New Yana - Latest model in Elimona Line !!

[Tears June]

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2523132781

Look at this new A-991 & A992. The left hand front f key has a pearl on it! This is complete new production for A-991 & 992(The old 991 & 992 don't have it). Don't know if the sound has difference?

Dave Dolson:
Can you tell if your A-992 has the pearl like this on the front f ?

:cry:

[Dave Dolson]

Tears: My A992 does not have a pearl finger-touch for front F. Mine has a polished flat brass finger-touch for front F.

But I'm not so sure the "Elimona" model pictured on the eBay-linked page you provided has a pearl finger-touch either.

Have you actually seen one of these new "Elimona" altos in person? If you are going solely on the picture on eBay, it may NOT be a pearl, but merely the standard polished brass finger-touch with light reflecting to make the surface look similar to the other pearls.

Either way, I doubt if the "new" models sound any different. DAVE

[Tears June]

Dave,

Yes, I saw some photo before. Some are from Japanese web site recently and one from Michael Lington's CD cover.

The Japanese web site photo I saw is A-991 & A-992. The Yana horn on Michael Lington's CD cover is not 991 or 992. I think it is special Custom made. The Elimona label in his horn is located in front, just under the bell. Actually, may be Yana is modified their product. It look very nice the front f has a pearl.

Dave, the pricing for the A-991 & 992 in Matthewsmusic - ebay is nice, right?
Not only Yana horn, but many other brand is same, very reasonable price compare with other companies.

Check it (Date 12 April - A991 & A992. You will see the pearl on the A-991 more clear):

http://members.ebay.com/aboutme/matthewsmusic/


:cry:

[Morry]

One of the pics down the page definitely show a big oval pearl on the front F. Seems unnecessary to me since you usually roll the side of your index finger onto it, but what do I know?

[Tears June]

Morry

I consider this is a cosmetic reason more than practical purpose.


:cry:

[Dave Dolson]

Tears and Morry: I am STILL not convinced that what is pictured is a pearl touch. If held in the right light, my A992 looks the same and it is definitely NOT pearl. The flat surface of a brass front F could look just the same as that photo.

The Elimona thing is a mystery to me. We've been over this subject before. I once owned an "Elimona" Yana soprano (detachable necks) and it had that logo on the lower tube. I suspect that Yanagisawa may use that name and logo occasionally on different high-end models. That one saxophone has it and an another doesn't is probably meaningless in the big scheme of things, especially if both models are the same number (e.g., one A992 is marked "Elimona" and another A992 is not; that could just be that one was made at a different time - or intended for a different market).

Tears, if all you've seen is a photo, don't bet on the pearl until you've actually seen it with your own eyes. Photography can be tricky.

The price quoted by Matthews is about $400.00 less than what I paid for mine. That appears to be a good price, alright.

Lastly, cosmetic is the only value I can see to having a pearl touch. For sure, I'm not popping for a newer A992 to get a pearl front F. DAVE

[Dave Dolson]

more . . . I revisited the eBay pages for the A991 and A992. Upon closer examination of the photos, I could see where the front F has the same shape as mine (without the pearl). That is, the top half of the touch is somewhat rounded and raised above the level of where the finger would touch. The bottom half is the flat space to touch and is made so as to be below the level of the uppermost portion of the whole key.

I don't know much about pearl-formation, but I don't see how they would make a pearl shaped like that unless they went into some fancy and time-consumming hand-shaping.

Is it possible, he asks? I need to be convinced by an eye-witness, not a photo. DAVE

[Dr G]

On the other hand(s), it looks like they might be using the same pearl for the front F, G#, and alt. (RH) F# keys. :shock:

For what it's worth, I don't like it.

[max]

I hadn't looked at the pics until you posted that theory.

1. I think you're right.
2. Yuuuuuuuuck. :shock:

[Dave Dolson]

Oh . . . "Whup that dead horse," he says as he responds once again!!

My A992 has oblong pearls on the G# and the side F# touches, but they are LEVEL pearls.

The front-F touch is a different animal - the whole front-F lever is countoured - higher and convex at the top of it and lower and flat (for the finger) on the bottom of it. I wonder if Yanagisawa takes the time to make a mulit-level and countoured pearl for the front F? - that's my point.

My S992 has a round pearl touch for side F# and an oblong pearl touch for G#. The front F is a semi-rounded long polished brass touch without the different countours and flat lower portion found on the A992.

The presence of pearls on F# and G# keys makes no difference in the feel of them. They are smooth just like a polished brass lever/key. I never gave it a thought until this issue was raised by Tears. DAVE

[max]

I suppose I should clarify. My "yuck" was at the thought of a big, flat, angled front F.

But - like you said - maybe it is, maybe it isn't...

[butchc]

My Tenor T991 has the pearl front F. I purchased it (here in Australia) in December 2000, so it's nothing new!!

[Tears June]

Why some old Yana have the front F pearl but some old + new Yana don't(of course some new Yana have as I said) ??


:cry:

[dpwadw]

Just got my A991...it does indeed have the big pearl on the front F.

It looks a bit gaudy at first, but I have to admit it has a very light touch and slides great from the B key. I'm likin' it 8) .

The touch is lighter even than the front F on my S902 soprano.

[MB-913]

I've a business trip to Japan early this month and visit to Yana's show-room in Tokyo. I have asked them about the front f preal during my visit. they told me actually it is not new, they have put it on some special order & top Elimiona Line before. After collected enough comment & feedback, they decided put it on the recent mass production (Actually, not recent production because have done this for domestic market since end 2002).

The purpose of this front f pearl? Yana's answer is it's is not only for cosmetic purpose but also have better feel of our finger.

As Dave Dolson said "Either way, I doubt if the "new" models sound any different". After I tried the lastest A-991, I believe the horn sounds same with my old A-991 but my finger is more comfortable, more easy to slide from f to another key.

[dpwadw]

After playing my A-991 a while now I can say that it truly is a big improvement. It's not just a gawdy cosmetic thing.

Here's why: instead of playing the front F with index fingertip or a combination of the fingertip and part of the middle joint, it can easily be played ENTIRELY with the side of the middle joint.

That means the fingertip NEVER leaves the B key. In my opinion the motion is even more natural that the Goodson model with the little roller on the front F!

I know that I'll take a beating for commenting on saxgourmet's stuff. Goodson's horns are awesome, I agree. But I really think this is a great thing for you altissimo players out there.

Deal with the odd looks long enough to check it out. Hope this helps.

[dpwadw]

Over a year now on the A991 with the oblong pearl front F.

Without question it has allowed me to bridge to and within the altissimo range far smoother than with any other horn I've owned (see my earlier post as to why).

I just wish I could afford a whole arsenal of the 991 class horns!

[WorldIRC]

Thank you for bumping a 1 yr old thread.