b and s vs yana

[ben easler]

i currently own a yanagisawa 900 silver alto, i was wondering if anyone has compared a medusa to a 900 or 901. these look interesting to me.... how does the tone compare. the yana is a great horn but im looking for perhaps a darker tone and am looking at the goldbrass classic. reviews please!

[Dave Dolson]

Ben: I have B&S Medusa sandblasted and Yanagisawa A992 altos. Side-by-side, hard to choose.

Both have equal keywork and intonation. The Yanagisawa is a class act, the Medusa has an interesting sound - more focused and vintage-like. The A992 has a more modern, round, spread tone. To me, the A992 is the darker of the two, but my "dark" may not be your "dark."

Like all saxophones, those are only two versions and it would be improper to carry my observations to the whole line. DAVE

[DaveKessler]

The goldbrass Medusas typically are richer then the sandblast. The sandblast models are just plain loud though!

The 3 neck goldbrass medusa is bigger, richer and more centered then the Yani A901. Buts its also quite a bit more then the A901.

What are you trying to improve from your A901 in this horn search if you dont mind me asking.

[ben easler]

i am actually pretty happy w/ my silver 900. i dont know if ill even get rid of it if i deside to go w/ the medusa. i am looking for a horn i can keep forever if i do get a new one and basically looking for a nice dark and focused tone. the yani i feel is focused and i really like what the silver does to the tone but i would like a darker richer tone. comparing a new silver 901 to the medusa, what would you say the difference is. i really want to get the chance to go and play all the saxes i can but i am really interested in the medusa and there is no where i can find to try one. But im really interested in the medusa is this and the black nickel finish and also i have really grown to like yanagisawa and am interested in the 992 as well.

[DaveKessler]

If you are very comfortable with the blow and feel of the Yani, then you may be better off going for the A992 or A9930 for your search.

The B&S are defiantely a richer tone of instrument. They are not quite as comfortable as the Yani but then again, no horn is.

The A901 is definately the brightest of Yanagisawa's offerings. So even in the Yani line, just about everything would fit the bill of your description in comparison to the 901.

[ben easler]

well i have played a new 901 and the tone seemed thinner in comparason to my older 900, it was not silverplated however but it could have just been that sax. i really do like the yanagisawa comfort and everything so thats the only reason im leary of changing companies. however, the medusa really intrigues me. dave, do you offer any sort of a trial period on your saxes?