antigua soprano model identification

[qwerty]

hi all:

if a lacquer antigua soprano has the high g key, two necks (one curved, one straight) and the serial number begins with YS...is it a 590??

any help would be appreciated.

thanks,

steve

[Fred]

Yes . . . specifically, a 590LQ (for LacQuer)

[qwerty]

thanks fred!

i have heard that the quality of the older versions of the antigua sopranos are not as high. i am looking at a used one, and want to be sure i am actually looking at a 590LQ. the owner seems clueless. seeing there are no model nubers on the instrument, it makes it hard to be sure, are there any other identifying characteristics so that i might know that i am actually looking at a 590LQ or is that enough?

thanks in advance,

steve

[Fred]

The YS in the serial number guarantees that it is the more recent model line of Antiguas - very important! The older models were not nearly as good. The detachable neck makes it either a 586LQ or a 590LQ, and the high G makes it a 590LQ. Sounds like you found what you are looking for! I play a 590LQ and love it - and would probably have been just as happy and $100 richer with the 586LQ. I don't envision myself going to high G on a soprano.

[Tully]

I don't envision myself going to high G on a soprano.

I rarely go that high either, but even when I do, I really don't mind not having a high-G key on my 586LQ.

[qwerty]

thanks guys:

i currently play a yamaha 675 soprano... been looking at the antiguas after all the positive comments on them on the newsgroup.

i'm pretty comfortable playing g on my 675 withoout the g key...so if i were buying new i would probably go for the 586.

thanks for the infor... i'll let ya know if i pull the trigger.

thanks again,

steve

[goodsax]

thanks guys:

i currently play a yamaha 675 soprano... been looking at the antiguas after all the positive comments on them on the newsgroup...steveHi Steve, out of curiosity, what don't you like about the 675 that you think the 586/590 might improve? I have the 590LQ and I get a lot of positive feedback from other members of my concert band when I manage to get the infrequent solo to play, most recently Perthshire Majesty. It's a great soprano, probably the last sax I'll ever part with, but I don't know how it stacks up against Yamaha's 675.

[qwerty]

hey rob:

i have had my 675 for about 12 years and it is a capable instrument. it's intonation is great, ergonomics are outstanding, which with my wrists (carpal tunnel) and elbows (tendonitis), is really important.

i had a yana curvie and a buescher true tone before that. and while i feel like i have a flexible, comfortable and competent horn in my hands with the 675, i always felt like i was giving something up in the presence department. don't get me wrong, it's a beautiful sounding instrument... and i have used it for big bands, quartets and show work and usually get asked back. :)


i've been thinking though after all the reviews here on the newsgroup about the antigua, if i could find a used example of the 590 or 586, and play it side by side with the yamaha...live with the the two horns for a while... then i could make a decent comparo...and pretty much minimize my financial outlay (always a bonus with upper management aka mrs. steve) and risk if i still like the 675 better.

i have too often been dazzled by a horn's quality in a shop somewhere or some other dude's horn on a job or at his place, only to get it side by side with my own horn (i am speaking of alto and tenor here), to only end up like dorothy in the wizard oz...there's no place like home.

so there ya go..

cheers!

steve

[goodsax]

hey rob:...i have too often been dazzled by a horn's quality in a shop somewhere or some other dude's horn on a job or at his place, only to get it side by side with my own horn (i am speaking of alto and tenor here), to only end up like dorothy in the wizard oz...there's no place like home.
...In other words, GAS! ;) If I didn't need my 590LQ every week for symphonic band rehearsals or performances, I'd send it to you for an a/b session with the 675. Another alternative is Dave Kessler's satisfaction guaranteed program, one that's not just empty words. Good luck to you.

[tophatsax]

The YS in the serial number guarantees that it is the more recent model line of Antiguas - very important! The older models were not nearly as good. The detachable neck makes it either a 586LQ or a 590LQ, and the high G makes it a 590LQ. Sounds like you found what you are looking for! I play a 590LQ and love it - and would probably have been just as happy and $100 richer with the 586LQ. I don't envision myself going to high G on a soprano.
Fred,

Are you saying that if YS is not in the serial number it's not a recent model? In other words, did they put the YS into the number with the design change?

Dave Kessler has also said that the new models have the Logo along with the name on the bell. Same question, does anyone know if this happened with the model change?

So the real questions become. When looking at a used Antiqua Soprano, how are you assured of getting the new Yani copy version? Do some of them have serial #'s without the YS and engraving without the logo? Is it as simple as any serial number beyond xxx? If so, anyone know what the magic number is? Does the plastic left hand thumb rest indicate the "good" horns?

I know that these horns are priced attractively enough new that they are affordable, but these questions keep coming up on the forum about the used ones, so I thought maybe we could find a semi-definative answer.

Anybody?...Dave Kessler...Bueller?

[Fred]

All my information says that the desirable AW models all begin with YS, and that models that predate that aren't nearly as good.

[tophatsax]

Thanks Fred!

Anyone else's comments or experiences will be appreciated.

[Tully]

As far as I know, Fred is absolutely right. Like he said, it's my understanding that any model with YS is good, and any without should be avoided. Having played a few of the older ones, to say they're inferior to the YS models is an understatement.