
( Brand: Schagerl Academia Serie ), ( Manufacturer Part Number: A-900L ), ( Instrument: Saxophone ), ( Type: Alto Saxophone ), ( Bore Size: Medium ), ( Body Material: Brass ), ( Color: Gold ), ( Set Includes: Care Kit, Case, Mouthpiece ), ( Experience Level: Advanced, Beginner ), ( Country/region Of Manufacture: Taiwan ), ( Finish: Lacquered ), ( Key: Eb )
The Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better is an exquisite instrument that showcases the craftsmanship and innovation of the renowned Austrian manufacturer, Schagerl. This Yas 23 model, specifically designed for professional musicians, is an upgrade from the standard A-900L, offering enhanced features and performance capabilities.
The Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better boasts a hand-crafted, one-piece bell made of top-quality yellow brass. The bell's unique design, inspired by the shape of a conch shell, ensures a rich and full sound with excellent projection. The bell's flare and the hand-hammered, seamless construction contribute to a focused and powerful tone.
The saxophone features a key mechanism made of nickel-silver, known for its strength and durability. The keys are nicely balanced, ensuring a smooth and efficient operation, reducing finger fatigue during extended playing sessions. The octave key mechanism is a particularly noteworthy feature, providing a quick and effortless response.
The Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better features a high F# key, which is an essential feature for saxophonists who play advanced repertoires. This key allows for greater flexibility and range, enabling musicians to explore a wider variety of musical styles.
The saxophone's neck is made of Grenadilla wood, a material known for its warmth and resonance. The neck is also hand-shaped, ensuring a comfortable fit for the player's embouchure, leading to a more consistent and stable sound.
The Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better comes with a hard shell case, providing excellent protection during transportation. The case is equipped with a comfortable backpack strap and multiple compartments for storage, making it easy to carry and organize your accessories.
In conclusion, the Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better is an exceptional instrument for professional saxophonists. Its unique design, high-quality materials, and advanced features make it a reliable and versatile instrument suitable for various musical styles. Whether in a concert hall, recording studio, or jazz club, the Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone YAS 23 Better is sure to impress and inspire.
Pros of Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone:1. High-quality materials: The Schagerl Academia A-900L is made of premium materials such as nickel-silver keys, gold-plated key mechanisms, and a hand-engraved bell. These materials contribute to the instrument's durability and rich sound.
2. Excellent craftsmanship: Schagerl is known for its attention to detail and high-quality craftsmanship. The A-900L model is no exception, featuring precise intonation, even tone, and easy playability.
3. Ergonomic design: The saxophone is designed with the player's comfort in mind, featuring a lightweight body, adjustable thumb rest, and a comfortable neck strap.
4. Customizable options: Schagerl offers customizable options for the A-900L model, including different finishes, engraving patterns, and neck options.
Cons of Schagerl Academia A-900L Saxophone:1. High price point: The Schagerl Academia A-900L is a high-end saxophone, and its price tag may be out of reach for some potential buyers.
2. Limited availability: Schagerl saxophones are not as widely available as some other brands, which may make it harder for some players to test out the instrument before purchasing.
3. Potential need for maintenance: High-end saxophones require regular maintenance to keep them in good working order. This may add to the overall cost of ownership.
Conclusion:The Schagerl Academia A-900L is a high-quality saxophone that offers excellent craftsmanship, durable materials, and a comfortable design. While its high price point and limited availability may be drawbacks for some potential buyers, the instrument's rich sound and exceptional playability make it a worthwhile investment for serious saxophonists.
Recommendation:If you are a serious saxophonist with a budget for a high-end instrument, the Schagerl Academia A-900L is definitely worth considering. Its premium materials, excellent craftsmanship, and customizable options make it a standout choice in the saxophone market. However, if the price point is too high or you prefer to test out the instrument before purchasing, you may want to consider other high-quality saxophones from brands such as Yanagisawa, Selmer, or Keilwerth.
I found most silencing materials corks and felts in good order replaced what was not needed to be. Someone put in some thought and designed it so would be easy to maintained for technicians players alike. Most all mechanical connections were astonishingly good for a 'student saxophone. Hint!, I found most all of the pads in good to very condition.
