G2M, Walstein or Hanson

finnfonist · Apr 15, 2008

I've played an alto for a few months now and I'm looking for a tenor sax. After reading different forums I desided to buy either Gear2Music, Walstein or Hanson ST-5. It has been now around a week since I sent an inquiry to all of them. Walstein answered fast that they'll get more tenor saxophones in couple of weeks, G2M simply answered they do not ship to Finland (where I live) and Hanson hasn't answered anything till now. So it looks I'll go for Walstein🙂

Bobby G · Apr 15, 2008

A year or two back, everyone seemed to be saying how good the Hanson was, especially for the price, then along came the Walsteins which everyone seems to be saying how good they are, especially for the price. You may not have had a response from Hanson yet, but they do have a reputation for excellent service - in another thread about much the same thing RogerB, our resident friend of Hanson, has explained that they are a small company who are very busy right now (maybe a testament to the quality of their horns) so if you're interested in one it's probably worth trying to contact them again.

Finally, welcome to the Breakfast Room!

old_git · Apr 16, 2008

I'm a pretty satisfied Hanson owner and Lee, is a happy Walstein owner.
Both companies are pleasant to deal with, and either would suit you.
The really important thing, unless you are picking it up from either company, is to have a good technician look at whatever you choose, when it arrives, as vibration and the couriers scoring goals and converting tries with your treasure, is likely to undo some of the adjustment and regulation that the sellers performed.
Suggest you ask Griff to fly out. 🙂

Col9 · Apr 16, 2008

I'm a happy Hanson owner and a happy Walstein owner and a happy Gear4music owner. Walstein/Hanson were both great to deal with. I phoned them to chat before purchasing to see what they thought about mouthpieces and reeds and stuff and found nothing but helpfull advice with no pressure to buy.

We have put a deposit on one of the Walstein tenors available in a few weeks for my wife(not married, but after 18yrs........ >.< :laugh: ) she cant wait. Hopefully it will all work out as well as before.

We bought a trumpet from gear4music for my daughter and its fantastic, much better than the one it replaced and easily as good as her friends Yamaha,and the G4M has a richer fuller sound. Again smooth deal for a great instrument.

I think the Walstein will be the best of the bunch although the Hanson would be a very close second. I've never seen a G4M sax so cant really comment.

Good luck with whichever
Col.

Pete Thomas · Apr 16, 2008

G4M fit more into the cheap and cheerful rather than quality bracket.

I think the company itself has one or two issues (that I'm not going to go into here) that would lead me to very much prefer to deal with the others.

funkymonk · Apr 17, 2008

I cant really say which, But I have a walstein tenor. I got it at christmas and I have to back up what Linky lee said, Its got a lovely bottom end, really fat and rich, my teacher played it and he really showed its capabilities, beautiful all through the register ( he wants to buy a few for some of his students). Allthough It does need more control and effort to get the high notes to sound good. But that may just be me as a novice (esp cos i like the low notes better!!! so i play 'em more lol). I dont think my comments will help much, but if you do choose the walstein It definatley won't disappoint you for the price.

colind · Apr 20, 2008

[No message]

raindog · Apr 20, 2008

I recently bought a hanson. 5 years sevicing is nice, Maria is lovely to deal with and the sax sounds amazing (when my teacher played it!)

finnfonist · Apr 20, 2008

Thanks a lot for the answers!

P.S. I also adviced Woodwind & Brass to give a commission to Pete Thomas and Steven Howard unless they already do so 8)

phil_edwards · Apr 21, 2008

Congrats, bet you can't wait. Let us know how you get on with it.

Phil

Pete Thomas · Apr 21, 2008

Finnfonist wrote:
P.S. I also adviced Woodwind & Brass to give a commission to Pete Thomas and Steven Howard unless they already do so 8)

A nice thought, but they don't pay me and in fact I would not want them to as I would not be able to give completely independent advice if I took any commission.