Ed: You know I am no Yamaha fan . . . yet, I acknowledge they make a very nice instrument. I really wanted to like them, even owned two. But in the end, they just don't do it for me. For sure it is a very subtle disappointment - I'm sure many others wouldn't blink an eye over the things that I didn't like. And to define what I didn't like would be almost impossible. It is what I LIKED about other saxophones more than failures of Yamahas.
In a certain way, this was corroborated (to my own satisfaction) at this year's NAMM. Their saxophone display was - how should I put this - pathetic compared to all the others. Their clarinet display was more user friendly. And, after dragging out a few Yamaha saxophones from their display, they weren't worth the effort. I realy wanted to test them and give them a fair shake (in my mind). Not possible.
If someone loves Yamahas, more power to them.
About the Kenny G sopranos, I'm planning on e-mailing Rheuben Allen sometime soon - I have his card on my desk - I just haven't gotten around to it. From what I understand, that model has not been distributed yet but I could be wrong. I look forward to seeing them in the market place. DAVE