I found the spring action set very strong. These were all the palm keys, and high F# key of course low C Low Eb. Comes with a nice neck strap and yes it comes Branden cleaning swap that I added. I used a modern Meyers Medium Chamber mouthpiece and the intonation was perfect.
I also found the Body to Neck connection slightly leaking which explained a lot of bad response combined with pads. I deal with a lot of vintage horns so enjoy not having to the quirks that come these old. I have done this with numerous saxophones including dozens of Yamaha YAS 23 Student Saxophones. None of the rods or pivot screws were found to be 'stuck' 'rusty.
After and while taking this horn fully apart I learned to appreciate its many features one usually finds only on PRO horns that were incorporated in design. Nearly no scratches, a very nice engraving, little damage to the lacquer. I highly recommend to invest in a decent mouthpiece give yourself, your student or son daughter good start. Even plays easily in elitism range.
So I opted to not replace them all but replaced only those that were shot and made the saxophone unplayable. Responds in all registers with ease. So I fully disassembled it. The keys are sturdy and the body tube has some decent 'mass' to it.
SCHAGERL ACADEMIA ALTO SAXOPHONE model A900L, I purchased this instrument used with the intention to restore it like new condition and resell. Overall I was impressed on how much finesse actually put in this horn. It also was very dirty because so it seems the prior owner didn't know that one is to clean an instrument after using. I cleaned all the rods, pivot screws and applied MUSIC MEDIC synthetic oil on moving parts giving it a complete new lease life with full 'oil change.
The saxophone comes with a very nice original back pack case that is clean and smell free. This one might play just right for you out of the box. With all the work I put into it as described above you are getting a very well set up horn that qualifies more like an intermediate but 'beginners. When I finally had it back together and played was of course a totally different experience.
Because I flattened all the tone holes had to reflate and adjust most of pads a little. Now I know that many well made instruments are at these Taiwan Factories. They are certainly NOT 'just another no name horn' but they something more upscale. I photographed some of these more remarkable and surprising design elements.
And lo and behold found a very decent looking gold lacquered saxophone. A good mouthpiece is so important. The case has two handles so you can carry it vertically and horizontally. All non optimum damaged areas are pictured.
The only compromise you would have to make is give up the prestige of being able say that 'I am playing a Yamaha. But this particular model is not 'made in Austria' but Taiwan' albeit stamped on the actual instrument. This confirmed that this horn was actually built at a 'high end factory' knew something about 'quality control' because most 'no name saxophones' out of east Asia have sloppy keyword as 'feature' is dead give - away all else to be just shitty. Factory standards can't ever be as high a meticulously custom worked over saxophone like this.
Coupled with the relatively good cosmetic condition makes this horn a really deal. Light or harder action is actually much a personal preference and the spring tension used comparable to any Yamaha YAS 23 student horn. I enjoy passing on my products to players and frankly never had a single complaint in all these years. What is its sound like?, Well it isn't a Vintage Delmer nor Pre-war Conn.
Shockingly good actually. So I flatted them all to perfect flat. I also noted that the material used was not 'cheapo. Comes with a 'stock plastic mouth piece, ligature and cap.
You can whisper or roar in any range and the response is even throughout. I am asking for a fair price considering all the work put into it. The response is perfect. These horns are sold mostly in Europe.
Not to my taste but readjusting the light nimble action I personally like. This instrument peeked my interest because there is little known about it and was coming out of Austria by a very reputable high end brass manufacturer so I expected to be something above the normal. I want this saxophone to be cleaned in the future. I fixed this body to neck connection making it seal perfectly without having 'clamp the screw.
I also played it with my large chamber vintage mouthpiece and did very well that as. It also comes with the original lacquer cleaning cloth that shows 'no signs of use. I removed all the accumulated spit and grime an dust from body keys etc. I checked all the tone holes for flatness and as to be expected a student horn mass produced they were not perfectly flat.
Not so this particular horn. But again from a couple feet away this saxophone now 'looks like new' cosmetically speaking and is 9 out of 10 in regard. I checked the body tube and it was straight. All zippers for the various compartments work flawlessly.
A few minor corrections needed in tightening up the key work but again nothing major. When I received it was barely in a playing condition.