A992, A902 or A???

[JLW]

I've been playing sax for a little over 10 years and I'm pretty comfortable on (almost) any alto. I have a T900 tenor and the old Yani Soprano (like the Mark VI) and was wonder if the A992 or A902 would be good for me? I really want a Bronze horn and want to know how they sound. I want to know if the A992 is worth paying the extra money for them. I was thinking about buy them at a local shop here but they are $4200 for the 902 and $5200 for the 992. I know these prices are a little high so is there another place where I can get them at a better price?

[Bigfoot]

Yani's are quite uniform...if you plyed one model, other versions of that model will sound nearly identical. If you've played A992 in the shop and you like it, then buy it off eBay brand new from one of the reliable merchants for under $3000.

[Dave Dolson]

I own an SC902, an S992, and an A992 (all bronze). They are the best of the new saxophones in MY opinion (based on limited testing, for sure). The bronze material gives me a slightly darker tone (my only direct comparison on this was between my own SC901 and my own SC902 - hardly a valid statistical comparison). All were ordered new from Internet retailers (Matthews Music, WW&BW and USAHorn) and all arrived ready to play with NO problems (unlike a new Selmer Serie III sop I once owned).

We all read wonderful things about the silver Yanas but they were just too pricey for my blood, and as good as the bronze horns play, I no longer feel any need to look for more new saxophones.

I don't think you'll go wrong by ordering a new A992 based on price. DAVE

[dpwadw]

I know we're talkin' altos here, but I can tell you what I've learned from my bronze Yana soprano:

I typically think sopranos sound really reedy and at best, oboe-like. At worst, more like a kazoo.

My S902 is mellow, and dark. What's cool is that I can still get an edgy sound with the right setup.

Incidentally I also play an A991. If you're looking for dark tone, it does pretty well for being plain-old brass :wink:.

[DaveKessler]

Did your local shop have both in stock for you to try?

We prefer the A902 in our shop over the 992. We found the 902 to be free-er blowing for us. This makes sense based on the design differences between the 2 horns.

Best thing is to try them side by side and decide for yourself. You wont be dissappointed with either.

As to the pricing, thats about double what you can get them for.

I typically sell the A902 at $2100 and the A992 at $2900 brand new based on currency exchanges.

[JLW]

Thank you all for your input. The current shop I was looking at had one A991 and it came up missing :?: To answer your question, I have not played them side by side or I would have one now :lol: I played my tenor side by side and like the 900 over the 990 b/c it was easier to play on, had a brighter sound and was cheaper. I was thinking of buying one from WW&BW. They have them (902) for $2195.
Thanks again.

[singlereed]

The A901 or 902 are very good horns and a bit livelier and brighter than the 991/992. My old teacher used to use a 901 professionally, he worked at saxophones.co.uk and could get trade discounts, so he could have had pretty much whatever he wanted. Personally, I prefer the more solid feel of the 991/2 but if you like the 902, then its a great horn although the bronze comes at quite a premium, making it cost as much as the 991. I second the comment about buying it anywhere, they play well straight form the factory, so feel free to shop around.

[Harri Rautiainen]

JLW,

you activated "Watch this topic", but there is a problem in your e-mail.
Bounced messages are coming to my mail box.
Please contact me,

-Harri
saxontheweb@myforums.net

[BrandyLee]

I was just about to ask a question similar to this, but I thought I would check to see if someone else had asked it. And they did, but I'd like to add my question here too. :)

I play on an intermediate level horn right now. It's a good horn for my purposes, but I've been considering doing classical performance in grad school, so I would need to upgrade my horn whenever I can scrape together the cash for that and grad school tuition.

I'm waffling between trying to find a really good vintage horn or getting a Yanagisawa, specifically a bronze one since I've heard so many good things about them. Ultimately, I think my final decision will depend on what sort of horn I can find when I have the money.

So, my question is ... should I be looking for a 902 or a 992 to be a solid horn that I can use for my performance work, as well as random jazz gigs that I may pick up along the way?

[Dave Dolson]

BrandyLee: A lot of water has passed under my bridge since I posted that comment above last July. I still regard my A992 as being a top-flight alto. But since then, I've acquired a new Unison (inexpensive) - and a new Selmer Ref 54 (expensive), both of which give me more playing satisfaction than does the A992. I also have a few nice vintage altos. All of my altos play well - it is just a matter of nuances for me.

I'm using them for trad-jazz (jazz of the 1920's), not classical music. Still, I see no reaosn why any good-playing alto saxophone can't serve you well for whatever style you want or need to play. Many posters love their new Yamaha Z's, while others rave about the Selmers of various models. Dave Kessler thinks the Yana A902s are better then the A992s.

Bottom line here is that we all have our preferences (read - opinions). You need to see for yourself what works best for you. I know it is difficult to find a good variety to try, but you either do that, or buy just one, then go back for more. Good luck. DAVE

[3saxes]

JLW, I would select the A992 over the A901, but if you pay $5,200 you are being ripped off. You can get this for well under $3,000 either online via ebay, or via the WW&BW and probably USAHORN.com.

Don't be a sucker! $5,200 has to be list price for this horn.

[Steve on the web]

JLW : I agree with what 3saxes said. You almost get an A9933 (my beloved model) for $4200, and probably an A9935/9937 if you're ready to pay $5200! Go for the silversonic series if you're comfortable with this investment (walletectomy) 8). You'll find how your performance with these high end models would bloom and leave uncountable memorable musical experience to your partners and audience.

[JLWII]

Thanks for all your help and advice.
I ended up getting the A901 out of the A902. The ones above that was above my price range (I'm in college so you already know I'm broke and tuition is going up to $600+ a class) :cry: . I loved it from the moment I play it. It was a bright sounding horn. Kind of like Mike Phillips sound, but different enough to be my own. I'm using a Runyon Metal Spoiler Series with a La Voz soft reed. So I have a T900, A901, & S8??. So I'm going to save up and get a new soprano and keep my old one.
If anyone knows what kind of soprano it is tell me. It's look like the Selmer MarkVI.