Saxophones Soprano sax which one?

[John STBR]

I have about £1000 to spend on a Soprano and I have a few choices. I had thought about a second hand Yamaha 475 or Bauhouse Walstein maybe. I don't think the funds will stretch to a secondhand Yanagisawa (which would be my ultimate choice as I have a yani alto 902 and am very pleased with). Someone mentioned an Antigua Winds SS4290, which receives decent forum feedback, your thoughts please

John

 

[kevgermany]

Maybe save for the Yanagiasawa, but get someting to play in the meanwhile and spend on a decent mouthpiece. Some interesting stuff around... If you can get to a shop and try a few. And take a look in the yardsale, there are/were a few sops there that would fit the bill.

 

[TomMapfumo]

The Bauhaus Walstein is a serious piece of kit, which Pete Thomas rates above others. I play a BW out of preference to a Yanagisawa, as do several others on the forum. It has a superb tone, too. Do try them in comparison and see what you think. Where are you based. A member recently played a Yanagisawa and a Bauhaus Walstein in the same shop and chose the BW in preference - the Yanagisawa was in her price range. Give them both a try!

 

[John STBR]

Hi Tom

I must give the Bauhaus Walstein a go then.

As my yani alto is a bronze I'm rather partial to this tone and wonder if the B W sop will give a similar diference in tone. I'll try to have a blow with several saxes before I purchase.

I'm in Sheffield, and the nearest sax shops with stock to try I believe are in Nottingham, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool, sadly none in Sheffield!

Having looked at some of the other threads the B W M2 has great reviews, although a little out of my budget.

Thanks for your advice

Cheers

 

[TomMapfumo]

Try Windblowers in Nottingham - they have BW and Yanagisawa sopranos, including the second hand one triedby the member who bought the BW I mentioned in my post - very helpful folks! You may need to ask them toget the BW Bronze sax in before you visit if they do not currently stock one.

Kind regards
Tom

 

[John STBR]

I'll give them a try. Just looked on the Windblowers website and the Yanagisawa is a curved Sop which was not on my radar as I prefer the straight sop's. I also note they have an Antigua in for repair (also curved) which will no doubt be less expensive.

 

[Jeanette]

I'm in Sheffield, and the nearest sax shops with stock to try I believe are in Nottingham, Bradford, Manchester and Liverpool, sadly none in Sheffield!

Cheers

Have you tried http://www.bluenoteinstruments.co.uk/ based in Fulwood Sheffield, not sure how much stock they carry though.

Jx

 

[John STBR]

Hi Jeanette

They don't carry much stock in terms of sopranos as there isn't a massive demand for this type of sax, and yes I know them very well and have purchased from them previously.

I speak to John (the proprietor of Bluenote) on a fairly regular basis to see what comes into the shop.

Thanks

J

 

[jonf]

Other opinions are available........

I have both BW and Yanagisawa saxes, and rate both highly. I do find the Yanagisawas to be better than the BWs though. They are between three and five times the price, though.

 

[tzadik]

Sequoia K91 or unlacquered?

Ask Aldevis for details.