SC901 - angle of neck?

[Richard901]

Is the angle of the neck of the Yanagisawa SC901 the same as on the S991 (with curved neck)?

I am wondering whether the SC901 will be more comfortable to play - as I have Tennis Elbow in my right arm.

I have tried a S991, but I still had to hold the bottom of the instrument out a long way from my body to get a good playing angle.

Thanks for your help.

[Dave Dolson]

Richard: I own an S992 (same as the 991 except made of bronze) and an SC902 (curved bronze) and SC901 (curved brass-lacquered).

The S992 came with two necks (one straight and one slightly curved).

The SC902 and SC901 came with a curved neck only.

I compared the SC902 and SC901 necks to the curved S992 neck. The necks for the SC902 and SC901 have a more pronounced curve than does the neck for the S992.

All are interchangeable, though. I use a straight solid-silver Yana neck on my SC902. It makes for an odd looking arrangement but it plays much better for me. I end up holding the curved sop straight out like a straight sop, which works for me.

I much prefer straight necks on any soprano (others prefer curved necks - to each his own) because of tone and position. If you want more of a curved neck on a straight Yana, I think you should be able to buy a neck intended for the curved yana - that should give more curvature for your straight sop. DAVE

[Dave Dolson]

Richard: After writing the above reply, I got out all of my Yana soprano necks and the S992 and the SC902 for some comparisons. I had them arranged correctly all along (e.g., straight bronze neck on my S992 and straight silver neck on my SC902). Those combinations gave me the best sound and response to my ears.

I also have a curved silver Yana neck (same curvature as the SC902's neck) and I put it in the SC902 case. I put the slightly curved bronze neck (the S992's original curved neck) back in the S992 case and put the original curved bronze neck (that came with the SC902) in a drawer. I keep two necks in each case for back-up purposes (as I do with mouthpieces and ligatures - always have a back-up when working).

I doubt if the differences in curvature between the curved neck for the S992 and the curved neck for the SC902 will make a discernible difference in the angle of the horn (and your comfort level) when played. The natural "fall" of the curved Yana with any curved neck may place the horn closer to your body, though. DAVE

[Richard901]

Thank you VERY much Dave for your very detailed help. Excellent!!!