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Yanagisawa — Japanese Premium Saxophones in Ukraine
Yanagisawa is a Japanese company founded in 1894 that manufactures exclusively saxophones. Together with Yamaha, it is one of Japan's two leading saxophone makers in the world. Yanagisawa is best known for its soprano and sopranino instruments — lines that have been genuinely revolutionary and influenced the entire industry. The company builds instruments from brass, phosphor bronze and solid silver, a range of materials that sets Yanagisawa apart from most competitors.
The current flagship WO Series is available in Professional (WO1, WO2) and Elite (WO10, WO20, WO30+) variants, covering every saxophone type from sopranino to baritone. SoundsGood stocks Yanagisawa saxophones for musicians who choose their instrument once and play it for life.
Since 1894
130+ years of tradition
130+ years of tradition
Made in Japan
Handcrafted throughout
Handcrafted throughout
Free Shipping
From ₴4,000
From ₴4,000
Instalment Payment
PrivatBank / monobank
PrivatBank / monobank
🏭 About Yanagisawa
From Workshop to Legend (1894)
Tokutaro Yanagisawa opened Japan's first woodwind repair workshop in 1894. In 1951, his son Takanobu built the first prototype saxophone. In 1969 came Japan's first soprano saxophone, the S-6. In 1972, the world's first solid-silver saxophone and Japan's first sopranino.
Saxophones Only
Unlike Yamaha or Selmer, Yanagisawa makes nothing but saxophones — from sopranino to baritone. This singular focus has made the company an absolute authority in its field, particularly in soprano and sopranino instruments.
Materials Pioneer
1972: first solid-silver saxophone. 1985: first detachable soprano neck (S-880). 1990: first High G key (S-990). 1992: phosphor bronze body construction — a technology that has since become an industry standard.
World-Class Artists
Yanagisawa is chosen by Gary Bartz, Vincent Herring, Greg Osby, Antonio Hart, Steve Slagle, Jess Gillam, Jay Beckenstein, Plas Johnson and many other leading saxophonists worldwide.
🎷 WO Series — The Current Flagship Line
WO Series replaced the 9xx series in 2014–2015, bringing a new bore geometry, reworked tone holes and redesigned key ergonomics. All models are handcrafted in Japan.
New Bore Geometry
Changes to the bow and bell of the WO Series (compared to the 9xx) produce a more even airflow, more precise intonation and a darker overall tone across the full range. The neck and body tube design carry over from the proven 9xx series.
Redesigned Ergonomics
Reworked Front F key — slightly angled for a natural finger position. New right-hand palm key stops (a return from the 8xx series). Redesigned right pinky key section. Left palm key plate on WO1/WO2 for added tonal depth.
WO Instrument Types
Sopranino (SN-WO), straight soprano (S-WO), curved soprano (SC-WO), alto (A-WO), tenor (T-WO), baritone (B-WO). Each type is available as WO1/WO2 (Professional) and WO10/WO20/WO30+ (Elite).
Finish Options
Standard: clear lacquer. U = unlacquered (natural tarnishing, vintage patina over time). S = silver plating (brighter resonance). Gold finish available to special order on select top models.
🎵 Professional Series: WO1 and WO2
Professional Series is the entry point to the Yanagisawa WO range. Keys mounted directly to the body tube (single-post construction). Lighter instrument. Fast response. Perfect for jazz, pop and funk.
WO1 — Brass Professional
Brass body. Bright, projecting tone with a clear attack. Lighter keywork — faster finger speed. The updated left palm key plate adds mass and tonal depth. New neck plate for a tighter, more focused sound. Successor to the 901.
WO2 — Bronze Professional
Phosphor bronze body. Darker, warmer, richer tone while retaining the agility of single-post construction. Bronze and a lightweight build combine uniquely — free-blowing response with a warm vintage character. One of the most popular choices for amateur and semi-pro players.
Shared WO1 / WO2 Features
Single-post construction. New left palm key plate. Updated overslung neck plate. WO1/WO2-style hand engraving. White shell key touches. Ebonite mouthpiece included.
