Vito saxophones have been made by Vito (Wisconsin), Beaugnier, Leblanc, Yamaha, Jupiter and Yanagisawa. Keep this in mind when attempting to date your instrument. Yamaha: These serial numbers are probably only for the Vito labeled YAS-21/23/25 stencils. However, these serials might apply to all Yamsaha instruments. Input your Serial # to determine whether the piano was made for the US market. (Please enter the entire serial # including letters and leading zeros.) (Note: This is for Acoustic Pianos only- please do not enter a digital piano Serial Number.). The record is much less complete after 1936. Instruments manufactured after 1936 range in serial number from 1350-3600. The log book shows the serial numbers jumping around quite a bit for the Selmer/Adolphe Sax saxophones. Even so, its possible from this record to assemble a basic serial number chart for these instruments.
Since 1887, when it began producing reed organs, the Yamaha Corporation in Japan (then Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.) has grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of a full line of musical instruments, and a leading producer of audio/visual products, semiconductors and other computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances and furniture, specialty metals, machine tools, and industrial robots.
Since Yamaha Music Foundation was established in 1966, it has generated a wide range of music activities throughout global society, including Yamaha music schools, and the Junior Original Concert. Strong commitment to promote and support music education and popularization is one of the most significant elements to distinguish Yamaha from its competitors (reference: http://www.yamaha.com/aboutyamaha.asp).
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DETAILED HISTORY:http://www.yamaha.com/aboutyamaha.asp
CORPORATE WEBSITES:http://www.yamaha.com, http://www.global.yamaha.com, http://www.yamaha.co.jp. Which macbook pro.
Model Notation
Most Yamaha models are in the form of 'YAS-21'. Simple: Yamaha Alto Sax – Model 21'. Below is a little chart, where 'x' means 'a number'.
- 2x = Student model (21, 23, 25). 25 is identical to 23, but it has an altissimo F# key.
- 275 = Student model. Improved version of the 2x models.
- 32 = Intermediate model, virtually identical to 52 model.
- 475 = Intermediate model, updated version of 52 model.
- 52 = Intermediate model.
- 34 = Advanced intermediate model (improved neck).
- 575 = Advanced intermediate model (improved neck and bell).
- 6x = Machine-made professional model (61, 62, 62II).
- 675 = Professional soprano.
- 82 = Custom professional.
- 8×5 = Custom professional (855, 875).
- YAS01M/Q/MQ: A limited edition Indonesian-made model. Student quality.
- AD01 (Advantage): Slightly reworked model 23s for the education market.
Yamaha Saxophone Serial Number List For Johnson Iron Horse
Serial Number Information
I'm sorry; I forgot to include this on my first draft.
Yamaha serial numbers, like Yanagisawa's, are not necessarily sequential. There are also no extant serial number charts, even for dealers. If you want to know when your Yamaha was made, the only completely accurate answer is from Yamaha, themselves. You should be able to contact them through their global website.
However, there is an extant serial number chart for the Vito 7131RK, which is the Vito-stenciled Yamaha YAS-25. This chart can give you some information.
Further, you could look at the Yamaha Parts List, as that does have some serial number ranges listed.
Errata
- I am unaware of any Yamaha sopranino ('Eb soprano', if you prefer) or Bb bass saxophones. They may have had a prototype at one point, but I have never seen one.
- I may include some of the Nippon Gakki instruments if I can find them. They're fairly uncommon, but earlier ones look like copies of various things, really late ones (like this one) are virtually identical to the Yamaha 61 horns and may actually have been built BY Yamaha before Yamaha purchased Nikkan Gakki.I also found this page, which has some shots of the Nikkan Imperial AND an MP3 of it. That's kinda kewl.
- 'Nikkan' was also a name that was used on some early Yanagisawa brasswinds. There doesn't appear to be any connection with these brasswinds and Yamaha.
Linkies
There are a lot of absolutely superb links to Yamaha stuff and there are some great things to be found on the Yamaha websites. I'm going to try to list some of the great linkies, below:
Since 1887, when it began producing reed organs, the Yamaha Corporation in Japan (then Nippon Gakki Co., Ltd.) has grown to become the world's largest manufacturer of a full line of musical instruments, and a leading producer of audio/visual products, semiconductors and other computer related products, sporting goods, home appliances and furniture, specialty metals, machine tools, and industrial robots.
Since Yamaha Music Foundation was established in 1966, it has generated a wide range of music activities throughout global society, including Yamaha music schools, and the Junior Original Concert. Strong commitment to promote and support music education and popularization is one of the most significant elements to distinguish Yamaha from its competitors (reference: http://www.yamaha.com/aboutyamaha.asp).
|
DETAILED HISTORY:http://www.yamaha.com/aboutyamaha.asp
CORPORATE WEBSITES:http://www.yamaha.com, http://www.global.yamaha.com, http://www.yamaha.co.jp. Which macbook pro.
Model Notation
Most Yamaha models are in the form of 'YAS-21'. Simple: Yamaha Alto Sax – Model 21'. Below is a little chart, where 'x' means 'a number'.
- 2x = Student model (21, 23, 25). 25 is identical to 23, but it has an altissimo F# key.
- 275 = Student model. Improved version of the 2x models.
- 32 = Intermediate model, virtually identical to 52 model.
- 475 = Intermediate model, updated version of 52 model.
- 52 = Intermediate model.
- 34 = Advanced intermediate model (improved neck).
- 575 = Advanced intermediate model (improved neck and bell).
- 6x = Machine-made professional model (61, 62, 62II).
- 675 = Professional soprano.
- 82 = Custom professional.
- 8×5 = Custom professional (855, 875).
- YAS01M/Q/MQ: A limited edition Indonesian-made model. Student quality.
- AD01 (Advantage): Slightly reworked model 23s for the education market.
Yamaha Saxophone Serial Number List For Johnson Iron Horse
Serial Number Information
I'm sorry; I forgot to include this on my first draft.
Yamaha serial numbers, like Yanagisawa's, are not necessarily sequential. There are also no extant serial number charts, even for dealers. If you want to know when your Yamaha was made, the only completely accurate answer is from Yamaha, themselves. You should be able to contact them through their global website.
However, there is an extant serial number chart for the Vito 7131RK, which is the Vito-stenciled Yamaha YAS-25. This chart can give you some information.
Further, you could look at the Yamaha Parts List, as that does have some serial number ranges listed.
Errata
- I am unaware of any Yamaha sopranino ('Eb soprano', if you prefer) or Bb bass saxophones. They may have had a prototype at one point, but I have never seen one.
- I may include some of the Nippon Gakki instruments if I can find them. They're fairly uncommon, but earlier ones look like copies of various things, really late ones (like this one) are virtually identical to the Yamaha 61 horns and may actually have been built BY Yamaha before Yamaha purchased Nikkan Gakki.I also found this page, which has some shots of the Nikkan Imperial AND an MP3 of it. That's kinda kewl.
- 'Nikkan' was also a name that was used on some early Yanagisawa brasswinds. There doesn't appear to be any connection with these brasswinds and Yamaha.
Linkies
There are a lot of absolutely superb links to Yamaha stuff and there are some great things to be found on the Yamaha websites. I'm going to try to list some of the great linkies, below:
Cannonball Saxophone Serial Number Lookup
Added info about Yamaha's blog and a link to my Nikkan pics on July 21, 2010.
Serial numbers can be found in a variety of places on different instruments. Please use the images below to help locate the serial number on your instrument.