straighthorn said:
marc, I've been thinking about getting a 590LQ now and maybe in a couple of years get a S902 or a S992. I need to know if I should just wait and get the Yanagisawa. Can you compare the 590LQ and the S902 in as many factors as you can. What is your opinion on which one I should get? Thanks.
I would get a Yana now if at all possible. If not, an Antigua is a very viable option, and one I once chose.
An Antigua Winds may well be worth what they go for, but it is not a Yana. I would say the greatest differences can be found in the quality of construction, with the Yana having significantly higher quality. This is visible in the stiffness of the rods etc. The Antiguas do sound nice though, and I thought it was a nice playing horn. The Yana does have a more solid feel to it though, at least as far as I can recall the Antigua feeling.
I once had an Antigua Winds 586BC and now have a Yana S901, which right now I feel is going to be a horn for life. If finances are an issue, I would look on ebay for a Yana. You can find some stuff at great prices. That's where I got the S901, in like new condition. Still it will most likely cost you $500 to $600 more than a new Antigua. You could also look on ebay for an Antigua. I see them going for some great prices. I was lucky, I sold mine for close to what I paid for it new, but that may not happen to you.
If finances are an issue you may also want to consider an S901 instead of an S902. If you were to get the S902 from saxforte.com right now it would cost you $2,649. The S901 from the same place would cost you $2,149. Is the S902 worth the extra $500? I have no idea, but I have a feeling not to me. I live in a rural area and do not have the luxury of being able to make such comparisons in person, so I go by what the people say here who say there is not that much if any difference in sound. I am happy with my S901 though, and do not have much motivation to see what an S902 sounds like.
Good luck with your choice!