How Much Do Saxophone Necks Change the Sound?

Yanagisawa, renowned for its commitment to quality and tradition, has recently introduced a new neck design called the Kz neck. We’ll look at the differences between the old and new designs, examining how they play and whether they’re worth considering for your saxophone setup.

Comparing the Yanagisawa WO Neck with the Kz Necks

I started by testing my Yanagisawa WO33 alto saxophone with the original neck. Then, I explored the Kz necks, available in brass, bronze, and solid silver. Each neck fit seamlessly into my instrument without any adjustments, making for a smooth transition.

In each play test, I’m playing the BetterSax Burnin 7 mouthpiece, BetterSax Jazz Cut 2.5 Reeds, and a new ligature from Yanagisawa which is simply called the Yany ligature.

The Sound Difference: Brass, Bronze, and Solid Silver

Throughout the play test, I noted subtle differences in tone and character among the brass, bronze, and solid silver Kz necks. While each had its unique qualities, the variances were nuanced, reflecting Yanagisawa’s consistent craftsmanship. When I first started testing these necks I have to say I was expecting there to be more of a pronounced difference between the old WO model and the new Kz model.

That’s just me though and I should know better because one thing I’ve learned from playing on lots of different Yanagisawa saxophones made over several decades is that there is a lot of consistency there and when they do make changes in a design those changes are usually very subtle. It’s more like making small improvements to what is already an excellent design.

Kz Neck Design Changes

There are several design changes from the WO to the Kz necks. The brace plates on the Kz necks are significantly different than the previous version. The tone ring at the opening of the neck is also different, it is beveled and thinner at the opening, whereas previously it was thicker and a bit more squared off.

What I discovered to be the biggest difference though is something that hasn’t been mentioned anywhere else as far as I know, and that is the length. If we hold these up side by side we can clearly see that the Kz neck is significantly shorter. That shocked me a bit when I first noticed it because one would think that difference in length would have a much more significant impact on how the necks play. However, as far as I can tell though it only really affects how far I need to push my mouthpiece in in order to play in tune.

Choosing the Ideal Neck

Despite the minor differences between brass to bronze to silver, I found each Kz neck enjoyable to play. The brass offered a darker tone, the bronze was lively, and the solid silver struck a balance between darkness and liveliness. Although I would happily play on any of the three, ultimately I opted for the solid silver neck as it was the most balanced and had the most intriguing character of the three.

Is the KZ Neck Worth the Upgrade?

The Kz necks are just like all other Yanagisawa products in that they’re made extremely well and they’re beautiful. For Yanagisawa enthusiasts seeking subtle enhancements to their saxophone’s performance, the Kz necks offer a worthwhile upgrade.

Compared to my WO neck I find the Kz neck to play with less resistance and I attribute this to the tone ring at the very beginning the entrance of the neck. That difference is minor though.

It’s not wildly less resistant but it is enough to make for an interesting change. Combine that with more flexibility in the mouthpiece placement and the Kz neck is a worthwhile upgrade for my Yanagisawa at least.

Quality and Tradition at Yanagisawa

As you may know, I’ve been playing on Yanagisawa saxophones for nearly 20 years now and I’ve always been very impressed with their consistency and quality. After visiting their factory in Tokyo last summer, I have a much more complete understanding of the culture of Yanagisawa. They’re all about tradition and consistently doing one thing to the highest possible standard.

Watch this video next where I tour the Yanagisawa factory in Tokyo Japan and learn why their saxophones are some of the best made anywhere in the world.