How the Best Saxophones in the World are Made

How the Best Saxophones in the World are Made - Yanagisawa Factory Tour

Рет қаралды 219,077

10 ай бұрын

#bettersax #saxophone #yanagisawa
Jay Metcalf visited the Yanagisawa factory in Tokyo, Japan for a tour to find out how they make the best saxophones in the world.
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Пікірлер: 359

@timchesonis 10 ай бұрын

THIS is why your channel is better than all other saxophone channels. You truly do love the saxophone. I so appreciate your love for attention to detail, which obviously shows here in this video. The fact that your video was NOT sponsored by Yanagisawa, and that you paid for the trip yourself speak volumes. The fact that you went through all of this effort to show you how (the competition) makes their saxophones is astounding. Thank you so much for providing content like this. I have so much respect for you.

@appleborn 10 ай бұрын

Although he has own sax brand, does this yanagisawa video 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻

@bettersax 9 ай бұрын

I appreciate this. Glad so many people are enjoying the videos. I do love making them.

@kessax 3 ай бұрын

i totally agree with you. Jay your channel is the best

@ronklein482 10 ай бұрын

With all the personal attention and time put into each sax, I’m amazed that they are still able to sell them at a competitive price compared to all the other Asian horns out there.

@ohsweetmystery 9 ай бұрын

They waste no money on the superficial trappings of modern business. A huge ❤ for that.

@furtherdefinitions1 10 ай бұрын

I lived in Japan for 4 years, and I had the chance to visit the Yanagisawa factory back in 2005. I also remember the room where they kept vintage saxophones from America, France, Germany, etc. I have to say that their saxophones are the best playing, and among the best sounding horns I've ever played. Anyway, I loved living in Japan

@marcelosoto-quiroga1965 10 ай бұрын

Wow! Must have been a cool experience to play a Yani literally "out-of-the-factory", more than out-of-the-box.

@bobblues1158 10 ай бұрын

This is why I play Yanagisawa -Soprano, Tenor, Alto. My tenor came direct from the factory to I.K. Gottfried in Copenhagen. No one else had played it, it was not a demo horn. It was perfect out of the box. No setup needed.

@Simon.the.Likeable 10 ай бұрын

My baritone came direct from Japan (B990, back in the '90s) to the distributor in Sydney, Australia. When it arrived, he called me and I told him I'd be right over as it was only 15 minutes drive from my house. I was very anxious to get my hands on it. We opened the cardboard box, pulled the case out and removed the plastic bag and all the transport corks. He had wanted to do a set-up but it wasn't necessary. I played it right there and it was also perfect straight out of the box as you said. He agreed that it didn't need anything apart from a little lubricant. After all these years, travelling and gigs, it has only two tiny spots of missing lacquer. Yanigasawa horns are the top of the line.

@BrassThunder 10 ай бұрын

I'm a 64 year old life long musician, (Trumpet) but early on my asperations were to become a High School Band Director. I was in High School when I taught myself how to play the sax and owned a couple for quite a few years. Thank you for doing this video, so many students have no idea the amount of work it takes just to get that instrument in their hands. The trick is getting them past the instant gratification so many expect and actually put the time in to learn how to really play.

@winstonbeech3418 9 ай бұрын

I own a Yanagisawa B990 bari from 1998. I chose it over 9 others including a Selmer SA80-2 and a Yamaha 62. TBQH it blew them away. I toured the Selmer factory along with my parents in 1965 when I was 7-8 years old and saw the manufacturing of saxophones and clarinets in Elkhart. I doubt I’ll ever get to Japan but 25 year later I have no regrets choosing the B990 bari. Even with its quirks - and it has them - I have never doubted it.

@EricTorreborre 10 ай бұрын

I was _so_ surprised that they are not play testing their saxophones 😮

@WorshipLeaderCoC 10 ай бұрын

That was extremely shocking to me. THAT'S confidence right there. Holy crap!

@bryandickerson5365 10 ай бұрын

When playing with the Glenn Miller Orchestra in the late ‘80s our sax section was invited to tour the Yanagisawa factory. Even way back then I was impressed with the amount of hand work involved so I’m doubly happy to see that is still the case! I love my tenor and alto Selmer Mk VIs, but I equally love my Yanagisawa (‘80’s Vito) baritone and soprano. They are extremely durable and reliable instruments with great action and tone. Such fantastic horns that I am blessed to own!

