Beginner Saxes If you had GBP£2,000/USD$2,700...

[ChampagneBears]

In my location new Tenor 62s were essentially the same or cheaper than used 62s. Purple logo 62s sell at an unjustified premium. You can be confident a new 62 will have good resale value (not that I would ever sell my 62 Tenor!)

Used instrument prices have to be uplifted by the cost of an overhaul unless you are very mechanically gifted. I'm not which restricts the used market to shop sold, making the used price higher but safer.

The 62s are kind of a default but I thought I should at least be open to trying other options.

 

[Jmoen3]

Ok, I can try the Eastman 52 (although I can’t find an Eastman 640 locally). The Yani AW01 I can find too. No local Buffet dealer AFAIK. I know I can try P. Mauriat. Any P. Mauriat suggestions? Kessler...I don’t think we carry locally.

I've played a Mauriat 67RDK alto for over 12 years - definitely recommended, amazing sound, durable, reliable and great horns 🙂. Eastman Rue St George's (850/650) are a great option as well, but I play a 52nd St tenor (652). I would also suggest a Cannonball Vintage Reborn or Big Bell. I tried a Yamaha 62III-S(tenor) against my Eastman and it didn't speak to me nearly the same.

 

[Jmoen3]

Forgot to say, if you buy a brand new Taiwanese horn, make sure you really love it first. You'll never make your money back if you decide to resell it from new, not even close. Reselling a Yamaha/Selmer is a much higher percentage, I've seen the Taiwanese horns selling for 50% or less when almost new but slightly used.

I bought my Eastman slightly used, for $2400 USD. I bought my Mauriat brand new way back when for $2700 USD, probably wouldn't get $2k for it on the used market.

 

[ChampagneBears]

Forgot to say, if you buy a brand new Taiwanese horn, make sure you really love it first. You'll never make your money back if you decide to resell it from new, not even close. Reselling a Yamaha/Selmer is a much higher percentage, I see the Taiwanese horns selling for 50% or less when almost new but slightly used.

I bought my Eastman slightly used, for $2400 USD. I bought my Mauriat brand new way back when for $2700 USD, probably wouldn't get $2k for it on the used market.

In that case...the Yamaha 62 might be the wisest choice then. Resale value is very important to me, as I will likely upgrade in a few years’ time. I’ll probably be a different musician in a couple of years and my taste in sound will probably be different from today. I can’t even tell yet if I want to be mainly a classical player or jazz player.

 

[Jmoen3]

In that case...the Yamaha 62 might be the wisest choice then. Resale value is very important to me, as I will likely upgrade in a few years’ time. I’ll probably be a different musician in a couple of years and my taste in sound will probably be different from today. I can’t even tell yet if I want to be mainly a classical player or jazz player.

You'll never make it all back buying a new horn, even the Yamaha. But it'll be a higher percentage. Regardless you are looking at some great professional level horns on that price range, you will have more than enough sax to grow into for waaaaaay more than 2 years.

 

[CliveMA]

The Chocolate Chip cookie of professional saxes. Youtube is your friend. Most brands can be heard played on Youtube.

View: https://youtu.be/t9TjBvmm8p4


Your Cafe '62 cult member

 

[ChampagneBears]

You'll never make it all back buying a new horn, even the Yamaha. But it'll be a higher percentage. Regardless you are looking at some great professional level horns on that price range, you will have more than enough sax to grow into for waaaaaay more than 2 years.

Don’t need to make all of it back. I just don’t want to lose too much.

 

[nigeld]

The Chocolate Chip cookie of professional saxes

Never heard that one before.
I’m guessing that it means good.
The literal translation into UK English would presumably be:
”The McVities Chocolate Digestive of Professional Saxes”

 

[Jmoen3]

Don’t need to make all of it back. I just don’t want to lose too much.

Makes sense, everyone has their own priorities. At that price range though, you could probably keep the horn for life and always love it. Just be sure to test the horns, and pick whichever you prefer most rather than pick a horn you don't like just because it may resell better. Testing is how I ended up with my Eastman - as I was also more interested in the 62III based on opinions I was receiving.

If resell is truly your primary real concern, used is the best option - you will have the best chance to make your money back.

 

[ChampagneBears]

@CliveMA , Dr. Wally doesn’t trust Canadians!!! See 5:16 of his video. Then how can I trust HIM???

 

[CliveMA]

I’ll probably be a different musician in a couple of years and my taste in sound will probably be different from today. I can’t even tell yet if I want to be mainly a classical player or jazz player.

