Saxophones Le Blanc Vito tenor

[cappers]

I didn't want to ask about drops, bumps etc. to avoid embarrassment.
The owner suffers from a progressive cartilage disorder resulting in instability, falls and easily dislocated joints. Can't really walk and has to use a mobility scooter.
Said they gave up about about 20 years ago because couldn't finger the keys but I wonder if they had an accident too?
Also, last year their flat was flooded and a lot of 'stuff' was removed hastily and maybe not too carefully?
Anyway sure it's all fixable, just hope the bell isn't askew and toneholes damaged.

Have to see if it's worth the cost of repairs. I don't need it just fancied a decent backup and the price was tempting. Cheers.

 

[Ghr9204]

Have to see if it's worth the cost of repairs. I don't need it just fancied a decent backup and the price was tempting. Cheers.

We are still talking about the Vito 7131 Yamaha YTS-23 right?

I don't think your Yami Vito is in bad shape. A decent tech can fix those issues easily IMO. For one, it is in extremely clean cosmetic shape, not dented bent and oxidised like a few of mine are. Sometimes also if you attempt your own adjustments can complicate it for the tech. Techs have ways of getting it back in order.

Regarding what is going on with the previous owner, who is now suffering some age related issues, and how that may have affected the sax's condition, I truly think this is immaterial.

I truly don't think there is any reason for buyer regret, seriously.

 

[PigSquealer]

I didn't want to ask about drops, bumps etc. to avoid embarrassment.
The owner suffers from a progressive cartilage disorder resulting in instability, falls and easily dislocated joints. Can't really walk and has to use a mobility scooter.
Said they gave up about about 20 years ago because couldn't finger the keys but I wonder if they had an accident too?
Also, last year their flat was flooded and a lot of 'stuff' was removed hastily and maybe not too carefully?
Anyway sure it's all fixable, just hope the bell isn't askew and toneholes damaged.

Have to see if it's worth the cost of repairs. I don't need it just fancied a decent backup and the price was tempting. Cheers.

These are really rugged units. Request a COA and needed repairs only. You’ll be fine.

 

[cappers]

We are still talking about the Vito 7131 Yamaha YTS-23 right?


Regarding what is going on with the previous owner, who is now suffering some age related issues, and how that may have affected the sax's condition, I truly think this is immaterial.

I truly don't think there is any reason for buyer regret, seriously.

Yes, Vito Yamaha YTS-23 Made in Japan, not sure if it is the 7131 (thought those were the Taiwanese models?).

Unfortunately the PO's condition isn't age related, it's genetic: Ehlers–Danlos syndromes are a group of 13 genetic connective tissue disorders. Symptoms often include loose joints, joint pain, stretchy, velvety skin, and abnormal scar formation. Complications may include aortic dissection, joint dislocations, scoliosis, chronic pain, or early osteoarthritis.


I haven't actually purchased it yet. We agreed to get it checked out and then negotiate price according to condition and work required. Overall it is in A1 condition and I hope these issues are resolvable easily and cheaply. If so it's mine 🙂

 

[Ghr9204]

Yes, Vito Yamaha YTS-23 Made in Japan, not sure if it is the 7131 (thought those were the Taiwanese models?).

The Vito 7131T is the Yamaha YTS-23, the Vito 7133T is the Jupiter (closest match I've found is their JTS-689 until someone reveals a better match). Mine doesn't look as pristene as yours, but for me it is a keeper.

 

[PigSquealer]

You guys need to find a different fishing spot. Don’t get me wrong, but Yamaha’s & Vito’s are like cold white toast with half melted butter.
Had some GAS today for a …..Sax Phone.

 

[Ghr9204]

You guys need to find a different fishing spot. Don’t get me wrong, but Yamaha’s & Vito’s are like cold white toast with half melted butter.

For the fish we are catching, the cold white toast with half melted butter squeezed onto a hook works great for the small fry, the tilapias. Don't have the power reels you have to land the big ones. 😉

But I just caught me 2 tilapias: A lightly used Selmer 1400 Bb Soprano Clarinet in playable shape for $73, and an almost new Millbrook (Chinese) Clarinet for $28 (tax and shipping included), just in today. 😀

Millbrook Chinese clarinet is to the left, Selmer 1400 clarinet is to the right.

The Selmer 1400 new are going for $1,300+. These should be good eating. 😉

 

[cappers]

Seeing the tech tomorrow but thought I'd have another look at the octave mech on the Vito which is slightly different to the one on the YTS-25.

It works properly i.e. neck vent opens with octave key until G is pressed, then it closes and the body vent opens. This only happens when the neck is on c.f. the 25 which opens and closes without the neck attached. I think the fork and pin on the Vito needs the resistance from the neck octave hoop to swivel open.

Yep, the 25's Eb guard has taken a whack. Doesn't look too bad but you might have some tonehole distortion going on there. Not such a big deal with a sprung-closed key, but an impact like that will have probably affected the low C...and that's a very different matter.

Fortunately there are no problems playing low C, C#, B and Bb on the 25. My teacher/tech has played it and said it's fine 🙂 When I first got he said the Eb guard was skewed but couldn't see any issues with the toneholes, no dents, creases or other signs of impact damage.

So this morning I took the Eb guard off and gently bent it to the correct angle and refitted it. Looks better and the felt touches the cap more in line with the arm.

See what tomorrow brings......

 

[cappers]

You guys need to find a different fishing spot. Don’t get me wrong, but Yamaha’s & Vito’s are like cold white toast with half melted butter.

@PigSquealer 'cold white toast with half melted butter' ????

