Yanagisawa 880 Professional Alto Saxophone

For sale is this fantastic vintage Yanagisawa A-880 professional alto saxophone in very good condition. This is one of the great older Yanis, with the distinctive underslung octave mechanism, Yanagisawa coin badge on the bell, handsome engraving, and the solid Japanese build quality these horns are known for. The 880 also has the more substantial keywork (double arms!) and design touches that distinguished it from Yanagisawa’s lower-tier models of the period.

Cosmetically and physically it presents very well for its age, with lacquer wear largely confined to normal touch points and nothing that detracts from the overall appearance of the horn. The engraving and bell badge in particular give it a great vintage look.

Pads are in good condition and it has just been adjusted, so it is ready to play. Tone is pure and focused in the classic Yanagisawa way. To my ear these older 880s have a little more personality and character than the modern Yanis while still retaining the excellent intonation and refinement Yanagisawa is known for.

A genuinely excellent vintage professional alto that would make a terrific primary horn or a very high-end backup. Includes a Gator contoured case.