- Source: Yanagisawa Wind Instruments
Yanagisawa Wind Instruments Co., Ltd. is a Japanese woodwind instrument manufacturing company known for its range of professional grade saxophones. Along with Yamaha, they are one of the leading manufacturers of saxophones in Japan. The company currently manufactures sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone saxophones.
In the United States, Yanagisawa products are commercialized and distributed by Conn-Selmer, a subsidiary of Steinway Musical Instruments.
History
The history of woodwind manufacturing in Japan has its origins in 1894 when Tokutaro Yanagisawa began repairing imported woodwinds for military band members. Tokutaro's repair shop soon evolved into an instrument factory—the first to build woodwind instruments on Japanese soil. Tokutaro's son Takanobu followed in his father's footsteps, choosing to pursue a career in the craft of instrument-making. Takanobu built his first prototype saxophone in 1951.
Starting in the late 1960s, Yanagisawa exported saxophones sold under various distributor's names, providing a large portion of the instruments sold under the Vito (Japan) brand and representing Leblanc's Martin brand for saxophones starting in 1971. In 1978, the 800 series models were introduced, which became the first Yanagisawa saxophones exported under Yanagisawa's own name.
In 1980, the 500 series was introduced for sale under other brands in the student/intermediate market. With the growth of Yanagisawa's reputation, interest in finding Yanagisawa instruments sold under other brands has become heightened in the used instrument market.
The Yanagisawa soprano saxophone designs became influential throughout rest of the industry, comparable to the influence of Selmer (Paris) and Yamaha saxophones in other ranges. Yanagisawa introduced innovations including detachable straight and curved necks and a high G key for its 990 series soprano saxophones.
Product development timeline:
1954
First tenor saxophone (the T-3 model) enters production.
1956–1966
First alto saxophone (A-3) is unveiled, and A-5 alto and T-5 tenor models are introduced. Development work is completed on a low-A baritone model (B-6).
1968
Japan's first soprano saxophone (S-6) is placed on the market. The SN-600 sopranino model with high-E key is finished and released.
1978–1985
The Elimona (Elite Monarch) series (800 series) is launched. Japan's first curved soprano model is unveiled.
The world's first straight soprano model with detachable neck (S-880) is announced.
1990–1996
Yanagisawa's 900- and 990-series soprano and baritone models are introduced. The first Silver Sonic model (9930 series) is unveiled in soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone ranges in Japan. Alto and tenor models are added to the 900 and 990 series, which later evolve into the 900μ and 990μ series.
1999
The A-9937 alto model with sterling silver neck, body, bow, and bell is announced.
2000
The sterling T-9937 tenor model hits the market and Yanagisawa introduces its top baritone model, the B-9930BSB. Yanagisawa launches the bronze-bodied 992GP series with gold-plated finish.
2001
The bronze 992PGP series debuts with new pink-gold plated models.
2002
The 9937PGP series is born, rounding out the all-sterling lineup with pink-gold plated models. Yanagisawa unveils its bronze A-902 alto.
2003
Yanagisawa unveils the T-902, the tenor version of its bronze alto model.
2004
The SC-991 and SC-992 curved soprano models are announced.
2006
Yanagisawa builds the A-9914, the world's first alto saxophone with neck, body, bow, and bell crafted entirely in 14K gold. Reference prototypes are exhibited at the Frankfurt Musikmesse trade show.
2008
The SC-9937 curved soprano sax with all-sterling neck, body, bow, and bell is introduced
2012
The WO series Alto is launched.
2014
The WO series Tenor is launched.
Production
The company is notable for making saxophones from materials other than standard brass (i.e., phosphor bronze and solid silver, and combinations thereof). Their first solid silver saxophone was produced in 1972 and instruments made from phosphor bronze began to be produced in 1992. The 8830 model alto and tenor saxophones, introduced in 1988, combined silver necks and bells with a brass body tube, reminiscent of the King "Silversonic" instruments. Similar combinations are offered in current production, as illustrated by Yanagisawa's 2015 range of alto saxophone offerings:
The permutations are increased by the fact that it is possible to buy a solid brass, silver, or bronze neck from Yanagisawa and fit it to any of the nine instruments listed above (e.g., adding a solid silver neck to the AWO10 or AWO20 or a phosphor bronze neck to the AWO10, AWO32J, or AWO37).
Musicians
Professional saxophonists performing on Yanagisawa instruments include Gary Bartz, Jay Beckenstein, Plas Johnson, Ed Wynne, Steve Slagle, Peter King, Vincent Herring, Snake Davis, Greg Osby, Antonio Hart, Jean Denis Michat, Paul Corn (Composer of the Paul Corn Jazz Collective), Pascal Bonnet, Jess Gillam, David Pons, Jeroen Vanbever, and another classical and jazz players. Arno Bornkamp has performed occasionally with a Yanagisawa Soprano. Raaf Hekkema uses a Elimona Soprano as his standard instrument.
References
External links
Official website