Yanagisawa A901 Gold Lacquer. Don't be fooled by the relatively low price tag on this saxophone, for me it is well up there with the rest of the professional standard saxophones. It is light and easy to handle, the action is smooth and it is very free blowing. It doesn't have the tonal depth of some of the other saxophones on test but I could certainly make a good sound on this horn and it felt very comfortable under the fingers. This is actually my own choice for alto sax. I wanted a good professional standard sax that wasn't going to break the bank and was versatile enough to cope with a variety of playing styles.  It is good fun to play and at just over a £1000 it makes it an ideal choice for players of any standard. As an all-round sax at this price it takes some beating. I also tried the black version of this and was very impressed by what seemed to be a slightly quicker response. I'm not usually a fan of alternative finishes on saxophones but if a sax plays like this then I do not mind at all what it looks like!

Yanagisawa A991 Gold Lacquer. This is a very solid instrument; very well put together (as with all Yanagisawa saxes) and feels heavier than the 901. Despite this the 991 felt very well balanced and very comfortable under the fingers. The response was excellent and playing it required the minimum of effort. Dynamic control on the whole was good and playing at very quiet levels in the lower register was not a problem and the notes spoke clearly. However, I found playing at loud volume a bit of a strain, which was a surprise, although I could make a richer sound on the 991 than on the 901. The 991 felt like a very serious horn and you can make a very clear sound on it.   

Yanagisawa A991 Un-lacquered. One of the main advantages and real differences with the un-lacquered A991 is the tone. The action and intonation are exactly as one has come to expect  and indeed love about Yanagisawa A991's. When compared with the lacquered model this has a more dynamic punch and greater resonance. It's as if the metal has been set free, unlocked to perform in its raw natural state without the dampening effect of a layer of lacquer. A noticeable quality was the bright edge that reverberates through the sax. This horn still has the clarity and roundedness of a Yani, however its sonority just leans towards jazz. On a purely aesthetic level it looks more like a vintage sax as the water moisture in the air causes the naked brass to discolour. If you're like me, and like a bit of character and individuality, un-lacquered is certainly worth considering if you don't mind a little extra cleaning. TC

Yanagisawa A992 Solid Bronze. All the above can be said of the A992, which is the bronze version of the A991 which is available both with and without lacquer. The bronze produces a much more rounded sound, a darker tone, but still has the clarity of note production on the A991, the same solid build and very smooth finish. Yanagisawa saxes tend to be on the bright side, however the A992 has a real vintage and mature quality about it. The A992 features metal pad reflectors which give it an extra dynamic and a big sound when you want it. The bronze finish is very pleasing to the eye and has a richness that is indeed reflected in the sound of the horn.

Yanagisawa A9930 (solid silver crook and body, brass bell). Beautiful instrument; superb craftsmanship to build this saxophone, as with all the Yanagisawa saxes, but this one looks very special. It feels solid and quite heavy, but very well balanced. Fluidity of playing and clarity of tone – superb. Easy to play, sound comes out of the horn smoothly, lovely control over the sax in all registers, and as a result the intonation was also very secure. The only downside for me was that it felt too good, if that makes any sense. All aspects of the saxophone were near perfect, which is something that you would think sax players would want. But I myself like something with a little bit of quirkiness thrown in, something to work with and a horn with character. Overall, this is a great saxophone that is one of the most well-designed and engineered horns that I have ever come across, and you can produce a very smooth and liquid-like tone. It looks the business and delivers the goods in the playing department, what more would a saxophonist want from a sax.

The solid silver range includes the A9937 which is all solid silver with gold key work, the A9933, solid silver crook and bell with brass body and gold key work and the Peter King A9932Z with gold plated inner bell (see below). They are all beautiful instruments and the 9937 particularly is a work of art with engraving on all the keys as well as the main body. The 9937 is the pick of the crop and plays as beautifully as it looks. The clarity of tone I think is second to none on this horn; it allows everything to be heard and brings out every detail in the music.  TC

Yanagisawa A9932Z  (Solid silver crook, bronze body and bow, silver bell with gold plating on interior). The A9932Z is the Peter King model, exclusive to the UK and Japan. It is rare! It is refined! It is the pinnacle, the apex of the sax world, we have one, and I got to test it! 

The tone is excellent, well centred, clear and defined throughout. It is rich and full yet with a sweet bright edge to it. The bronze brings a vintage quality which is balanced nicely against the silver's brilliant crisp edge. The gold plating produced and richness and clarity, especially at the bottom end which can be difficult to achieve. A9932Z combines all the great qualities of the various metals, using them for maximum effect and tonal enhancement.  Dynamically the A9932Z is fantastic! I had total control and confidence, from a whisper to a Alpine horn I could just blow and when going for sub-tone...oh, it was just spine chilling! The intonation is spot on and totally refined, this washed away all my anxieties so I was able to concentrate on interpretation and expression. It is like the A9932Z wants to take me on a musical exploration of creativity and tone. The action is very ergonomic (which one has come to expect form Yani's) and has a real fluid motion.

Call it a renaissance, a revolution, call it it what you want, this is truly one of the most beautiful saxes I have ever seen! Aesthetically, the A9932Z is exquisite. It has stunning engraving on the bell and crook which adds pure class to it. This is the crown jewels of the sax world, honoured by the king, Peter King!

I recently managed to see Peter King at a gig in Brighton, and I was not disappointed. His skill, fluidity and tone was just outstanding, and yes he was playing the A9932Z. He is surely one of the best saxophonist the UK has ever produced, and certainly that I've seen. TC

Update 2006. The specification of the A9932Z has changed slightly. It is no longer gold plated inside the bell but has additional Japanese characters engraved on the lip of the bell and is listed as A9932J. All other details remain the same.

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