Saxophones Help needed choosing a sax

GINANJAR · Mar 31, 2015

Hi every one,
I am looking for a saxophone. However, I still don't know which one should I buy because I just want to start playing this kind of instrument. May be I'll start with alto sax. I've read some reviews that Jericho J6, Jupiter 767 and Yamaha YAS-23 are good for beginner. At this moment I live in Taipei and there are not many store which sell sax.
Do you have any suggestion for me which brand and type should I buy? should I buy a new one or second hand?
Thanks for your information. I'll do appreciate it. 🙂

Gin.

kevgermany · Mar 31, 2015

Best listen to different players to see which sound grabs you more. I'm not sure what's available where you are, but Yamaha and Jupiter are good choices. I don't think you'll get the Jericho there. Try and find something with local dealerships.

Jay · Mar 31, 2015

GINANJAR said:
Hi every one,
I am looking for a saxophone. However, I still don't know which one should I buy because I just want to start playing this kind of instrument. May be I'll start with alto sax. I've read some reviews that Jericho J6, Jupiter 767 and Yamaha YAS-23 are good for beginner. At this moment I live in Taipei and there are not many store which sell sax.
Do you have any suggestion for me which brand and type should I buy? should I buy a new one or second hand?
Thanks for your information. I'll do appreciate it. 🙂

Gin.

Hi Gin. A lot of very good saxophones are actually made in Taiwan, though of course most are exported. @milandro knows quite a bit about this, when he comes along. In the meantime, listen to people playing and decide if you like the sound of the alto or tenor best (the two beginners usually start with).

trimmy · Mar 31, 2015

Hi Gin

The 3 you mention are good choices, if it were me i would buy 2nd hand only because you get more for your money, plus you won't loose much value if you decide sax isn't for you.

GINANJAR · Mar 31, 2015

Thanks All for the information.

trimmy said:
The 3 you mention are good choices, if it were me i would buy 2nd hand only because you get more for your money, plus you won't loose much value if you decide sax isn't for you.

yeah, I'm completely agree with you Trimmy cause when I start buying a new one the price will be decreased over time. I already searched and took a look on eBay, there are bunch of 2nd hand horn provided there. But, one thing that I should notice if there is a problem with the sax when it comes to me. I'm afraid that I cannot notice whether it has some detectives cause I don't even play either try to blow saxophone.

trimmy · Mar 31, 2015

GINANJAR said:
But, one thing that I should notice if there is a problem with the sax when it comes to me. I'm afraid that I cannot notice whether it has some detectives cause I don't even play either try to blow saxophone.

It's a gamble, I've bought 3 from eBay and all have played fine as have many otherrs on here.
If you see one you like ask as many questions as you can, ask for plenty of pics.
Do you know anyone who plays ? Seek their advice

Greg Strange · Mar 31, 2015

Kind of ironic - Taiwan a large manufacturer of saxophones and not many saxes for sale in the shops... :w00t:

If you're a beginner starting out on sax best choice is probably a Yamaha 21, 23 or 25 series alto, built like the proverbial brick out-house...

As most of the forum members are based in the UK and probably don't know your local market place the best idea is to seek the advice of a saxophone teacher in your area maybe the local secondary schools have a music program.

Happy honkin'

Greg S.

GINANJAR · Mar 31, 2015

Greg Strange said:
Kind of ironic - Taiwan a large manufacturer of saxophones and not many saxes for sale in the shops...

If you're a beginner starting out on sax best choice is probably a Yamaha 21, 23 or 25 series alto, built like the proverbial brick out-house...

As most of the forum members are based in the UK and probably don't know your local market place the best idea is to seek the advice of a saxophone teacher in your area maybe the local secondary schools have a music program.

Happy honkin'

Greg S.

I visited 3 stores which are a Jupiter's counter shop and others sell unidentified sax (cause the seller don't know bout sax brands they sell)
I also search on the internet that in Taipei has P. Mauriat service center still I'm not sure I'll spend my money for pro level horn at this time.
(or do you think should I try P.Mauriat?😵 it seems too difficult for a new comer to struggle with pro horn at the first time, doesn't it?)

