Saxophones Concordia cts-300l

[AJP193]

Hi, everyone.

Due to financial difficulties, I had to sell my tenor a couple of years ago (regretting that, but needs must).

I am now looking for a cheap replacement (by cheap, I mean in the region of £200). I know, you get what you pay for but funds are limited and I just want to be able to play again.

I have been looking at all sorts - some of the agricultural GDR horns, some Amati stencils, TJ etc and have just come across a ‘Concordia cts-300l’ but cannot find any information about this brand online.

Is anyone able to shed some light, please?

Many thanks.

 

[thomsax]

You are an inter/pro player; just play the horn and if it sings well, you might consider to buy it. To buy a low priced sax cand be an alternative. Low price = the sax is more often at the tech or own your desk for service. Higher prices = longer "intervals" between service. It's like cars.

 

[mark_addy]

Hi, everyone.

Due to financial difficulties, I had to sell my tenor a couple of years ago (regretting that, but needs must).

I am now looking for a cheap replacement (by cheap, I mean in the region of £200). I know, you get what you pay for but funds are limited and I just want to be able to play again.

I have been looking at all sorts - some of the agricultural GDR horns, some Amati stencils, TJ etc and have just come across a ‘Concordia cts-300l’ but cannot find any information about this brand online.

Is anyone able to shed some light, please?

Many thanks.

Not your question - but I bought a G4M tenor for my girl, new, so I wouldn't need to be stood behind her with a screwdriver when she played it in school. It works great, and I found a random Selmer C* mouthpiece on ebay which had gone a bit green for 20 quid which works well on it. I rarely play tenor, but if I had to I'd use it without reservation; and a second hand one would fit your budget.

 

[Nick Wyver]

Rupert Noble’s not too far from you in Worthing. He might have something.

 

[mizmar]

You don't give much info.
You said you played tenor, are you looking for tenor or alto? Alto is cheeper.
Did you keep any bits? Reeds, swabs, neck strap...? These can add up significantly against that budget. And reeds are a recurring cost...
What's your level on sax? On music playing?
An experienced player might be able to navigate problems that would trouble a some others and stuff a complete beginner. And beginners might be looking at extra costs for learning materials.
Do you want to play sax specifically or learn music on something? There are cheaper instruments that can provide a very satisfying music playing experience.

 

[AJP193]

You are an inter/pro player; just play the horn and if it sings well, you might consider to buy it. To buy a low priced sax cand be an alternative. Low price = the sax is more often at the tech or own your desk for service. Higher prices = longer "intervals" between service. It's like cars.

Completely get that and thanks for your 2 cents. Appreciate it 👍🏼

 

[AJP193]

Not your question - but I bought a G4M tenor for my girl, new, so I wouldn't need to be stood behind her with a screwdriver when she played it in school. It works great, and I found a random Selmer C* mouthpiece on ebay which had gone a bit green for 20 quid which works well on it. I rarely play tenor, but if I had to I'd use it without reservation; and a second hand one would fit your budget.

Thank you. I’ve seen mixed reviews on these G4M saxes - it seems to be that it’s luck of the drawer as to whether you get your hands on a good one out of the box or not. However, once looked over and adjusted by a tech they are reported to play well. Perhaps I’ll give them another look.

 

[AJP193]

Rupert Noble’s not too far from you in Worthing. He might have something.

Oooh, thanks. I’ll look him up and see what he’s got.

 

[AJP193]

You don't give much info.
You said you played tenor, are you looking for tenor or alto? Alto is cheeper.
Did you keep any bits? Reeds, swabs, neck strap...? These can add up significantly against that budget. And reeds are a recurring cost...
What's your level on sax? On music playing?
An experienced player might be able to navigate problems that would trouble a some others and stuff a complete beginner. And beginners might be looking at extra costs for learning materials.
Do you want to play sax specifically or learn music on something? There are cheaper instruments that can provide a very satisfying music playing experience.

Thanks for your reply.

I am looking for any information on Concordia saxophones, specifically the CTS-300L.

 

[Colin the Bear]

You might get something to do up for £200.

🎷 Thomann TTS-180 Tenor Sax

Tenor Saxophone High F# key, Front F key, Body, neck and mechanism made of brass, Separate adjusting screws for D, E, F, A & B, Adjustable thumb rest made of metal, G# and F# key handle made of solid material, Maintenance-friendly, detachable bell,...

www.thomann.co.uk

 

[turf3]

Thanks for your reply.

I am looking for any information on Concordia saxophones, specifically the CTS-300L.

I don't have any actual information but any saxophone that sells new or newish for L200 is certain to be a bottom-feeder Chinese copy of a Selmer Super Action 80 with the absolute minimum effort put into quality of materials, parts manfacture, and assembly.

