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Yamaha YAS-23 history, how to determine year

19758 Views 5 Replies 5 Participants Last post by  SuperAction80, 
N
Well, I've decided to get a used YAS-23 for my son. Been looking on e-bay (I know), and other "used" internet places. When I look for things, it becomes an obsession - learning as much as I can (even though I don't play). I was wondering if anyone can give a brief history, or point to someplace - of the YAS-23. When did it become available (how old can one actually be?)? HOW DO YOU TELL WHAT YEAR IT WAS MADE? Can I tell by the serial number? I've noticed some serial numbers followed by "A." Also noticed some simply say "YAMAHA" on the bell, followed by "Made in Japan." Others have the tuning fork emblem above, others have the emblem to the left, still others have some other writing between the "YAMAHA" and the "Made in Japan."

I need the decoder ring :) Any info?

Thanks,

Bill
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N
Here's what I've found so far:

Oldest ones have big 3-tuning-forks in circle emblem on top, with YAMAHA below and JAPAN below that. Serial numbers begin with a zero?

Newest ones have no tuning-fork emblems, have YAMAHA on top, Established in 1857 in the middle and JAPAN on bottom. Serial numbers starting with a 3?

There appear to be two other types of markings: The second to oldest has a smaller emblem in front of the YAMAHA on the same line, followed by JAPAN on the line below. Serial numbers starting with a 1?

The second to newest appears to only say YAMAHA followed by JAPAN on the line below. I've seen serial numbers starting with a 2.

I still don't know when Yamaha replaced the YAS-21 with the 23.

Bill
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O
mine is smaller emblem in front of the YAMAHA on the same line, followed by JAPAN on the line below.
serial no 111355A how old do you think? made when?
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OldDogPlayer
I had the same question about my YAS 23 being as my dad bought it for me used in 1988. I contacted Yamaha through their website. They were very helpful. You could try them.
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Justferdinand
olddogplayer said:
mine is smaller emblem in front of the YAMAHA on the same line, followed by JAPAN on the line below.
serial no 111355A how old do you think? made when?
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This is strange I have a YAS-23 EXACTLY Like yours same serial no 111355 A I would like to know how old and why the same serial No.
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SuperAction80
At this point, it is probably best to contact Yamaha directly. They're very helpful in this regard. Oddly, the online number chart I've previously used seems to have been removed from the Internet. Yamaha is a bit tricky as their numbers are not in sequential order, and the saxes they made for Vito follow a totally different numbering system. I'll keep digging around to see if I can find the charts.

In the meantime, I discussed the Yamaha student saxes at length some time ago in this video.

British Woodwind Tech, and frequent SOTW user, Stephen Howard also discusses the Yamaha student horns on the review section of his website found here.

Buescher 400 alto saxophone review

A review of the Buescher 400 alto saxophone
www.shwoodwind.co.uk
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