Yani vs. R&C Curved Sopranos

[josephyorio]

I've tried the Yanagisawa lacquered and sterling silver models. Lacquered has great pitch, nice sound. Not a ton of character, but a lot of bang for the buck. I'd play it over most straight sopranos. If I ever had any hopes to sound like Jan Garbarek, the sterling silver would be the horn... what a sound! Best soprano I've ever played! I haven't tried the bronze.

How do the the R&Cs compare?

[BAS]

No one has compared these horns? I'm thinking of swithching from Yani 901Sc to R&C curved. Any insight would be appreciated. Thanks.

[Dave Dolson]

Yet another caution . . . comparing one example of a Yanagisawa to one example of an R&C may not give one a true picture of how all examples of both horns would compare. I'll admit that often that is the only thing we can do because we rarely come across several examples of similar models with which to make comparisons.

My advice would be to seek out an example and play it. If that one horn does the job for you, buy it on the spot. You may not be able to replicate the same playability on another example of the same model.

I have owned both SC901 and SC902 - I still have the SC902 (and an S992). And, I've owned three R&C saxophones (not the curved sop, though). All of the Yanas and R&C's I've owned have been top-flight saxophones.

For my money, there isn't another curved sop I want. I know some love their R&C curvies, and I realize the sterling Yanas may be the hot ticket, but I'm happy with my bronze curvy and seek no more. I still prefer straight sops over curved sops. DAVE

[3saxes]

I would have to agree with Dave. I have a Yani SC9937 and it is wonderful, but if I could not have afforded it, I would definately go with the SC992 Bronze curvy. It is the closest sound to the sterling I have heard.
Good Luck!

[Joe Jazz]

I have played and/or owned the SC901, the SC991, and a couple of R&C curved sopranos(R1's). They were all fine saxes. IMHO the R&C's had a little more character to their sound, but I doubt if most listeners would notice it. The SC991 is a bargain and very well made. I still would like to get around to trying an SC992. After playing a lot of different sopranos I recently ended up with a silver plated Yamaha 875, and do not miss the curved sops. I wouldn't mind owning both though.....8-)

[singlereed]

I played a R&C silverplated 'Jazz' curved sop at saxophones.co.uk. I also compared a SC901, SC991 and a solid silver Yani (not sure of the number). I really liked the R&C, it seemed to have a shade more resistance to it (which I preferred) and the key work, whilst different to the Yani, was comfortable and seemed well-made. I am a full-on classical player and none of these had the sound or playing characteristics I go for, but I did enjoy playing the R&C very much. Check one out if you can, its definitely a class act.

[cab888]

As we all give our own experiments and not a general point of view, I shall give mine.

I have had the opportunity to compare a yani SC901 and a rampone sanded silver R1, and I liked the rampone a lot better. It was clearly more opened and much more powerful. It was really significant, but I couldn't say it would be the same with all the yanis, and all the rampones !

[ernie tollar]

R&C has a broader bore sound.

both are easy to play but the R&C borelets you shape the sound.
Maybe the yani is oK for a doubler but if you wanna grow with it and find a voice on soprano for example.. R&C is wins for me.

[ernie tollar]

jan garbarek plays an conn i think ?!
he'd have his uniquness on anything though.

[Dr G]

R&C has a broader bore sound.

both are easy to play but the R&C borelets you shape the sound.
Maybe the yani is oK for a doubler but if you wanna grow with it and find a voice on soprano for example.. R&C is wins for me.

There you have it. I have been wrong all this time, just making do. Time to throw away my SC992. :cry:

[Dave Dolson]

Well! I guess WE'VE been told, eh? I'm with Dr. G . . . dump all of our equipment that's worked for us for years and seek out an R&C. I need that BORE! DAVE

[ernie tollar]

you folks are right,
touche
point taken,
happy playing