Yanagisawa A-990 Alto Saxophone

The Beginning of a Flagship Legacy

The Yanagisawa A-990 marks the beginning of one of the most important chapters in the history of Yanagisawa professional alto saxophones.

As a top-level model from the famous Elimona era, the A-990 represented Yanagisawa's highest level of craftsmanship at the time. It introduced the 99x series, which would later continue with the A-991 and A-992. These instruments became highly respected among players who valued Yanagisawa's precise workmanship, excellent intonation, smooth keywork, and refined professional sound.

The A-990 is particularly interesting because it stands at the beginning of this important series. The later A-991 and A-992 continued its development, each bringing its own character to the 99x family. The series eventually came to an end as Yanagisawa moved forward to its modern WO line, with the WO10 succeeding the 99x professional alto tradition.

For many players, the A-990 represents something special: a top-level Yanagisawa from the Elimona era, carrying the character of an important period in the company's history. It is not simply an older professional saxophone, but the first chapter of a flagship series that would remain respected for many years.

At James Sax Corner, we are pleased to offer Yanagisawa altos from different generations—from the A-900 family and the highly regarded A-901 to the 99x series and its modern successor, the WO10. Exploring these instruments offers a fascinating way to follow the evolution of Yanagisawa's professional alto saxophones.