There is quite a bit of confusion about Yanagisawa soprano models. Even some well-known web sites and the venerable SOTW archives have considerable misinformation. I was curious about which model a friend plays and was misdirected several times before sorting things out.
So, I am starting this thread as a resource. I am posting pictures as well as descriptions and what I consider to be accurate web site sources. Pictures seem to be somewhat ephemeral, so they may disappear.
This is a summary of documents from information on saxpics.com that appears to be well researched. The source is untitled and uncited, but there is an abbreviated version too. A simpler serial number - year summary can be found here.
Model
Year
Changes
ID features
S-6
03/1969 - 1978?
Selmer Mk VI competitor with similar keywork design
"Made by Yanagisawa" label, metal thumb rest?, D-shaped strap hook
S800
1978? - 1985
Improved keywork?
"Yanagisawa" label
Elimona (S880?)
06/1985 - 1989?
LH Bell keys, Front F, High F#
B-C# bridge, 2 necks
Elimona (2200SS?)
YYYY
?
?
S900
1990?-1995?
Fixed neck
S900 engraved below Yanagisawa label
S880
1990? - 1995?
C# rod arm
S880 Engraved under Yanagisawa, No Elimona
Elimona S990
1990? - 1995?
High G
990 over S/N, Eiimona Engraved under Yanagisawa
S901
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
Fixed neck, S901 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S981
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
High F#, 2 necks, S981 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S991
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
High G, lacquer, S991 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S992
1998 -
Bronze
2 necks, High G
S902
2000 -
Bronze
Fixed neck
I also have had to speculate and fill in some gaps, so we will have to make corrections as we go along.
So, I am starting this thread as a resource. I am posting pictures as well as descriptions and what I consider to be accurate web site sources. Pictures seem to be somewhat ephemeral, so they may disappear.
This is a summary of documents from information on saxpics.com that appears to be well researched. The source is untitled and uncited, but there is an abbreviated version too. A simpler serial number - year summary can be found here.
Model
Year
Changes
ID features
S-6
03/1969 - 1978?
Selmer Mk VI competitor with similar keywork design
"Made by Yanagisawa" label, metal thumb rest?, D-shaped strap hook
S800
1978? - 1985
Improved keywork?
"Yanagisawa" label
Elimona (S880?)
06/1985 - 1989?
LH Bell keys, Front F, High F#
B-C# bridge, 2 necks
Elimona (2200SS?)
YYYY
?
?
S900
1990?-1995?
Fixed neck
S900 engraved below Yanagisawa label
S880
1990? - 1995?
C# rod arm
S880 Engraved under Yanagisawa, No Elimona
Elimona S990
1990? - 1995?
High G
990 over S/N, Eiimona Engraved under Yanagisawa
S901
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
Fixed neck, S901 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S981
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
High F#, 2 necks, S981 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S991
1995? -
Complete re-tooling of tone holes and taper
High G, lacquer, S991 Engraved under Yanagisawa
S992
1998 -
Bronze
2 necks, High G
S902
2000 -
Bronze
Fixed neck
I also have had to speculate and fill in some gaps, so we will have to make corrections as we go along.