Scam/Fake? Can it be for real?

[Plateaued Again]

Howdy
I'm a new saxophone player. I started out learning on a loaner King 613. It was on loan from a friend and was showing it's age and probably the results of a life of maltreatment (he got it at a pawn shop as his starter horn). So I was looking for some thing so I could get it back to him before it had a major failure. After watching a video review I bought a Mendini (no joke $200). The Mendini actually turned out to be a decent starter horn and was better than the King.

Fast forward I bought a Jean Paul Academy model 660 alto. Then I took a test drive on a friends YST-62 (purple label) and now I want a tenor sax, a YTS-62 to be more precise. At this stage in my journey I can't quite justify a new gen III so I'm looking at the used market. I've had to stop test driving them at my local shops, last couple of times I barely made it out of there. I'm guessing some of you have been there, hand poised over the phone about to call my credit union to see about a loan against my house...

So I really had to do a double take when I saw what they claim is a brand new, original, Not a copy/knockoff YTS-62 for sale for ~$500 with shipping and taxes on a major online retail site (not amazon or eBay). I don't know if the pictures are really the instrument that they are selling but the engraved name and serial number and Purple label in the picture looks like the real McCoy.

My question to all of the seasoned players and purchasers of saxes here: Is this thing for real or is it a scam? I've bought some other things, not musical instruments, from this outfit in the past and the stuff has been legit so I'm inclined to maybe give it a shot but... If it sounds too good to be true...

Opinions?

Thanks

 

[Ghr9204]

Where does a JTS-710 sit in the mix?

Now that I think about, I was looking at it several weeks ago on Jupiter's website.

My impression is it appears to be like my Vito but updated with adjustable felt bumpers in the bell pad guards for pad height adjustment (for note tuning) and the high F# key.

Sweetwater has it for $4,279.00

A bit out of my budget.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Buying on the Internet is like backing horses, in as much as you should be prepared to lose your stake for the chance of a win.

Steep odds have less chance of success than an odds on favourite but nothing is certain.

It would seem that a sceptical attitude is mandatory but even then a sure thing can fall or be knobbled.

The old addage "A fool and his money are easily parted" applies here.

 

[Ghr9204]

The old addage "A fool and his money are easily parted" applies here.

This old 🌸 parted with $73 and got me a Selmer 1400 clarinet from an EBay 2nd hand store in still playable shape. This ebonite is now out of production, last in stores being sold for $1,300 - $1,400.

So I picked the right horse. 😉

 

[LostCircuits]

I bought all my B&S (two tenors, one Medusa alto) online for very fair prices - no regrets whatsoever but that was years ago.

 

[PigSquealer]

Fourteen Martins and only three I had in-person reviews of. Zero disappointments.
I ask questions first and offer accordingly.

 

[Colin the Bear]

This old 🌸 parted with $73 and got me a Selmer 1400 clarinet from an EBay 2nd hand store in still playable shape. This ebonite is now out of production, last in stores being sold for $1,300 - $1,400.

So I picked the right horse. 😉

Not everything is about you.

 

[Ghr9204]

Not everything is about you.

I'm watching Alice In Wonderland with the grandkids. May explain a lot of things. 😉

 

[Targa]

I'm watching Alice In Wonderland with the grandkids. May explain a lot of things. 😉

Which version?

 

[Ghr9204]

Which version?

The original cartoon version.

 

[PigSquealer]

I'm watching Alice In Wonderland with the grandkids. May explain a lot of things. 😉

When Lewis Carroll wrote Alice in Wonderland. He was probably eating mushrooms bought online by Nostradamus.

 

[PigSquealer]

My impression is it appears to be like my Vito but updated with adjustable felt bumpers in the bell pad guards for pad height adjustment (for note tuning) and the high F# key.

Sweetwater has it for $4,279.00

For that money the Chateau CAS 80 is twice the instrument. Here’s one one sale at a honest dealer for $2,380.00(list $3,272.00).

PM Music Center - Château CAS-80L "Chenoceau" Professional Alto Saxophone - Golden Lacquer

Château CAS-80L "Chenoceau" Professional Alto Saxophone - Golden Lacquer

www.pmmusiccenter.com

Member @lukehuang77 has one I service for him. A 2007 model that stands the test of time. Rock solid and a true pro horn that sounds fantastic.

 

[Ghr9204]

For that money the Chateau CAS 80 is twice the instrument. Here’s one one sale at a honest dealer for $2,380.00(list $3,272.00).

It is not the alto but tenor sax. That music store doesn't have the Chateau, but has:

PM Music Center - Trevor James 38SC-T569B Signature Custom Raw Tenor Saxophone

Trevor James 38SC-T569B Signature Custom Raw Tenor Saxophone

www.pmmusiccenter.com

On Sale For: $3,295.00

Perhaps this one is a better option? It is bare brass waxed, supposed to develop patina.

 

[PigSquealer]

It is not the alto but tenor sax. That music store doesn't have the Chateau, but has:

PM Music Center - Trevor James 38SC-T569B Signature Custom Raw Tenor Saxophone

Trevor James 38SC-T569B Signature Custom Raw Tenor Saxophone

www.pmmusiccenter.com

On Sale For: $3,295.00

Perhaps this one is a better option? It is bare brass waxed, supposed to develop patina.

I don’t know if Chateau makes the TJ tenor.
Chateau does make the Wilmington alto & tenor for Music Medic. $2,996.33

The Wilmington Tenor Saxophone

The Wilmington tenor’s gold lacquered body is accented with a nickel plated bell that gives it a unique look and enhanced resonance. Two necks are included both in gold lacquered finish and nickel plated finish. Your Wilmington Tenor will arrive to you, set-up, play-tested, and adjusted in...

www.musicmedic.com

Chateau sells to many brands. Some are completely different, made to buyer specifications and finished level. Then the retailer finishes the pad work & regulation. For example Kessler could order a %90 finished horn.

