Saxophones Saxophone Recommendations New or Used Under $1500?

[skeller047]

I'm actually hesitant to say that. No matter the instrument people usually have canned answers if you tell them you're a beginner. They always say "start with this then buy that", I'd rather just skip this and buy that. "This" is a waste of money. With all respect, I'm going to go ahead and ask it... What about a sax for beginners could be so important that you don't want to miss? The fingerings are standardized, the action is probably higher (I'm guessing), the mouthpiece seems like it would be of more concern for a beginner, yes? Help me understand.

I understand this thought process completely. The trouble in this case is there is no “that” choice available for $1500. If your budget was double you would have received very different answers to your question. $1500 is a decent budget for a “starter” horn.

Going back to the tonal question, for a beginner what is needed is a horn that is in good mechanical condition. All the pads seal, no wiggly keys, action is even and smooth. There will be no perceptible difference to either the player or listener between instruments that meet that standard. There may be an intangible something that makes one horn “click” with you more than another, but tone will be a result of you + mouthpiece and maybe reed.

At $3K and above, you might be able to notice a difference even as a beginner, but $1500 will only buy you a good new student instrument, a good used intermediate-level horn or a decent used 2nd line horn from many decades ago. Note there is really very little difference between student and intermediate level horns. It’s usually just build quality (real pearls, better pads, fit and finish etc.) and maybe accessories that make the difference.

 

[Crevy]

I understand this thought process completely. The trouble in this case is there is no “that” choice available for $1500. If your budget was double you would have received very different answers to your question. $1500 is a decent budget for a “starter” horn.

Going back to the tonal question, for a beginner what is needed is a horn that is in good mechanical condition. All the pads seal, no wiggly keys, action is even and smooth. There will be no perceptible difference to either the player or listener between instruments that meet that standard. There may be an intangible something that makes one horn “click” with you more than another, but tone will be a result of you + mouthpiece and maybe reed.

At $3K and above, you might be able to notice a difference even as a beginner, but $1500 will only buy you a good new student instrument, a good used intermediate-level horn or a decent used 2nd line horn from many decades ago. Note there is really very little difference between student and intermediate level horns. It’s usually just build quality (real pearls, better pads, fit and finish etc.) and maybe accessories that make the difference.

I get what you're saying. My response was basically just to the question of are you a beginner? And personally, I don't think that even matters. Just point me in the direction of the best instrument I can get for a proposed budget.

Don't point me in a direction, just because i'm a beginner. That should not even matter.

Just to reiterate, I'm discussing a general principle. I'm not arguing against any of the advice that's been given to me on this forum. It's been great and I appreciate all of it and all of you for giving it.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Curious as to what model Ibanez guitars you play. Are you an accomplished/studio level musician?
Thx
PP

 

[Crevy]

Curious as to what model Ibanez guitars you play. Are you an accomplished/studio level musician?
Thx
PP

I currently have 2 Ibanez electric guitars shown below an AM153QA & a customized Artcore AF85TDG. They're both great. I had a really unbelievable home studio (drum room below) but it was in a rental that was sold. I hope to get everything back up before too long. I'm no Steve Lukather but I'll with anybody. It's just for my own pleasure now.

 

[Crevy]

 

[mizmar]

the mouthpiece seems like it would be of more concern for a beginner, yes?

Indeed. Untill one has developed breath control and embouchure, many mouthpieces/reed combos would be virtually unplayable and you'd never - ahem - grow into anything... So

The same logic applies to many things, something you can grow into.

Not really in this case.

So much for glib generalisations.

 

[LostCircuits]

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Ahh, a man of wealth and taste!

I found this one in a pawnshop for $300.- with one of the screws for the pickups loose so the PU was flopping around. I put new strings on, set it up and sent it to my brother in Germany. Even with ~ $150.- in shipping it stilll came out a good deal.

My own electric is a GSG (Gordon Smith) handmade prototype - sn1399

 

[Crevy]

Ahh, a man of wealth and taste!

I found this one in a pawnshop for $300.- with one of the screws for the pickups loose so the PU was flopping around. I put new strings on, set it up and sent it to my brother in Germany. Even with ~ $150.- in shipping it stilll came out a good deal.

View attachment 30306

My own electric is a GSG (Gordon Smith) handmade prototype - sn1399

View attachment 30307

Very nice! My favorite to play is actually a Mexican Stratocaster I've customized.

 

[Crevy]

Well I didn't hear back from George today, hopefully tomorrow.

 

[Canuck_alto]

View attachment 30305

My oldest friend has that exact Sonor kit (albeit with fewer cymbals) it is great sounding and looking.

 

[LostCircuits]

Very nice! My favorite to play is actually a Mexican Stratocaster I've customized.

I got my son a 1985 MIJ, Kahle Bridge, Goto tuners and the works, another nice pawnshop find...
😎

 

[DavidUK]

I'm actually hesitant to say that. No matter the instrument people usually have canned answers if you tell them you're a beginner. They always say "start with this then buy that", I'd rather just skip this and buy that. "This" is a waste of money. With all respect, I'm going to go ahead and ask it... What about a sax for beginners could be so important that you don't want to miss? The fingerings are standardized, the action is probably higher (I'm guessing), the mouthpiece seems like it would be of more concern for a beginner, yes? Help me understand.

