Another Yani ID question

[BS911]

Hi everyone. I'm new here as I just broke my tenor out after about a 13 year hiatus. I am very happy to have learned here that I was apparently a much luckier kid back then than I ever thought. My horn is a Yani tenor model 880 with a serial # 00107239 that I got new in 1988. That makes a long shelf life for a 1982 model year. Looking at the Yanigisawa gallery at Woodwindforum, and reading the info here, I have become curious... While clearly stamped an 880, I don't have the underslung neck. I know that isn't too unusual. The only markings on the neck have a "66" model number and the Yani logo. Additionally, the cases I've seen in various photos look nothing like mine did. (May it rest in pieces somewhere in Romania.) It was a light brown suede material on the outside. I was wondering if anyone else has seen similar mixes of components or if I have a Franken-isawa.

Thanks in advance,
Brian Smith

[Dave Dolson]

Brian: I don't know about the neck, but it looks like you have a "keeper". My high-school-age grandson has my 880 alto (purchased new around the same time you got yours) and the 880 alto is a wonderful instrument.

In addition to the underslung-style standard neck, I bought a new Selmer MKVII neck for mine at the time of purchase, upon the advice of the store (Zep's in Burbank, CA . . . Zep Meizner being a noted sax-section player in swing bands).

The case was a grainy brown-leather-like rectangular case. When the horn was recently overhauled, the techs commented about the unusual case. I think it was standard Yanagisawa stuff for that era.

Yours could have had a neck-switch at time of purchase, just like mine. I has both necks, though. DAVE

[retread]

My A880, SN 00106xxx, came in a tan suede-like case, with space for a clari-pack clarinet case. It does have the quasi-underslung octave key.

[Fred]

I've seen 880's with and without the underslung neck, so don't feel alone! You've got a great sax!

[BS911]

Thanks everyone. Good to hear more reports that this is normal.

I absolutely agree - the 880 is fantastic! I wouldn't trade it for the world.

[Fred]

What do you mean "normal"? This is a sax forum . . . we ain't got no freakin' "normal"!

Seriously though, the underslung neck is more "normal" on an 880, as are double-arms on bell keys. However, not every Yani 880 came out of the factory with those features. Question is: How's it play? (Pretty darn good, I'd bet.)