AW01U - 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. Being unlacquered, this model will mark and tarnish rapidly, creating the much-sought vintage look.
Key: Eb
Range: Low Bb to High F#
Body: Brass
Bow: Brass
Bell: Brass
Keys: Brass
Finish: Unlacquered
Neck: Brass
Neck Type: Detachable Neck
Case: Fabric Covered, Woodshell case with outer pocket and Backstraps
Bell Arm KeysSingle Arm |
Bell BraceBalanced Tri-Point Brace |
Bell Key BufferMetal Adjustable |
Bore and Tone HolesWO Series Bore and Tone HolesIn 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 / MaterialWO Series Brass MaterialThe WO series saxophones benefit from a newly designed, newly engineered and specially sourced brass material for improved sound and sonority. |
C# - Bb - B KeysC# - Bb - B Rocking Key |
EngravingWO1 / WO2 Style Hand Engraved |
F Auxiliary KeyF-Auxiliary Key |
Front F KeyWO Series Redesigned front F Key |
Key DecorationWhite Shell Lining |
Key Work MountingBody Mounted |
MouthpieceEbonite Mouthpieces |
Neck PlateWO Series Neck Plate |
Octave Key TypeOverslung |
Octave SystemFluororesin Non-Stick Mechanism |
Pad TypeAir Tight Waterproof Pad |
Palm Key PlateWO Series Palm Key Plate |
Pivot ScrewsPointed Pivot Screws |
Right Pinky KeyWO Series Right Pinky Key |
Right Side KeyWO Series Right Side Key |
Spring TypeBlue Steel Springs |
"Excellent"
"Really nice toned saxophone which plays unbelievably smoothly!"
"I love it- really nice feel- great sound- really pleased"
"Love it! Everything about it is beautiful and it plays so well."
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. 
Yanagisawa WO1 and WO2 series saxophones now feature a uniquely styled, hand engraved pattern. 
This mechanism fitted to the F-Aux key ensures a proper seal of the pads when playing in the low ranges of the saxophone.
The Front F key on WO series saxophones has been redesigned to further improve the ease of fingering.
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.
The standard design for most regular saxes, the keys are mounted directly to the saxophone body.
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. 
For Overslung necks, this new plate exclusive to the WO1 and WO2 models gives a tighter, more controlled tone. 
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. 
As standard octave key mechanisms can get sticky over time, Yanagisawa's flouroresin, non-stick coating ensures a reliable action with no stickiness. 
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 ext
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. 
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. 
The angle of the Right 'Pinky' key on WO series saxophones has been improved to give a smoother fingering feel. 
The Right side key levers on WO series saxophones now has additional feet for a better touch. This affects the Bb, C and E. 
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.