Saxophones Help required choosing step up sax

[elcheeposax]

Hello Peeps,
I am a comparative newbie, have been playing clarinet for some years now along with alto, have now got into the tenor. I have been playing a Boosey Amati for the last 9 months but have decided it's time to change for something a bit more becoming probably in the intermediate range. Tried out on some vintage jobbies but don't think them a wise choice, considering an Armstrong, obviously the Yammies are a good bet but the yts62 is outside my budget. With so many makes out there it is a somewhat daunting decision. I only gig for the old folks so no need for overkill. Any advice would be much appreciated thanks.

 

[kevgermany]

Look at a Bauhaus Walstein, but lots of other options as well.

 

[Taz]

I've been playing with an Amati for some years now and I love it. Have you consider having it overhauled? I had the opportunity, not long ago, to buy a new tenor, and I couldn't find one that really floated my boat. So for the near future, at least, I'll be sticking with my little Czech tank!

 

[Jonners]

Yamaha 23 generally thought of as a good affordable option - needs to be well set up though - I borrowed a leaky beat up one and found it worse than the Corton Amati that I was replacing,(the Corton was actually great when working properly). Good YTS 23s are very good though and seem to go for between £500-600

 

[Stephen Howard]

At the risk of upsetting a few posters here (sorry guys!), practically anything will be a step up from the Amati.
The Yamaha 23 would be an excellent choice - good build quality, simple and reliable design, bags of free-blowing clarity. Don't be fooled by its humble status - I prefer my 23 over the rather more expensive 62. The 32 (or the 475) would be a good bridge between the two - and I wouldn't rule out a nice old 61, if you can find one. Depends on your budget.

I would also consider, as mentioned, the Bauhaus Walstein. I have a number of pro clients who have these as backup or second horns (I have one too - the basic brass model). You'd be hard put to find another horn at the same price that will give you as much. Highly recommended.

Regards,

 

[thomsax]

I like the Corton Deluxe saxes. They were built by Yanigisawa in Japan. So it's a Yani stencil. Good intonation and modern design of the keys. A good allround sax. These saxes are often from the mid or late 70's. I recently sold a Corton Deluxe alto in very good condition for c £300.00. Add £ 100.00 for a tenor. The baris to low A is also very nice.

Thomas

 

[Stephen Howard]

I like the Corton Deluxe saxes. They were built by Yanigisawa in Japan. So it's a Yani stencil. Good intonation and modern design of the keys. A good allround sax. These saxes are often from the mid or late 70's. I recently sold a Corton Deluxe alto in very good condition for c £300.00. Add £ 100.00 for a tenor. The baris to low A is also very nice.

Thomas

Well there's something I never knew!
Don't think I've ever seen one - just the plain old Cortons (sometimes badged Lafleur too). They were sold complete with a spare set of (dreadful) pads and a set of replacement point screws.

Regards,

 

[thomsax]

Here is some pictures of the Corton Deluxe alto (with permission). The five first pics are the Corton Deluxe alto. I think these saxes were sold as stencilsaxes her in Europe before Yanagisawa decided to sell under their own name. They were imported and distrubuted in Sweden by a well reputed company, so it's pretty comon her. I think "my" sax was a based on the Yangisawa tube that was introduced in 1965 (model 5). The keys, and I also think the high F#, are from a later date. "My" sax was from the late 70's.

http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm201/thomsax/?start=0

Thomas

 

[Two Voices]

The Yamaha is a good horn - I had a YTS-275 Tenor but didn't like it as much as my YAS-275 Alto. Found out later the Octave was fault which caused me problems. However, the Bauhaus Walstein Soprano I have is a much better horn in my opinion, so would highly recommend you trying out one of several Tenor Sax's from that stable!

 

[AndyG]

Another recommendation for the Bauhaus Walstein from me too having recently purchased a bronze tenor. Certainly worth considering IMO.

 

[elcheeposax]

Thanx for the advice seems the Bauhaus Walstein comes recommended by a few people, have just checked out the price and they look pretty much affordable which is a bonus. Will put this No 1 on my shortlist.

 

[Two Voices]

Thanx for the advice seems the Bauhaus Walstein comes recommended by a few people, have just checked out the price and they look pretty much affordable which is a bonus. Will put this No 1 on my shortlist.

They are, see if you can get to a stockist and try them out.

 

[AndyG]

They are, see if you can get to a stockist and try them out.

I agree....you are quite near to the dealer in Liverpool funnily enough where I got mine from. You can test play all you like there.

 

[Mack]

Can't speak for the YAS 23 but my 275 is a great horn. Considering stepping up to a 61 but I just don't know how much extra it will give me - interesting what Stephen Howard says about the 23/62.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Here is some pictures of the Corton Deluxe alto (with permission). The five first pics are the Corton Deluxe alto. I think these saxes were sold as stencilsaxes her in Europe before Yanagisawa decided to sell under their own name. They were imported and distrubuted in Sweden by a well reputed company, so it's pretty comon her. I think "my" sax was a based on the Yangisawa tube that was introduced in 1965 (model 5). The keys, and I also think the high F#, are from a later date. "My" sax was from the late 70's.

http://s297.photobucket.com/albums/mm201/thomsax/?start=0

Thomas

Thanks for that - very interesting!
Never seen one - but the Yani logo would be a dead giveaway.
I had client bring in a battered tenor...something called an Ambasador, or President...or something like that. Her teacher told her it was a pile of rubbish...but just above the bottom bow joint was that Yani symbol.

I wonder how widespread this information is (perhaps it's only me who didn't know!) - because it could mean a good few bargains from ebay if you're quick enough!

Regards,

 

[jonf]

There are various others as well - the Yanagisawa logo is always a giveaway and has been prominent on the ones I've seen. I bought a Yani A6 branded as 'Astro', without a neck and a bit battered, but for the princely sum of eighty quid. Oh, and that included delivery. A neck from Howarths sale a year ago and a few quid for some gentle fettling from Griff and I have a fantastic playing Yanagisawa alto for a smidge over two hundred quid. Bargain of the century.