Forum of the Saxes

rodjo74 · Joined: 12 Mar 2006 Posts: 5

Hello

Well, i m buying an alt sax, but my experience is the beginners one
At the moment i have these two options

yanagisawa A 880 ...(750 euros or 900USD) vs. Yamaha YAS 32 (600 euros or 720USD)

they are both in quite good condition and play well...if someone can help to decide, I would be really greatful

rodjo

SaxoAK · Posted: Fri Apr 07, 2006 8:58 pm Post subject:

my YAS-23 rocks, and it's the one most suggested by the teachers and band directors around here - go for it and good luck!!!
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darby dylan · Joined: 30 Jul 2005 Posts: 63

Its true that teachers sugest a yas but do jazz teachers to?
anyway which one do you feel the best with?that's the one you have to take.

dylan Darby

Tully · Joined: 11 Sep 2005 Posts: 170 Location: Woodinville, WA

While nothing is wrong with a student Yamaha, the Yani 880 is simply a better horn. It has a richer sound that is more even throughout the range, and I prefer the keywork to the 23. I'm speaking in terms of tenors, but I have no reason to think the altos of the same models would compare any differently. In my opinion, the extra $180 would be a good investment. Again, nothing is wrong with the Yamaha, and either one would serve you well for quite a while, but as your palying improves, you'll grow to appreciate the Yanagisawa more and more.
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JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

i play on a YAS now in marching band (my plastic sax got a leak i can't afford to fix at the moment.) and i can't stand it.

plus yanigasawa is made my selmer. The few times i've played on yani's, i've loved them.

Fred · Joined: 28 Aug 2005 Posts: 7 Location: Southeast Texas

This is probably way too late to help the original poster, but here goes:

First of all, the poster asked about a YAS-32. This was not a typo, and should not be confused with the YAS-23. The 32 was sold in Europe and Asia instead of the 52 - by all reports it was the same sax. So it's a good intermediate model against the Yani A880. I've had both . . . at the same time . . . played side by side. The Yani was the better sax - had a richer, more complex sound. And the A880 went to a different level when played with a Selmer Mk VII neck - really opened the sax up.

However, the 32 was so much better than a 23 (had one of those too) that the difference was astounding. Don't ever believe the 52/32 was just a dressed up 23 - that was definitely not the case. More like a dressed down 62. So bottom line is I do believe the 880 was superior, but don't sell the 32 short.
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