For these CCSs (Cheap Chinese Saxophones), the name printed on the thing basically means nothing, unless it's a long standing company that has demonstrated that they exercise QC oversight (as, Selmer, Buffet, Yamaha, Conn-Selmer, Mauriat, etc.) Otherwise it's just the name that they paid 2 quid a horn to have stamped on the thing. The CCS marked "Bill's Transmission Repair and Saxophone Company" might be a pretty good horn and the one marked "H. Felmair Paris Design" might be awful, or the other way round.

Thing is, since they're all basically Selmer SA80 copies, they'll all play pretty well out of the box - but have a look at Stephen Howard's website to see some of the reliabilty issues you could be signing up for. (Or not, depending on how much the distributor that ordered the batch from "People's Export Musical Instrument Factory #21A" chose to pay for QC oversight.) Things like loose fitting pivots stuffed with dental floss, tone holes cracked in the pulling, and repaired with an epoxy patch, pads made out of compressed paper fiber, self-adhesive corks that fall off when it gets hot, rods sized two sizes too small for the key axles, etc., etc., etc.

 

[JayeNM]

Hi, everyone.

Due to financial difficulties, I had to sell my tenor a couple of years ago (regretting that, but needs must).

I am now looking for a cheap replacement (by cheap, I mean in the region of £200). I know, you get what you pay for but funds are limited and I just want to be able to play again.

I have been looking at all sorts - some of the agricultural GDR horns, some Amati stencils, TJ etc and have just come across a ‘Concordia cts-300l’ but cannot find any information about this brand online.

Is anyone able to shed some light, please?

Many thanks.

So you say you have been looking at this and that....

Where ?

Because 200quid.....is so far UNDER what is a realistic price point for a used alto in play condition....

I think at the end of the day...this wouldn't end well. Do any of the candidates you mention claim they are in play condition or your $ back ??

If not, prepare for a few hundred of tech work to get one there. Because that budget is well over 12 years old....

Seems to me you have no real choice other than a cheapo asian "brand"...new or used. I guess a new one would have a return policy at least...and perhaps a used one you can at least wring the owner for info on whether it actually speaks ok. But as Thom mentioned, those bets are off a few months after purchase, likely.

*not to sound unsympathetic...trust me, broooother, I feel ya'. You are trying to make something happen in an illogical economy and very uncertain times, to keep yourself going... which i am quite familiar with. But not sure that price point can succeed...but honestly, best of luck.

 

[PigSquealer]

I am now looking for a cheap replacement (by cheap, I mean in the region of £200). I know, you get what you pay for but funds are limited and I just want to be able to play again.

I have been looking at all sorts - some of the agricultural GDR horns, some Amati stencils, TJ etc and have just come across a ‘Concordia cts-300l’ but cannot find any information about this brand online.

Zero information on net here in US about the Concordia brand.
New, go with the suggestions above.

Second hand. Keep asking around. Someone may have an unwanted horn long put away. FB marketplace. Wallapop or equivalent sales site. Thrift stores, auctions, fleabay or neighborhood site message boards.
You’ll find something worthy with some patience and a bit of luck.

 

[Colin the Bear]

@AJP193

There's a couple of Corton/Lafleur horns on ebay around £200.

40 years old at least and a bit agricultural but they're robust, play in tune and are very easy to do up.

 

[AJP193]

@AJP193

There's a couple of Corton/Lafleur horns on ebay around £200.

40 years old at least and a bit agricultural but they're robust, play in tune and are very easy to do up.

Thank you. They’re either German or Czech, are they not? I’m always weary of getting horns from eBay, unless I’m able to travel to play test them.

 

[JayeNM]

@AJP193

There's a couple of Corton/Lafleur horns on ebay around £200.

40 years old at least and a bit agricultural but they're robust, play in tune and are very easy to do up.

If the sellers do no guarantee they are in play shape, add 200 for servicing, if you are lucky.

Thank you. They’re either German or Czech, are they not? I’m always weary of getting horns from eBay, unless I’m able to travel to play test them.

Again, unless an eFlay horn listing clearly states they are in full play condition or you can return...they will need tech work on your end. IF a listing states that, you are likely safe. Not just eFlay, ANY internet market....
it's too bad we are on opposite sides of the pond...i might have been able to help you out for a bit over 200....

 

[AJP193]

If the sellers do no guarantee they are in play shape, add 200 for servicing, if you are lucky.

Again, unless an eFlay horn listing clearly states they are in full play condition or you can return...they will need tech work on your end. IF a listing states that, you are likely safe. Not just eFlay, ANY internet market....
it's too bad we are on opposite sides of the pond...i might have been able to help you out for a bit over 200....

Much appreciated, thanks for your insight.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Thank you. They’re either German or Czech, are they not? I’m always weary of getting horns from eBay, unless I’m able to travel to play test them.

Czec ones are Corton. German ones are Weltklang and inferior.

Anything you buy used and of a certain age, these are 40 years old, will need, at least, a tweak.

 

[PigSquealer]

@AJP193 what tenor make did you previously own ?

 

[AJP193]

@AJP193 what tenor make did you previously own ?

A 1937 Conn 10M and then, briefly, a YTS23.