The Yanagisawa SC991U curved soprano is a beautifully designed and finely crafted saxophone. Its increased neck angle gives it richer tone and makes it more capable of aggressive playing, while many little refinements combine to make it incredibly comfortable to play quickly. This unlacquered model will tarnish and mark much more easily than a lacquered instrument. The benefit is that the instrument will rapidly take on a vintage, used look.
Key: Bb
Range: Low Bb to High F#
Body: Brass
Bow: Brass
Bell: Brass
Keys: Brass
Finish: Unlacquered
Neck: Brass
Neck Type: Detachable Neck
Case: Leatherette Covered, Woodshell
Bell Arm KeysSingle Arm |
Bell BraceBalanced Tri-Point Brace |
Bell Key BufferMetal Adjustable |
Bore and Tone HolesYanagisawa Standard |
Brass / MaterialYanagisawa Standard |
C# - Bb - B KeysC# - Bb - B Rocking Key |
EngravingHand Engraved |
Front F KeyYanagisawa Standard |
Key DecorationWhite Shell Lining |
Key Work MountingRib Mounted |
MouthpieceEbonite Mouthpieces |
Octave Key TypeUnderslung |
Octave SystemFluororesin Non-Stick Mechanism |
Pad ReflectorMetal Reflectors |
Pad TypeAir Tight Waterproof Pad |
Palm Key PlatePalm Key PlateThe palm key plate delivers high range resonance, acoustic depth, added projection and added tonal stability. |
Pivot ScrewsPointed Pivot Screws |
Right Pinky KeyYanagisawa Standard |
Right Side KeyYanagisawa Standard |
Spring TypeBlue Steel Springs |
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. 
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. 
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. 
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. 
Each Yanagisawa saxophone is hand engraved by highly skilled craftsmen. 
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.
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. 
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. 
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. 
As standard octave key mechanisms can get sticky over time, Yanagisawa's flouroresin, non-stick coating ensures a reliable action with no stickiness. 
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.
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.
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. 
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.