So many choices!!!

mark_anthony · Nov 28, 2007

Hi All,

I'm going to do it, by saturday a purchase will be made!!!
Been a few years in the planning, but now its time to pull the preverbial "finger" out and get a sax.

The Sakkusu, TJ "the Horn", Antigua A520 and Hanson SA5 are my current available options. Any thoughts on these would be most appreciated.

I haven't the skill to tell my actually playing them myself, and unfortunately upon comparing several in a "local shop", they do seem much of a muchness in terms of layout/ feel etc. I'm sure this isnt the case, as i progress i'll no doubt be able to make distinctions as i would with my guitars (plural, i'm a hoarder!!!)

😉

Any help would be great, i've searched as much as possible but i got that itch and it needs a scratchin'!!! (money in the wallet syndrome!)
Thanks everyone! 🙂

phil_edwards · Nov 28, 2007

Mark-Anthony wrote:
... as i would with my guitars (plural, i'm a hoarder!!!)

Boy, are you going to fit in around here! There's a lot of sufferers.

regards, Phil

Linky Lee · Nov 28, 2007

I'm sure they're all good horns but I'd put the Hanson as the better of the bunch, though I haven't had any experience of the Sakkusu or the Antigua.

If I were you, I'd go back to the shop, play them again and go for the one which feels the most comfortable, easy to blow and just 'natural' for you.

You only get out what you put in with saxes, it's not quite the same with guitars as they do make a big difference. The sax is essentially a tube of varying length that the sound travels through, therefore the mouthpiece/reed but foremost the player make the greatest contribution to the sound. Hence why I'd recommend whatever sax makes the technical side easiest for you.

mark_anthony · Nov 28, 2007

Thanks Phil! I've whittled my collection down to 4 now (was double!), so i have plenty of room to aquire "much needed new things" !!!
😛

Linky_Lee wrote:
I'm sure they're all good horns but I'd put the Hanson as the better of the bunch, though I haven't had any experience of the Sakkusu or the Antigua.

If I were you, I'd go back to the shop, play them again and go for the one which feels the most comfortable, easy to blow and just 'natural' for you.

You only get out what you put in with saxes, it's not quite the same with guitars as they do make a big difference. The sax is essentially a tube of varying length that the sound travels through, therefore the mouthpiece/reed but foremost the player make the greatest contribution to the sound. Hence why I'd recommend whatever sax makes the technical side easiest for you.

Hi Linky, Thanks for the reply.
I'm a Portsmouth man myself. Used to know a few people in the Uni Band, some very talented people there. Where do you get all your "sax related" items from, as you may have noticed there isn't much about in the fair city!!!

Pete Thomas · Nov 28, 2007

If you're in Portsmouth, I suggest you ring up Woodwind & Brass in Fareham. It is a online mail order shop but they do receive vistors by appointment I believe and martin there is very helpful.

http://www.woodwindandbrass.co.uk/

mark_anthony · Nov 28, 2007

Pete Thomas wrote:
If you're in Portsmouth, I suggest you ring up Woodwind & Brass in Fareham. It is a online mail order shop but they do receive vistors by appointment I believe and martin there is very helpful.

http://www.woodwindandbrass.co.uk/

Thanks for your help Pete! I've looked on their site a few times, never thought to look at where they were!!!(doh!)
I'll try pop in see them this week if possible. 🙂

mark_anthony · Nov 29, 2007

Just thought i'd update everyone. I just bought a Walstein! I get to pick it up tonght, as i'm right round corner from the shop.
Purchased from
http://www.woodwindandbrass.co.uk/

Spoke with Martin, as recommended by Pete. Top bloke, really helpful and eased any questions i had. So i jumped in!!!!

phil_edwards · Nov 29, 2007

Excellent - enjoy it! Weren't planning on doing anything this weekend were you? Keep us posted,

regards, Phil

I presume you forgot to say that you bought 4 or 5 saxes whilst you were there, no point in delaying the collection, now...

Linky Lee · Nov 29, 2007

I got a Walstein tenor from Woodwind and Brass. You've got Courtney and Walker but that's the only music shop in Portsmouth, and out in Fratton.

I've been toying with the idea of setting up my own music shop as my third year project, as we can get bits of funding etc. from the Uni, and there is a big need for a decent music shop.

mark_anthony · Nov 29, 2007

Phil Edwards wrote:
Excellent - enjoy it! Weren't planning on doing anything this weekend were you? Keep us posted,

regards, Phil

I presume you forgot to say that you bought 4 or 5 saxes whilst you were there, no point in delaying the collection, now...

Thanks Phil!
No the "add to basket" blindness wore off before i could purchase a tenor to go along with... 😉 I've no doubt reckless spending will follow suit!
However i've managed to revise my Xmas list, seems to have a running theme tho...
Also ordered 2 books from amazon (had some credit from them). Got the John O'neil Jazz methods for Saxophone (book+cd) and The Complete Saxophone Player (Book & 2 Cds), which should keep me going for a while!
Tonight i have a poker game after i pick up the sax, so the unveiling will be short-lived. Plus i'll try NOT to lose it before i get to play it!!! haha