Yanagisawa prehistoric 880 alto sax (Martin Stencil) made in 1978
This prehistoric A880 Yanagisawa alto saxophone was part of the development and roll out of the A 880 made in 1978. I said prehistoric 880 because the stamp on the body has the letter'E' instead of'880'. It looks, plays, and feels like my 880. This is where the modern Yanagisawa model 880 first emerged in 1978 with the development of the Alto. Other innovations during this period were in the body material and ribbed construction giving the key mechanisms a remarkable consistency in playing performance. It also has, what now has become standard the double support for better low B and C tone arm consistency. Starting about 1980 they introduced Sterling Silver with their brass and about a decade later with their bronze models (mixing tin and brass) making it both heavier and having more robust tone properties that have characterized their acceptance in the modern professional saxophone world.
On weighing this model with one from two years later they weigh within a half ounce of each other (5lbs 5.5oz). This being one of the earlier models is, I believe, all brass.
But even then they made thicker heavier bodies that established their distinctive levels of tone sound and fullness. The body is remarkably free of dents and dings.
As expected there has been considerable wear in the surface of the finish but the sound is still there. The thumb guard was damaged so I replaced it with one I had (a Yamaha) that is comfortable but slightly of the wrong size. The mouthpiece has the Yanagisawa symbol with the writing Steelite Ebonite. All-in-all a very nice horn! The item "Yanagisawa prehistoric 880 alto sax (Martin Stencil) made in 1978" is in sale since Saturday, May 23, 2020.
This item is in the category "Musical Instruments & Gear\Wind & Woodwind\Band & Orchestral\Saxophones". The seller is "m3_vt" and is located in Kennebunk, Maine. This item can be shipped to United States, Canada, United Kingdom, Denmark, Romania, Slovakia, Bulgaria, Czech republic, Finland, Hungary, Latvia, Lithuania, Malta, Estonia, Australia, Greece, Portugal, Cyprus, Slovenia, Japan, China, Sweden, South Korea, Indonesia, Taiwan, Thailand, Belgium, France, Hong Kong, Ireland, Netherlands, Poland, Spain, Italy, Germany, Austria, Bahamas, Israel, Mexico, New Zealand, Singapore, Switzerland, Norway, Saudi arabia, United arab emirates, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, Croatia, Malaysia, Chile, Costa rica, Panama, Trinidad and tobago, Guatemala, Honduras, Jamaica, Aruba, Belize, Dominica, Grenada, Saint kitts and nevis, Turks and caicos islands, Bangladesh, Brunei darussalam, Bolivia, Egypt, French guiana, Guernsey, Gibraltar, Guadeloupe, Iceland, Jersey, Jordan, Cambodia, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Monaco, Macao, Martinique, Nicaragua, Pakistan, Paraguay, Uruguay.
- Body Finish: Brass Lacquer
- Type: Alto
- Body Material: Brass
- Brand: Yanagisawa
- Skill Level: Professional