Yanagisawa S-800 Soprano Saxophone Martin

Description

The Yanagisawa S6 and S800 are very similar models of saxophone. While some people will try to distinguish them by palm keys, both horns have VI style inline palm keys. The Elimona and S900 that follow these models are the first to have modern palm keys. The S-800 typically has a plastic thumb hook and besides that, it seems to be virtually identical to the S-6. I think the reason that people distinguish the two from each other is because Yanagisawa also made an S-880 with two necks at this same period (roughly 1980’s). The curved version also sports the inline palm keys, and I should have one of those in soon.

This particular horn is the Martin version that was sold by Martin in the USA, but is the same as any other S-800.

It is inspired by the Mark VI soprano, but general consensus seems to be that it plays better than a VI. Yanagisawa is a company that relentlessly improves its design, so it is not surprising that its hand-made S800 has better intonation and evenness of tone across the instrument than the Selmer that it copies. There are of course exceptions, and there are great VI sopranos out there for sure. But this is no step-down from a VI. It is every bit as good.

This particular horn has no dents and no dings. There are no resolders and the horn is in great shape. Body is straight, pads are medium between old and new and are sealing well. It ships in the original case, which is in good condition as well.