Yanagisawa AWO1 Alto Saxophone

Professional Alto saxophone, yellow brass lacquered finish

AWO1 - Professional Model. The upgraded replacement for the legendary A901 series, this AWO1 brass model is suited just as well to aspiring beginners as to experienced professionals. It has a strong tonal core thanks to a re-engineered bore and toneholes, plus many upgraded features exclusive to the WO series such as newly designed Front F Keys, Ride Side Keys and Right Pinky Key.

Specifications:

• Key: Eb
• Range: Low Bb to High F#
• Body: Brass
• Bow: Brass
• Bell: Brass
• Keys: Brass
• Finish: Lacquered (unlacquered optional)
• Neck: Brass
• Neck Type: Detachable Neck
• Case: Fabric Covered, Woodshell case with outer pocket and Backstraps

Features:

BELL ARM KEYS

Single Arm

Yanagisawa’s single arms used on the bell keys are extremely strong and have proved reliable for many years. Higher-End models can benefit from double arm bell keys.

BELL BRACE

Balanced Tri-Point Brace

The bell and body are firmly linked by a three-point, balanced brace which ensures structural resiliance and firm resonance, even when fortissimo is sought.

BELL KEY BUFFER

Metal Adjustable

The buffers used on the bell keys are metal – and therefore offer increased longevity and accuracy over plastic – and are fully adjustable. This means the aperture of the bell toneholes are within your control.

BORE AND TONE HOLES

WO Series Bore and Tone Holes

In Yanagisawa’s desire to constantly innovate, all new WO series saxophones have a newly engineered bore and toneholes. This helps achieve a smoother blow and even more precise intonation.

BRASS / MATERIAL

WO Series Brass Material

The WO series saxophones benefit from a newly designed, newly engineered and specially sourced brass material for improved sound and sonority.

C# – BB KEYS

C# – Bb Rocking Key

The C# and Bb keys have a rocking table / see-saw mechanism that allows for optimal speed and fluidity between these pitches.

ENGRAVING

WO1 / WO2 Style Hand Engraved

Yanagisawa WO1 and WO2 series saxophones now feature a uniquely styled, hand engraved pattern.

F AUXILIARY KEY

F-Auxiliary Key

This mechanism fitted to the F-Aux key ensures a proper seal of the pads when playing in the low ranges of the saxophone.

FRONT F KEY

WO Series Redesigned front F Key

The Front F key on WO series saxophones has been redesigned to further improve the ease of fingering.

KEY DECORATION

White Shell Lining

A player’s fingers will rest comfortably in the indented white shell keys. The white shell also enhances the beauty of the instrument while also preventing the player’s fingers from slipping during technical passages.

KEY WORK MOUNTING

Body Mounted

The standard design for most regular saxes, the keys are mounted directly to the saxophone body.

MOUTHPIECE

Ebonite Mouthpieces

Ebonite mouthpieces are favoured for their warm tone and ability to fit into an ensemble seamlessly. However, as players discover their own voice, switching to another style of mouthpiece can open up a whole world of new tonal possibilities. Metal mouthpieces are often favoured by Jazz players or soloists who need to stand out from the crowd.

NECK PLATE

WO Series Neck Plate

For Overslung necks, this new plate exclusive to the WO1 and WO2 models gives a tighter, more controlled tone.

OCTAVE KEY TYPE

An overslung octave mechanism is the standard system employed by most regular saxophones. It is the simplest mechanism for manufacture, and is to be found on 901, 902, AW01 and AW02 models. This system is also used on solid silver tenor models.

OCTAVE SYSTEM

Fluororesin Non-Stick Mechanism

As standard octave key mechanisms can get sticky over time, Yanagisawa’s flouroresin, non-stick coating ensures a reliable action with no stickiness.

PAD REFLECTOR

Metal reflectors are an improvement upon the standard plastic reflectors, and they add clarity to the tone and improve playing response across the whole dynamic range.

PAD TYPE

Air Tight Waterproof Pad

Yanagisawa’s superb waterproof pad is totally air tight which allows complete confidence in the instrument’s tonal integrity, plus the waterproof material offers a greatly extended pad life.

PALM KEY PLATE

WO Series Palm Key Plate

Previously only available on the 99* series saxophones, the WO Series’ addition of the palm key plate delivers high range resonance, acoustic depth, added projection and added tonal stability.

PIVOT SCREWS

Pointed Pivot Screws

Special pointed pivot screws are used in all centre arms on Yanagisawa saxophones. These screws precisely maintain the stability of the centre arms, and help achieve a very high precision action.

RIGHT PINKY KEY

WO Series Right Pinky Key

The angle of the Right ‘Pinky’ key on WO series saxophones has been improved to give a smoother fingering feel.

RIGHT SIDE KEY

WO Series Right Side Key

The Right side key levers on WO series saxophones now has additional feet for a better touch. This affects the Bb, C and E.

SPRING TYPE

Blue Steel Spring are better than stainless steel – as used on most other saxes – as they hold tension more effectively, and therefore enhance the key action.

Information

Since their founding in 1896 Yanagisawa has held true to a singular passion: handcrafting the world’s finest saxophones unrivalled in both tone and ease of play. Yanagisawa’s superb ergonomic key-work is second to none and has earned the loyalty and respect of professionals the world over.

Whether you are looking for a high quality student saxophone or a top-level professional instrument, Yanagisawa’s handcrafted, Japanese-made saxophones will deliver the finest playing experience.

The very latest addition to the Yanagisawa range is the new WO series of Alto Saxophones. Both the WO ‘Professional’ and WO ‘Elite’ models illustrate the desire to continually improve what is already a world-leading design. With a number of newly refined key types designed for enhanced playing comfort; a unique palm key plate for broad register resonance; and a special neck plate for focussing the tone, Yanagisawa WO series Alto Saxophones are once again redefining true instrumental brilliance.

Yanagisawa saxophones are the choice of numerous top-level artists across the world including: Antonio Hart, Marshall McDonald, Tommy Smith, Snake Davis, The Lovely Laura and Jess Gillam.