Beginner Sax Starting again need a horn

dantius · Feb 25, 2015

Hi there

I've decided to start again with alto sax after a 8 ish year break, now all uni/work studying is out of the way and want to get my own instrument this time.

Having read a few of the forums, I headed to my local sax shop hoping to try some but the guy there was only interested in selling me a cheap chinese sax. It honestly felt like he was pushing me into a sale, so I refused to buy.

I've been further a field and tried an Elkhart 100AS which was pretty nice and a Trevor James Classic and Artemis. However, I'm intrigued by the Elkhart Series II deluxe, the Jupiter 567 and nuovas(?). I want something thats going to last me a long time - I can't envisage taking the exams as its just for a hobby. My budget is ideally no more than £500, and all of those fit it, even the Jupiter if I buy online rather than in store (have traveled c. 1h 30 mins max).

Is it safe to buy online? I've currently stuck with buying from a store, all of which are at least an hours drive.

I'm currently leaning towards the Trevor James or the Jupiter if I can find somewhere to try it locally. I struggled with the lowest 3 notes, on the trevor james and the artemis but only the lowest note on the Elkhart.

Any advice/suggestions are greatly appreciated as although I don't want to blow my cash on something I'll regret, I do want to get started soon 🙂

Jeanette · Feb 25, 2015

Welcome to the café, you haven't mentioned where you live we may be able to recommend other sax shops 🙂

Jx

kevgermany · Feb 25, 2015

Big welcome from me too.

dantius · Feb 25, 2015

Jeanette said:
Welcome to the café, you haven't mentioned where you live we may be able to recommend other sax shops 🙂

Jx

Sorry - I'm in Sheffield.

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Jeanette · Feb 25, 2015

Have you been to Woodwind Exchange in Bradford or contacted Hansons in Marsden?

Jx

dantius · Feb 25, 2015

Jeanette said:
Have you been to Woodwind Exchange in Bradford or contacted Hansons in Marsden?

Jx

I'll take a look at those now thank you 🙂

Pete Thomas · Feb 25, 2015

My recommendation for that kind of budget is a Bauhaus Walstein or Academy Jericho. Maybe the BW is a bit above the budget, but worth finding the extra for a good horn and great customer service if you buy online.

Well, they are both good horns.

dantius · Feb 25, 2015

Pete Thomas said:
My recommendation for that kind of budget is a Bauhaus Walstein or Academy Jericho. Maybe the BW is a bit above the budget, but worth finding the extra for a good horn and great customer service if you buy online.

Well, they are both good horns.

I did look at the Jericho but it was too far to travel to try it. What's the difference between the original J6AGN and the Mk II?

Pete Thomas · Feb 25, 2015

dantius said:
I did look at the Jericho but it was too far to travel to try it. What's the difference between the original J6AGN and the Mk II?

I don't know what those are so can't help you there.

Jeanette · Feb 25, 2015

dantius said:
I did look at the Jericho but it was too far to travel to try it. What's the difference between the original J6AGN and the Mk II?

I think the Jericho have a good return policy if you want to try one

Jx

dantius · Feb 25, 2015

Jeanette said:
I think the Jericho have a good return policy if you want to try one

Jx

I'll have another look at them. The coppertone one did look very cool, but it's playability I'm most interested in 🙂

trimmy · Feb 25, 2015

Welcome to the cafe dantius

Don't discard 2nd hand at your budget you could get a very good horn

Targa · Feb 25, 2015

dantius said:
Sorry - I'm in Sheffield.

Thanks for the warm welcomes.

Welcome to the café.
I'm sorry you're in Sheffield as well but I suppose someone has to live there.

ProfJames · Feb 25, 2015

Seen Broadchurch?

Jeanette · Feb 26, 2015

Targa said:
Welcome to the café.
I'm sorry you're in Sheffield as well but I suppose someone has to live there.

Careful, I was born in Sheffield 🙂

Jx

kevgermany · Feb 26, 2015

Jeanette said:
Careful, I was born in Sheffield 🙂

Jx

Steel yourselves, here come the claws and teeth... :w00t:

Jay · Feb 26, 2015

Hi 🙂

Hansons, in Marsden, have a number of secondhand altos, as well as their own new ones, which are very good.

Ring them though, forget email, which they don't reply to, or the website which is awful. If you ring them, you can go over and try horns and they're both really nice and helpful but also 'no pressure'.