AW020 - Elite Model. The upgraded replacement for the highly regarded A992 series, this AWO20 bronze model is an instrument for the accomplished player. It delivers a superb tonal range with an unmistakably darker edge thanks to the fine bronze body, and it 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: Bronze
Bow: Bronze
Bell: Bronze
Keys: Brass
Finish: Lacquered
Neck: Bronze
Neck Type: Detachable Neck
Case: Fabric Covered, Woodshell case with outer pocket and Backstraps
Bell Arm KeysDouble 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 |
EngravingWO10 / WO20 Style Hand Engraved |
F Auxiliary KeyF-Auxiliary Key |
Front F KeyWO Series Redesigned front F Key |
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 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 |
"Only received it today. I rate the sax 10 in the field below because that is what I would expect it to be when I get round to playing it. "
"great sax that is extremely well built with, to my ears anyway, a lovely warmish tone which is exactly what I was looking for"
"Wonderful sound. Beautiful instrument."
"Lovely warm tone. "
"Seems to have a good warm tone. Too early to say much more"
"Beautiful to look at. Wonderful tone and very smooth key action. I hope that I can do it justice."
"Fantastic!"
"Great. Better then my playing. "
"Great. Better then my playing. "
"I am really pleased with it"
"Gorgeous warm tone, fabulous to play and with outstanding intonation across the range. Should be perfect for teaching, performing and recording! "
"Fantastic!"
"Best instrument that I have ever played on"
"Excellent."
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. 
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 WO10 and WO20 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.
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.
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.