Yanagisawa Vito S6 Soprano
The below is the original article from Ed that was written on February 18, 2008. This page is no longer being maintained. Starting in June 2014, I’ve been busily writing an updated version of this page with a lot of information that Ed didn’t have available to him back in 2008.
You can see what I’ve got so far I’ve also posted some updates to the. I also have a where I talk about my current progress. I now return you to your original post.The Vintage Yanagisawa Saxophone PageA Brief HistoryYanagisawa has been making quality saxophones since the introduction of their first model the T-3 in 1954. They have strived to make each model better than the last.
Their first few models showed that they were very influenced by the vintage American horns of the 1940’s and 1950’s as well as the Selmer Super Balanced Action and Mark VI. As their designs progressed they began to innovate with unique features such as the introduction in 1985 of the world’s first detachable neck soprano. Today, they build around 8,000 saxophones a year available in a variety of finishes and body compositions ranging from standard Brass to Bronze to Silver which allow for a variety of tonal shadings.
Their top of the line horns have robust features such as double arms for the bell keys.During the 1960’s and 1970’s Yanagisawa provided horns to a variety of distributors in the United States who stenciled a variety of names on them. Some of the most common would be Whitehall, Dorado, Astro, Carot, and Artist. Additionally, the Buescher “Super 400″ sopranos are stencils of the S-6.
Leblanc took over the distribution of Yanagisawa in the U.S. In the 1970’s and stenciled horns with the names of Martin (after purchasing Martin) and Vito (the VSP models and the Vito sopranos stamped Japan on them). Around the time of the introduction of the 800/880 series of horns Yanagisawa began putting their name on the horns that came to the U.S. Market via Leblanc.A-4/T-4In 1966 the A-4 and T-4 (1966-1975) were introduced. The 4 series shared many design elements with the 5 series. According to Leblanc the 4 series was the entry level pro model while the 5 series represented their top of the line horn ala todays 99x series.
The 4 series of horns have a very centered tone and shows a major amount of influence from the Selmer Mark VI without being a true copy. It has a similar bore as well as many keywork and design elements that evoke the memory of the VI.
The left pinky table is of a different design but shows selmer influence as well but differs from the 5 series horns. It is a non-floating mechanism that appears to be “selmer” like but on steroids as it is quite a bit larger than your standard modern left pinky table.A-5/T-5In 1965 the A-5 (1965-1975) was introduced, the T-5 (1966-1975) tenor was released in 1966. The 5 series represented their top of the line horn ala todays 99x series. These horns were all hand made. The A-5 series of horns have a very centered tone and shows a major amount of influence from the Selmer Mark VI without being a true copy. It has a similar bore as well as many keywork and design elements that evoke the memory of the VI.
The left pinky table is of a different design but shows selmer influence as well. It is a non-floating mechanism that bridges “vintage” and “selmer”. The horn has light action and an even response thoughout the register.
Yanagisawa Vito S6 Soprano Model
The right hand palm key placement (specifically high D) is a little lower than it should be and does not hit my hand where I would prefer. These horns evolved over time and late in the run they have very similar keywork to the A-6/T-6 series of horns.S-6The first Yanagisawa soprano. This horn is a very good copy of the Selmer Mark VI soprano. It has the same slightly awkward palm keys as the VI soprano and plays much the same. These horns have a couple of advantages over the VI. First, they are much more consistent. VI sopranos vary greatly in performance.
The second advantage is that they are considerably cheaper than a VI soprano. The horns that Yanagisawa produced after this handle much better and have even better tone and response.A-6/T-6The A-6 and T-6 models appear to have been influenced by the Selmer Mark VI design to the point that many people consider these horns to be really nice copies. The models that I have played have a slightly different core to the tone than a Selmer Mark VI but I was pleased with how good they sounded. They also seem to be well made.500 SeriesThe 500 series was Yanagisawa’s attempt to produce a beginner/intermediate horn. These were only available in alto and tenor.
The series was introduced in the mid to late 1970’s and continued into the mid 1980’s. The typical way of identifying one of these is to look for the stainless steel springs used on the horn rather than the blued springs used on the higher end models of this time period.600 SeriesHere’s one for the record books – in 1980 Yanagisawa made 50 horns labeled A-600. Here’s the quote from the fax that Chris in the U.K. Received from them, “Please be informed that your Alto Sax #03803437 was made by us, Yanagisawa Wind Instruments Co. Ltd, Tokyo, Japan in April of 1980, and its model number is A-600. A-600 model were made only 50 pieces, and it is a standard model like A-901.
Only the material of G key bar is different and is made with German Silver but not brass.” I also have documentation from a Yanagisawa catalog of a SN-600. The 600 series sopranino was later revised and improved as the SN-800.800/880 SeriesIn 1978 Yanagisawa began placing their name on their U.S. Exported product with the advent of the 800 and 880 series of horns. There are still examples of stencils from this line of horn especially from Martin and Vito (specifically VSP’s).
This new line featured a total redesign of their line rather than an incremental change. The 880 models typically have underslung necks and double arms on the low bell keys.These horns are the logical next step after the 6 series. Again, the design shows that the Selmer Mark VI was the horn they were trying to emulate.
These horns are a further refinement to the 6 series.90x/99x/99xx SeriesA further refinement of the 800/880 series of horns. These horns feel more like a Selmer than the modern Selmer’s. They’re very comfortable to play and have a wonderful core to the tone while remaining a flexible horn. The Bari’s and the Soprano’s are the brightest stars in the line.