@alfabsc 10 ай бұрын

This channel is the reason I own Yanagisawa. I had been playing Selmer, but they were not mine. I retired from that group, and wanted to buy my own. I watched a lot of videos, comparing brands. That led me to this channel. You compared several brands. You even played the cheapest for us. In one of the videos you mentioned that your saxophones were Yanagisawa. That is when I made up my mind. I love my Yani! Thanks for giving us a tour of the factory.

@m.w. 10 ай бұрын

Definitly one of my most favourite videos, like the one about Rigotti reeds. I play a Yanagisawa soprano Sax for 25 years now. I was just repaired once during that period of time. It plays like on the first day .🎷👍

@Laura-wg5jk 10 ай бұрын

Wow, just wow! How weird am I that I literally had tears in my eyes when you showed the engraving room and how they are hand done. Those are truly beautiful pieces of art. And those solid silver bells! So impressive. Loved this video!

@pukalo 10 ай бұрын

It's incredible how they are able to handmake everything about these horns to top pro standards, and still be able to sell them for less than Yamaha horns. Yani is my first choice if I ever buy a professional saxophone.

@davidspears7478 10 ай бұрын

Until now, I doubt if many people knew the craftsmanship involved in manufacturing a saxophone. Than you for bringing this detail to us.

@thefoosa7342 10 ай бұрын

Jay, we(my daughter) just received her Sc WO10 fresh from the factory 2 weeks ago after a 5mth wait. This is in addition to the AWO2 bought earlier this year. Your vids from the past had a fair amount to do with our decision to move from Yamaha to Yany. After spending oh, a reasonable amount of money this yr, it sure would be nice to have a Yany T shirt. They sound like the holy grail of T shirts.

@youbeenchased 10 ай бұрын

I got my first Yanagisawa (tenor) earlier this year. It’s the best horn I’ve ever played and owned. Thank you so much for the insight into how these beautiful instruments are made. 😊

@BURNING777 10 ай бұрын

Unbelievable video! wow... I had never thought everything was handmade like this. Now I feel like my Tenor T-WO1 is worth 10 times what I paid... I have enjoyed playing it from day one but after watching this video I feel like it is a unique masterpiece of an instrument. I will value it the rest of my life.

@joedakroub 10 ай бұрын

What a lovely video. I am a Yamaha player myself, but have always greatly admired Yanagisawa and their incredibly high standards. This video elevates my admiration even more, especially after learning that they don't do any play testing! Incredible! Thanks for another beautiful video, Jay. ❤🎷

@robertstrickland2121 9 ай бұрын

Yanagisawa

@sonholee5769 10 ай бұрын

Holy Yanagisawa GAS... I knew they were handmade, but the keys and posts and everything! Wow!

@Sumatakyo 10 ай бұрын

Wow. Thanks for sharing this! I love your short documentary-style videos! There is so much careful manual labour in making a great sax like Yanagisawa! I hope I get to visit their factory some day.

@pageseven1792 10 ай бұрын

This was a great video. I'm surprised there wasn't something setup for later in the evening for the factory workers to gather somewhere and listen to you play one of their saxophones in a mini-performance.

@manjularathnayake2532 10 ай бұрын

Weldon Sri. My Alto Saxophone is Yanagisawa. One of the best Sax in world. I really appreciate it. ❤🎉

@markhiggins8315 10 ай бұрын

I've played Yanagisawa saxophones (alto and tenor) for over 40 years and have not found anything to equal their consistency and overall quality. They can do exactly what you are capable of producing in every capacity.

@mitchellmally6381 9 ай бұрын

I was working at Frank Holton & Co in Elkhorn 11:04 Wis. Back the 1980s. I would read the company news magazine and that is where I first read about these Saxes and found out that G. LeBlanc Corp. Was the North American distributor for these horns. We made saxophones well but your main focus was the French horn. I was there when we developed the Berry Tuckwell model H108 horn, I did a lot of work on the small parts it was a privilege to be able to meet Berry Tuckwell and even got his autograph, really nice guy. It was sad to hear of his passing away a year ago. Thanks for the great video. It brings back found memories.