+1

I owned a Selmer SBA alto for 40 years and rarely played it without understanding why. Listen to a lot of sax music. Try to develop your own concept of sound by identifying sax music you like.

Turns out I don't like Alto music any more than I like fingernails running down a blackboard. No wonder I rarely played my Alto.

 

[CliveMA]

@CliveMA , Dr. Wally doesn’t trust Canadians!!! See 5:16 of his video. Then how can I trust HIM???

Canadians are too nice! LOL. Dr Wally is funny.

 

[ChampagneBears]

Makes sense, everyone has their own priorities. At that price range though, you could probably keep the horn for life and always love it. Just be sure to test the horns, and pick whichever you prefer most rather than pick a horn you don't like just because it may resell better. Testing is how I ended up with my Eastman - as I was also more interested in the 62III based on opinions I was receiving.

If resell is truly your primary real concern, used is the best option - you will have the best chance to make your money back.

I will go into the shop and try the recommendations and keep an open mind. I might fall in love with something I never thought I would. Currently, they’re not allowing trials of any brass or woodwind instruments so I must be patient. 🙂

 

[ChampagneBears]

+1

I owned a Selmer SBA alto for 40 years and rarely played it without understanding why. Listen to a lot of sax music. Try to develop your own concept of sound by identifying sax music you like.

Turns out I don't like Alto music any more than I like fingernails running down a blackboard. No wonder I rarely played my Alto.

If I was taller and better built (i.e., stronger and less frail), I would definitely prefer the sound of a tenor.😉

 

[CliveMA]

If I was taller and better built (i.e., stronger and less frail), I would definitely prefer the sound of a tenor.😉

A vocal transformer makes an Alto sound better. 😉

But seriously, have you considered a Soprano? They are much easier for petite builds, lighter and requiring much less air.

View: https://youtu.be/RRXDyTCLQP4

 

[ChampagneBears]

A vocal transformer makes an Alto sound better. 😉

But seriously, have you considered a Soprano? They are much easier for petite builds, lighter and requiring much less air.

When I first started up sax again last year, I did consider the soprano, but it’s high pitch and difficulty learning to play it (that’s what I was told) made me decide on the alto instead. Also, I play in a concert band and soprano wasn’t a part of the normal repertoire, again, that’s what I was told.

 

[CliveMA]

When I first started up sax again last year, I did consider the soprano, but it’s high pitch and difficulty learning to play it (that’s what I was told) made me decide on the alto instead. Also, I play in a concert band and soprano wasn’t a part of the normal repertoire, again, that’s what I was told.

Soprano is different rather than more difficult to play well imo. Alto is easier to play passably imo. Soprano offers the opportunity of being much more expressive by exploring the edges of its challenges. Soprano played well is a heavenly soloist. Alto is easier to blend in concert bands for a new player.

A joke for you:
Q. How do you know when there is a Soprano Sax in a concert band?

A. They are the only one in tune! 😉

 

[Halfers]

If I was taller and better built (i.e., stronger and less frail), I would definitely prefer the sound of a tenor.😉

Sit down? Find out about weight of prospective Tenors and go for lighter models? Use a Sax harness that takes more of the weight and spreads it across your shoulders?
If the above is suggesting in an ideal world you'd have a Tenor? If not, enjoy your Alto search! 🙂

On the purchase new front. Everyone knows when you buy new you also take on the burden of higher depreciation (Edit: If you decide to sell on. Not everyone will) . Go with what makes you feel comfortable. And besides, people who buy new are doing those who like to buy second or third or 10th (sorry vintage 😉) hand instruments a favour..🙂

 

[Mark Hancock]

I recently bought a yamaha new YAS-280 for about 1000 swiss francs, so well in budget. My tenor and soprano are yanagisawa and as far as I can tell, it's "just as good". Could use the money saved to get a fancy mouthpiece. Although the 4c that comes with it is excellent.

 

[Tenor Viol]

If you were in the UK... I can't comment on what specifically is available in Canada... then in the list in that price range would be the likes of Yamaha, Yanagisawa, Keilwerth, Mauriat, Selmer Paris etc.

In my view you have to try as many as possible and find out what you like not only in terms of the sound, but also the ergonomics. Musical instruments are fickle and very individual - two identical instruments from the same factory can sound and feel different.

The instruments I now have are all Yanagisawas: new sop and used alto, tenor, and bari.