does anybody have an opinion on the yanigasawa 991/992 tenor in comparison to the keilwerth sx90r tenors? i have played the keilwerth and liked the sound and layout but haven`t yet had a chance to blow the yani. the yani`s are somewhat less expensive so i was wondering how they compare to the keilwerths. i am looking for a warm fat jazzy sound.

I have a Selmer MK VI tenor sax. It was made in 1971. Great sax. Still has all of it`s original laquer, so it has a warmer sound than horns of same make without laquer. If you`re serious about playing jazz, get a selmer. If you play all kinds of stuff then anything will do. I haven`t tried the Yanis or the Kielworths recently, but I used to work in a music store and sell them. Selmer all the way, dude.

I play a Yanagisawa T-990, got it about 1.5 years ago...it is the best saxophone I have ever played on. It is lacquered, beautiful. When I was testing it out, it was a choice between a Yanagisawa and a Keilwerth, and by far, the Yanagisawa was better. My vote would be Yanagisawa.

Both Keilwerth and Yanagisawas are nice and can get really expensive, I prefer yana over keilwerth, But Moniques are Made with double coated lacquer and it gives it a flexibility unmatched.

Yani all of the way! I purchased a Yani tenor model 991 about 2 years ago online. I heard a lot about them and found an incredible price that I couldn`t pass up for a used one. The only sax that I liked more was a freind of mine had a vintage Selmer from the 50s.

i`ve got a yanigasawa 990 tenor, and i haven`t played a keilworth, but for that selmer guy, don`t knock it till you tried it (dude).
go for the yanigasawa.

the positions of the keys on keilwerths is very different to any other saxophone. At first it feels awkward but the horns themselves are very well made and the wide choice of different laquers gives greater possibility for individualism. These horns ae good for people who want to get away from the stereotypical `breathy` tenor sound produced by such horns as mk. sixes. I play a yanigasawa 992 tenor and soprano but i have also owned selmers, new and old and with various different laquers. i found the 992s to be the most versatile, most comfortable to play and especially good for playing more modern sub genres of jazz. in terms of the action of these horns any horn that is set up properly will feel nice to play so just make sure that before you leave the shop with anything it feels totally comfortable. most music shops will change the spring behind the keys to make it softer/harder.

I own a keilwerth alto. it is the best saxophone i have ever played. I have also played the keilwerth tenor and bari and are also great horns. the sx-90 model is the way to go. If you are a true saxophone player try a keilwerth. it has a huge sound. these horns are great for jazz and classical styles. obviously the mouthpiece has a great amount to do with style as well. selmers are nice horns but keilwerth blows them out of the water.

Keilwerth`s are blocky and have a mechanical sound, they`re not always meant for jazz, classical sometimes, plus i usually see bad people playing them!

saxophones are mechanical if you practice that way. Its not the horn its the player. don braden and ernie watts seem to have no problem playing jazz on them. Dave Liebman seems to be doing ok as well.

Both are good instruments. I play a keilwerth (in black nickel, which is gorgeous, and in fact produces a much warmer tone than the gold or even silver...) The fact is, though, that its different for everyone. You gotta get the right reeds, sax, mouthpiece, neck, ligature... and then you gotta be playing the right music, have the embouchoure, the technique... yada yada yada... personally i love the keilwerths (in black and gold with gold otto link mouthpiece..!!!) but its up to the individual. You gotta get you there are try it for yourself!!!

I agree. well said!

thank you kindly!!

I play a selmer, and I have played all kinds of horns, from Keilwerth, to yani, to yamaha, even old horns like Martins and Beuschers. I prefer vintage Selmer over all that I have played, but thats just me. My opinion on all of this is, go somewhere that you can try as many horns as possible, and dont pay attention to brand name, just play them, and see which one you like that most, and which one fits you the best. Once you done that just buy the one that you "boned" with the best. It also helps to have good mthpc. ligature, and playing ability before you start switching things up

i own a keilwerth and a yani and let me tell you keilwerth is buy far suppieor. The toone, the low stack, the feel, and most of all the rolled tone holes make it buy far the best new saxyou can buy>