I'm not sure I entirely agree with you about Bundys. Some are really good, but the one I played as a kid at school was awful. And of course, Selmer Bundy saxes were made by Selmer USA, a completely different company to Selmer Paris. Although the Conn-Selmer Corporation is the importer of Selmer Paris saxes (and a load more besides) there are no manufacturing links whatsoever between Selmer US and Selmer Paris. Never has been.
Also, whilst some Asian saxes are worthless junk, some are very good. They range from pro standard (Mauriat, made in Taiwan) through cheap, basic student models (Selmer Prelude, made in China) to unplayable rubbish. The Elkhart bought by PCThug is an example of a decent quality Asian horn which will last for years and which is at least as good as an old US made student line horn.
You are dead to right on the manufacturing links...err..to a point. Although the Bundy was not made along side the Selmer Paris models, George M. Bundy was an employee of Henri Selmer who was asigned the US market, IE; Selmer USA. This eventually gave birth to a variety of student line and mid range horns by various manufactures for Selmer USA with a star cast of instrument designers, such as Keilworth, Haynes (Flutes), Gemeinhart, etc. Bundy saxophones were comissioned to be made originally by Buescher for Selmer USA using Buescher Aristocrat tooling and parts, though finish was not as eleborate as the Bueschers. In 1963 Selmer purchased Buescher and they continued to make Buescher, Bundy, and Selmer Signet saxophones.
Bundy and Buescher saxophones shared serial numbers up until the late 60's. The design of my particular Bundy was pretty much a Buesher copy which was a stensil design by Keilworth (former Selmer Paris designer) while at the C.G. Conn company!! Hows that for a thouroughly jacked up and confusing family tree? LOL!!! OK, so the Bundys are total bastards! Still...the older models are great horns. The new ones? Probably not so good.
You are correct in that not ALL Asian market horns are crapola. In fact I double on an "Orpheo" baritone sax on occasion that is about as good as it gets for the money. I have no idea who the manufacturer is for the Orpheo signature line of instruments but it is definely one of the good quality Asian horns out there. It's not a Selmer Paris, but it doesn't have a $14,000 price tag on it either! For a cool $2,000 it's a really great bari with keying from high F# down to low A and all the other professional features. So, yes! There are definitely exceptions out there but one should check them out carefully and play on them until you are sure of your decision.
I was a Yamaha player for years and I still use a Yamaha Tenor regularly. My LA Sax soprano is an Asian made horn and I have never had a problem with it. I wish to point out, however that I use the soprano simply as a horn to double on, NOT as my main instrument! If I were to put it through the rigors of hard professional playing I would litterally wear it out in about 10 years even with proper, regular maintenance. It just will not stand up to extreme playing over time as well as a horn such as a Yamaha, Keilworth or Selmer will.
I actually enjoy all saxes and I enjoy studying the many subtle differences each manufacturer has to offer. Whether it's a thorobred Selmer Super balanced action or a Heinz 57 variety "mutt" like my old Bundy...you just gotta love 'em!!!
Damn! All this sax talk has given me the itch.
Think I'll play some jazz.
Regards...
Bill
