[ilikesax]

Hi, everybody!

I am about to buy my first soprano and decided to go for Yanagisawa, but the thing is, I can't decide wether to go for new S901 or used S991 Elimona (year 1991). For the new one I will be paying about 400 $ more. So my question is, what do you think I should do? And is the new Yanagisawas the same built and material quality as the old ones? I will be thankful for your opinion....

Karlis

 

[Dave Dolson]

Karlis: I own three Yanagisawa sopranos . . . S992 (like the S991 but made of bronze), an SC902 (curved in bronze), and an S901 (lacquered brass). They are so similar that I'd be hard-pressed to write anything about how they differ. I've also owned an SC901 (lacquered brass version of the curved bronze) and earlier models of their straight sopranos. If you've had a chance to play both, then you can answer your own question. But if you are buying sight unseen, then I'd go for the least expensive. One thing though - the S991 should have two necks, so if you prefer the curved neck, that makes your decision. But if you like straight necks on straight sopranos (like I do), the choice is too difficult to define. DAVE

 

[ilikesax]

Thanks, Dave! I guess my question is more about wether I should go for new or old Yanagisawa, I'm just wondering if they are still the same good horns?

 

[Dave Dolson]

Let price make your choice. For an older Yanagisawa, pad-condition and regulation could be an issue, but once put right, an older Yanagisawa should be every bit as good as a new one. The only difference between the S901 and the S991 is the removable neck. Side by side, they are the same. DAVE

 

[ilikesax]

Ok, thanks for sharing your opinion, Dave! I'll go for the used one.
Cheers!

 

[Dave Dolson]

You are welcome. Now, do what you need to do and report back with what you did, how you did it, why you did it, and the end result. DAVE

 

[EZ]

Having played a number of one-piece Yanagisawa sopranos (older and newer) and a few newer two-piece designs including the S-991 and S-992, I prefer the one-piece design as I get a darker, less resistant tone. I won't theorize why that is - it is simply my observation. If you prefer a curved-neck option for comfort's sake, then that makes the choice pretty clear. Also, I'm a value-oriented shopper so I would opt to go with the used S991 if I didn't have a preference otherwise - but that's just me.

 

[Saxplayer1]

For a $400.00 difference, I would go for the new 901 over a used Elimona (probably an S990, not the S991 although they really are the same great horn with few modifications), that is unless the pads are still in prestine shape on the Elimona. They are both awesome sopranos and arguably the best sopranos made today. It would be sad to buy the 20 year old soprano and find you have to spend $600.00+ on new pads when you could have purchased a new 901.

I own both a 991 and a 901 and can tell you they are as good as it gets for sopranos. Exact same horn with the exception of the dual necks and a bit more engraving on the 991. You won't be disappointed with a 901.

 

[hgiles]

I would go for the used horn.

 

[ilikesax]

Thank you all for sharing, but I made my choice! As I could make a price for used Elimona a bit lower, which makes the difference about 700 $, I bought it. Apart from being in really good shape- no pad leaks, no technical problems, being in tune and having one of the nicest sounds, it is also a very beautiful horn with nice engravement and risen Yanagisawa logo. To be honest I haven't played it very much since I bought, because of some health reasons, but I am REALLY looking forward to play this horn. To conclude I am happy with it!
Cheers

 

[ilikesax]

I'll probably know something more when I play it for a while...

 

[Dave Dolson]

Congrats. Looking forward to the review. DAVE