New Model Yani Curved Soprano

[SuiZen]

Is this the one?

http://www.wwbw.com/Item/?itemno=102935

The SC-901 is no longer shown.

Bill

[singlereed]

Thats theold one, the new one will have all the lower toneholes on the RHS.

[SuiZen]

The old one was the SC-901. This one is described as the 991, and is a new desription. You can't go by the photo.

Bill

[Dave Dolson]

Bill: I also saw in that photo where the bell-keys were still on the left side of the bell; same as my SC902 and SC901.

No, one cannot trust a photo like this, yet the text claims it is an improved 901, thus a 991. Who knows without a close, side-by-side inspection? I am always leery of the marketing mavens. DAVE

[SuiZen]

Let me pose the question differently.

Up until a week ago, the SC-901 was listed. Recently, the 991 curved description appears, identified as NEW.

Is this an indicator that the new curved model is being ddlivered soon?

Bill

[singlereed]

OK, then that's a picture of an old 901 - I have seen pics of the 991 and the bell keys are on the RHS.

[MB-913]

I don't think Yana release a SC-991 soprano.
I just visited to their show room last month in Japan but can't see this.

In their official web site, look at Japanese page.

http://www.yanagisawasax.co.jp/ja/soprano/992/

Soprano:
S-992PGP = Pink Gold Plating
S-992SP = Silver Plating

Alto:
A-992PGP = Pink Gold Plating

Have you see or even heard about these product?? But they have this in their domestic market. Their Japanese page is covered all update product but SC-991 is not there and I think.wwbw.com just put a wrong photo there.

* I'm not surprise if Yana will produce SC-991 because SC-901 was released more than 20 years. However, I think not at this moment because even you can't find in Japan (for all Japanese product no matter instrument, electronic appliance, it will release it in their country first).

[SuiZen]

Kessler Music also lists it.

****COMING SOON - NEW CURVED MODEL****
Yanagisawa SC991 Curved Soprano
Description will be coming soon
*Special Order Only*

Bill

[Morry]

That debuted the SC-991 at the Frankfurt Music Fair in November, so it definitely exists.

[Fun Bun]

From what I understand Yanagisawa had a small fire in their factory that destroyed some of the molds that make the bell for some of their instruments.

[DaveKessler]

Here is some clarification (as this has been discussed in the Yanagisawa forum)

The SC991 is a new model that was originally set to debut on the market last February (2003). However, in January of 2003, there was a fire that destroyed the molds for the bells of Yanagisawa Baris & Curved Sopranos.

So they were not able to release the new model as planned.

The molds are (supposedly) back in production and we should be seeing the first of the new SC991 horns in about 4 weeks (would be my guess).

There are only 2 differences that I am aware of at this point.

1. The bell keys have been moved from the left hand side of the bell to the right hand side of the bell. This allows for them to upgrade the left hand pinky cluster to a more modern design.
- Personally, I dont see this as an advantage. I think that the Right Hand side bell keys will make the entire RH stack very cramped. We will just have to see once they start arriving though.

2. The octave pip on the neck has become COMPLETELY underslung. I do not see this as being advantageous either. But, I am not a saxophone engineer. Yanagisawa knows how to make saxes so I have to assume that they know what they are doing.

These are the only changes that I am aware of. These are based on the photos that I saw of the SC991 that they had at the Frankfurt Music Messe.

I do not know if they will stop making the SC901 or not. I have heard conflicting reports on that. I would assume that they would keep both just like they do in all the other lines.

Also, and most importantly, we have not been able to obtain pricing. Best to my knowledge, Yanagisawa has not released price information on this model yet. So if anyone is quoting a price, take it with a grain of salt until the horns are actually in stock.

[Fun Bun]

The modern pinky cluster to me is far easier to play. I got ride of my Yani901 for this reason. I can play a modern cluster with far greater speed and acuracy. That old style cluster on the sc901 was very difficult to play in rapid passages.

[SuiZen]

Dave,

Was there any mention of a bronze model?

Bill

[DaveKessler]

Fun Bun,

to each their own. I agree that the modern cluster is easier. My problem is primarily that the RH will become very cramped, like old Buescher curved sops. Again, we will just have to wait and see what good ol yani does!

Bill,

I havent heard about a bronze one specifically but I would bet that it would be available as an SC992 as well as an SC9930 (sterling)

[Morry]

I've found a good deal on a Yani SC901B (black lacquer), so I think I'll go ahead and pick it up. I'll see how the 991 shakes out later and make a decision on one of them.

[DaveKessler]

The last time I checked, the only one I was able to get ahold of is an SC901-SKG which is a silver plated body, gold keys and gold inner bell.

That would go for around $2400 brand new.

[Fun Bun]

I understand wwhat you mean by the cramped hand position but it sems hat you could solve that by off setting the bell to compensate. It would probably look wierd but it might work.

[3saxes]

As a result of LeBlanc not responding :( to my requests for information about the existance or plans for Yanagisawa to manufacture an SC-9937, I contacted the Yanagisawa distributor in the UK. The Yanagisawa product manager responded quickly to me and confirmed that the SC-9937 would begin production in August and he would place an order for one to be received on October 8th. He also confirmed that all the new SC models will be upgraded to feature the mechanisms as per the 991 series. He had me contact a dealer in the UK who provided me with a quotation. I placed my order at the beginning of June and I should receive my SC-9937 by Mid October. :)

I touched bases with both the distributor and the dealer last week and they both assured me that the manufacturing is on schedule and in fact where the distributor normally receives shipments on the 7th or 8th of each month, they have been receiving shipments around the 1st of each month so I may receive my horn a week earlier than previously anticipated. :D

The dealer is: T.W.Howarth Ltd.
You can contact Peter Beaumont there on: sax@howarth.uk.com

[Fun Bun]

Cool let us know how it play when you get it