How much for a A5?

[chazzmor]

Any idea on how much I can sell a Yanagisawa A5 in very good condition for? Serial no. is 7711154. I purchased it new in 1973 or 74. Played it for a couple of years, than didn't touch it till about 2 years ago. Had some pads replaced and any minor adjustments that were needed. The repair person said it was in great condition an played really well. Played it off and on for another year, but now I'm more into my guitar playing.

[Hurling Frootmig]

At worldwidesax they have an Dorado 500 (yanagisawa stencil) listed for $1399. It doesn't state if he has done a repad or not. This horn is the A-4 model which came right after the A-5 but due to the lack of information available about the early Yani's no one knows if the A-4 was less of a horn than the A-5. I believe that the A-4 was a lesser horn and here is why: I have a Dorado 600 stencil and it is an A-5.

I have written to Yanagisawa asking for information regarding the early horns but have yet to receive a reply. LeBlanc wasn't the importer during this run of horns.

My A-5 is a very nice horn with a rather nice vintage/selmer compromise design for the left pinky table. It has a more centered sound than my Buescher 400. The horn appears to have borrowed a lot of design cues from the Selmer horns but while the bore and keywork is very similar it is not a Mark VI clone. Mine seems to be a very well made horn and the contruction is very solid. I have been comparing it to a section mates horn who has a Yamaha 62 and I would say that the A-5 has a much better build quality. Their sound is pretty similar.

It sounds like you should be able to get around $1000 out of the horn (with the assumption that it's going to need some pads replaced and some adjustments made).

[Fred]

Unfortunately, I wouldn't be as optimistic regarding the price. An A5 stencil sold for $515 a short time back on ebay; even 880's usually don't bring $1000. My feeling is that the A5, along with many early Yani's, are worth more than they will likely sell for. The best way to sell them is to have them in a shop where they can be play-tested against better known saxes. In those instances, they hold their own pretty well and the price looks like a bargain.

BTW, I have an A880 and a T800 - both great horns. So I'm not throwing stones at Yani's - folks just aren't familiar enough with the early models to shell out the dough.

Just my opinion, but I wish I had better news. :roll:

[super20dan]

i own several old yanis and i agree with fred.let some one try them out against other horns and they will see what good horns they are.they dont bring a lot on ebay

[JfW]

BTW, I have an A880 and a T800 - both great horns. So I'm not throwing stones at Yani's - folks just aren't familiar enough with the early models to shell out the dough.

Just my opinion, but I wish I had better news.

Yeah, I got my A880 back in 92 for $1000. I haven't tried it against too many other horns, but I liked it a little better than a reconditioned Chu-Berry I tried, and a whole lot better than a somewhat mistreated YAS-52. It pretty made the Bundy I had spent 7 year on an obsolete dinosaur, it's rough finger-work became alien fairly fast compared to the smooth keywork of the Yani.

Since the place I bought it from wanted a grand for the Yamaha Yas-52 as well, i'd say the obscurity of the Yani helped me out.

[Hurling Frootmig]

eBay probably isn't the best place sell a Yanagisawa. You will probably get a better deal on a trade in (depends on the dealer). Yani's are a great deal for buyers because they can be had for pretty reasonable prices.

[noelpaz]

I got a Yana tenor from ebay which puts it's production at 1982. I am still waiting for it to arrive. It is an 800 I think(no double arms) - My main fear is that it will really have soft metal. If it has a centered sound like th Mark 6 or Buffet - I think I'll like it. Any body has experience on the T 800 tenors as far a durability. I already know they have amazing keywork.

Thanks

Noel