[JoAnnPeeler]

I used to own a Yanagisawa Stencil B901 (a LeBlanc) that I could kick myself for selling. But sometimes life challenges make selling the lesser of two evils. However, I now own a new Yany BW01 and while for the most part it is identical, the following things have changed for the worse for me:

1. The left hand table keys are closer.
2. The engraving (the LeBlanc stencil was much, MUCH better.)

#1 is the one that bugs me the most. Since I don't have the LeBlanc anymore I wonder if my impression is correct or whether the table keys were indeed moved. Its bugging me because they seem TOO close. In fact if I let my LH ring finger (i.e. G key) slide too far off center of the pearl it can be actually pinched(!) when G# is depressed.

#2 is a fact. The engraving on the LeBlanc (probably the same as the non-stencil B901) was really beautiful. Unlike the bland engravings on the A991/901 or T991/901 it was cut a little deeper and because it is a baritone it had to cover a larger area which made it more striking.

Oh well, all in all the BW01 is still a really nice horn. It is light weight and has a very comfortable mechanism otherwise. It still doesn't do my neck and back any favors with a traditional neckstrap, but with a sax-stick from saxrax I can still enjoy playing, even if the new case is heavier which causes problems when I can't use the new wheels.

 

[KeithL]

I took a quick look at my B992 (bought new around 2004-2005) and the engraving is very simple and just on the front and key-cup side of the bell. I suspect this is a bit of a cost savings measure for Yani.

As far as the key spacing; it's hard to measure accurately but I would say when depressed the G pearl and G# on my horn are only about 3/8 inch apart. It's very similar to the spacing on my other horns and works really well for me. After playing my B992 for nearly 15 years the keywork on most other baris immediately turns me off. The keywork on the Yamaha YBS-52 feels closer to me than the Yanis and I probably could get used to it if I had to but I've test-played a lot of baris since I got my B992 and have yet to find anything that sounds better including both Yamaha models.

You may want to have your tech just bend the table keys down a bit. He/she could probably give you an extra 1/8 inch of clearance if that's what you want. Just realize that the Low Bb key will also be getting further away if that's done.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

Thanks for the feedback Keith. I used to own an old YBS-52 and while it played well and had a good fat tone, I found the factory key heights to be too high. At the time I asked my horn tech about lowering the keys and he seemed to think it would result in too many intonation issues. So, compared with the Yany there was a lot more motion required to close a key which made the Yany superior for quick passages. And while I admired the sturdiness of the Yamaha's low A (and would expect that horn techs would as well) it just didn't feel as elegant as the Yany. I don't know this for a fact and the truth is that my B901 survived two seasons of community concert and jazz band swimmingly, but I suspect that the Yamaha would hold up better on the road. It just looked and felt more solid to me.

I'll ask the horn tech if there is anything he can do about the table keys, but I suspect I'll just leave them where they are at. It will probably improve my technique to not let my ring finger drift too far from the pearl.

 

[B Flat]

I have noticed that the later Yanagisawa Baritones pinky table is closer to the G touch than the earlier ones.
I had up until recently a Yanagisawa B6.
At one point in time I toyed with the idea of getting a new B901, but the pinky table factor killed it for me.
I really like the tone of the 901 and the feel in general, but I also noticed that they have moved the pinky table uncomfortably close to the G touch.
This is the same reason why I have just traded my MKVI Baritone.
The VI’s table felt even closer than the Yanagisawas.
I have come to accept the fact that the very tight lay out of modern horns is not for me and try as I have my hands can’t adjust to them.

 

[JoAnnPeeler]

As far as the key spacing; it's hard to measure accurately but I would say when depressed the G pearl and G# on my horn are only about 3/8 inch apart. It's very similar to the spacing on my other horns and works really well for me.

I just took out a tape measure and when the G# is depressed and then pressing the G key the outside of the key gets about 1/8" away from the tip of the G# oval. The good thing is that when I'm playing the angle of my hand generally keeps my finger away from being pinched. Having been pinched once or twice I may have learned my lesson. I wonder if I would be able to find someone with a mint condition B901 who would go for a even steven swap? LOL Maybe I'll do what B Flat did and replace it with a B6 or an 880.

 

[cymru97]

This is an interesting thread! I began with a B6, graduated to a B991 (which I was happy with), but then sold it and went BACK to a B6. The main driver for the sale was a new addition to the family, but honestly, I also liked the key layout of the B6 better! The 991 was a fantastic horn and I wouldn't have reverted to the B6 solely for the key layout, but once I had a B6 back in my hands things felt 'right' once again.

 

[KeithL]

I have noticed that the later Yanagisawa Baritones pinky table is closer to the G touch than the earlier ones.
I had up until recently a Yanagisawa B6.
At one point in time I toyed with the idea of getting a new B901, but the pinky table factor killed it for me.
I really like the tone of the 901 and the feel in general, but I also noticed that they have moved the pinky table uncomfortably close to the G touch.
This is the same reason why I have just traded my MKVI Baritone.
The VI's table felt even closer than the Yanagisawas.
I have come to accept the fact that the very tight lay out of modern horns is not for me and try as I have my hands can't adjust to them.

I know how you feel. For me it's the exact opposite. I can hardly reach some of the keys on some vintage horns with out doing all sorts of contortions. It's easy to see how someone with bigger hands would feel jammed up on the Yani and Yamaha keywork.

I just took out a tape measure and when the G# is depressed and then pressing the G key the outside of the key gets about 1/8" away from the tip of the G# oval. The good thing is that when I'm playing the angle of my hand general keeps my finger away from being pinched. Having been pinched once or twice I may have learned my lesson. I wonder if I would be able to find someone with a mint condition B901 who would go for a even steven swap? LOL Maybe I'll do what B Flat did and replace it with a B6 or an 880.

That seems really close to me. I still think a good tech could adjust this slightly for you to give you a little more space. Now you've got me curious to find one of these to try to see how much of difference there is for me.