@MaxVian77 10 ай бұрын

I bought a Yanagisawa alto WO10 three days ago and I still can't believe what I'm experiencing these days. I come from a long period of study with a Yamaha 280 and the difference is absolutely abysmal, in fact I would say it is like playing the saxophone for the first time. The sensations of fluidity, solidity and precision, both mechanically and in the emission of air, are undescribable. I can now effortlessly play well, even with hard reeds and with intonation that is always almost perfect, but above all I no longer feel any sense of fatigue when producing sounds, and all my energy and concentration can finally be devoted exclusively to the quality of the sound and the music. I can't understand how it is possible to make such an incredibly good and wonderfully satisfying instrument with manual techniques. I think it would be very nice to see not only the construction process alone, but also how the design and perfection of this wonderful instrument was conceived. It is an incredibly nice coincidence for me to be able to watch a video on the making of these instruments right around the time I bought one, from which I already know I will not part any more.

@McGillMusicSaxSchool 10 ай бұрын

Wow Jay, great video and fascinating to see behind the scenes with what goes on at Yanagisawa!

@radicalradzik 10 ай бұрын

So awesome! As a saxophonist who loves Japan and has visited Yamaha and Roland for work, this was a real treat, Jay. I look forward to the day when I will have the opportunity to play an Yanagisawa saxophone. Looking forward to future factory visits and playtests. Keep the amazing videos and sax lessons coming. Thanks Jay!

@TheOtorider 10 ай бұрын

What a fantastic video! Thanks for sharing, Jay!

@bryandickerson5365 10 ай бұрын

Finally got to finish this…so awesome! What an anecdote to the modern-world-blues to see something beautiful made by the hands of talented, committed craftspersons. It also reconfirms my continued respect for the Japanese people’s sense of quality and aesthetics. When I traveled to Japan years ago, every time I turned around I was confronted by something of superb engineering and/or beauty.

@sitalimwiingahamatuli2024 10 ай бұрын

Wow! Jay this is great stuff. I've enjoyed the video and I'm stunned at how simple it all looks, yet they (Yanagisawa) have stayed true to their process - Simply amazing!

@hopper6620 10 ай бұрын

Hey Jay, everytime i watch one of your videos im fascinated. Saxophones are magic! Keep on

@iamkaioken 9 ай бұрын

Wonderful tour at the factory. It's been a number of years since playing, but my trusty A-990 sits waiting in its Martin Johnson case. Thanks for sharing such awesome memories with the wonderful folks at Yanagisawa! Many great memories of my own from the mid 90s on with my old trusty axe.

@AaronLarrabee 10 ай бұрын

Thanks for the great video! it's amazing the dedication you have to playing the saxophone and I enjoy it!

@wildxoce87 10 ай бұрын

This really gives you an appreciation for the work that goes into making a Yanagisawa saxophone. It is truly a work of art! I hope to purchase one in the future. Thank you for this content!!!

@marklee1965 10 ай бұрын

Thanks Jay for a fascinating video. The quality of workmanship and attention to detail is outstanding, no wonder Yanigasawa are so highly thought of.

@paoloalbano4690 10 ай бұрын

Jay, thank you so much for this video.. I'm not a Yanagisawa player (I only played a WO1 alto for 4 years and then I sold it), but this video is wonderful!! You can tell the commitment of each worker and also your love for saxophones.. it would have been the same for me too

@zvonimirtosic6171 10 ай бұрын

I have never seen a video like this. Your content is unique, and above all, educational for all music lovers.

@mpbraendle9621 10 ай бұрын

What a great video, thank you Jay! 17 years ago, I sold my Selmer Mark6 Low-Bb baritone to buy a Yanagisawa B991 low-A. I have never regretted this move - this bari just sings and has become dear to my heart!

@scorpiontrucker 10 ай бұрын

Amazing video Jay! I Love Yanagisawa saxophones and this tour of where they are made was really cool. I Love the fact that they trust their manufacturing process so much that there is no play testing. Wow! Thanks again👍🎷

@fabfae 10 ай бұрын

Wow, thank you Jay for that beautiful and insightful video! I just bought an T-WO20U in March and it's gorgeous! And I could see now where and how it's built. Thank you!

@jorgeg8606 10 ай бұрын

I really enjoyed this video. I found the whole process quite fascinating. Thank you for sharing!

@paolopicchi7642 10 ай бұрын

AMAZING. These videos are truly unique Jay. Thanks a lot for your passion and dedication.

@bettersax 10 ай бұрын

I appreciate that!

