In 1964, Yamaha began the research and development process that led to the design and production of all the saxophone models. Three years later, in 1967, the first saxophones to bear the Yamaha logo were brought to market, the alto and tenor models; YAS/YTS-61 and the YAS/YTS-31.

Check your saxophone serial numbers with this chart and find out the year of manufacture for vintage instruments. Is it one of the better vintages?

In 1969, our first baritone sax, the YBS-61 was also launched closely followed by the YAS and YTS-21 in the next year. Yamaha began the full-scale development of Wind instruments in 1963. Employing traditional techniques backed by a scientific approach to manufacture, we have gained an enviable reputation for making some of world's top quality products. Research into the science of acoustics, which started in around 1967, was applied to allow fine-tuning of a saxophone's body architecture. Meanwhile, computer simulation facilitated the accurate positioning of keys and tone-holes to achieve new levels of accuracy in intonation.

Model: YAS-21 Years: 1971(1970)-1979 Key: Eb Auxiliary Keys: N/A Engraving: No Finish: Clear Lacquer Keys: Nickel-Plated Finger Buttons: Plastic Current Model: YAS-23 The Yamaha YAS-21 serials match the Vito YAS-21 serials up until 1980 when the Yamaha YAS-23 is introduced but the Vitos still use YAS-21 parts until 1989 when the Vitos start using YAS-23 parts nearly 10 years after Yamaha introduced the YAS-23. The Vito YAS-23 serial numbers beginning with a 5 like 501000 starting in 1989 do not match the Yamaha YAS-23 serials but the Vito YAS-21 serials from 1970-1980 do match the Yamaha YAS-21 serials. After 1980 the Vito serials don't seem to match. From the Yamaha serial numbers and purchase dates I've seen the Vito serials do match the Yamahas for the YAS-21 up to 1980.

The YAS-21 seems to become the YAS-23 around 1980 and the YAS-23/25 seems to become the YAS-275 around 2000/2001. Vito and Yamaha YAS-21 serials 1970 1 500 1971 501 2155 1972 2156 3529 1973 3530 4421 1974 4422 3 1976 7 1977 7 1978 4 1979 4 1980 5. Vito YAS-21 and YAS-23 serials Model 7131RK 1970 1 500 1971 501 2155 1972 2156 3529 1973 3530 4421 1974 4422 3 1976 7 1977 7 1978 4 1979 4 1980 5 1981 5 1982 6 1983 7 1984 4 1985 5 1986 9 1987 1 1988 8 1989 00 (Sudden Jump into 5XXXXX serials because the Vito YAS-21 changes to YAS-23. The Vito 5XXXXX serial number Altos are YAS-23 models. The YAS-21 has a removable bell, the YAS-23 has a soldered bell-bow connection.) 1990 532 1991 518 1992 500 1993 545 1994 525 1995 597 1996 507 1997 598 1998 513 1999 543 2000 555 2001 567 2002 684 The YAS-23 starts in 1979/1980 and the YAS-21 has a removable bell and the YAS-23 has a soldered bell-bow connection. The Yamaha serial numbers are sequential for each model and only for that particular model.

Each new Yamaha model starts with a new sequential serial number sequence. That means that the YAS-23 sequential serial numbers are not a continuation of the sequential YAS-21 serial numbers. The YAS-23's have big 3-tuning-forks in circle emblem on top, with YAMAHA below and JAPAN below that. Serial numbers begin with a 0? The YAS-23's have a smaller emblem in front of the YAMAHA on the same line, followed by JAPAN on the line below.

Serial numbers starting with a 0 or 1? The YAS-23's have big 3-tuning-forks in circle emblem on top, with YAMAHA below. And Established in 1857 on the bottom. Serial numbers starting with a 1?