[Ronald]

Hello,
For those that own the Yanagisawa a901.
How good is the Middle D on this sax.
Is it less stuffy than most? Does it take relatively less pressure to obtain than some other sax?
How is the lacquer and acid bleed issue in the latter models?
I am seriously thinking about the a901.
Ronald

 

[retread]

I have a T901 and a B901, both more than a dozen years old. No lacquer flaking on either sax, no acid bleed on the tenor, a little acid bleed on the bari's loop brace. My A880, which is a very early one (pushing 30 years old?) has no acid bleed or flaking, but the lacquer is wearing thin in places. I've had no negative experiences with Yanagisawa.

 

[senior]

I have been playing the Yanagisawa A 901 for 7 years. During that time, I have played other saxophone makes. Tenor, soprano and alto. I have found nothing that I like better than the 901. No finish issues and the middle D is very well balanced and easier playing that any of the sax's I've played. Of course this is all a personal thing. The only issue I have ever had with it, is the mouthpiece. Never liked it and never got along with it at all. Mainly I use a Rousseau JDZ 7 and sometimes, depending on the music, A Runyon Custom.

 

[themacintrasher]

Try playing middle D with the high D side key instead of the octave key. Makes the middle D very clear sounding on any horn.

 

[Ronald]

Try playing middle D with the high D side key instead of the octave key. Makes the middle D very clear sounding on any horn.
I could never play D2 this way in a very quick fashion.
Much rather have a responsive octave key etc..
It's like the Bagpipes. I play the heavy (closed) D throw on most everything but the lite ( open ) throw on slow airs and Piobaireachd.
Inasmuch as you would think that the lite D throw would be easier given the fact that there is one less active gracenotes; it is not, if you never praticed it in this way.
That is the way I feel about the Middle D with the octave key only.
Then again, I have been on the Pipes a lottttttttt longer than the alto sax.
Ronald

 

[themacintrasher]

Try playing middle D with the high D side key instead of the octave key. Makes the middle D very clear sounding on any horn.
I could never play D2 this way in a very quick fashion.
Much rather have a responsive octave key etc..
It's like the Bagpipes. I play the heavy (closed) D throw on most everything but the lite ( open ) throw on slow airs and Piobaireachd.
Inasmuch as you would think that the lite D throw would be easier given the fact that there is one less active gracenotes; it is not, if you never praticed it in this way.
That is the way I feel about the Middle D with the octave key only.
Then again, I have been on the Pipes a lottttttttt longer than the alto sax.
Ronald

Fair enough. I can do it somewhat quickly. I usually only do it for a sustained middle D. Either way, Yanagisawas are very responsive and even sounding horns.

 

[dexdex]

I played an A901 for about 4 years. It IS a very even and balanced horn, probably the most in this intermediate-plus range. Very nice tone, compared to it's japanese competitor in the same league.
I can only recommend it. I'm not alone...