@CharlieMcCormack 10 ай бұрын

Great video, thanks for posting Jay. I will treasure my Yani Elimona 880 even more after seeing how it was made. Basically everything is done meticulously by hand.

@saxmusicmail 10 ай бұрын

I have had the wonderful experience of playing and repairing several Yanagisawa saxophones and like every one of them. Their sopranos in particular... they have a warm saxophone tone, not at all nasal and oboish like nearly all others. Intonation is spot on.

@beckyn9338 10 ай бұрын

Fascinating! Thanks, Jay!

@westonashe5941 10 ай бұрын

Truly the best saxophones out there! I really hope to acquire a yani one day

@dileepnaik1312 10 ай бұрын

Most impressed with the whole video explaining the total process of making a saxophone. It’s all the skill of hand that finally gets A Yanigasava out in hands of a saxophone player. Most impressed with fact that they don’t test them. It shows that the process is so perfect and with multiple check points that they know the Sax will sound exactly as it is supposed to. Thanks again. If ever I get that sort of money I will surely buy Yanigasawa tenor. Right now my Cheatau is keeping me happy.

@1MrAlpaca 9 ай бұрын

Got my Yanagisawa elite tenor 1,5 years ago, absolutely love it.

@kevinlucas8437 8 ай бұрын

Next level quality and workmanship !!!

@Phrizby 9 ай бұрын

mindblowing stuff!! so crazy how perfect their process is that play tests aren't needed and cool to see how they install pads with shellac flakes instead of the messy sticks. love my Yani!

@Marcosls2015 10 ай бұрын

Just Amazing! Thanks so much for doing this! So many fascinating things…the factory in a house in a normal neighbourhood! The silence…and sure The lack of sound testing!! Really a good example to think about how things can be so idiosyncratic.

@SgtHenick 10 ай бұрын

I'm a big Japanese musical instrument engineering fan and a big Yamaha fan, I play a mid 2000s Yamaha custom z and started on a yas-23 but there is a special place in my heart for a Yamagisawa❤❤❤

@joshuabonnelle6527 10 ай бұрын

Amazing process, awsome video, new respect for this company and product!

@sidneiramalho 10 ай бұрын

Pretty amazing to watch all that holding my Yany. Mind blowing to know my sax went through all those steps. Thanks Jay for sharing this amazing video.

@user-wg3gw3qk3t 5 ай бұрын

Your vids are so informative. Thanks for all the info you share.

@hanovergreen4091 10 ай бұрын

Thank You for this! Very much enjoyed the tour and information! Best Regards and Best Wishes!

@Wormier 10 ай бұрын

I'm getting a two37 soon, love this look into the creation of them!

@williammurray1620 10 ай бұрын

One of the best videos you have done! I absolutely loved this one. I had no idea that quite a bit of work is done all by hand. I'm drooling for one of those Baritone saxes! Keep up the great work sir!

@chrisdyson5513 10 ай бұрын

Excellent video Jay. Hugely informative and interesting.

@kevinmurphy3464 7 ай бұрын

What an amazing process.

@marcobadilla8773 10 ай бұрын

Un vídeo tuyo de hace unos años, me enseñó a escuchar siempre antes de tocar. En otro, hace unos días, me enseñaste a valorar y respetar. Gracias por ambas enseñanzas . Bello video. Espero algún día poder hacerme de un alto 991. Gracias Jay

@carlrasmussen3267 3 ай бұрын

Thank you for making this trip and video

@frankzona5459 10 ай бұрын

I loved watching this video. I've always been curious as to how a Saxophone is manufactured. As someone who made a living in the manufacturing world, showing the fabrication and assembly processes of Selmer and now Yanagisawa saxophones is of great interest to me. I picked up on their attention to detail, product batching, work stations, parts storage/management process, safety, moving product through the line, etc. To know that there's no need to play test speaks volumes for the quality of the materials, process control, worker training,/craftsmanship and dedication to excellence at Yanagisawa. It also makes me curious as to how the lower priced higher volume shops do it. Thanks so much for this video Jay, now I'm going to go back and watch it a few more times.

@jimmyvonesh3188 10 ай бұрын

Amazing Video Jay ! Very interesting. Thanks for doing this.

