A902 v A992

[Perinth]

Hello, I tried a Yanagisawa A902 and was very impressed by the sound and have almost decided to sell my Selmer SAII and buy one. Preferred the touch of the Yamaha custom, but overall, the A902 won. Didn't get a chance to try the A992 though. Is there a great difference between these two horns (A902 and A992)? Thanks very much

[Dave Dolson]

Perinth: I tried to find an A902 to test before finally just ordering an A992 from an Internet dealer. I was never able to make a comparison, let alone a side-by-side test.

I can tell you my A992 is a terrific horn, the best of the new ones I've played (Yamahas, Selmers, and JKs). I only played a few examples, but while the Yamahas felt okay, their tone was stuffy and unremarkable.

There is some difference in construction between the A902 and A992 - mainly the double arms on some of the low notes on the A992 (the A902 doesn't have that feature). There may be other differences, but I can't recall them.

If you can afford it, take the A992 - the difference in price will be offset by your satisfaction and years of good playing. You sure won't have to wonder if you should've bought the A992 after buying the A902. DAVE

[Frazman]

Hey, I was wondering what you ended up getting because I'm in the same situation. I tried a 902 and a 991 the other day, and I loved the sound on the 902 (the 991 just didn't do it for me:-P), so I know I want to go with bronze. I noticed a couple keying differences between the 902/991, but what else makes the 992 so much more expensive than the 902? Is the sound or feel very different?

Thanks a lot,
Ben

[Perinth]

Still waiting until I get the chance to compare the A902 to the A992. Am holding back incase the A992 is worth the extra investment, but am hoping it isn't because it would be quite a blow to my meagre bank balance!

[Frazman]

Heh, I know what that's like...good luck!:-) Anyone want to help us out some more?

[Ivy]

This has been talked about before. I play tested and examined both horns 902, 992. I ended up with the A902 because I liked the sound better. The owner of the house of Woodwinds told me that the body of both horns are identical in bore and material. A difference in key work (992 being superior in this regard) showed that the 902 didnn't have ribs( strips of metal on which the key posts are mounted). These may explain the added resonance on the 902. The ribs apparently slightly dampens the sound according to the tech I was talking to. Try it- if you can find both horns at one place. The key work on the 992 is superlative, but I liked the sound of the 902 better. Good luck!

[Dave Dolson]

Ivy: Did you actually play each horn side-by-side? And if so, did you carefully compare each horn's ribs? Or is the rib-comment merely what someone told you?

I ask those questions because I have been unable to locate each horn at the same location.

I have an SC902 (curved sop) and an S992 (straight sop), in addition to the above-mentioned A992. Except for the shape of the horns and the left-pinky tables, there is no difference between the two sopranos - all mechanisms and ribs are the same design. I know this is like comparing apples and oranges, but if the soprano series aren't different, maybe the altos aren't either.

Comments? DAVE

[Ivy]

Hi Dave,

Yes I play tested the horns side by side. I actually did this twice in one week to see if would change my mind. No- nobody just told me about the ribs, I actually saw them myself. I was trying to access more info about the 902 on the leblanc website to prove my point but the 902 is not in their catalog anymore. I know the 902 has an identical construction as the 901 except for the bronze body. I have a feeling the sopranos are a whole different ball of wax.

[Dave Dolson]

Ivy: Thanks . . . I guess there IS a big difference, construction-wise, between altos and sops, eh?

I'm guessing again . . . wouldn't the construction of the A901 and A902 be the same except for the body material? If it is, then I suppose we could compare the 901's to the 991's and see the same rib-differences which would transfer to the bronze models. Still, I rarely see those different models at the same store.

Bottom line, my A992 is a nice alto (for a new horn - other new ones I've played paled in comparison). My old Buescher TT is still my favorite. DAVE

[zadu]

A couple of years back I checked out the A902 and A992 side to side. My perception was that the A992 "resonated" better (it sounded like the A992 made more sympathetic vibrations in the room that I tested them in). I still think that the A992 fills the room better than my A991 with this perceived resonance. I hear this while playing these saxes, but not when listening to recordings of myself playing them....hmmmm? Kind of strange!
Mechanically and structurally these saxes are alike,except for the difference in alloy and that the front f on my A991 is a pearl (like the l.h. table g# touch) while my A992 has a pear shaped metal key. I like the pear shaped key position and speed of use the best.
Maybe Yanagisawa will make a "1002" series that incorporates a roller enabled close fitting front f key as well as a Altissimo g key! :lol:

[zadu]

I just want to add that low a would be nice too.

:)

[Dave Dolson]

zadu: The subject of front-F design was discussed in another thread. My A992 does NOT have a pearl on the front-F either. But some photos of A992s have shown what appeared to be a pearl on the front-F. Some posters claimed they saw the pearl front-F on an A992.

Weird that your A991 has a pearl but neither of our 992's have the pearl. I wonder if Yanagisawa uses whatever is handy, then as the front-F bin dwindles down, they switch to whatever else is laying around. I know the keywork is the same (the 992 using lacquered brass rods and supports, etc., common to all 99x series horns).

I hear resonance in my A992 that I haven't heard in any of the other new altos I've tested. The A992 is as close to my Buescher TT sound as I've come in any alto - and that is a good thing. DAVE

[DaveKessler]

We just got in both an A902 and A992 to do a side by side comparison to. (note, I am not the sax player but had other players play it and got their feedback as well as I formed my own opinion from listening).

We had 2 guys in my shop and 2 customers play them both side by side.