🏆 Elite Series: WO10, WO20, WO30+
Elite Series is Yanagisawa's flagship tier. Fully ribbed construction, double bell key arms, underslung octave mechanism. The series for players who demand maximum tonal stability, depth and long-term reliability.
WO10 — Brass Elite
Brass body. Fully ribbed construction: keys are mounted on ribs rather than directly to the tube — more mass, deeper tone, better resonance. Double bell key arms on low B and C — maximum pad seal and long-term reliability. Underslung octave mechanism. Approximately 11% heavier than the WO1. Successor to the 991.
WO20 — Bronze Elite
Phosphor bronze body. The combination of rib construction and bronze produces a dark, rich, complex tone with superb projection. Widely regarded as the best value-for-money model in the Yanagisawa range. Soprano WO20 also includes a High G key and both straight and curved necks. Successor to the 992.
WO30 / WO33 / WO37 — Silver Elite
Solid silver (full body, bell, bow or neck depending on model). Exceptional resonant depth and tonal complexity. The pinnacle of the Yanagisawa range. The WO37 features an entirely solid-silver body. Produced in limited quantities to special order.
Shared WO10 / WO20+ Features
Fully rib-mounted construction. Double bell key arms. Underslung octave mechanism. Elite-style hand engraving. Tri-point bell-bow brace. Teflon octave system. Ebonite mouthpiece included.
🔬 Body Materials and Their Effect on Sound
Yanagisawa is the only manufacturer offering the full spectrum — brass, bronze and silver — within a single product line, giving players genuine tonal choice.
Brass — WO1, WO10
Bright, projecting tone with a clear attack. Best dynamic flexibility. Recommended for jazz, pop, funk and players who need a cutting, distinct sound in the mix.
Phosphor Bronze — WO2, WO20
Darker, warmer, fuller tone. Greater metal mass adds nuance and complexity. Recommended for jazz, classical and chamber music performance. Considered the best price-to-performance ratio in the Yanagisawa range.
Solid Silver — WO30, WO37
Exceptional transparency, resonant complexity and tonal colour. The benchmark for solo classical performance. A silver saxophone responds differently — more openly and with a longer sustain.
Silver Plating (S-suffix) & Unlacquered (U-suffix)
S = silver-plated saxophones — closer to a solid-silver sound at a lower price. U = unlacquered — allows the body to resonate more freely and develops a vintage patina over time. Both options available on WO1, WO10 and WO20.
⚙️ Yanagisawa's Unique Technical Solutions
Teflon Octave System
Both ends of the octave key axis rotate in Teflon-coated receptacles. Absolutely smooth action with no stickiness — even after years of heavy use — addressing a common problem in standard mechanisms.
Seesaw (C#–Bb) Table Keys
A rocking linkage between the C# and Bb table keys enables faster, smoother finger technique — critical for chromatic passages and contemporary extended techniques.
Tri-Point Bell-Bow Brace
A three-point brace between the bell and bow ensures structural rigidity and enhances resonance even at fortissimo dynamics. Less body vibration means a more stable, consistent tone.
Palm-F Forefinger Control
The High-F key mechanism with independently adjustable pad opening. The index finger controls altissimo harmonics via the palm F key, broadening options for extended techniques and flageolets.
Brass Thumb Rest
A brass thumb rest designed for minimal point contact with the body — allowing the instrument to resonate more freely. Gold-plated on the 992 and 993 models.
Detachable Neck
Yanagisawa pioneered the detachable soprano neck (S-880, 1985). The S-WO20 soprano ships with both straight and curved necks, giving a single instrument the versatility to cover diverse musical situations.
📊 WO Series Model Comparison
| Model | Series | Body | Construction | Bell Key Arms | Octave Key | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WO1 | Professional | Brass | Single-post | Single | Overslung | Jazz, pop, funk |
| WO2 | Professional | Bronze | Single-post | Single | Overslung | Jazz, classical, versatile |
| WO10 | Elite | Brass | Rib-mounted | Double | Underslung | Classical, jazz, ensemble |
| WO20 | Elite | Bronze | Rib-mounted | Double | Underslung | Academic, orchestral |
| WO30 | Elite | Solid silver | Rib-mounted | Double | Underslung | Soloist, classical studio |
| WO37 | Elite | Full solid silver | Rib-mounted | Double | Underslung | Pinnacle, made-to-order |
🎯 How to Choose Your Yanagisawa
🎷 Jazz Saxophonist
WO1 (brass) or WO2 (bronze) Professional. The lighter single-post build means a faster response. WO1 for a bright, projecting sound; WO2 if you want extra warmth while keeping the agility.
