[14470]

Often I find these x vs y threads to be comparing apples and oranges but as far as I know, the Antigua sopranos are computerized copies of the Yanagisawas. For those of you who have had a chance to compare. What are the main similarities and differences? Will a Yani hold up better in the long run? Forget the bronze models please that are not made by Antiqua. Mainly interested in comparisons of the Antigua 582 vs Yani S901, and the Antiqua 590 vs Yani S991. I know, common sense says that you get what you pay for but it is not always true and sometimes the differences are minor. I have tried Antiquas but not Yanis.

Thanks a lot!

 

[Dave Dolson]

I've played most of them . . . and own several - S901, S992, SC902, Antigua 590LQ.

If I was selecting based solely on tone, I'd pick MY Antigua. Not that the others sound bad, there is just something about the way my Antigua sounds and responds that makes me choose it over the others. The differences are SUBTLE.

But there is more to it than that . . . the feel of my Yanagisawas is superior to any Antigua I've played. All have good intonation, the S901 being the best among mine. I played a very nice Antigua 582LQ early this year and it felt much better than my 590LQ as far as the finish of the touches and stack-pearls (not sure if the Antigua is real pearl, either - I kinda doubt it at that price).

I play my Yanagisawas in public and never regret NOT choosing the Antigua. If one can't afford the Yanagisawas, then the Antiguas should work well. If one CAN afford the Yanagisawas, then . . . that is the better choice, I think. DAVE

 

[clarnibass]

The review of an Antigua soprano on Steve Howard's website is worth reading http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Sop/Antigua_soprano.htm

It sounds like there two main disadvantages of the Antigua compared with a Yanagisawa - the build quality of the keys, which at the bottom of the review there is a addendum that says the newer Antiguas are improved a lot, and the tone - which even Steve Howard explains on his website is very subjective anyway (and it is very obvious from Dave's post above too).

Seems to me the Antigua is definitely worth considering for someone on a relatively small budget, and without the budget both are worth trying.

 

[14470]

Many thanks for the input, Dave D. and Clarnibass!

I appreciate Howard's site and the all the effort that went into it, I am not sure I buy all of it. The rant against the RTHs on the Keilwerth, the criticism of the King Super 20 bell-to-body brace, etc. Seriously, who had a problem with that brace coming lose?

Back to the original post. I am bumping my own thread. I would much appreciate more feedback.

Thanks in advance.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

To add to Dave's comments:

If you, like myself, simply double on soprano and do not consider it your primary axe, then the Antigua is the horn to go with.

Granted, if the money for a Yanagisawa equates to chump change for you, then by all means get the Yani.

However, the fact that the choice between the two is just that difficult to go with says a tremendous amount about how good a horn the Antigua really is.

 

[Dave Wright]

I've played most of them . . . and own several - S901, S992, SC902, Antigua 590LQ.

If I was selecting based solely on tone, I'd pick MY Antigua. Not that the others sound bad, there is just something about the way my Antigua sounds and responds that makes me choose it over the others. The differences are SUBTLE.

But there is more to it than that . . . the feel of my Yanagisawas is superior to any Antigua I've played. All have good intonation, the S901 being the best among mine. I played a very nice Antigua 582LQ early this year and it felt much better than my 590LQ as far as the finish of the touches and stack-pearls (not sure if the Antigua is real pearl, either - I kinda doubt it at that price).

I play my Yanagisawas in public and never regret NOT choosing the Antigua. If one can't afford the Yanagisawas, then the Antiguas should work well. If one CAN afford the Yanagisawas, then . . . that is the better choice, I think. DAVE

I too am interested in the difference . My latest thought is that as a doubling horn I might look at the Antigua and spend some of the saved dough on a good mouthpiece.

Dave, just from curiousity...why do you not gig your Antigua if you prefer its tone?

 

[Dave Dolson]

Dave: The tonal differences are subtle. The plushness of the finger touches are better on the Yanagisawas. The overall feel of the Yanagisawas (touch, response, ergos, etc.) are better, in my view.

I have gigged with the Antigua (played a whole weekend trad-jazz festival with it a few years ago). I guess it is a matter of pride-of-ownership more than anything else.

Like Dave Kessler has posted many times, the Antiguas are great buys for those looking for an inexpensive soprano. But they are NOT Yanagisawas even if they are copies of the Yanas. I could draw automobile and wrist watch analogies (but won't) - I think you get the idea. DAVE

 

[rim shot]

How do the Antiguas stack up intonation-wise.

I haven´t, yet, found any less-pricey curved soprano that isn´t way flat in the low register. Any input on this? Thanks.

 

[Dave Dolson]

The scale on my Antigua is as good as my S992. I have not played a curved Antigua. DAVE

 

[14470]

Thanks very much for the additional responses. I guess, my main question now is whether anyone who plays a decent amount of soprano have experienced that the Antigua doesn't hold up over time. Irrespectively of the cost savings, I don't like the idea of buying a horn that isn't built well or supporting companies that make such products.

Thanks again

 

[Dave Dolson]

I'm guessing that most posters who play a "decent amount of soprano" aren't playing an Antigua. If they are playing a lot of soprano, I'll bet they have higher-end sopranos. Oh, there may be a few and I'd too like to read about their longevity experiences with Antiguas, too. The Antiguas are a good bargain and probably those who play them are on a budget or using them just for doubling purposes.

It isn't like I'm down on the Antigua, I own one and like it. But I prefer my Yanagisawas more, as well as my vintage Bueschers. So, all I can report about longevity is that it plays well every time I take it out of the case.

Another thing that comes to mind is that Antigua is a Taiwanese-made saxophone, and a darned good one. It is on a par with other well-made Taiwanese saxophones. Hence, the Antiguas will probably have as much endurance and longevity as any other well-made Taiwanese saxophone. Maybe an easier answer to your question would be to find out how others are experiencing their Taiwanese saxophones in general. DAVE

 

[14470]

Thanks Dave. They are good points. After my post I realized that it would have made more sense to ask about experiences with Antiguas in general but it will probably hold up fine.

 

[Canadiain]

I played my Antigua alto for about 2 or 3 years, probably averaging an hour a day or so overall before moving on to a B&S.

Its built like a tank...never gave me one problem. As others have said, they are great value fo money, but when compared to a true pro horn the pro horn is better, but the Antigua is not all that far behind, especially when comparing the relative investments.

 

[clarnibass]

Brasscane I don't think it's about buying it or not. Steve Howard points out things that could be potential problems or simply facts of consistent problems (like the non level RTH). It's up to anyone to decide whether they mind these problems (or potential problems) or not if they decide to buy any of those saxophones.

Dave I'm not sure it is possible to generalize like that about Taiwanese saxophones. For example a few weeks ago I had here two Jupiter (Taiwanese) saxophones. One if their basic model and one is of their higher model (not the best one though). The difference between them was night and day! The cheaper one was horrible in almost every way, while the better one was close to pro saxophones with build, intonation, sound, etc. (except just a few reservations about the build quality but overall it was very good). If two different models of the same company are so different, I don't think it is possible to generalize about saxophones from a country.

 

[Ian]

My Antigua sop cost me a fair bit in repairs (1 early pad replacement, upper stack alignment needing readjustment) within a year of fairly regular playing. Has been replaced by a Yamaha, with no regrets. However, I agree: good value for money, good intonation, great tone. For an occasionaly doubler, probably a great horn. And it looks good to - My BC certainly has a perfect finish to this day. I still play it from time to time, just to enjoy the difference. But the keywork certainly is soft.