Japan is a magnificent country where finesse and rigor are omnipresent. Who has never been captivated by the beauty of a Japanese garden and its cherry blossoms. Impressed by the finesse of the line of a print, the delicacy and precision of gastronomy. In the midst of all this, a saxophone brand represents all this tradition: Yanagisawa. I’m not going to beat around the bush, it’s just my favorite brand. My saxophone is a Yanagisawa, for 22 years, and for nothing in the world I would not part with it. Let me explain why.

History

Tokutaro Yanagisawa founded in 1894 a repair shop for wind instruments. Subsequently, his son, Takanobu began manufacturing. By chance, the first Yanagisawa saxophone, the T-3 tenor, was made in 1954, when Selmer’s legendary Mark VI was released. A sign of good omen, since almost 70 years later, Yanagisawa has established itself as a benchmark in the field of saxophone.

The search for excellence

From the start, the philosophy of the family business has been to make a sound. This sound creation is at the center of their research. This is why their saxophones are very homogeneous in each scale. The saxophone as an object is shaped in relation to a desired sound and not the saxophone that makes the sound. No gimmicks, no fuss, no marketing. Everything on a Yanagisawa saxophone is there for the sound, nothing else. It is this search for sound that makes the company constantly looking for improvements, whether technical or acoustic.

Elegance

The ergonomics, the finesse of the mechanics, the sleek design of the keys make Yanagisawa saxophones magnificent objects. Everything is harmonious in the eyes and in the hands, everything falls under the fingers. We do not know if it is us who adapt to the instrument or the reverse. It is very pleasant.

And the icing on the cake, the pavilion is adorned with very beautiful engravings, each made by hand by master craftsmen.

Mechanical and acoustic qualities

What makes the great strength of Yanagisawa saxophones is the fluidity of the keys. When we play, we have the impression that it is easy, without restraint. Everything slips under the fingers and the sound is direct.

And then the sound quality is incredible. The bass is warm, rich, round. The non-aggressive treble. All in perfect homogeneity.

Everything for the musician

Always in their perspective of sound making, Yanagisawa uses high quality materials that you can combine according to your preferences.

Each saxophone scale can thus have parts of different materials on the same instrument.

For example, you can very well choose a viola with a solid silver jar, a bronze body and a solid silver bell. Or the jar and the body in solid silver, and the brass bell.

It is very difficult not to find a saxophone that suits us.

Let yourself be seduced by their saxophones. Come and try them and you will see! I will be happy to provide you with information directly in store or by phone at +41 21 811 28 42 or by email guillain@boullard.ch!

Guillain
Wind instrument specialist and repairer