Beginner Saxes I want to buy my first saxophone. Any kind of help much appreciated

[krisograbek]

Hi everybody, a complete beginner here. Actually not even a beginner yet, since I've never played any saxophone... Yesterday I spontaneously decided to buy my first saxophone and start playing. I looked online for some used ones. I found one, that I guess I like, but I have no idea, how much is it really worth, I paste the link: Saxophone I'd like to buy. Could anyone provide some more information, please? Is this one good for a beginner? Is the price fair?
Few words about me, as it may matter: I am 33, 1,96m (6ft5'). Playing an instrument was always my dream, but somehow I always postponed it...
Thank you in advance for any kind of help and information

Greetings
Kris

 

[JayeNM]

Hi everybody, a complete beginner here. Actually not even a beginner yet, since I've never played any saxophone... Yesterday I spontaneously decided to buy my first saxophone and start playing. I looked online for some used ones. I found one, that I guess I like, but I have no idea, how much is it really worth, I paste the link: Saxophone I'd like to buy. Could anyone provide some more information, please? Is this one good for a beginner? Is the price fair?
Few words about me, as it may matter: I am 33, 1,96m (6ft5'). Playing an instrument was always my dream, but somehow I always postponed it...
Thank you in advance for any kind of help and information

Greetings
Kris

Welcome, Kris.

OK so first of all, this is exciting and best of luck to you.

Jupiter is a good brand. Very reliable, built well....a good horn for a beginner.

2 things:

1) I do not read German but I do not see a model number specified. Ask the seller the model number.

2) also, get seller to confirm that the sax is in good playing condition and will need no work. Will they guarantee this ?

One more thing:

this sax looks quite NEW, and the price is VERY fair - quite LOW, actually.
That is a bit odd....but not impossible.
Now, sometimes, people sell Chinese knock-offs as originals. Hard to say if this is one, however, but there are ways to tell.

Ask the seller more questions.

How old is the sax ?
Was it theirs ?
Can they send you a photo of the bell engraving ?
What is the serial number ?

Also, is it local sale ? Do you know any saxophonists ? If so, can one of them come with you to try the sax ?

 

[nigeld]

Can you translate the text of the ad into English ?

The saxophone offered here is from the Jupiter brand. It is in a good, used and playable condition.

Can be played at the handover rehearsal.

Guarantee and warranty excluded.
Only for self-collector.

 

[krisograbek]

Also, is it local sale ? Do you know any saxophonists ? If so, can one of them come with you to try the sax ?

It is a local sale. I do not know any to come with

PS. Thanks @nigeld

 

[JayeNM]

OK, thx @nigeld ....so.....

two things to do here:

~ first we wanna confirm it IS an original Jupiter (bell engraving, serial number, and model number will help do this)

~ then, either:

a) bring a sax player with you to play test the sax

b) let seller know if you bought it, you are going to take it to a repair shop and have them examine it to make sure it is in decent, playable condition. If repair shop says it is NOT, then you would want to return it...will seller accept this arrangement ?

Now...IMHO.....IF b) happens....and the sax needs maybe €50-120 of repair work....it is STILL a VERY good deal...so if you have the money to spend on the repair, I would pay the shop for the repair, and keep the sax.

 

[nigeld]

That appears to be a tenor saxophone.
Have you made a conscious decision to get a tenor sax?
It's fine, but you might prefer one of the other sizes, e.g. alto.

If it is a genuine Jupiter sax in good playable condition then it looks like a real bargain.
But like @JayeNM I am slightly suspicious about the price - it seems too low.

Do you know anyone who is a competent saxophone player who could come with you to try it?
When I bought my first saxophone I payed a professional to try it out for me. I paid him the same as for a single lesson.

 

[krisograbek]

He sent me this photo

 

[nigeld]

My gut feeling is that something is not quite right here. But my gut is unreliable, so I may be completely wrong.

There is a good chance that you will need to get a repair person to do some work on the sax.
This is normal when buying a secondhand sax. They are surprisingly fragile. The question is how much work needs to be done.

So I think you definitely need to get an expert to check the saxophone.

 

[Tenor Viol]

Hi - we have members in Germany who you may wish to discuss local options with.

Your first decision needs to be what size of sax do you want to play? The four 'standard' sizes (there are others) are soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. Most beginners opt for either alto or tenor.

Tenors are usually slightly more expensive than their alto equivalents.

Your next decision is whether to buy new or second hand. Both are good options. However, you do need to know what you are looking at. There are extremely good relatively inexpensive saxes, there are extremely bad relatively inexpensive saxes (some are just poor quality, some are fakes trying to pass off as something better).

If buying form a music shop, use one that specialises in woodwind instruments, not a general 'box shifter' guitar shop type of place.

Even new saxes need some adjustment / set-up and a second hand one will almost certainly need at leat a minor service.

If you have any sax playing friends, or know a teacher, it would be good to get their help.