Whilst I say go Yamaha as "standard" I have had many vintage horns, some good, some bad. They won't be as likely to stay in regulation as a Yamaha, nor be so easily serviced, but I do like the old inliine fingerings and left hand bell keys. I have a 1920's French tenor with these which is so easy to play.
It's just so difficult to choose a vintage horn off a retailer's list. I've been through 100+ horns, sifting the wheat from the chaff and moving on the ones which don't stand up to the newcomers. The other way is to visit a vintage horn shop with every old model in stock. But then you need to be somewhat experienced to find the right one. As a beginner I moved on all sorts of well regarded makes and models, probably because I didn't know how to get the most from them.

 

[jonf]

Why?

I've suggested what you might be best buying, in response to your original request. This is based on over four decades experience, and I stand by that. But now you're referring to people's advice as 'canned answers' and you seem like you know best. It's your money, so just go ahead and give the dice a roll.

 

[Pete Thomas]

What about a sax for beginners could be so important that you don't want to miss?

It's useful to gain experience on an instrument that doesn't have the sort of "quirks" (both intonation and possibly action) that some vintage horns have. OTOH, paying a lot of money for a modern top end horn is often wasted until you have gained some understanding of the instrument and so able to know more about what will suit you

I get what you're saying. My response was basically just to the question of are you a beginner? And personally, I don't think that even matters. Just point me in the direction of the best instrument I can get for a proposed budget.

Don't point me in a direction, just because i'm a beginner. That should not even matter.[

Except that it often does with saxophones. I think people here are actually trying to help and it's worth listening as they have the experience to know that a saxophone is not the same as a guitar or drums. For those instruments I would give different advice (I am a guitarist but not a drummer)

The other way is to visit a vintage horn shop with every old model in stock. But then you need to be somewhat experienced to find the right one.

+1
The experience you gain on a cheap but good student instrument is very useful in deciding on a purchase of an "upgrade" whether it's vintage or modern.

 

[LostCircuits]

By the end of the day it all comes down to one thing:

Put the darn thing in your mouth and play it!

Yes, vintage horns can be quirky but in most cases it is neglect - poor setup by the previous owner / tech. New "student horns" have a certain consistency but, just based on my own experience, they can be anti-exciting.

I'd take a well overhauled and adjusted MexiConn over a Yamaha (and that is just my own personal opinion). You have one of those and no matter where you go there will be somebody who walks up to you and tells you "I had one of those, they are so great". Even if that sounds trivial, that's the type of encouragement that'll keep you going.

 

[Crevy]

I've suggested what you might be best buying, in response to your original request. This is based on over four decades experience, and I stand by that. But now you're referring to people's advice as 'canned answers' and you seem like you know best. It's your money, so just go ahead and give the dice a roll

You might want to reread my post, I never said that about any of the advise I'm receiving here, just the opposite.

 

[cappers]

@Crevy Hi I'm a beginner with about only eight months experience but here's my 2p worth.

Although you are already musical and familiar with instruments, the sax is rather different as the 'sound' depends on so much on user input - embouchure, voicing, breath control. Mouthpiece and reed choice come next, then the sax itself.

I think that the reason many here are steering you towards a more modern and 'student' level horn to begin with is because a more 'pro' horn is like a sports car versus a sedan. Slicker, faster response, more liable to roar off or swerve off course in less experienced hands.

Until one has developed a good embouchure, can control the breath and oral cavity/tongue, the first few weeks or months will be challenging fun. Pluck a G on your guitar and you'll get a G......blow a high G on a sax and you could get a high G or an overtone D, blow a middle D and you might get an A overtone.

Learning on a 'wild' horn especially without having developed good embouchure and breath control would I think result in a lot of squeaks, honks and wailing. The same goes for mouthpieces, start on a 'beginner' e.g. Yamaha 5C et al. until your embouchure etc has developed. Similar to learning on a faulty horn, an 'advanced' horn will be harder to play and lead to frustration.

This is IMHO of course, maybe you could pick up a pro horn and mouthpiece and play away with your experience. Good luck whatever you decide.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I think that the reason many here are steering you towards a more modern and 'student' level horn to begin with is because a more 'pro' horn is like a sports car versus a sedan.

Doh, I was going to have a bet about how long before the car analogy 🙂

But it's true, you do need a bit of time in the sedan before deciding on a Ferrari, Tesla, Roller or Jeep with wheels that are too big and a stupid sticker on the back.

 

[jonf]

You might want to reread my post, I never said that about any of the advise I'm receiving here, just the opposite.

"No matter the instrument people usually have canned answers if you tell them you're a beginner."

You also said

"And personally, I don't think that even matters. Just point me in the direction of the best instrument I can get for a proposed budget."

It does. The 'best' instrument for someone with some experience (which may really mean the one they, subjectively, prefer) may be very different to someone with no experience.

 

[Crevy]

Doh, I was going to have a bet about how long before the car analogy 🙂

But it's true, you do need a bit of time in the sedan before deciding on a Ferrari, Tesla, Roller or Jeep with wheels that are too big and a stupid sticker on the back.

Well... maybe not if you grew up in the '70s 😉 just give up the keys man!