Yanagisawa Elimona 800 Soprano
The difference between the 900/990 and the 901/991 models comes down to tone hole placement which was modified slightly on the 901/991 to improve intonation.S981 versus S991 SopranosA common question that gets asked is what is the difference between the S981 and S991 sopranos. The main difference is that the S991 is keyed to high G. Otherwise the horns appear to be identical.Model Numbers Through The YearsThere appears to be a fair bit of overlap between the 4 series, 5 series and 6 series horns. I’m still collecting data on all of these horns to further refine the years of production. Some people have questioned why the short run for the 6 series horns. We have a mystery sax on hand, and I’m hoping for some clues as to its year and model.My son plays tenor sax in the high school jazz band and we’re trying out an older Yanigasawa tenor for a week, purchased from a local shop.The serial number doesn’t correspond to anything I’ve seen, so I’m stumped as to when it was made and what model it is.Serial number: 00677571 Above that it says only Japan, with the little S- horseshoe-S insignia.
And then on the bell it says “Made by Yanigisawa”. Shop owner/repair guy estimated it to be from the early 80s. I haven’t seen any mention of anything close to this serial number for a Yanigisawa.
Good morning, maybe you can help me.I want to buy a secon hand tenor saxophone yanagisawa (I already own a soprano 901 that i bought new many years ago and I love it).A seller proposes me two horns that look very similar.One tenor sax has serial number 01077970, and has F# high;the other has serial number 00678544, and no F# high.Can you tell what models are they? Of what year? Are they professional models?i cannot find correct information.thank you very much.luca rubertelliTrento, Italy.
. Follow Blog via EmailEnter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.Join 169 other followersFollow. Recent CommentsAlistair Scott onEtienne onJ Cole onAndy Adams onSam on.IP EXPO Manchester 2017 highlights ft. Kevin Mitnick via @.Will be writing reviews of King Super 20 and Hawkes tenor soon.just got my hands on a superb silver-plated Hawkes & Son Double Century tenor - complete with Admiralty Patent and broad arrow marks.At last - we've managed to find an Amati AAS 22 alto saxophone to review - all power to Kralice and Europe!.read our review of the Condor alto saxophone. The StoryIn the mid-1980s I was playing in a local cabaret band in the UK called ‘White Satin’.
It wasn’t the sort of band I play in now – disco and pop with two girl singers. My pal Alan Jones played drums, but it was about the only time I strayed away from playing with the musicians (Tim, George, Colin, Kenny, Squirel) I’ve hang around with before and after. Not that they weren’t good folks.In any case I was earning reasonable money as a semi-professional musician, so I decide to splash out on a soprano. I bought this from ‘s saxophone shop in Ealing.
It was just round the corner from Chiswick, where I worked for 23 years (with the great yawn of commuting 100 miles a day). It was always fun to go and see the second hand instruments there and I have bought a couple over the years. Michael is also very well stocked with accessories – a good place to buy mouthpieces (including C Melody models for instance). I strongly recommend giving him a visit. The InstrumentThis is a Yanigisawa S6 – the best soprano I’ve ever played.
It was made in Japan in 1978 according to the serial number, which is 10786643. Yanis before 1980 carry the date in the 3rd and 4th number according to the excellent on saxpics. Apparently Yanigisawa was formed in 1893 and started making saxophones in 1954. In 1969 it made the first ever soprano in Japan. My instrument is special because 1978 was the first year in which it put its own name on the bell (as you can see in my pictures).This is a good weight, has excellent modern balanced action, a high F# key.
The ‘pinky’ cluster is flat under the left little finger. The thumb and octave key rests are in a dark burgundy colour, which is a bit odd at first because of the colour, but it was copying Selmer of course in the use of plastic.
I guess they were designed to be more easily replaced the metal. In any case I’ve never had to have the horn either repadded or repaired, although as an occasional soprano player it only gets played on a couple of numbers on gigs. As usual I’ve added a from my saxachronic chamber so you can hear what it sounds like. The PlayerThe sound is round and modern and the instrument much easier to blow than the (more) vintage small saxes in my collection.
I used a Bobby Dukoff metal 6 mouthpiece with a Rico Royal 1 1/2 reed in the clip, by the way. As always keeping the soprano in tune is a challenge, especially as you move from lower to upper registered.
The Yani helps me more than the others, although I’d have to do a lot of practice to get it easily right. One difficulty is that I always have to play loud to get over the electric instruments in the bands I play with. I’d advise getting a more closed ebonite mouthpiece to anyone lucky enough to play with quieter bands than mine. Saxifications. Make – Yanigisawa. Model – S6 straight Bb soprano. Serial Number – 10786643.
Date of Manufacture – 1978. Place of Manufacture – Japan. Finish – Gold lacquer. Weight – 2lbs 5oz. Sound – Loud, mellow and modern.
Ease of Blowing – Open and unconstricted. Ease of Fingering – Very well balanced and with solid resistenceMore about Yanigisawa saxophones can be found currently on the Web from saxpics on the link above.Do you own a Yanigisawa soprano? How does it compare with other makes?Please let me know by commenting on this post. A simple, but unique idea - supply the description, review what the horn is like to play, weigh it and provide a video of what it sounds like.These are all the things you need to know when investing in a new instrument, or trying to learn about it when you get it home.I hope you enjoy the reviews. Let me know what you think.Send me your questions on your vintage sax and I'll do my best to answer them accurately and quickly.Saximus Maximus. Saximus Maximus Reviews Saximus Maximus Reviews. Cloud Saxophoning.