Saxophones Can we talk about GAS?

I still haven't decided 😱
That can be healthy. When spending a good bit of quid for the right horn, one can take their time, narrow down the choices, then when the right opportunity within one's budget appears, can acquire the right one.

And, there is more than just the horn itself. That is selecting the right mouthpiece-reed combination that really brings out the best of the horn and player, the glue between the human-machine interface. That may also extend the playability of the existing, helping to buy more time for the next step up.
 
I would comment on the sound and ergos of various horns but I don’t know how that would help Lydia. Has there been a discussion of what music Lydia likes to play, tone preferences, or hand size? I see lots of recommendations but they tend to be personal preferences rather than answering Lydia’s needs or wants.

I agree with your perspective, Pete, but if Lydia has no personal experience with what we are talking about, the utility is greatly diminished. It reminds me of someone in the guitar shop telling a blind person that the screwdriver she needed was in the red toolbox. True story.
But that’s why I think anyone should go and hold, put air down different instruments. At least that is an experience then.
Lydia, why limit yourself to Yamaha? If you prefer Yams after trying several other makes you’re still at liberty to buy elsewhere.
 
Visiting Yamaha, yes, but shopping, except having a drink and a doriyaki, no.

img_1165-webp.28774
I'd like to bite into that Yamaha! 😉
 
But that’s why I think anyone should go and hold, put air down different instruments. At least that is an experience then.
Lydia, why limit yourself to Yamaha? If you prefer Yams after trying several other makes you’re still at liberty to buy elsewhere.
Mmmm, ube, please.

@Mix O Lydian At least try some Yanagisawas while you’re out and about. Seriously. The first thing that I pay attention to while checking out new horns is how they lay under my hands. The next thing is tone. That is often as far as I get with many horns. After that tho’, I check response and scale, then see whether I can push the horn where I want to go. Then it is time to weigh the results to judge the compromises and whether the weaknesses are inherent to the horn or can be compensated with choice of mouthpiece and action adjustments.

For your first forever horn, give your attention to the first couple steps.

Enjoy the path.
 
Probably tastes bland
There's a friend of the family that can't handle anything spicier than a bell pepper. Took a bite of some salad, didn't realise it had some finely diced habanero's in it (Mexican dish), sprang from the table at lunch to rinse her mouth out. (I thought it was just fine.)

My latest GAS, a Mendini.

2025-01-28-mendini-saxof%C3%B3n-niquel-negro2-webp.28142



Post edit comment. When I get an opportunity to test it out, will give a report. I saw one website,
The article refers to it as a good starter sax, here is a quote from them:
SaxHQ said:
If you’re just trying out saxophones and you’re not sure whether you’ll be continuing a life-long journey of sax-playing, the Mendini alto would be an excellent place to start. Although it’s not a well-established name and is made in China, it still provides enough reliability in terms of sound quality and playability. This can be attributed to the fact that its intonation in mid-register tones is excellent, and that’s the register that beginners usually play.

While it won’t give you pro-level sound on its own, it could go a long way with the right accessories like a proper mouthpiece combined with one of the best alto sax reeds. Plus, the large bore it has makes it easy to get a full-bodied sound, even if you aren’t a well-seasoned saxophonist.
I was a bit hasty to post it in humour mockingly, my apologies, such an approach is wrong. Reality requires one to do their own evaluation of it.

When I get a chance, will post my impressions of it.

This past Monday evening community band practise, I noticed the alto player next to me playing a Glory alto. I asked him what he thought of it. He is satisfied with it, and he is a decent alto player.

So hopefully, this forum can be a sounding board to give realistic impressions to those seeking for a sax that will meet their needs and be happy with, within their budgetary means.
 
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Lookin great.
You might want to oil the horn's keywork.
Take it to a Tech if necessary, for a,
while you wait appointment.

My old but minty, MKVI, will get taken apart, and keywork cleaned and fresh oil, before I start using it again.
When I recently, worked on the octave key mech, I found the oil dark. Cleaned, oiled and put it back together.
It got oiled, carefully over the years.
Not often played, but dirty oil is not good.
The Flutes, cleaned and oiled more often.
 
So this happened.... Silver YAS 62. In near mint condition. Bought locally on eBay from a lovely man today. (£1600). I call it serendipity because I was due to go to the Yamaha store in London tomorrow. So I've saved myself £1000! And I've met a new saxophone friend .
View attachment 28779
Congratulations and may you have many happy tunes together!
 
So this happened.... Silver YAS 62. In near mint condition. Bought locally on eBay from a lovely man today. (£1600). I call it serendipity because I was due to go to the Yamaha store in London tomorrow. So I've saved myself £1000! And I've met a new saxophone friend .
View attachment 28779
That looks extremely nice. Congratulations, I'm sure you'll love it.
 
I see they included the original cork grease that comes with Yamaha saxophones... does anyone even use those? I've never touched mine 😀
It's there to be used, I am not so humble to pass them up. 😉 (Cork grease does age, rendering replacement a must. BTDT.) 😱Of course due to sometimes greater cost, I'll opt for the lesser expensive brands. Last purchase interestingly was several sticks of Le Blanc (on sale) for my SATB's running low.

At times having run out of grease or forgot to put the grease back in my case, I have wetted the sax mouthpiece cork with saliva to make the mouthpiece slide on easier. However, continued neglect can lead to a separated or split cork (BTDT) leading to replacement or regluing, not a good thing due to my laziness. 😛
Thanks it was serviced and checked in September 2024 but I will get it done in a couple of months time
IMO this is wise. Once you get a chance to "wring it out", can let the tech know your concerns, so they have additional clues on what else to look at, which can be missed especially with any borderline issues that might be missed during a checkout.
 

Similar threads... or are they? Maybe not but they could be worth reading anyway 😀

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