The Yanagisawa TWO1 Professional Tenor Saxophone is probably the best value in a modern tenor saxophone. It's priced amazingly well for what you get, which is a saxophone of better build and setup than just about anything on the market. The reliability also really helps down the road because this will be an easy saxophone to own as you play it a lot and need small pad adjustments in years to come. It's easy to work on, hard to break, and generally just precision-built and extremely satisfying to own and play. Intonation is great, ergonomics is great, and the tone is beautiful, medium bright, and rich- easy to take in any direction depending upon your choice of mouthpiece. If you're trying to decide on a mid-priced but top-quality new tenor saxophone, your choices are this or the Yamaha 62III. I think this Yanagisawa is the better value, because the 62 tends to depreciate more, and it has a bit clearer tone with a little less richness. It's still a great horn and fun to play, but the Yanagisawa has lower depreciation over time, and is built to really the highest standards in saxophone manufacturing, despite being relatively affordable (for a pro saxophone). I think I have the best price on it as well, not even figuring in the setup (see below).
This horn got a new horn checkup after arriving at the GetASax shop. Having a world class repairman take a look at a new saxophone fresh from the factory can often take it from good to great. There are typically 2 or 3 small tweaks that need done, and presto – you get the full experience of what the horn can do. Besides the excellent price, that’s a real selling point, I think. I wish my first new saxophone had been checked out. I suffered with too stiff spring tensions for years in college, without even realizing that I could easily have had that fixed. I know better now!
