Yanagisawa AWO30 Alto Saxophone
SOLID SILVER BODY & NECK - BRASS BELL & BOW
AWO30 - Elite Model. The upgraded replacement for the highly regarded A9030 model, this AWO30 silver/brass model offers a beautiful blend of a sterling silver neck and body, and a lacquered brass bow and bell which gives a wonderful tone that balances the purity of silver with the directness of brass.A true instrument for the accomplished player, it delivers a superb tonal range and also benefits from the WO series re-engineered bore and toneholes, and re-sourced and redesigned core brass material. This model also has many upgraded features exclusive to the WO series such as newly designed Front F Keys, Ride Side Keys and Right Pinky Key.
- Key: Eb
- Range: Low Bb to High F#
- Body: Solid Silver
- Bow: Brass
- Bell: Brass
- Keys: Brass
- Finish: Lacquered
- Neck: Solid Silver
- Neck Type: Detachable Neck
- Case: Fabric Covered, Woodshell case with outer pocket and Backstraps
Specifications:
BELL ARM KEYS
Double Arm
Using double arms on the Bell Keys, helps to keep the tone holes fully sealed by removing the chances of twisting or distortion of the tone hole cup. This in turn helps ensure reliable performance and tonal integrity.
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 - B KEYS
C# - Bb - B Rocking Key
The C#, Bb and B keys are all connected via a rocking / see-saw mechanism. This is a unique Yanagisawa feature and ensures the easiest transition between these pitches.
ENGRAVING
WO30 / WO37 Style Hand Engraved
Yanagisawa WO30 and WO37 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
Rib Mounted
This is an enhanced design with the keys mounted to a rib plate which in turn is mounted to the body. This not only gives added strength to the keywork, but has the added benefit of improved resonance and tonal stability.
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.
OCTAVE KEY TYPE
Underslung
An underslung octave mechanism is considered to have a much quicker, more responsive action. It is also a more complex and expensive system to manufacture. So underslung octave keys are to be found on saxophones from the 991 / AWO10 series upwards.
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
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 Springs
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.