenor Madness Custom - which I am going to sell) I will return to Yanagisawa (probably a TWO20U) for teaching.
They are IMHO unbeatable in terms of intonation and ergonomics.

Cheers, Guenne

 

[kevgermany]

a drive to gear4music in leeds is on the cards

Then so is Woodwind exchange in Bradford. And Hanson's in Marsden.

 

[MandyH]

The Yani horns are good horns. I have a 992 sop, and had a 901 alto.
When I set out to buy my alto, I wanted a Yamaha but tried every horn within my price range and came out with the Yani 901.
Later, when I wanted to upgrade my Bari, I went to the same shop and did exactly the same, expecting to buy a Yani and came away with a Yamaha!

I second the suggestions to go to a retailer and try as many as you can.

 

[jonf]

a drive to gear4music in leeds is on the cards, I guess I

I don't think that will work - gear4music is in York, not Leeds. It's actually pretty easy to get to on the Northern edge of the ring road just off the A19. Whatever you do, if you do go there, avoid rush hour, that junction is horrendous at commuting times.

You probably also know Windows, which is nearer you, but they don't seem to have a fantastic selection - Trevor James, Yanagisawa, Yamaha and a cheapy range branded as Vivace.

 

[Ivan]

I'm very happy with my Selmer SA80 II which is in the same ballpark

Having spent years making progress in harnessing my tenor's characteristics I have not been tempted away from it when I've tried Yamaha, in its difference guises, or Yani, or Custom Sig or Mauriat

There might be an element of serendipity whereby you mould yourself to that first prized horn, whatever the make

 

[MMM]

I actually spent a morning (just over a year ago) at sax.co.uk in London trying out all the Yani tenors they had in store (yes including the ss models!) as I was intrigued by their new World Outstanding models. I have to say that sound wise I couldn't hear much difference between the 900 series and the AW model (still the same clear tone) however what I noticed was a marked improvement in the upper register (i.e. In its ease of emission, imho). After trying it for a while, I asked one of the incredibly patient members of staff and he confirmed that Yani did change the size of the bore to improve some aspect of sound emission.
So there you go, if you like the Yani vibe I say go for it. Maybe the other tenor I would compare it to for your style of music would be a Selmer SA80 serie 2, not sure how it compares price wise.
Good luck, M.

 

[Guenne]

I made some sound samples for one of my students who wants to buy a tenor. 1, 1.1 and 1.2 is a used Yamaha 875EX (G3 neck), 2, 2.1, 2.2 is a brandnew TW010. (The Yamaha would be €2300,-, the Yani about 3750,-
So, if you are interested...MPC is a RetroRevival Super D "Link".

Schülertenor

I think this pretty much shows the "Yani-sound", which one may like or not.

Cheers

 

[Rogerthecat]

Thanks Guenne, Unable to access link from work I will try at home, FTIW, I have had a listen on Youtube to both the Yani and the Selmer, I do actually prefer the Yani, but I guess that would depend on the player, the room and the recording device, but at least I have my starting point, thanks again everyone.

 

[Holly]

I have had my Yani W02 for just over a year now and am very pleased with it. Ergonomically it works well for me and has a lovely warm tone. I spent a long while trying many saxes at Sax .co.uk and had anticipated that I would buy a Trevor James Sr the same make as my alto. But I quickly found the Yani much more comfortable to play and the tone was what I was looking for. Budget blown but I have no regrets.

 

[Rogerthecat]

I have had my Yani W02 for just over a year now and am very pleased with it. Ergonomically it works well for me and has a lovely warm tone. I spent a long while trying many saxes at Sax .co.uk and had anticipated that I would buy a Trevor James Sr the same make as my alto. But I quickly found the Yani much more comfortable to play and the tone was what I was looking for. Budget blown but I have no regrets.

Thanks Holly, good to know, JD Windows In Newcastle has what I am looking for I may pop in at the weekend