[Fun Bun]

Thinking of saving for a bari sax. Looking at the costs a Low Bb Mark Vi and a W01 Yani seem to be in about the same price range. Which if these is a better horn for playing . . . well, I'm interested in composing my own work is for my YouTube videos. Think "Sketches of Spain" or minimalist type music. Low A is not vital. Don't need a "classical" horn, yet it isn't jazz either.

I'm thinking of music similar to what this lady is doing on cello:

 

[B Flat]

Both are nice enough horns but intonation would probably be better on the Yanagisawa.
I’ve not owned a WO1 but have had a low Bb VI and an older B6 Yanagisawa at the same time.
My VI had quite good intonation but the Yanagisawa’s was spot on.
Yanagisawa had more edge or bite to the tone than the VI which was slightly mellower.
I also much preferred the Yanagisawa’s ergonomics which were a little more spacious.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Since I've owned both the Yany B901 and BWO1 I would say that if you can find a good deal on the B901 that I would suggest that you go for the older model. There is very little difference between these horns except I find the B901's LH pinky table is a little better positioned (a little less cramped.) My BW01 is only a few months old, but in retrospect I wish I had tried to find another B901. Unfortunately, I'm not seeing much discount these days for a used B901.

For both of these horns I really love the mechanism. You can really rip through technical passages without noticing you are playing a bari. Since you are looking at some alternative performance, the stock mouthpiece that comes with the B901/BWO1 might be good for that. In fact for concert/ensemble I prefer it over the Jody Jazz HR* or the E. Rousseau JDX6 which I use for jazz. The Yany HR mouthpiece is a great crossover mouthpiece and its a good jack of all trades piece. I played a beat up Mark VI bari in high school and to the best of my memory there was more of an adjustment doubling from my Mark VI alto than there is from my Yany AWO10 to a BWO1.

Oh well, just my two cents.

Happy hunting.

 

[Dr G]

Thinking of saving for a bari sax. Looking at the costs a Low Bb Mark Vi and a W01 Yani seem to be in about the same price range. Which if these is a better horn for playing . . . well, I'm interested in composing my own work is for my YouTube videos. Think "Sketches of Spain" or minimalist type music. Low A is not vital. Don't need a "classical" horn, yet it isn't jazz either.

If you are looking at a Mk VI, condition matters - do your homework BEFORE YOU BUY to find a tech to give you a quote on an overhaul. Offhand, I would budget $1500-$2000 on top of the cost of the horn, unless it has a recent overhaul by a good tech.

Beyond that, if you are focusing on the sound of the horn, play each and listen to the recorded product. If you hear a difference, then you will likely have a preference. If you don't hear a difference, then it doesn't matter. Either can play well enough to exceed your needs.

My favorite bari for a solo voice in a small ensemble was a Buescher TrueTone, next was a low Bb Mk VI. I much prefer the weight and balance of a low Bb bari, if you don't need a low A. Low A baris tend to have a lil' more grunt on tap, if that's a consideration - I believe that may be due to the taper of the bell, but I've not put the theory to any test, nor do I recall it being discussed at SotW.

Enjoy your quest.