🎓 Conservatoire Student / Classical Performer
WO10 (brass) or WO20 (bronze) Elite. The ribbed construction delivers the stable, dark tone that classical playing demands. The WO20 is the recommended choice for academic performance.
💎 Best Bang for Buck
WO20 Bronze Elite — the best value-for-money model in the entire Yanagisawa range. Noticeably superior to silver equivalents at a significantly lower price.
🎤 Soloist / Studio Recording Artist
WO30 or WO37 (solid silver) — for maximum tonal complexity, resonance and a truly individual voice. Each instrument is a handmade artefact.
🎼 Soprano Specialist
S-WO20 — Yanagisawa's flagship soprano: bronze body, two necks (straight and curved), High G key. One instrument for every musical situation.
🎵 First Serious Instrument (Professional Level)
WO1 or WO2 — the entry point into the Yanagisawa world. Identical build quality to the top models, but lighter and more accessible in price.
🔊 Baritone or Tenor for Ensemble Work
B-WO2 (bronze baritone Professional) or T-WO20 (bronze tenor Elite) — powerful, rich tone that carries in an ensemble or orchestral context.
🌟 A Unique Voice, Different From Everything Else
Yanagisawa in general produces a darker, more centred tone than Selmer Paris or Yamaha. If you've tried both and are looking for something distinctly your own — it's time to try a Yani.
❓ FAQ
What is Yanagisawa?
Yanagisawa Wind Instruments Co., Ltd. is a Japanese premium saxophone manufacturer founded in 1894. It makes exclusively saxophones: sopranino, soprano, alto, tenor and baritone. Together with Yamaha it is a leader of Japanese saxophone production.
What is the difference between Professional and Elite WO Series?
Professional (WO1, WO2): single-post construction, lighter body, free-blowing response. Elite (WO10, WO20, WO30+): fully ribbed construction, double bell key arms, underslung octave mechanism — heavier and more tonally stable. Build quality is equal across both series.
What is the WO Series?
WO Series is Yanagisawa's current flagship saxophone line (from 2014 onwards), replacing the 9xx series. New bore geometry, reworked tone holes, updated key ergonomics — the same trusted Yanagisawa character in an evolved design.
What is the difference between WO1, WO2, WO10 and WO20?
WO1 — Professional, brass; WO2 — Professional, bronze; WO10 — Elite, brass, rib-mounted; WO20 — Elite, bronze, rib-mounted. All are made to the same quality standard. Body material and construction affect tone and weight.
What saxophone types does Yanagisawa produce?
Sopranino (SN), soprano (S — straight, SC — curved), alto (A), tenor (T) and baritone (B). All available in the WO Series with a choice of body material and finish.
Where can I buy Yanagisawa in Ukraine?
At the SoundsGood store in Kyiv (Olzhycha St. 15, Dorohozhychi metro) or online at soundsgood.com.ua. Free shipping from ₴4,000. Instalment payment via PrivatBank and monobank.
🏆 Why SoundsGood
Yanagisawa WO Series
Professional and Elite models in stock
Free Shipping
From ₴4,000 across Ukraine
Instalment Payment
PrivatBank and monobank
Genuine Products
Official stock only
Saxophonist Advice
Expert guidance for your style and level
Kyiv Showroom
Olzhycha St. 15, Dorohozhychi metro
Made in Japan
Handcrafted, 130+ years of heritage
Fast Dispatch
Orders before 15:00 — shipped same day
📞 Contact
✉️ Email
📍 Address
Olzhycha St. 15, Kyiv 04116
Metro: Dorohozhychi
🕐 Hours
Mon–Fri: 11:00–18:00
Sat–Sun: closed