A-992 vs selmer 80 series 2 or 3

[ding]

I guess this might be a common question, but i'll like to post it again...

Just wanna hear your view which Yana is the most value for $$...
I've read good things about A-992...warm, mellow...etc...have always want to test...or even to buy one.

How is this better (or not as good) than say, A991, A901, A9930, A9937...and in comparsion to the 2 selmer alto sax model i mentioned.

If you were me...how and which one would you choose if you would like to have a more classical oriented, more mellow...dark, suitable projection, easy to control alto saxophone, out of this few models...

Is A992 an alto sax made of pure bronze, or is it just a brass body but lacqured in bronze? If i'm not wrong, the A9930 has solid silver neck, body but brass clear lacquered bell...?

Thanks for you input in advence...!

[Dave Dolson]

Ding: I bought a new A992 sight-unseen a year or so ago. After a few years of playing various new altos wherever I could find one (a poor way to do comparisons, but that's the only way I could do it because of the paucity of inventory at most retailers), I decided to take the plunge without first playing an A992. I made tha decision based on my wonderful experiences with other bronze Yana models (sopranos).

I did the right thing. Over the years I'd played most of the new models on the scene, including silver-plated Yamahas; the A992 had more depth and resonance than anything else new I'd played. It is comparable in tonal quality to my early-'20's Buescher TT.

After buying the A992, I had an occasion to test other altos at a local store (new Yamaha 62, a Yamaha Custom, and a nice MKVI). None of them played as well as my A992, nor a 1925 Conn Chu I eventually bought that day.

The bronze Yanas are made of bronze. I suppose they are lacquered over the bronze, but I'm not sure about that. Whatever - they play great. DAVE

[John S.]

ding - I asked a very similar question last week and got some very helpful replies. If you look in the forum archive under Yanagisawa, the thread is titled "Yani A992" on January 31. I have since ordered a Yani A992 and will report my testing. But take a look at that thread. John

[James992]

I play a Yanagisawa 992 Tenor and a Selmer Series 111 Tenor both horns are lovely for different reason's. The Yanagisawa is my favorite the sound is so mellow. I have added a 9937 Solid Silver Crook and man o man just pure silk the sound before was excellent this has just added that something special.

The Selmer I feel, has the better fingering and is, a more comfortable feel however and this is the big downside it has not got the tone or the build quality of the Yanagisawa.

I do not mean to offend any Selmer fans and this is only my personal feeling.

[singlereed]

You should not rule out the A991, personally I prefer its tone to the A992 although I do love their bronze tenors and sopranos. I agree with the other posts, the sound and response is in the same ball park as a III although the keywork has a different feel which you may or not prefer. The II is a different beast and I have never felt comfortable with the II alto, its a personal thing and many people love them, so try one if you can.

[Tears June]

Dave

Have you try to use a low baffle MP like Beechler or Dukoff work with some bright reed (java, SJ) on your A-992 ? How's the sound?

I ask this is because A-992 is bronze, which sound more warm but dark. I wonder how it combine with such bright setup.


Ref alto vs A-992/ 991
So, the new Ref 54 alto will come soon. Do you think it can be better than Series III ? How you expect if compare with A-991, A-992 ?

I heard the Ref alto price is almost same with a Series III or A-992.


:cry:

[bohosheets]

Dave

Have you try to use a low baffle MP like Beechler or Dukoff work with some bright reed (java, SJ) on your A-992 ? How's the sound?



don't you mean HIGH baffle MP ? thats what the dukoff is, right ?

Anyway, for bright setup on a Yani bronze, check out Greg Osby. He uses a Jumbo Java on his Yani bronze. I saw him recently and he was playing a bare brass, but similar concept

[Dave Dolson]

Tears: No, I have not tried those pieces you mentioned. I use a Selmer Soloist F (new issue) and have a Meyer 6S-Medium Chamber (that's how it is marked) in reserve. I also have a Barone 7J which works okay. I use soft reeds of various brands and a metal lig.

I have no reason to alter the sound of my A992. As I posted elsewhere, I played a gig with it Sunday and was very happy with the results. I also used my old Buescher TT for a couple of tunes, but the Yana was the horn-of-the-day for me. Everyone else in the band and the audience liked the Yana's sound, too.

I don't know bright from dark in these discussions. The A992 gives me a huge sound, yet focused and warm. It sings when I want it to sing, and is mellow when I need to blend with the other instruments. It is a marvelous horn - the equal of anything I've played, including my early-60's original MKVI. DAVE