Yanagisawa Alto Saxophones

A saxophone really is an instrument that's one-of-a-kind in a lot of ways. Not only does it bring the concepts of brass and woodwind together to create something better than the sum of its parts, it's also achieved a legendary status in countless musical styles. One of the secrets to their success is the number of varieties that saxes come in, and one of the key players in the lineup is the alto sax. And when you're looking to find one at the highest tier, you're on the right track with Yanagisawa alto saxophones. They've got a history going back to 1893, with all the quality and craftsmanship you'd expect to come from more than a century of experience.

As with most saxophone makers, Yanagisawa offers instruments for musicians of varying levels. What's special about these altos is that all those levels are professional. If you're making your debut on the pro music scene, you might like to start with a 990s series sax like the Yanagisawa A-992 Bronze Alto Saxophone. These instruments can handle the challenges of the stage while still remaining quite affordable. Searching for an even higher-end model? In that case, you can also take a look at the 9930s, such as the Yanagisawa A-9937 Silver Series Professional Alto Saxophone. It's part of a truly legendary lineup that, for a long time, has been the pinnacle of Yanagisawa quality.

We say 'has been' for the 9930 series only because Yanagisawa was hard at work all along creating their latest instruments, which you can spot by the "WO" in their names. The WO37 Series Alto Saxophone Sterling Silver is a great example: it takes everything that makes the A-9937 amazing and adds some strategic upgrades to create what Yanagisawa claims is the "ultimate alto." One look at the rib-mounted keywork, underslung octave key, metal reflectors and waterproof pads, and you'll start to get the idea. But the real beauty of the WO series saxophones is the way that they feel to play, thanks to the careful design and layout of all their moving parts.

The bottom line is this: if you want a professional-level instrument that makes no compromises, Yanagisawa alto saxophones hold the answer. For well over a century, these horns have been showing the rest of the manufacturing community how it's done. It takes a lot of heart and soul to build a great saxophone, and with their lineup of altos, Yanagisawa proves that they have plenty of both.