Please explain 🙂 I'm more than happy with my Yamas!

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi @cappers ,
You might want to take look at this thread: Vito. In 2018, I sold my Vito tenor sax to @andyjb for £300 + shipping.

The 'Vito tenor' was my 1st sax which I eventually bought on a local rent/buy deal. I think that I paid around £1000 pounds for the sax. Which - at the time - seemed to me to be an outrageous amount of money! I played the Vito tenor for almost 15 years in various bands. I found it very easy to play. I'd got some comments from 'sax repairers' that the 'metal was a bit thin'. So I eventually bought an older (vintage) sax that had 'thicker metal'. Over a couple of years, I realized that I never played my 'backup' Vito sax. So I decided to sell it on. It was much later that I discovered that the 'Vito' brand was a 'Yamaha' equivalent.

 

[cappers]

Hi @cappers ,
You might want to take look at this thread: Vito. In 2018, I sold my Vito tenor sax to @andyjb for £300 + shipping.

The link doesn't work for me but I think you are referring to this thread:
Saxophones - Any idea what a 1996 'Vito' tenor sax is worth 2nd hand today?

Yes, thank you Mike. I read it when looking for info about the Yamaha Vito and it was helpful for checking the Vito against the photos of yours. Identical and in same vgc. Mine is '501907 Japan', yours '502100 Japan'. Probably the same batch!

I don't give a fig about brand name, 'student' epithet, nickel plated keys etc.
As long as it works properly, is easy to play and sounds good (subject to user competence) it's all I want or will need.

 

[Ghr9204]

I'd got some comments from 'sax repairers' that the 'metal was a bit thin'.

The truth is there is nothing wrong with the metallurgy. I heard the same nonsense when Yamaha first showed up in the Hawaiian Islands around 1970.

"Metal is soft, keys bend easily, poor quality. Do yourself a favor and buy a good horn like Selmer, Le Blanc, Conn, Buescher, King, etc."

 

[turf3]

... I'd got some comments from 'sax repairers' that the 'metal was a bit thin'. ...

Unless those comments come with comparative measurements, they're worthless.

 

[jonf]

It works properly i.e. neck vent opens with octave key until G is pressed, then it closes and the body vent opens. This only happens when the neck is on c.f. the 25 which opens and closes without the neck attached. I think the fork and pin on the Vito needs the resistance from the neck octave hoop to swivel open.

....

This is normal, it's the spring on the neck key which provides the force to open the body octave once you get down to G. I've just checked my Vito/Yamaha and it's the same.

My Vito is a great sax, looks scruffy but it plays great, and has a lively, characterful tone. A highly enjoyable instrument to play, whatever its modest original marketing.

 

[PigSquealer]

View attachment 30469 @PigSquealer 'cold white toast with half melted butter' ????

Please explain 🙂 I'm more than happy with my Yamas!

The Yamaha products are excellent. Vito too if made as non-Yamaha.
Just poking a bit of fishing fun. Like my fish is cooler than yours and was dirt cheap.
@ghostler made the perfect reply….two tasty pan fryers.

 

[cappers]

Good news 😀 Rob (my teacher/tech) adjusted the slightly askew low C key and made a few other adjustments, oiled bits and the Vito YTS-23 is now playing fine, in both his and my hands The low notes come out without the overtones and need little effort. He also checked the body octave mechanism and declared it ok, slight adjustment only. Older pre-Selmer style, unlike the 25.

He suggested playing it for a month as it's been sitting for so long and then give it another check over, a couple of new pads and adjustments as needed. Shouldn't be more than £60. Considering the immaculate condition it is in, £250 is a fair price factoring in another £60 in the next month.

He also fixed the leaky Eb on the YTS-25. It had as @Stephen Howard suggested probably taken a knock, hence the oddly angled key guard. He noticed the low C and Bb needed a tweak too. Playing fine now.

Have I caught GAS? 😱

 

[Colin the Bear]

Hardly.

Speaking from 9 altos, 3 tenors, 2 baritone, 2 sops, 8 clarinets, a chest of drawers full of mouthpieces, ligatures and caps. Then there's recorders, guitars, mandolins and various bits of percussion and drum machines. Oh, then there's a shelf full of microphones and a set of diatonic harmonicas.

I'll leave it there as I'm becoming depressed. 🙄

 

[Ghr9204]

Have I caught GAS? 😱

It's irreversible, once hooked, difficult to de-programme. I now have 7 Clarinets. 😳 I'm playing a little catch up with @Colin the Bear .

Now it's time to make up for your savings wIth a new lig / mouthpiece / stand, or a clarinet for doubling, plus learn new excuses for the spouse.

 

[PigSquealer]

Have I caught GAS? 😱

Gas isn’t a problem. Storage is a problem.
I haven’t taken inventory lately, but the family pile looks like this
3 Sop
28 C Melodies
30-40 altos
12-15 tenors
1 baritone
6-8 clarinets , wood & resin
4 metal clarinets
1 bass clarinet
4 trumpets
2 cornets
1 recorder
3 guitars
8 harmonicas
1 baby grand piano
1 keyboard
1 44HP Melodica
1 drum kit (8 shells)
And assorted pigs that squeak.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

You might have GAS, but put your pedal to the metal, and get a Suzuki Hammond 44HP.
Or if you're lucky, a minty
Hohner Professional 36.
It's an air powered portable theory and composition playland.

Thumbs up Señor Squealer

View: https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=pNYIiyt0MRE

Reminds me of Chet Baker.

Marimba
Vibes
Steel Drums
Pedal Steel
The list is endless,
if ya gots GAS. 🎶🏴‍☠️🎶