Saxophones Chinese Sops from Gear4music Soprano Saxophone Review

[I've split these posts out of the G4M sop review - Kev]

It's a soprano discussion so, as normal, I shall shout the corner of the older Fortissimo and the new Roy Benson sops.

 

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I don`t know anyone who's used straight models in either .. you can`t automatically assume that they`re good because the curved ones are ........

The Fortissimo straights I`ve seen have been generics very much like the Venus and the G4M here (which is the actual discussion point) ..

 

[ProfJames]

OK................let me correct myself...........................curved ones!!! The actual discussion point is a review by yourself regarding cheap soprano saxophones so I joined in with two more which I have found to be superb. Curved ones of course.

 

[Jeanette]

I don`t know anyone who's used straight models in either .. you can`t automatically assume that they`re good because the curved ones are ........

The Fortissimo straights I`ve seen have been generics very much like the Venus and the G4M here (which is the actual discussion point) ..

I had a straight fortissimo, it played ok one of the "pearls" fell off during my short period of rental.

Jx

 

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Yikes they don`t rent these things do they ? . I hope they get a tech over It before sending it out ! .. I`d have my doubt that they`d make much from renting them - say at £15-£20 a month (guessed on that Saxhire rent a proper Taiwan TJ revolution at £29) they`d have to rent it out for over a year to get their money back the horn cost, I`d imagine it`d be pretty knackered after intense lessons + possible band use etc by then . probably why most rent TJs .

 

[Jeanette]

Yikes they don`t rent these things do they ? . I hope they get a tech over It before sending it out ! .. I`d have my doubt that they`d make much from renting them - say at £15 a month they`d have to rent it out for over a year to get their money back the horn cost, I`d imagine it`d be pretty knackered after intense lessons + possible band use etc by then . probably why most rent TJs .

Long story, rented from my tutor who recommended it and offered to sell it to me after the rental period for double what I could have bought it online. Naturally this only came to light after I had started taking lessons and signed the rental agreement.

I just trusted the guy and shouldn't have. Needless to say horn went back after rental period but my lessons with him ceased well before then.

Jx

 

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You`d think that a music tutor wouldn`t tie anyone to small print . how much was it a month and what could he have done if you`d stopped the payments and handed the horn back ? .

 

[Jeanette]

You`d think that a music tutor wouldn`t tie anyone to small print . how much was it a month and what could he have done if you`d stopped the payments and handed the horn back ? .

In the past now but for anyone interested in fortissimo there is a thread here with an interesting quote from an email I received re fortissimo

Jx

 

[DavidUK]

My recommendation is still a used Taiwanese made Elkhart (300 or Deluxe) or other Taiwanese made sop such as a TJ Revolution for around the £250 mark but they`re getting thinner and thinner on the ground .

Spotted a clone, very similar to my old 300, yesterday for £60. Was tempted but I didn't recognise the "H" logo on the bell so left it alone. Gone now. There are many which match the 300, such as this one: http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/151424670534?_trksid=p2055119.m1438.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT
The most expensive at around £1300, but still very similar.

 

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Different design - the all three bell guard is different and they`re Chinese not Taiwan, the build is like the G4M sop I got Linz from the pics, the 300C is far nicer

 

[DavidUK]

Spotted cheap Roy Benson and Venus Sops only today online if anyone's after one - PM me and I'll put you on track.... 🙂

Work's suffering again!

 

[DavidUK]

Different design - the all three bell guard is different and they`re Chinese not Taiwan, the build is like the G4M sop I got Linz from the pics, the 300C is far nicer

The Ebay Expression one looks identical to this one to me?: http://cafesaxophone.com/threads/elkhart-300-series-curved-soprano.13431/

Where am I going wrong?

😵

 

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Where am I going wrong?

😵

The quality is miles out , the 300 is more like a Yani than that cheapo Chinese affair , you can see it in the bell guard, the keys , the cheapo pinkie table the lot .

 

[ProfJames]

than that cheapo Chinese affair

Whoa! Who doesn't like Chinese horns! Tick Logos and Elkhart badges! Try an early Fortissimo or a Roy Benson!

 

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Funny retort given that the actual subject of this thread is the cheapest Chinese Sop with a decent UK warranty out there and the playability of said horn , that linked Curvy looks from the same stable.. anyone is going to prefer a decent Taiwanese made one though whether its an Elky 300 a TJ rev, a Mauriat or a mysterious Cannonball ..

 

[ProfJames]

Actually the Fortissimo is Chinese and the Roy Benson is Korean

 

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Actually the Fortissimo is Chinese and the Roy Benson is Korean

Err, right , and ?? .. you referred to my post about a generic Chinese curved in David's link which has nothing to do with FF or Roy Benson ..

This thread is about the Gear4music Straight Sop, its worthiness before and after being fettled , the longevity thereof (etc - thanks Kev) etc . Alternatives were only mentioned at all (and then in Passing) when I said that I couldn`t recommend it out of the box due to setup issues, Kevs had them too as has Colin ..... then it went of track as these things do

 

[ProfJames]

I simply stated - tongue in cheek - that you knock the cheap Chinese horns. WHen you review something or give an opinion on a horn for instance it invites other people to offer comparisons, as I did with Fortissimo and Roy Benson. Nothing else was implied but there are alternatives to Yam and Elkhart which you are passionate about. You also inferred that most people would prefer a Taiwanese horn. I simply stated where FF and RB came from. Does that explain my post?

 

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I simply stated - tongue in cheek - that you knock the cheap Chinese horns. ?

Where did I do this ? ..

I explained the failings with the G4M Straight which the review was of, Kev joined in with the failings of the earlier one he`s had . I don`t remember knocking these cheapos in fact I think they represent good value once fettled. some (Venus maybe) may not even need fettling .. I never mentioned Yamaha at all , I`d buy a Yani before a Yam ... I did infer most people would prefer a Taiwanese horn because they probably would - they `d likely prefer a Yanagisawa even more .

 

[ProfJames]

Where did I do this ? ..

I explained the failings with the G4M Straight which the review was of, Kev joined in with the failings of the earlier one he`s had . I don`t remember knocking these cheapos in fact I think they represent good value once fettled. some (Venus maybe) may not even need fettling .. I never mentioned Yamaha at all , I`d buy a Yani before a Yam ... I did infer most people would prefer a Taiwanese horn because they probably would - they `d likely prefer a Yanagisawa even more .

"....the 300 is more like a Yani than that cheapo Chinese affair"