 

[jbtsax]

Another option for those who are trying out a saxophone for the first time is to rent (hire) one for a few months from a music store to see if they are going like it. This way there is no large monetary commitment up front. In some cases stores will give persons who rent a good deal when they decide to buy. The shop I used to work for would subtract the amount paid in rent from the purchase price of a new or used instrument.

 

[krisograbek]

So first of all I want to thank everyone for your help. It was immediate and very detailed 🙂 I know I've found the right place here 🙂

I've asked the seller, if it was his instrument. He says that he cleaned the roof storage and found it. I think he bought the used one, but never actually started playing, nor did anyone from his family. They just completely forgot about it. I know that this sound even more suspicious, but I have no reason not to trust him... He is answering every question and trying to help. It seems, that he knows as much about saxophones as I do 🙂 He asked a friend of his for help to give this saxophone a price and they came up with €300.

PS. Why do my messages need approval? Is it because I am new here?

 

[Tenor Viol]

PS. Why do my messages need approval? Is it because I am new here?

Yes

 

[nigeld]

If we sound a bit negative, it is not because we want to discourage you. On the contrary.
We are all keen saxophone players, and want to encourage others.
But we don't want you to get a bad deal.

Here in the UK, Jupiter saxes are popular for beginners, and the one you have seen looks like a real bargain if there is nothing wrong with it.

If it has been sitting in the roof storage for a few years, then some of the pads may be a bit mouldy. But not necessarily. And it will certainly need a service.

Are you planning to find a teacher? I recommend this to get you going properly.

 

[krisograbek]

Your first decision needs to be what size of sax do you want to play? The four 'standard' sizes (there are others) are soprano, alto, tenor, and baritone. Most beginners opt for either alto or tenor.

I learned a little bit about it. I know that tenor are slightly bigger, so it might be a problem to play for kids or smaller people. I am a quite tall person and my hands are proportional 😛

Your next decision is whether to buy new or second hand.

Definitely second hand is the option for me.

 

[krisograbek]

If we sound a bit negative, it is not because we want to discourage you. On the contrary.
We are all keen saxophone players, and want to encourage others.
But we don't want you to get a bad deal.

I get it all. I didn't take any of your answers the wrong way. I found each of them very helpful and insightful.

Are you planning to find a teacher? I recommend this to get you going properly.

I don't think I need a teacher. I am already really really hyped to start playing. I love self improvement, so I know very well, what it takes to learn a new skill. As I already mentioned, playing some instrument was always my dream and I really love the sound of a saxophone.

 

[saxyjt]

Given your size, I'd say a tenor will fit you better than an alto. I know nothing about the Jupiter brand, but I've seen a few around and they sounded good. The price sounds very good. If it's legit, then it's obviously a good deal. It's always difficult to pick your first horn as used when you don't know anything.

Ask if they have an invoice for it. That could validate it's origin.

As other said, you may need a service to ensure everything is in order. There again, when you know nothing, it's a bit of a blind date!

Good luck and congratulations for starting a great adventure.

 

[sizzzzler]

You’re big, get a tenor. As it’s your first, get a secondhand student Yamaha because you can sell it on for what you paid for it. Buy a plastic Yamaha 4c mouthpiece to start off, and a pack of blue tack to play with shaping baffles.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Saxophone has a lot of moving parts. Some work independantly and others work in concert. All these parts need to work accurately but are regulated with cork and leather. Both of which are perishable and have a nasty habit of falling off.

Trying to master an instrument that may have imperceptable leaks and imperfections will prove an impossible challenge.

A Jupiter in good condition is a fair horn to learn on. A horn that comes from a non player that may have given up because it won't play is an expensive plant pot.

Find a horn being sold by a player or a teacher with known playability.

 

[JayeNM]

....He sent me this photo

...ask him for a shot of the engraving on the bell; and inquire how long he has had it.

My gut feeling is that something is not quite right here. But my gut is unreliable, so I may be completely wrong.

There is something puzzling here, because typically Jupes have a model designation along with the serial number....it also seems to be a rather short serial number...this is why I'd like to see the bell engraving.

Typically, a used Jupiter Tenor costs around 500-600euro in decent shape.....this is why I am giving this some pause.

 

[krisograbek]

So it's me again 🙂

Call me crazy or even stupid, but.... I bought the horn for €240. I took an every single piece of advice you gave me into consideration and I thought to myself: Either I am having a very good deal or I am paying €240 for the lesson not to trust anyone and to take much more time and preparation before buying. But I am really positive that the former one is the case 🙂

The seller said, that his grandfather played the saxophone. He is dead and this is why he couldn't provide more information. He asked his colleague, who plays saxophone himself, what would be the fair price. The colleague said €400-500. The seller didn't want to too long for a buyer, so he thought €300 would be fine.
I shared with him, what I learned here. I said that it certainly needs a service and so on. The seller was definitely trustworthy and since his grandfather was probably the only owner of this instrument and I assume played for many years, the probability that I bought some chinese fake is really, really small.

I want to thank each one of you again for the massive knowledge you shared here with me. And for a really kind welcome messages.

I am going to search this forum for some more information, because I need a new mouthpiece and a belt. And then I can practice, practice, practice 🙂