| Company: Yamaha | | | | saxophones. Over the years, however, their |
| Founding Date: 1887 | | | | reputation has improved steadily. This can be |
| History: | | | | attributed to a manufacturing philosophy that the |
| Yamaha produces many things, from electronics | | | | Japanese adhere to known as 'kaizen'. The word |
| to motorcycles, BUT the company was founded | | | | is best translated as 'continuous improvement'. |
| as a musical instrument manufacturer in 1887 and | | | | Under this philosophy, the Yamaha saxophone |
| has become a major contender in the saxophone | | | | product line remains in a constant state of |
| market. | | | | improvement. |
| In those days, company founder, Torakusu | | | | Interesting Stories About Them: |
| Yamaha, started the company to produce pianos | | | | "I've repaired a few of these (Yamaha |
| and reed organs. With such deeply musical roots, | | | | saxophones, and there is) only ever customer |
| Yamaha's entry into the saxophone market was | | | | damage on these; wear and tear doesn't happen |
| all but inevitable. | | | | on this instrument, given the owners love their |
| The first Yamaha saxophone hit the market in | | | | instruments and care for them immensely. So all |
| 1967. In that year Yamaha released both the | | | | in all, a must buy, or at least must try for any |
| YAS-31 alto, and the YTS-31 tenor saxophone. | | | | very serious musician!" writes a reviewer of a |
| Yamaha's entry into the baritone sax market, the | | | | Yamaha alto saxophone. |
| YBS-61 came two years later, in 1969. Today | | | | "Why Yamaha?" ponders Chris Kelsey of "Price |
| Yamaha has a full range of saxophones from | | | | point has something to do with it. Yamaha has |
| soprano to baritone, and they span from student | | | | long provided a lot of horn for the money. Yet, |
| models to professional models. | | | | when I bought my soprano in the early '90s, |
| Who Plays the Brand: | | | | money was no object, and I bought a Yamaha |
| A short list of artists who play Yamaha | | | | YSS-675 anyway. I tried every horn out there at |
| saxophones includes Frank Catalano, Jeff Coffin, | | | | the time, new and vintage, including a mint Mark |
| Denis DiBlasio, Jeff Kashiwa, Dave Koz, Robert | | | | VI, and the Yamaha was the best horn I played, |
| Kyle, Joe Lullof, Sue Terry, Phil Woods, Michael | | | | at any price ... and I wasn't even aware at the |
| Hester, and Mark Rivera. The Yamaha website | | | | time that there was an even better Yamaha |
| has a larger listing available. | | | | model, the YSS-875. Bottom line: Yamaha saxes |
| What They Are Known For: | | | | hold their own against pretty much anything out |
| Yamaha is known both for their quality, affordable | | | | there. That they give more bang for the buck is |
| student lines and their studio worthy professional | | | | a much-appreciated fillip." |
| horns. Yamaha has built their reputation by | | | | Price Ranges: |
| listening to the artists that play their instruments. | | | | Baritone saxophones range from $4.367 to |
| This is demonstrated by the company's | | | | $6,771. |
| relationship with Eugene Rousseau starting in 1973, | | | | Tenor saxophones range from $2,111 to $3,970. |
| Jean-Yves Fourmeau in 1987, and Nobuya | | | | Alto saxophones range from $1,494 to $3,799. |
| Sugawa in 1988. | | | | Soprano saxophones range from $1,962 to |
| In their early years of production, Yamaha was | | | | $3,931. |
| not known for having the best quality | | | | |