A Yamaha 23, for example.So what is a professional sax?
Any sax that if your sax playing is your main occupation, won't let you down because it's not a good sax, f.e. can't keep regulations, out of tune, unreliable, etc.So what is a professional sax?
Congratulations!To circle back around, after getting to try a few including the Series III I ended up with a Gently Used Yamaha yas-62III that came with the 62 and custom V1 neck for half the price of the Custom EX
Forgive me, but I thought we were talking altos, as this is what the OP is, or rather was, buying. Sure the Series III tenor is great, in particular if one likes bright horns.Oh yes, the alto and tenor Serie III are separate kettles of fish. I, too, prefer the Serie II alto. Don’t judge the tenors on your experience with the altos and vice versa.
Weeeelllllllll yeah....up to a point.I've been gigging and busking my G4M nickel alto for over a decade. Still looks ok. A few pads up at the top end, a sliver of cork here and there and a drop of oil and it plays great.
Professional, intermediate and beginner have more to do with extras than playability imo.
That's a really good question!Can a beginner get into the 90/100% zone?
If the problem is pulldown, then it apparently results from the player putting too much force on neck and horn. I visited a shop where they custom manufacture neck and had done some tests. I believe it was 18 Kg suspended from the end that a MKVI neck could handle before it bent. However, this is not much in comparison what a player jumping or moving vigorously with a horn can apply in terms of force.My friend, a professional rock & roll saxplayer., had to buy a new better neck to his Selmer ser III tenor. He had the same problem with his Mk VI neck. A tech made a brace on that one. So what is a professional sax?
To circle back around, after getting to try a few including the Series III I ended up with a Gently Used Yamaha yas-62III that came with the 62 and custom V1 neck for half the price of the Custom EX
NutshellAs I always say - if it doesn't slap you in the face...walk away.
I would say that the most expensive sax you can afford may not necessarily be the best for you. As others said, play them and decide based off what feels best to you. Buying used in excellent or mint condition can save you quite a bit of money and like in my case it sometimes comes with extras like a second neck. The bore on the V1 neck is too wide for me right now but that won't always be the case.Reflecting back on finding and trying the Custom EX, sending it back and then travelling many hours to try out other saxes, what tips would you give to someone looking for a replacement horn?
Before a neck collapses they often turns oval. And this results in bad intonation/pitch.If the problem is pulldown, then it apparently results from the player putting too much force on neck and horn. I visited a shop where they custom manufacture neck and had done some tests. I believe it was 18 Kg suspended from the end that a MKVI neck could handle before it bent. However, this is not much in comparison what a player jumping or moving vigorously with a horn can apply in terms of force.
I do wonder about newish second hand horns. If it was that good, why did someone part with it?
Then again the internal patina of an old horn may be adding a little je ne sai quoi.
I believe for some, the difference between an entry level and a professional sax may not dent budgets noticeably. It is not like a cello, bassoon or piano, where the difference is huge, at least to folks with average incomes.I guess it's mostly folk who relish the idea of playing a sax, buy a cheap one, or an expensive one, play it a few times and then find it's not for them after all.
I do wonder about newish second hand horns. If it was that good, why did someone part with it?
Then again the internal patina of an old horn may be adding a little je ne sai quoi.