{"product_id":"yanagisawa-awo1-alto-saxophone","title":"Yanagisawa AWO1 Alto Saxophone","description":"\u003ch2\u003eA professional alto saxophone with exceptional response, precision and tonal control\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe \u003cstrong\u003eYanagisawa AWO1 Alto Saxophone\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eConstructed 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhy we recommend the Yanagisawa AWO1\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRich, focused tonal character with excellent projection and control.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessional Japanese craftsmanship from one of the world's leading specialist saxophone makers.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRe-engineered WO Series bore and tone holes for a smooth response and precise intonation.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eErgonomically refined keywork designed for fast, comfortable fingering.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRedesigned Front F, Right Side and Right Pinky keys for improved playing comfort.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFluororesin-coated octave mechanism for smooth, reliable octave-key action.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdjustable metal bell-key buffers for precise regulation and long-term reliability.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWaterproof pads designed to provide an airtight seal and consistent response.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eSupplied with an ebonite mouthpiece, ligature, mouthpiece cap and protective case.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWho is this saxophone best suited to?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe Yanagisawa AWO1 is an excellent choice for:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAdvanced students looking to progress onto a professional saxophone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eConservatoire and music college students.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExperienced amateur saxophonists.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProfessional musicians looking for a reliable and highly responsive alto.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlayers upgrading from a student or intermediate saxophone.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eClassical, jazz, ensemble and solo players looking for an instrument with exceptional versatility.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eAlthough 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur experience\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eYanagisawa 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\"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.\"\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGemma Proudfoot - Sales Manager, The Wind Section\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eGemma 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eWhat makes the Yanagisawa AWO1 different?\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eAnother 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eProfessional Japanese craftsmanship\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eYanagisawa 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eTechnical Specifications\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eModel: Yanagisawa AWO1\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKey: E♭\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eRange: Low B♭ to High F♯\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBody: Brass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBow: Brass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBell: Brass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeys: Brass\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFinish: Lacquered (unlacquered model also available)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck: Detachable brass neck\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eNeck design: Overslung octave mechanism\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMouthpiece: Yanagisawa ebonite mouthpiece\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLigature: Yany ligature\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePads: Waterproof pads\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eEngraving: Hand engraved\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCase: Fabric-covered wood-shell case with outer pocket and backpack straps\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHigh F♯ key: Yes\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCountry of manufacture: Japan\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch2\u003eOur verdict\u003c\/h2\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eThe Yanagisawa AWO1 is an outstanding professional alto saxophone for players who want precision, consistency and an instrument that can grow with them.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eIts 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"isSelectedEnd\"\u003eFor 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt 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.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Yanagisawa","offers":[{"title":"Unlacquered","offer_id":40360534769853,"sku":"AWO1U","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"Lacquer","offer_id":40360534802621,"sku":"AWO1","price":2750.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0590\/5091\/8077\/products\/Yanagisawa-AW01.jpg?v=1627838122","url":"https:\/\/www.thewindsection.com\/products\/yanagisawa-awo1-alto-saxophone","provider":"The Wind Section","version":"1.0","type":"link"}