What should a beginner buy? It's all now very different

[JayeNM]

I have never heard anything except good things about Yamahas so I wonder why some are saying otherwise?

OP referring to online reviews of 280 which say it is equipped from factory with pads which tend to stick.

Hello Everyone from Yorkshire

Hello Everyone I started learning the alto sax six years ago (age 53) but unfortunately I had to stop for a rather bizarre reason. We had an elderly English Pointer at the time and whenever I played the sax he would start howling. This wasn't good as he had breathing problems and would soon get...

cafesaxophone.com

see reply #11 that thread.

 

[randulo]

It's a funny thing about brands and "brand fidelity". Whatever you're talking about, whether saxophones, grand pianos or cars, most people have opinions that aren't very flexible. In that context, I think the main names like Yamaha are pretty solid choices, I would say. There will always be complaints online. YouTube reviews would be far more interesting, because they'll say more than just moan about a detail. Great players have many reasons for playing the brand they do, but often it's because they have an endorsement deal or simply are comfortable with what they've been playing for 20 or 30 years. The YouTube reviews may also be affected by free gear or favors.

It is a lousy time to want to try instruments, but you've received a lot of good advice, so now it's all on you

 

[JayeNM]

It's a funny thing about brands and "brand fidelity". Whatever you're talking about, whether saxophones, grand pianos or cars, most people have opinions that aren't very flexible. In that context, I think the main names like Yamaha are pretty solid choices, I would say. There will always be complaints online. YouTube reviews would be far more interesting, because they'll say more than just moan about a detail. Great players have many reasons for playing the brand they do, but often it's because they have an endorsement deal or simply are comfortable with what they've been playing for 20 or 30 years. The YouTube reviews may also be affected by free gear or favors.

As a rule I agree with all of this, BUT with that said....I will make the observation that 'brand fidelity' also applies to Yamahas....in quite a big way.

I mean, IMHO...they aren't the end-all-of-end-alls, and many folks make them out to be such an 'obvious' choice when in fact, other mfrs models at similar pricepoints are just as good if not better.

So while my initial reaction was similar to yours - 'what water does a few online reviews about sticky factory pads hold ?'....I tempered that with 'well...maybe it IS an issue'.

In any case, not to digress.....

 

[randulo]

On such complaints, each of us has different issues, so with saxophones, it's breath and condensation (often due to what you drink before blowing into it!). Some car reviewers talk about the placement of the elbow rest. I'm no fan of Yam, but as the reputation is decent and having spoken to techs about parts availability, (in case I live that long, I hope they're available for my body, too) I though Yam was a safe bet. So much depends on what you're used to.

By the way, hire/rent for sure is a good idea, but often that will not be new, because that's how they make money, by renting the same instrument out. At least that is what they told me when I asked for a better price for the used Jupiter I was renting. Glad I waited and bought what I think is a better ax.

 

[Hammie 1982]

Speaking to one of our suppliers over here, I have been told that if you get an instrument on a rent to buy scheme, they guarantee it will be new. Couple of hundred for the first 3 month, slightly more for the next 3 months and then the remaining balance for the instrument!

 

[MarkSax]

Speaking to one of our suppliers over here, I have been told that if you get an instrument on a rent to buy scheme, they guarantee it will be new. Couple of hundred for the first 3 month, slightly more for the next 3 months and then the remaining balance for the instrument!

Can you PM me or post the supplier please?

 

[Hammie 1982]

Can you PM me or post the supplier please?

Mark,

Im in Ireland so chances are they wont supply to you in the UK. Same as most uk companies wouldnt supply rental to me here! They think as soon as it crosses the water its gone never to be seen again!

Try Before You Buy

1. An initial payment of 15% of the price to cover a trial period of 3 months.
2. A second payment of 25% of the price to cover an additional trial of 3 months.
   At the end of this rental period a decision must be made regarding the purchase
   or return of the instrument.
3. All rental charges are fully deductable from the purchase price provided the expiry date
   has NOT been exceeded.
4. The purchase price is guaranteed for the duration of the rental.

See example below:

Saxophone CONN SELMER Avant Tenor ATS180 Tenor; lacquered​

Price €1,200.00​

first rental €180.00​

second rental €300.00​

Balance €720.00​

 

[MarkSax]

On another note from reading all posts from OP, he wants a new sax for £800 and preferably not a Yamaha. IMO get a loan or hire purchase a RAW or a Yani. Cause I feel you’re going round in circles. Interest rates are pretty low. Go for a Selmer Paris and get the glow that comes with.

 

[MarkSax]

Mark,

Im in Ireland so chances are they wont supply to you in the UK. Same as most uk companies wouldnt supply rental to me here! They think as soon as it crosses the water its gone never to be seen again!

Try Before You Buy

1. An initial payment of 15% of the price to cover a trial period of 3 months.
2. A second payment of 25% of the price to cover an additional trial of 3 months.
   At the end of this rental period a decision must be made regarding the purchase
   or return of the instrument.
3. All rental charges are fully deductable from the purchase price provided the expiry date
   has NOT been exceeded.
4. The purchase price is guaranteed for the duration of the rental.

See example below:

​

Saxophone CONN SELMER Avant Tenor ATS180 Tenor; lacquered​

Price €1,200.00​

first rental €180.00​

second rental €300.00​

Balance €720.00​

Thanks a lot. My brother lives in Dublin. Good reason to pay him a visit when things get better.

 

[Hammie 1982]

Thanks a lot. My brother lives in Dublin. Good reason to pay him a visit when things get better.

haha, My brother lives in (close to) Cheltenham, so was thinking i might pay him a visit when everything returns to normal over there for the same reason haha
Theres a good few more specialists in the uk than here in Ireland.
and the longer this goes on, the more chance some of the ones that still exist may end up not opening up again!