I also get information about the place that provide saxophone course but I have to bring my own horn. It's kind of hard for me to find advice in here because most of the information and people here don't talk in english (almost everything is written in Chinese)

But thanks btw Greg for your information I do appreciate it.

Gin.

jbtsax · Apr 1, 2015

The Chateau saxophone line made in Taiwan has one of the very best student saxophones that is also very modestly priced. The gold lacquer Chateau student model sells for $875.00 new in the U.S. You may be able to purchase one for a lower price in Taiwan. You would be hard pressed to find a used YAS-23 in excellent condition for that price, and the Chateau has many professional features that the YAS-23 lacks.

Greg Strange · Apr 1, 2015

GINANJAR said:
I visited 3 stores which are a Jupiter's counter shop and others sell unidentified sax (cause the seller don't know bout sax brands they sell)
I also search on the internet that in Taipei has P. Mauriat service center still I'm not sure I'll spend my money for pro level horn at this time.
(or do you think should I try P.Mauriat?😵 it seems too difficult for a new comer to struggle with pro horn at the first time, doesn't it?)

I also get information about the place that provide saxophone course but I have to bring my own horn. It's kind of hard for me to find advice in here because most of the information and people here don't talk in english (almost everything is written in Chinese)

But thanks btw Greg for your information I do appreciate it.

Gin.

No probs mate...that man from Utah to the rescue...try this...

http://www.chateauusamusic.com/chateau/Home.aspx

send them an e-mail and see if they have a local dealer in your area...hey you might be able to visit the factory and select an instrument....🙂

Tell these people to talk English the Kiwi way "Chur bro choice sax!"

Greg S.

Ivan · Apr 1, 2015

Greg Strange said:
Tell these people to talk English the Kiwi way "Chur bro choice sax!"

Greg S.

Shurely Kiwi pronounciation would make it, "Chur bro choice six!"

At which point no-one would know what you were on about

milandro · Apr 1, 2015

Well, P.Mauriat has a showroom, shop, in Taipei 101. You can’t miss that building! 😀

Then there is the showroom of LC saxophones in Taichung

Lien Cheng
Saxophone Co., Ltd
Address:
No.330-1, Gong-an Rd., Houli Dist.,
Taichung City 42151,
Taiwan, R.O.C

TEL: +886-4-25562363
FAX: +886-4-25587425
Email : service@lcsax.com

Have a look if these addresses are still active:

Sahduoo Taiwan

Tel:
886-4-25580983
Fax:
886-4-25587898
Contact Person:
Jeter Tsai
Web Site:
http://www.sahduoo.com.tw

MAXTONE MUSICAL INSTRUMENT MFG. CO., LTD.
TEL: 886-4-23132115
FAX: 886-4-23132493
EMAIL: maxtone@ms7.hinet.net

TENON INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
TEL: 886-2-29836338
FAX: 886-2-29836385
EMAIL: tenon@music-tenon.com.tw

NARITA INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD.
TEL: 886-4-22705416
FAX: 886-4-22705417
EMAIL: unisax@tcts.seed.net.tw

CHOSEN-FAT CO., LTD.
TEL: 886-4-22706815
FAX: 886-4-22780819
EMAIL: lazer@ms26.hinet.net

GINANJAR · Apr 1, 2015

Thanks all. I love to join in this forum.
All of you assist me very welcome.

milandro · Apr 1, 2015

you are welcome

On Taiwan there are literally hundreds small factories ( Jupiter is the only very large one) making saxophones and parts. Then there are also many traders, people who don’t make anything but sell the products that others make. Almost all companies outsource from other companies some type of saxophone because NO company makes the entire range from Baritone to Sopranino. Some traders will try to represent themselves as makers. For your purposes this is completely irrelevant.

Most Makers are in Houli or in Taichung.

Few years ago some makers created Saxophone Manufacturing Association of Houli or Houli Saxophone Family it doesn’t not comprise all the makers but it is certainly an part of the industry. The Taiwanese Government has presented for years a certain image of the industry but there is more to it than what they would like to say or admit and some “ brand” might have been presented giving the idea they are manufacturers while they are just traders, but, does this matter? It doesn’t. As long as they sell a good product there is nothing wrong with being a trader.