Yanagisawa AWO20 Alto Saxophone

A professional bronze alto saxophone with exceptional tonal depth, precision and control

The Yanagisawa AWO20 Alto Saxophone is an Elite-level professional instrument designed for accomplished saxophonists who demand outstanding tonal depth, precise intonation and exceptional mechanical consistency. Made in Japan by Yanagisawa, one of the world's leading specialist saxophone manufacturers, the AWO20 combines traditional craftsmanship with the advanced engineering of the modern WO Series.

Constructed from bronze throughout the body, bow, bell and neck, the AWO20 offers a rich, powerful and unmistakably darker tonal character than its brass-bodied counterparts. Its newly engineered WO Series bore and tone-hole design provides a smooth, even response, while the refined keywork delivers the precision and comfort expected from a professional Yanagisawa.

The AWO20 is the upgraded successor to Yanagisawa's highly regarded A992 series and incorporates a number of refinements developed specifically for the WO Series. From the redesigned Front F, Right Side and Right Pinky keys to the rib-mounted keywork and adjustable metal bell-key buffers, the AWO20 has been engineered for players who expect exceptional performance from every aspect of their instrument.

Why we recommend the Yanagisawa AWO20

• Rich, dark and harmonically complex tonal character produced by its bronze construction.
• Elite-level Japanese craftsmanship from one of the world's most respected specialist saxophone makers.
• Re-engineered WO Series bore and tone holes for smooth response and precise intonation.
• Bronze body, bow, bell and detachable bronze neck for a consistent tonal character throughout the instrument.
• Ergonomically refined keywork designed to provide a smooth and comfortable playing experience.
• Redesigned Front F, Right Side and Right Pinky keys for improved fingering comfort.
• Rib-mounted keywork providing a strong, stable platform for the key mechanisms.
• Waterproof pads designed to provide an airtight seal and consistent response.
• Adjustable metal bell-key buffers for precise regulation and long-term reliability.
• Double-arm bell keys designed to help maintain reliable tone-hole sealing.
• Supplied with a dedicated WO Series fabric-covered wood-shell case with outer pocket and backpack straps.

Who is this saxophone best suited to?

The Yanagisawa AWO20 is an excellent choice for:

• Professional saxophonists looking for a sophisticated, powerful and distinctive alto saxophone.
• Conservatoire and music college students seeking an Elite-level instrument for advanced study and performance.
• Experienced amateur players who want to invest in a professional bronze saxophone.
• Players upgrading from an intermediate or professional brass-bodied alto.
• Classical, jazz, contemporary and ensemble players who value tonal depth and projection.
• Saxophonists who prefer a darker, broader tonal character with a strong and centred core.

The AWO20 sits towards the top of Yanagisawa's professional alto saxophone range and is designed for players who are able to make full use of its tonal flexibility, refined response and sophisticated keywork. Its bronze construction gives the instrument a distinctive voice, making it particularly appealing to players looking for greater tonal depth and colour from a professional alto.

Our experience

At The Wind Section, we've spent decades helping saxophonists find instruments that match their playing style, experience and musical ambitions. Choosing a professional saxophone is particularly personal, with factors such as resistance, response, intonation, ergonomics and tonal character all influencing how an instrument feels and performs.

Yanagisawa has built an exceptional reputation among serious saxophonists for its attention to precision engineering, consistency and mechanical reliability. The AWO20 is a particularly impressive example of this approach, combining the refined design of the WO Series with the distinctive tonal qualities of bronze.

For players considering a move into a professional bronze saxophone, the AWO20 offers a compelling combination of tonal richness, precision and craftsmanship. Its Elite specification makes it an instrument intended not simply to meet professional requirements, but to give an accomplished player greater control over colour, projection and musical expression.

What makes the Yanagisawa AWO20 different?

The most obvious difference between the AWO20 and brass-bodied Yanagisawa altos is its bronze construction. The body, bow, bell and neck are all made from bronze, giving the instrument a distinctive darker edge and a rich, substantial tonal character. This makes the AWO20 particularly attractive to players who want warmth and depth without sacrificing the clarity and precision associated with Yanagisawa.

The AWO20 also benefits from Yanagisawa's newly engineered WO Series bore and tone-hole design. This contributes to an even, controlled response and precise intonation across the instrument, helping the player move confidently between registers.

The keywork has been carefully refined throughout the WO Series. The redesigned Front F key is intended to improve fingering comfort, while the updated Right Side and Right Pinky keys provide a smoother feel during technical passages. Yanagisawa's C#-Bb and C#-B rocking mechanisms further assist smooth fingering transitions.

Other details demonstrate the level of attention given to the AWO20's mechanical design. Rib-mounted keywork provides a strong foundation for the mechanisms, while adjustable metal bell-key buffers allow precise adjustment of the bell-key openings. Double-arm bell keys are designed to help maintain reliable sealing of the tone holes, supporting consistent response and tonal integrity.

Professional Japanese craftsmanship

Yanagisawa has specialised in saxophone manufacture for generations, developing its reputation through careful engineering, precision keywork and meticulous attention to detail. The AWO20 represents the Elite end of the company's WO Series and combines this Japanese craftsmanship with a carefully developed bronze construction.

The result is an alto saxophone with a distinctive tonal personality and the refined playing characteristics expected from a professional Yanagisawa. The bronze construction gives the AWO20 considerable tonal depth and colour, while the WO Series design provides the response, intonation and mechanical precision needed for demanding performance situations.

For an accomplished saxophonist, the AWO20 offers an instrument capable of supporting detailed tonal shaping across rehearsals, performances, recording sessions and extended practice.

Technical Specifications

• Model: Yanagisawa AWO20
• Key: E♭
• Range: Low B♭ to High F♯
• Body: Bronze
• Bow: Bronze
• Bell: Bronze
• Keys: Brass
• Finish: Lacquered (unlacquered model also available)
• Neck: Detachable bronze neck
• High F♯ key: Yes
• Pads: Waterproof pads
• Keywork: Rib mounted
• Bell keys: Double arm
• Bell-key buffers: Adjustable metal
• Engraving: Hand engraved
• Case: Fabric-covered wood-shell case with outer pocket and backpack straps
• Country of manufacture: Japan

Our verdict

The Yanagisawa AWO20 is an exceptional professional alto saxophone for accomplished players who want the combination of precision, tonal depth and distinctive character that comes from a premium bronze instrument.

Its rich, dark tonal profile, carefully engineered response, precise intonation and highly refined keywork make it a compelling choice for professional musicians, advanced students and serious amateur saxophonists alike.

For players looking for a professional Japanese alto saxophone with a darker and more substantial tonal character than a traditional brass-bodied instrument, the AWO20 is one of the standout choices in Yanagisawa's current range.

At The Wind Section, we'd be delighted to help you compare the AWO20 with other professional alto saxophones and find the instrument that best suits your playing style, repertoire and ambitions.