Saxophones Dumb Question...?

[Hallelujahal]

It's a dumb question...but are these Fortissimo saxes any good...I mean, does anyone have experience of them..just thinking about a cheap sop to muck around on and it's definitely 'cheap'!
AL

 

[rudjarl]

The challenge with sopranos is that they are hard to get in tune all over, and the curved soprano more so than the straight one. I have a cheap curvy one and although it is good fun to play, I would have chosen a straight one had I known any better from the start. At least with a cheap model. (When I win the lottery I might get a curved Rampone though)

 

[jbtsax]

I would say it certainly qualifies as a "cheap mucking saxophone".

 

[DavidUK]

I think the Prof has some experience of these?

Prof????

 

[Jeanette]

Hi

I had a straight sop by fortissimo, which I rented when I first started. The reason for changing was nothing to do with the sax. Whilst considering my option to purchase I received this info from someone:

"I know a little about fortissimo's as one of my pupil's had one, in blue of all colours, they are a cheap Chinese stencil at the end of the day, not really the best of Chinese saxophones, but worked ok. The kid I was teaching managed to push out his grade 5 jazz with the sax, but, it did hold him back a little as the key work was too heavy. I believe he only paid about £200 new for his, and it was a tenor as well."

It played ok though a pearl did drop off at one point., not sure how long it would last but it wasn't a bad starter sax and would probably be ok for mucking around on. The only other sops I've played were a TJ rev11 and my current one.


Jx

 

[jonf]

I've got a straight one of these, bought it cheap on a whim, mainly because I really like sops. I've currently got a reasonable quality curvy, a vintage American straight and the Fortissimo. I've had over a dozen sopranos over the years, so have plenty to compare to.

It is OK, plays fine, tone a bit thin, easily modified with the righ mouthpiece. Plays well with a Bari Esprit. Tuning is perfectly acceptable.Personally with a very cheap sop, I'd tend to go for the straight one over the curved.

There is one problem with them. If you buy one, you'll forever be told by people who've never played one that it's cheap Chinese ***t.

 

[ProfJames]

Had one for a while and really enjoyed it. Only sold it because I had the chance to buy a brand new curved Roy Benson sop very cheap. The older FF sops were better built so if you can find an older model go for it. I found that it was very robust, played consistently and went up and down the range in tune. Haven't got anything bad to say about them!!

Have a look at Cash Converters website as they quite often have some good cheap sops in stock.

 

[DavidUK]

Or there's this?:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-K...706?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a87d6a6b2

Or, this....

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/Vintage-K...618?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3a87bdd2e2


😉

 

[Colin the Bear]

http://www.fortissimoinstruments.co.uk/

Isn't fortissimo a shop label? They stick their name on what they import. It could be anything. I think a play/test before you buy would be wise.

 

[ProfJames]

If I had to sample play of all the horns I own I would have only one! Also PM MLoosemore regarding FF sops. He will give a good account.

FF same sort of thing as G4M?

 

[Steve Marshall]

FF are not the same as the G4M saxes I've seen. The FF I've seen had screw holes whish were too big with bits or cork or plastic sheet (I forget which) in the hole to take up the play. For that reason I would avoid them. There are plenty of better instruments going cheap. I'd rather have a John Packers, Cranes or Gear4Music (Yani copy).

 

[Ivan]

Have a look at Cash Converters website as they quite often have some good cheap sops in stock.

http://webshop.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/553601/windsor-soprano-saxophone

 

[Pete Thomas]

FF are not the same as the G4M saxes I've seen. The FF I've seen had screw holes whish were too big with bits or cork or plastic sheet (I forget which) in the hole to take up the play. For that reason I would avoid them. There are plenty of better instruments going cheap. I'd rather have a John Packers, Cranes or Gear4Music (Yani copy).

I believe this is/was also true of one of the other brands you mentioned, according to Stephen Howard. I'm not going to say which one, they may have fixed the issue.

 

[altissimo]

there's mention here of a Chinese sax with leather bodged into loose parts - http://news.musicmedic.com/index.php?m=04&y=10&entry=entry100423-150751

 

[Jeanette]

I believe this is/was also true of one of the other brands you mentioned, according to Stephen Howard. I'm not going to say which one, they may have fixed the issue.

I heard the same a from a respected person about another quite well regarded make. So perhaps it is more common than we think🙁

Jx

 

[Ads]

there's mention here of a Chinese sax with leather bodged into loose parts - http://news.musicmedic.com/index.php?m=04&y=10&entry=entry100423-150751

Fake Pisoni pads too - it`s one thing these knockoff makers selling fake pads on E-Bay to unwary fledgeling repairers but selling them to (and conning) other Chinese factories ? .

 

[Steve Marshall]

I believe this is/was also true of one of the other brands you mentioned, according to Stephen Howard. I'm not going to say which one, they may have fixed the issue.

It can be difficult with manufacturers that keep changing how they do things. Yes, I believe one of them used to, but it's not done now. At least on the horns I've checked. With this Asian manufacturers changing so often it's hard to know what you're getting.

 

[Steve Marshall]

http://webshop.cashconverters.co.uk/auction-item/553601/windsor-soprano-saxophone

The Windsor altos I've seen were appalling. If you're on a budget look for a second hand Taiwanese instrument. they tend to be reliably made and come in cases that work.

 

[Ads]

I`ve not seen a windsor worth much either ..... Hold out for an Elkhart, preferably a Deluxe or 300 series if you can , quality Taiwanese horns gettable at windsor prices on the used market if you land lucky . the series-II are good too but not as good as the Deluxe or 300 series from experience (Sops and Altos seen )

 

[QWales]

It's a shame you are so far north, I've a cheap Arbiter I could be persuaded to part with (as I've only picked it up once since purchase) but I'd want you to play test it first and I'm not interested in posting.