Yanagisawa SC992 Bronze Curved Soprano Sax

Yanagisawa S991 Soprano Sax - Professional Dual Neck

Yanagisawa SC992 Bronze Curved Soprano Sax

Discontinued – Replaced by SCWO20

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Yanagisawa SC992 Bronze Curved Soprano Sax

Yanagisawa makes the highest quality professional saxophones on the market today! They are a small factory blending old world craftsmanship with modern design and performance. The only true professional maker of curved sopranos, the Yanagisawa SC992 is the epitome of perfection with impeccable intonation, excellent response and marvelous ergonomics!

Why make a sax from Bronze?
Bronze gives a saxophone a very unique tone. Bronze is a heavier alloy compared to brass. Standard brass is an alloy comprised of Copper & Zinc, with about 70% of that alloy being copper. Bronze is an alloy that consists of Copper & Tin but with around 88-90% of it being copper. The copper is the primary focus here as it adds more mass to the alloy. The use of bronze helps give the SC992 a richer, lush tone compared to the brass equivalent model (SC991). The bronze can make the SC992 a hair more resistant, which is a problem for players who don’t practice their soprano like its a separate instrument (“I’m an alto player therefore I’m a soprano player” – the “casual” soprano player), but when played properly, results in a soprano that is lush in tonal warmth!

Additional Information

Curved vs. Straight Soprano – Pros & Cons
There are many opinions on this topic and in the end, some of the differences will rely on the individual player. So these opinions on this subject are that of Dave Kessler:

Frist, the biggest difference is the feel. The horn is much closer to the player than any straight soprano would be. For some this is good but for others this is bad as it can lead to an overall cramped feel. However, for the soprano player who needs to rely on the assistance of a neck strap, the curved soprano sits in a way that allows for more weight to be handled by a strap than a traditional straight soprano would allow.

Second, there is a sound difference to the player – but not so much so to the audience or anyone listening to you play. This is due to where you sit in relationship to the toneholes of the saxophone. Since the sound of a saxophone is the vibration of the air column exiting the open tone holes, the curved soprano will “sound” much different to the player as they have more open tone holes closer to their ears due to the upturned bell! However, someone listening 10 feet away, will not have this same perception.

Lastly, the curved soprano generally offers more resistance than a straight model. Resistance is not a good or a bad thing, but a necessary feature in any musical instrument in order to perform. However, the level of resistance that is best is relative to the player and the mouthpiece. A curved soprano is more resistant due to the curvature of the bow of the sax. For players who like to push and project, they will generally find this to be a negative trait. For players that want to play more melodically sweet at lower dynamics; players who are not concerned as much with volume, they will find this to be a beneficial trait.

Soprano Saxophones are very misunderstood instruments. They are commonly considered more difficult to play than an alto or tenor saxophone.

In reality, the problem with soprano saxophone has more to do with how they are played rather than the soprano sax itself. Plainly put, you cannot play a soprano sax the same way you would an alto sax as they are not the same instrument! Dave Kessler wrote an article about this very issue and details:

Why is soprano harder to play?
How to choose a soprano
How best to approach playing soprano

Take a moment and read the article here: Dave Kessler’s Music Blog – Choosing a Soprano Sax

Every soprano sax that we send out includes a copy of our “Soprano Sax Playing Tips Guide” that will help players achieve the best performance out of their soprano sax. You can also download a PDF copy of that guide by clicking here.

Every SC992 soprano we send out to a customer is not released from us unless it has been completely setup in our shop first. This is because the setup on the horn is of the utmost importance! Sometimes, a saxophone (regardless of who the manufacturer) comes in needing 20 minutes of adjustments and then the very next one can require 2 hours! So if you were to get 5 of the same model right out of the box, they will all play different. This leads players to believe that they are “good” or “bad” saxes. The reality is that the one that was the best out of the 5 was likely the one that needed the least amount of work and the “bad” sax was the one that needed 2 hours worth of adjustments!

Once the same 5 saxophones are properly regulated and adjusted to perfection, they become near identical saxophones. Even the pickiest of players would be challenged to pick a true “favorite” horn. However, since most stores do not or even can not perform this setup, the player never knows this and is simply relying on the luck of the draw. This is why we perform our setup (in our www.SaxophoneRepairs.com ProShop) on them before delivering your new sax to you. You trust us with your purchase and we want to make sure that you are rewarded by giving you your ideal saxophone setup flawlessly!

Yanagisawa SC992 Specifications

Body Material	Bronze, Gold Lacquered
Body/Neck Style	Curved Body with new SC992 Curved Neck Design
Construction Style	Ribbed Body Construction
Range	Low Bb to High F#
Pads	Premium Leather with Domed Metal Resonators
Mouthpiece	Yanagisawa Ebonite 5
Case	Yanagisawa Deluxe Case
Country of Manufacture	Handmade in Japan

Financing Available

12 Month, 0% Interest Financing!

Purchase through Kessler & Sons Music using United Midwest Savings Bank and receive special 12 Month, 0% Interest Financing!
Click Here for more information on financing program details and to apply!

12 Month, 0% Financing Option Available on New Instrument at Advertised New Price Only. Full details on financing page.
Does not apply towards Store Used Demos or Used Instruments. Demos and Used models can still be financed under standard terms.