Yanagisawa AWO1 Alto Saxophone

A professional alto saxophone with exceptional response, precision and tonal control

The Yanagisawa AWO1 Alto Saxophone is a professional-level instrument designed for players who demand excellent response, accurate intonation and a beautifully balanced sound. Made in Japan by Yanagisawa, one of the world's most respected specialist saxophone makers, the AWO1 combines traditional craftsmanship with the refined engineering of the modern WO series.

Constructed from brass and finished in clear lacquer, the AWO1 offers a strong, focused tonal core with an easy, responsive feel. Its redesigned bore and tone holes, refined keywork and carefully engineered mechanisms make it equally compelling for advanced students, serious amateur players and professional saxophonists.

The AWO1 is the successor to Yanagisawa's highly regarded A901 and brings a number of significant developments to this established professional design. From the smooth octave mechanism to the redesigned Front F and Right Pinky keys, every aspect of the instrument has been developed with playability, reliability and precision in mind.

Why we recommend the Yanagisawa AWO1

• Rich, focused tonal character with excellent projection and control.
• Professional Japanese craftsmanship from one of the world's leading specialist saxophone makers.
• Re-engineered WO Series bore and tone holes for a smooth response and precise intonation.
• Ergonomically refined keywork designed for fast, comfortable fingering.
• Redesigned Front F, Right Side and Right Pinky keys for improved playing comfort.
• Fluororesin-coated octave mechanism for smooth, reliable octave-key action.
• Adjustable metal bell-key buffers for precise regulation and long-term reliability.
• Waterproof pads designed to provide an airtight seal and consistent response.
• Supplied with an ebonite mouthpiece, ligature, mouthpiece cap and protective case.

Who is this saxophone best suited to?

The Yanagisawa AWO1 is an excellent choice for:

• Advanced students looking to progress onto a professional saxophone.
• Conservatoire and music college students.
• Experienced amateur saxophonists.
• Professional musicians looking for a reliable and highly responsive alto.
• Players upgrading from a student or intermediate saxophone.
• Classical, jazz, ensemble and solo players looking for an instrument with exceptional versatility.

Although the AWO1 is Yanagisawa's entry point into its professional WO Series, it is far more than simply a step-up instrument. Its combination of an easy response, precise keywork and strong tonal core makes it an instrument that can comfortably support a player from advanced study through to professional performance.

Our experience

At The Wind Section, we've spent decades helping saxophonists find instruments that match their playing style, experience and ambitions. Professional saxophone selection is particularly personal: factors such as resistance, response, intonation, ergonomics and tonal character can make a significant difference to how confidently a player performs.

Yanagisawa has earned an exceptional reputation among serious saxophonists because of its attention to mechanical precision and consistency. The AWO1 is a particularly impressive example of this approach, offering many of the qualities players look for in a professional instrument while retaining a comfortable, accessible response.

The WO Series also demonstrates Yanagisawa's commitment to continually refining its instruments rather than simply relying on an established design. The AWO1 incorporates redesigned key mechanisms, an updated bore and tone-hole design and other details intended to improve both playing feel and reliability.

"The Yanagisawa AWO1 is one of those saxophones that immediately gives you confidence as a player. It has the precision and build quality you'd expect from a professional Yanagisawa, but it remains incredibly comfortable and responsive to play. For someone looking to invest in a professional alto that they can develop with for many years, it's a fantastic choice."

Gemma Proudfoot - Sales Manager, The Wind Section

Gemma has been helping customers choose brass and woodwind instruments at The Wind Section since 2006. With a music degree and many years of experience advising players of all ages and abilities, she works closely with musicians, teachers and families to help them find instruments suited to their playing level, musical ambitions and budget.

What makes the Yanagisawa AWO1 different?

The AWO1 benefits from Yanagisawa's newly engineered WO Series bore and tone-hole design. This contributes to a smooth blowing response and precise intonation across the instrument, helping players move confidently between registers.

The keywork has also been carefully refined. The redesigned Front F key is intended to make fingering more comfortable, while the updated Right Pinky and Right Side keys provide a smoother feel during technical passages. Yanagisawa's C#-Bb rocking linkage further improves the speed and fluidity of fingering between these notes.

Another distinctive feature is the fluororesin-coated octave mechanism. By reducing friction at the octave rocker, Yanagisawa helps maintain smooth and dependable octave-key movement over time. The AWO1 also uses waterproof pads and adjustable metal bell-key buffers to support consistent sealing, response and regulation.

Professional Japanese craftsmanship

Yanagisawa has specialised in saxophone production for generations, developing a reputation for precision manufacturing and carefully controlled keywork. The AWO1 is produced as part of the company's professional WO Series and combines this craftsmanship with a practical brass construction and lacquered finish.

The result is an alto saxophone that feels refined without being overly demanding. It has the tonal focus and mechanical precision expected from a professional instrument, while its responsive design makes it enjoyable to play for extended practice sessions, rehearsals and performances.

Technical Specifications

• Model: Yanagisawa AWO1
  
• Key: E♭
• Range: Low B♭ to High F♯
• Body: Brass
• Bow: Brass
• Bell: Brass
• Keys: Brass
• Finish: Gold lacquer / clear lacquered finish
• Neck: Detachable brass neck
• Neck design: Overslung octave mechanism
• Mouthpiece: Yanagisawa ebonite mouthpiece
• Ligature: Yany ligature
• Pads: Waterproof pads
• Engraving: Hand engraved
• Case: Fabric-covered wood-shell case with outer pocket and backpack straps
• High F♯ key: Yes
• Country of manufacture: Japan

Our verdict

The Yanagisawa AWO1 is an outstanding professional alto saxophone for players who want precision, consistency and an instrument that can grow with them.

Its combination of a strong, focused sound, smooth response, accurate intonation and exceptionally refined keywork makes it a compelling choice for advanced students, serious amateurs and professional musicians alike.

For players looking for a professional Japanese alto saxophone that offers excellent craftsmanship without demanding an overly specialised playing approach, the Yanagisawa AWO1 is one of the strongest instruments in its class.

At The Wind Section, we'd be delighted to help you compare the AWO1 with other professional alto saxophones and find the instrument that best suits your playing style, repertoire and ambitions.