I hope you get what your after mate!

 

[YorkshireSax]

Thanks again for the replies. They're much appreciated. While I've had reservations about the YAS-280 (based on Youtube reviews and potential sticking pads) I'm not ruling it out. In fact I'm trying to be as open minded as possible about this little project.
For the personal reasons mentioned earlier though I will be wanting a new one and the company I mentioned earlier that I'd been in touch with assured me that the YAS-280 at £48 for 3 months would be just that.

 

[Mostlytenor]

I wouldn't have thought that sticky pads is a deal breaker. It's a very common and easily solved problem and not confined to Yamahas.

 

[DavidUK]

On another note from reading all posts from OP, he wants a new sax for £800 and preferably not a Yamaha. IMO get a loan or hire purchase a RAW or a Yani. Cause I feel you’re going round in circles. Interest rates are pretty low. Go for a Selmer Paris and get the glow that comes with.

I've had both a brand new Raw and a couple of Yany 901s and liked neither. Not tried a 280 but 275s do little for me whereas, strangely, the 23 does (hence I have one). So it IS all about finding the right horn and you can't do this well by renting one model without the ability to try it against others.
I've done this my own way by buying 2nd hand and passing it on when something better comes along, but you have to learn what to look out for, plus the OP wants new.
So I'm with George - keep the Gulf and wait until you can get to a shop.
Or... buy my minty Conn 7M. The story goes it's brand new, it's just serviced, a Pro horn, and yours for under £800 - but no returns. (5% to forum fund). ...

 

[MarkSax]

I've had both a brand new Raw and a couple of Yany 901s and liked neither. Not tried a 280 but 275s do little for me whereas, strangely, the 23 does (hence I have one). So it IS all about finding the right horn and you can't do this well by renting one model without the ability to try it against others.
I've done this my own way by buying 2nd hand and passing it on when something better comes along, but you have to learn what to look out for, plus the OP wants new.
So I'm with George - keep the Gulf and wait until you can get to a shop.
Or... buy my minty Conn 7M. The story goes it's brand new, it's just serviced, a Pro horn, and yours for under £800 - but no returns. (5% to forum fund). ...

Sure. But at least he'll be able to compare it with the Gulf. Whether it's the hardware or his tone on either. He asked for advice on two horns and we set him on a few others. From his subsequent posts I get the impression that he is more confused about what to get now than he was with his original choices. All he is sure of is he wants new. Maybe his budget might extend further and maybe the Yam will please him as he's ready to give it a go. All I know is that I bought many different horns from beginner to Pro for a budget and was never satisfied until I bought the ones I really wished for. I have a Selmer Paris for the French tone and a Martin for the big American sound. Then I have a couple of leftovers from my GAS days which are hard to sell. I would have gone for the Yani but it ranked in desirability and tone equal to the Selmer. There is a certain glow when playing the Selmer even if I may be the only one to see it. LOL. YMMV as I always say.

 

[DavidUK]

Yes, I'd say my SA80II was the one to have, blew all the others away, but that's just me (and many others) and he won't buy a new one for £800.

But then I'd always look for used, only buying new when that too is at a bargain price (like the RAW was).
The past is strewn with classic horns you just can't buy now such as your Martin and my Buffet SDA and a buyer further narrows their choice by looking only for new horns, but at least they can (one day) go to a big retailer and try out just about all the horns there are. Problem with this is if you're tempted to "have a go" on a Selmer or Yany or something expensive and you prefer it, and when you're there looking at all the rows of horns you're likely to want to to see what all the fuss is about.

What would I buy new for £800? Hmmm... for build alone probably a 280 (but I'd need to try one first).
No, scrap that... I'd see what Hanson has to offer. No so good for resale but they're innovators and I might get a better horn and sound.

UK Sax Hire is probably the best option if you can't wait but it'll cost you £72 for a new 280 to decide if it's the one for you and even then you may, like me, wonder whether there's something better than a Yamaha.

 

[MarkSax]

That SA80II has the same bodytube as a Mk6 I just found out.(Selmer Ad) It’s been the Selmer bestseller for more reasons than just the price or the name.

 

[tenorviol]

Thanks a lot. My brother lives in Dublin. Good reason to pay him a visit when things get better.

There are UK companies which rent and there have been threads in the last couple of weeks discussing it

 

[MarkSax]

There are UK companies which rent and there have been threads in the last couple of weeks discussing it

Thanks. Am gonna have a look.

 

[sizzzzler]

A student Yamaha is good enough to get the diligent practicer to the level where the precision and flexibility of a pro sax matters.

 

[YorkshireSax]

It's a while since I posted on here so i thought I'd better update everyone on what has happened.

Being very wary of spending a lot of money on an unseen and unheard brand new sax I was searching ebay for good used examples and along came a Sakkusu Deluxe which was only 3 months old. The owner had moved up to a Tenor so the Sakkusu was surplus to requirements. I ended up winning the auction and yesterday it arrived safely.

The sax is in excellent condition although I needed to adjust the octave key arm as it wasn't fully closing to start with. An easy job. The Deluxe is made from red brass and the different sound was immediately obvious and I like it a lot.

So it was £290 inc delivery and it will definitely serve the purpose of letting me progress as a player until the point at which I will safe venturing somewhere to try some saxes in person. Then when I sell the Sakkusu I should be able to pretty my much recover what I spent on it as I'll be keeping it in good condition.

Thanks again for all the good advice though which will definitely come in useful when I make the next purchase.