Hands down, the A902 was the bigger sounding, better cutting horn of the 2.

Both had a nice rich tone which is to be expected from bronze but we found the A992 to be a little dead in comparison.

There are 2 main differences in the designs that I believe are what make the 991 series play different:
1. The neck. The 991 series uses the underlsung octave mech thus changing the weight distribution on the neck. We tested this theory by putting the A992 neck on the A902 body. that setup was a little darker in side by side tests. the 901 series design uses a standard top mounted mechanism.
2. Ribbed body construction on the 991 design adds more weight on the body. the 901 series design uses standard post to body construction.

We have noticed similar differences in the A901 vs the A991 but didnt find it as pronounced which we attribute to the brass instead of bronze. In the brass, we do prefer the A991 over the A901 but only slightly.

there are a few other differences. the 991 design has the double arms which is nice but I dont think too needed on alto, tenor and bari they are a definate plus.

There are a few cosmetic differences like the 991 series uses a pearl on the front F where the 901 series is just a brass key. Extra engraving on the 991... etc...

[DaveKessler]

And yes, the A992 that I just got in Does have the front F pearl. I should be getting some new A991's in tomorrow or friday and will let you know if they do as well.

[Ivy]

Thanks for the confirmation Dave Kessler. I was starting to doubt myself for a while there. I knew there was a timbre difference between the A902 and A992, albeit not that much.

Some people might prefer the 992(a little darker) because it sounds different from the 902(a little brighter. I did not think about the neck. That could also be the source.

[Dave Dolson]

Dave Kessler: Thanks for that story. I guess Yana must have changed their front-F keys since I bought mine (A992) OR my theory of using whatever they have available is correct. It really doesn't matter - I sure don't need a pearl on that key.

Every horn is different, though. That one A902 sounded better than one A992 does not make it so across the whole line. While possible, it isn't conclusive (and I'm NOT claiming that was your objective here - to say all A902s were better).

After trying several different brands and finishes, my A992 is the best of what I tried - again, certainly not conclusive. And as good as my A992 is, it still isn't as tonally good to my ears as my vintage horns. For a newly made alto, it is superb. I agree about the questionable value of double arms on the low notes.

Dave, I visited your store a couple of years ago and I think it was you with whom I spoke. Nice store and you made the visit a good one. At the time you had in stock several Taiwanese saxophones with your name on them - nice looking instruments (a whole lot nicer than a Taiwanese Buescher soprano I saw elsewhere). I did not play them, but you were gracious in showing them to me. Good luck. DAVE

[DaveKessler]

Dave,

I think I rememer you... Junkdude if I am remembering correctly.

No I was not saying all 902's are better then all 992's. I do think that here in my shop, we will probably prefer most 902's over most 992's because for us, the really darker horns are not our favorites but for many people, they are.

We find similar playing differences in the 901 vs the 991 but being in brass, the 991 isnt as dark and we do prefer it over the 901 (& 902 in most cases).

Depends on the horn.

We did just get a couple of A991's in the other day and they also have the front F pearl so my guess is that Yanagisawa is doing that standard on the 991 series. but in the end... Who Cares?

In my store, its hard to sell Any of the Yanis other then the A901 because it is the best horn dollar per dollar on the planet in our opinion. We sell them new at $1595 and I can hardly keep them in stock. This has been my best selling sax (over $1000) for 5 years running now.

anywho, to the original poster of the thread, best thing to do is try them side by side and see which is best for you. I would also recommend putting the A991 in that comparison as well since it is between the 2 price wise and is a screamer of a horn.

[Dave Dolson]

Dave Kessler: No, I am not the junkdude Dave. I live in L.A. and play for the fun of it. Thanks for the info, and good luck with your business. DAVE

[MB-913]

DaveKessler

If A-991 is the BEST business in your store. then what about tenor, which brand & model is hard to keep stock because too many customer want? It can be YTS-875, Yana T-991, or Selmer Ref horn, doesn't matter, I just want to understand how's the player choice today.

[Dr G]

Is that Tears June with a new name? 8)

[DaveKessler]

DaveKessler

If A-991 is the BEST business in your store. then what about tenor, which brand & model is hard to keep stock because too many customer want? It can be YTS-875, Yana T-991, or Selmer Ref horn, doesn't matter, I just want to understand how's the player choice today.

Actually, I said that the A901 is the best seller for me, but we do like the A991 better.

Basically, the majority of performing pros out here are still going to rely on their old faithful horns (Mark VI or Super 20) and want a great backup horn but dont want to pay too much for a top end horn. So when they play the A901 (or T901 for Tenor) they are blown away for the price for performance of the 901 series.

[Dave Dolson]

Dr G: Veeery eeenterestink . . . you make an astute observation. DAVE

[Funky Chicken]

How 'bout the 902/992 models?
(to dave kessler)

[DaveKessler]

How 'bout the 902/992 models?
(to dave kessler)

Between them I sell more of the 902 mainly because of the price for performance. I sell the A901 at $2095 and the A992 at $2795 and for many people, it is hard to justify the extra $700.

As I said earlier, we recently compared an A902 vs an A992 and out of those 2 horns, everyone agreed that the A902 was the better, but that does not mean that ALL A902's are better then ALL A992's. That particular A992 could have just been a dead horn.

We are getting in a new Taiwanese horn with a Sterling Silver Neck & Sterling Sivler Bell called Stephanhouser that was, in the opinion of the sax player/tech that came with me, the best horn that he played at the show. I have one coming in that I am very interested to see how it compares.