Saxophones Beginner buying a Saxophone

Gordon

New Member
2
Hello,

I started to learn to play about 12, a friend of my brother taught me, he moved away and my parents couldn't afford for me to get lessons or anything. So 9 years on now, I'd like to get started.

A friend knows someone who is selling a Tenor sax, Earlham (creston) ETS 335, He's had it years, it works fine, comes with mouthpiece, case, strap, reeds and some other things. Apart from scratches everything is fine with it, he said he'll sell it to me for £350.

My questions are, is it a good Saxophone, will it be good for a beginner, is the price reasonable and is there anything you could tell me about the sax?

Also if it isn't a good buy for me, what would you recommend?

Thank you 🙂

Gordon
 
Just done a 5 minute search on the web (didn't do e......bay).
Saw one new for £459 and one used example for £250 asking price.
Can't vouch for the condition or that of the one you've been offered but I'd tend to agree with Kev on this.
 
Hello Gordon, Got to agree with Kev, this seems a bit expensive, also when you move on to something better the Earlham won't be worth a carrot, if you can find a good Yamaha 23 you'll get the best of both worlds, quality, and you'll get your wedge back when you move up. all the best to you anyway and good luck Glyn
 
Hi Gordon!

If Steve Howard (famous sax repairer and reviewer/tester of saxes, were on here he would certainly advise against an Earlham - low quality sax. Recommendations would include the Gear4Music Saxes (often less than £300 new) - I am looking at getting one as a back-up horn. Others include John Packer, Bauhaus Walstein, Hanson, Elkhart and Trevor James. You should get a very decent student sax for around £300 - £400. I'll have a look online and see what there is!

Kind Regard
Tom
 
Hi

I had an Earlham alto for a while at one point. It was pretty average. If the one you've been offered is in excellent shape it might be OK, but I'd say £200 tops for one of these. Even then I don't think it would be my preferred option.
 
Oh right, i'm surprised as i came across articles on the internet, they put Earlham next to Jupiter and Trevor James in recommendations for good makes for beginner - intermediate. Are they wrong?

It might be that they'Ve improved, but that won't necessarily apply to an older one.
 
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Oh right, i'm surprised as i came across articles on the internet, they put Earlham next to Jupiter and Trevor James in recommendations for good makes for beginner - intermediate. Are they wrong


Pathway might be, it depends whether they are reliable independent reviews, ie not from sellers.

Can you show us the articles?
 
Pathway might be, it depends whether they are reliable independent reviews, ie not from sellers.

Can you show us the articles?

Here are two, they're buyers guides. They don't go into detail about the brands, just list them as reliable brands.

http://www.sax.co.uk/cheap.htm

What can you do to avoid getting caught? Ask where the sax is made not where it comes from as these saxes usually arrive through European or American importers. Taiwan is generally fine as they've been making good student saxes for decades such as the Earlham, Trevor James, Elkhart, Jupiter 700 etc. The Jupiter 500 Series is made in China and along with the Sakkusu, Bauhaus, Prelude & the Evette are some of the Chinese made saxes that (so far) we've found acceptable. Buy a sax with an established reputation, no-one was ever disappointed with a Yamaha! Buy from someone you trust or if in doubt get an opinion from a sax player or teacher.

Saxophone Buying Advice and Guide for Beginners

[h=4]Intermediate Saxophones[/h]
For the last few years these are makes such as Jupiter, Trevor James, Earlham etc. and are aimed at the student market. Until recently these were a good way for a beginner to start without the expense of a pro saxophone or the risk of a secondhand or vintage instrument. These would generally cost about half the price of a professional saxophone. That's not to say they only sound half as good - some of them sound as good. The saving in price is usually reflected by a not quite so rugged build quality and a more utilitarian finish. Many are made in Taiwan, which could be a saving for manufacturers compared with Germany, France or Japan, though a being made in Taiwan in itself does not mean the quality is any worse, in fact most Taiwanese instruments are extremely well made. More recently there have been some newer models from Taiwan including P.Mauriat, Cannonball and Bauhaus Walstein (the M2 as opposed to their cheaper Boronze series), which would definitely give any so called professional saxophone a run for it's money.

I quoted where it lists the brand with others, in case you find it hard to find.

Gordon
 
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