 

[Ghr9204]

Those are nice for someone wanting a new pro grade instrument without paying top brand prices.

I bought a new discontinued Antigua Winds low A Bari around 2021, came in a durable luggage grade case with wheels for around $2,200 (am not near my receipts) shipping and tax included. That was only $900 more than the beginner entry level Cecilio Mendini.

It plays as well as the pro models without breaking the bank. It made me a happy camper.

 

[PigSquealer]

Those are nice for someone wanting a new pro grade instrument without paying top brand prices.

I’ve played all models of Chateau S,A,T. ( they didn’t have a Bari in the local warehouse). They are surprisingly good horns. The differences in metals between the models is noticeable. Sound & feel both.

 

[jonf]

I don’t know if Chateau makes the TJ tenor.

Trevor James make the Trevor James saxes. The Signature Custom models are made from parts manufactured in Taiwan, and assembled at Lenham, in Kent, in the South of England.

 

[lukehuang77]

Member @lukehuang77 has one I service for him. A 2007 model that stands the test of time. Rock solid and a true pro horn that sounds fantastic.

And your work is excellent. I’m glad to meet you and get to know you in person, the legendary repair technician 👍👍👍

 

[lukehuang77]

Those are nice for someone wanting a new pro grade instrument without paying top brand prices.

I bought a new discontinued Antigua Winds low A Bari around 2021, came in a durable luggage grade case with wheels for around $2,200 (am not near my receipts) shipping and tax included. That was only $900 more than the beginner entry level Cecilio Mendini.

It plays as well as the pro models without breaking the bank. It made me a happy camper.

Taiwan manufactured (OEM) a lot of saxophones, perhaps more than 1/2 all of the world before the rise of China. Now a day many TW factories moved to Vietnam and Indonesia, the qualities may not be as good as before. Any saxophone comes from Lien Cheng and his disciples’s factories are always good quality. Antigua Winds, Cannonball, P. Mauriat, Jupiter, and many more.

 

[DesertRoads]

Howdy
I'm a new saxophone player. I started out learning on a loaner King 613. It was on loan from a friend and was showing it's age and probably the results of a life of maltreatment (he got it at a pawn shop as his starter horn). So I was looking for some thing so I could get it back to him before it had a major failure. After watching a video review I bought a Mendini (no joke $200). The Mendini actually turned out to be a decent starter horn and was better than the King.

Fast forward I bought a Jean Paul Academy model 660 alto. Then I took a test drive on a friends YST-62 (purple label) and now I want a tenor sax, a YTS-62 to be more precise. At this stage in my journey I can't quite justify a new gen III so I'm looking at the used market. I've had to stop test driving them at my local shops, last couple of times I barely made it out of there. I'm guessing some of you have been there, hand poised over the phone about to call my credit union to see about a loan against my house...

So I really had to do a double take when I saw what they claim is a brand new, original, Not a copy/knockoff YTS-62 for sale for ~$500 with shipping and taxes on a major online retail site (not amazon or eBay). I don't know if the pictures are really the instrument that they are selling but the engraved name and serial number and Purple label in the picture looks like the real McCoy.

My question to all of the seasoned players and purchasers of saxes here: Is this thing for real or is it a scam? I've bought some other things, not musical instruments, from this outfit in the past and the stuff has been legit so I'm inclined to maybe give it a shot but... If it sounds too good to be true...

Opinions?

Thanks

Welcome to the forum! You won’t find a brand new YTS-62 for $500. Like others have said. New in Europe they are $4500 or higher, here in the US they are between $4500 (on sale) to $5500. Give or take.

Look for a pre owned YTS62II. Good quality horn for an affordable price point.

Or even an Allegro line horn (only available in the US). The Allegro series YTS-575AL (now 580) is a higher level intermediate horn with 62 enhancements. I have a YAS575AL made in Japan. I think the newer YTS580AL’s are made in Indonesia. Regardless, they are quality Saxophones that will give you a lot of what you are seeking. Good luck on your search!

 

[turf3]

Howdy
I'm a new saxophone player. I started out learning on a loaner King 613. It was on loan from a friend and was showing it's age and probably the results of a life of maltreatment (he got it at a pawn shop as his starter horn). So I was looking for some thing so I could get it back to him before it had a major failure. After watching a video review I bought a Mendini (no joke $200). The Mendini actually turned out to be a decent starter horn and was better than the King.

Fast forward I bought a Jean Paul Academy model 660 alto. Then I took a test drive on a friends YST-62 (purple label) and now I want a tenor sax, a YTS-62 to be more precise. At this stage in my journey I can't quite justify a new gen III so I'm looking at the used market. I've had to stop test driving them at my local shops, last couple of times I barely made it out of there. I'm guessing some of you have been there, hand poised over the phone about to call my credit union to see about a loan against my house...

So I really had to do a double take when I saw what they claim is a brand new, original, Not a copy/knockoff YTS-62 for sale for ~$500 with shipping and taxes on a major online retail site (not amazon or eBay). I don't know if the pictures are really the instrument that they are selling but the engraved name and serial number and Purple label in the picture looks like the real McCoy.

My question to all of the seasoned players and purchasers of saxes here: Is this thing for real or is it a scam? I've bought some other things, not musical instruments, from this outfit in the past and the stuff has been legit so I'm inclined to maybe give it a shot but... If it sounds too good to be true...

Opinions?

Thanks

OK, so the $500 YTS-62 is either stolen, counterfeit, or a scam. On to finding an actual horn for you. What is your budget? There are thousands and thousands of tenor saxophones out there for sale from $100 to $10,000.