Yanagisawa T901 and T902
It was instantly noticeable when I picked up this sax that it felt really light. In the playing position it was very comfortable and nicely balanced. I do like to walk about when playing, and this was easy to do with the 901. There was no effort involved in moving around and this was reflected in the way the sax played. The tone was clear and the notes responded well, playing was very secure. It also seemed to project well, with plenty of volume to the sound without being too harsh. The sound was not overly bright but it lacked real depth in the lower frequencies and the sound did not have the fullness that I like from a tenor sax. That said, it was a good fun sax to play and getting around the instrument was a breeze. It is very much like the alto version (see the review of the A901) and those who prefer a lighter touch and feel on tenor sax will be right at home on this one. This would be great for rock and roll players and those who like to put a bit of energy into their playing. Also, for those student sax players who want to upgrade from a basic model to a professional standard instrument, without breaking the bank, this is the ideal tenor sax.

I was amazed at how much of a difference there was between the bronze bodied T902 and the T901. The bronze body certainly does make a real difference to the sound, giving it a warmer, darker overall sound, and much more depth of tone, particularly at the extremes of the instrument. Low notes sounded very full, this was more my kind of sound on the tenor, and I was able to play with a greater range of dynamics and expression, knowing that the horn would respond well, with a lot more energy in the lower frequencies. It does feel slightly heavier than the T901 but it was very well balanced and just like all Yanagisawa saxes nice and comfortable under the fingers. Yanagisawa have got this aspect of the sax just right on all their models and that is what makes them such enjoyable saxes to play. When you forget the saxophone is there and can just make music, that is when you know you are playing a good saxophone.

Yanagisawa T991 and T992
The T991 is a classy saxophone and has a lovely smooth finish and is very solidly put together, giving a reassuring feeling when you pick it up of being a serious instrument. I instantly felt at ease when I started playing. The sound was more focussed, and the only way I can describe it is 'classy'. There was a greater fullness to the overall sound when compared with the T901, being more like the T902, but it just seemed to project with more clarity over the 902.  It responded very well, notes spoke clearly and the tuning in all registers was very secure.  This had all the qualities of a good professional tenor saxophone, but It didn't get me as excited quite as much as the silver-plated version. The silver-plated version of this horn had even better clarity and projection, with a real open quality to the sound. It played beautifully with plenty of weight to the sound, allowing a good deal of room for expressive playing. It allowed bags of detail to come through with no colouration to the sound.    

T992, the bronze body version of the 991. The bronze finish on saxophones does look the business, with a very rich rose coloured tint under the clear lacquer. And it plays as good as it looks. Like the T902 it differs greatly from it's brass and gold-lacquered sister. It delivered a slightly darker tonal colour, with greater weight to the notes, low ones in particular, and a very upfront feel to the sound. The 992 features metal pad reflectors which give it an extra dynamic and a big sound when you want it. The bronze certainly gives greater resonance and it is borne out in the Yanagisawa saxes. I still found the silver-plated version offered slightly better clarity with the sound appearing to be more focussed. The difference between the two is very subtle, and overall, the 991 and 992 Yanagisawa tenors offer fantastic playability and allow for the saxophonist to produce a very clear and musical sound.  

T992 Un-lacquered
One of the main advantages and real differences with the un-lacquered is the tone. The action and intonation are exactly as one has come to expect  and indeed love about Yanagisawa'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, unlacquered is certainly worth considering if you don't mind a little extra cleaning.

Yanagisawa solid silver bodied T9930
This is like no other sax I have played with a clarity and purity of sound that I haven't heard in a tenor sax. Superbly balanced in all registers and extremely easy to control. Blowing is effortless and the notes just fall from the saxophone. This felt very open, allowing for plenty of detail to come through. At quiet volumes it spoke with incredible clarity and the notes were well in tune, not falling off at all. And at higher volumes it allowed me to be very vocal in the sound I was making and I could push plenty of air through knowing that the horn was not going to let me down. This is a big tenor saxophone but the action was so light and the keys just seemed to fall right underneath my fingers. For the altissimo I had to use some slightly different fingerings for some of the notes, but again the notes spoke clearly and were amazingly bigger and fatter sounding than on any other sax I have played. Down the other end the notes came through with great authority..

Overall this is a fantastic saxophone and I couldn't put it down. There is a trend at the moment towards silver saxophones and if Yanagisawa keep making horns like this then the trend will continue for a long time.

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