Yanagisawa saxophones are made by a small family company in Japan that only makes professional quality instruments, recognised as some of the finest in the world. The company's dedication to exceptional quality and precision is evident in every instrument they make. Popular with technicians, these instruments play straight out of the box and are incredibly reliable.
The Yanagisawa A901 alto saxophone achieved a 'classic' status since its inception in the 1990s, but the best just got that bit better with this upgraded AWO1 model as its replacement. Suitable for aspiring beginners and experienced professionals alike, it is ergonomically one of the most pleasant saxophones to play and has a free blowing, rich, and versatile tone as well as an excellent build quality. The change of brass for this new model will assure the player of a superior tone and playing experience.
The new AWO1 range has some major modifications, yet still retains the classic Yanagisawa sound and feel that have made them so popular:
- The bore size and tone hole size and positioning has been modified which is essential to the way in which a sax plays in terms of response, intonation and resonance.
- Yanagisawa are using a different source of brass. The mix and quality of zinc and copper can affect the resonance in particular, and much testing was done to ensure the best tonal possibility from this new source of brass.
- The right hand 'pinky' keys have been modified in shape and feel to facilitate faster finger movement at the bottom of the instrument.
- The front F key has been re-designed to sit more easily under the player's finger.
- Additional 'feet' have been added under the right hand side keys to give the mechanism more support and a more positive 'feel' when depressing the key.
- The AW range also benefits from a new strengthening plate on the front of the crook which adds core weight around the neck area. This can result in the player feeling more strength in the sound.
- A new plate has been added to the left hand palm key area to provide some extra resonance on those notes as it adds core weight to the corresponding area of the tube.
This model is all hand engraved, upholding Yanagisawa's motto for an instrument manufacturing process that 'starts in the hands, passes through machines and ends back in the hands'