@fulviodamico16 10 ай бұрын

G’day Jay, Coming to you from the land of down under (Australia) 👍 I can’t begin to tell you how much I truly enjoy the video you made at the YANAGASAWA factory of music instruments (SAX’s) I play the alto sax and I’ve only been learning for three weeks, but I am excited about the prospect of getting one of those beautiful from their factory when I’m good enough to do it justice Thanks for the great video mate 👍

@scwag0915 10 ай бұрын

This is why we watch you, we've never seen something like this before.

@davidwood351 10 ай бұрын

I love the Yanagisawa instruments, I have 6 saxes and 2 flutes made by them.

@AKapatsoris 10 ай бұрын

Great video! Thanks a lot!

@bilbostoy 10 ай бұрын

Great video! Thank you!

@Nestor_Fernandez 10 ай бұрын

Amazing video! This is the way we all should work!!

@emmetfettig9196 10 ай бұрын

Jay! Absolutely love these videos. I realized while watching that your living in France would put you in proximity of Baptiste Herbin… would absolutely love to see a video with him in it (either via interview or you going to a gig of his) and I was also wondering if you’ve already seen him live?

@bettersax 10 ай бұрын

Will Do an interview with him soon

@emmetfettig9196 10 ай бұрын

@@bettersax Perfect! Thank you

@zvonimirtosic6171 10 ай бұрын

Also in the proximity to Claude Delangle. You know, the top world's saxophonist and saxophone educator in the world.

@lucianocostasax4441 10 ай бұрын

fantastic video, thank you

@grannyjack1 10 ай бұрын

Great video. My first new sax was a yanagisawa bari.❤️… long gone. Wish I’d known it’s origins back then🙏

@josephknudson5097 7 ай бұрын

Wow! Very enlightening. God bless you.

@nottingham_ChrisAllison 9 ай бұрын

Great Video... Thank You

@marcomarrone174 10 ай бұрын

Insightful glimpse into the process. Thanks Jay!!

@bettersax 10 ай бұрын

My pleasure!

@GetYourSaxTogether 10 ай бұрын

Awesome and fascinating vid Jay. ❤

@michalmaru 10 ай бұрын

Incredible…just wow!

@peterhodges6684 10 ай бұрын

The fact that they don't play test their instruments speaks volumes ! Very impressive.

@leewaggers4733 5 ай бұрын

Amazing video and a great insight into the manufacturing and assembly of a precision instrument. Thanks very much 👍

@geoffcsax 10 ай бұрын

With other brands if you said they don't play test their saxes, you'd say "Oh that's why". But with if you have play tested a Yani in a sax shop you'll say "Oh, okay"......which is crazy when you think about it. Amazing saxes, amazing video!

@HirosatoKanai 10 ай бұрын

Amazing factory tour that I much appreciated. Surprised with almost all hand making eitre processes for producing saxophone in relatively tiny manufacturing space with very well experienced technicians. Great to know.❤

@pauliemeehan1 8 ай бұрын

Excellent video…so informative and inspiring! Thank you!!!🎼🙏❤️🎼

@tomaszszlapanski5988 10 ай бұрын

Great video, I'm play T880 (1981) bare brass and is so amazing saxophone. Recently visiting shop in London I played WO20 and WO32, and so nice machines but won't swap for my 880 , brilliant!

@petegalindez9961 6 ай бұрын

Very cool Jay…Having lived in Japan for two years, it is an incredible place to see/experience/watch them do any type of manufacturing…amazing video…

@XB29SP 8 ай бұрын

Great video. After buying a Yanagisawa soprano at Mannys of NYC back in 77, which I still own and play after many road gigs, I was not afraid to order a TWO2 tenor online. After A/B-ing the TWO2 and my Selmer SA80II I purchased new in 89, for about three months, I sold the Selmer. The Yani played easier, both sounded great, but something about the response and the bronze made it the winner. Out of the box it played perfect. Surprised they do not play test, but then again, maybe not.

@serzok1 10 ай бұрын

Very interesting !!! Thank you !!!

@wklpiano 10 ай бұрын

Oh im excited

@alicoat 8 ай бұрын

Another great video I have a Yani tenor and Selmer alto both great saxes fascinating to see how they are made.

@superjazzman100 10 ай бұрын

Great vid, excellent job!

@ondrejkudrna8710 8 ай бұрын

I LOVE my Yanagisawa A4, little maintenance required and whenever I send it to a technition for adjusting he's joyous and telling me how good the mechanisms are