Yanagisawa S-W010 Elite Soprano Saxophone (Brass)

Description

Yanagisawa SWO10 Elite Soprano Saxophone

Materials and Construction

Core Brass Body: The SWO10 features a body made from newly sourced and expertly treated brass. This choice of material contributes to the instrument’s vibrant and responsive tone. The brass construction ensures a warm, full-bodied sound with a darker edge compared to the brighter tones of other models. The use of core brass, rather than bronze, maintains a robust yet nuanced tonal quality, making it ideal for a range of musical styles.

Solid Silver Neck Options: The SWO10 includes both straight and curved necks, offering players flexibility in their playing experience. The straight neck provides a direct, focused tone, while the curved neck allows for a more personalized playing position and can subtly affect intonation and response. This dual-neck feature caters to individual preferences and performance needs.

Lacquered Finish: The instrument is finished with a clear lacquer that enhances its appearance while protecting the brass from wear and tarnishing. This finish also contributes to the overall sound quality, ensuring that the saxophone maintains its aesthetic and acoustic integrity over time.

Design and Engineering Enhancements

New Bore Shape: The SWO10 benefits from a redesigned bore shape, which improves the instrument’s overall playability. The new bore design, combined with adjusted tone hole sizes and positions, ensures precise intonation and a smoother playing experience. These modifications contribute to the saxophone’s even response across its range.

Re-Engineered Brass Material: The new brass material used in the SWO10 has been carefully selected and treated to enhance the instrument’s resonance and tonal richness. This material choice helps the SWO10 produce a sound that is both vibrant and consistent, with excellent projection and depth.

Keywork Modifications: The SWO10 features several keywork enhancements aimed at improving ergonomics and playability:

• New Front F Key: The redesigned Front F key offers improved comfort and accessibility.
• Revised LH Palm Keys and RH Side Keys: These modifications provide a more intuitive and comfortable playing experience.
• Updated LH Pinky Keys: The reshaped pinky keys enhance speed and ease of operation.

Neck Plate Enhancements: To add depth and solidity to the sound, Yanagisawa has incorporated additional weight at core acoustic points on the soprano saxophone. This strategic weight distribution helps to strengthen the tonal core and improve the instrument’s overall acoustic performance.

Key Mechanism and Playability

Rocking Table/See-Saw Mechanism: The C# and Bb keys are equipped with a rocking table or see-saw mechanism, which ensures smooth transitions between pitches and facilitates ease of play. This mechanism enhances the overall responsiveness of the saxophone, making it easier for players to execute fast passages and complex techniques.

Blue Steel Springs: The SWO10 uses blue steel springs, known for their efficiency and excellent tension retention. These springs contribute to a refined key action, providing a more responsive and accurate playing experience.

Pointed Pivot Screws: The instrument features special pointed pivot screws for the centre arms, which maintain precise stability and ensure accurate key action. This attention to detail enhances the overall reliability and performance of the saxophone.

Additional Features

Engraving: The bell of the SWO10 is adorned with elaborate, hand-done engraving, adding a touch of luxury and visual appeal to the instrument.

Case: The saxophone comes with a fabric-covered woodshell case featuring outer pockets and backpack straps for convenient transport and storage. The case is designed to protect the instrument and provide ease of mobility.

Mouthpiece: The SWO10 is supplied with a Yanagisawa Ebonite mouthpiece, known for its excellent tonal quality and playability.

Performance and Versatility

Tonal Quality: The SWO10 is celebrated for its rich, focused tonal core and superb intonation. The combination of brass and silver materials, along with the advanced design features, results in a sound that is both warm and powerful, with a nuanced depth that enhances its versatility across various musical genres.

Playability: As an elite model, the SWO10 offers a moderate level of resistance, allowing experienced players to achieve an effortlessly smooth tone with excellent flexibility and freedom of expression. The instrument’s ergonomic design and refined keywork make it suitable for both demanding performances and extended playing sessions.

Summary

The Yanagisawa SWO10 Elite Soprano Saxophone represents the pinnacle of saxophone craftsmanship and design. With its advanced materials, innovative engineering, and thoughtful enhancements, the SWO10 delivers a combination of exceptional tonal quality, playability, and aesthetic appeal. This professional-level instrument is ideal for serious musicians seeking a soprano saxophone that excels in both performance and comfort.

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