Beginner Sax Starting again need a horn

[dantius]

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]

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

Jx

 

[kevgermany]

Big welcome from me too.

 

[dantius]

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]

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

Jx

 

[dantius]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

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]

Welcome to the cafe dantius

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

 

[Targa]

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]

Seen Broadchurch?

 

[Jeanette]

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]

Careful, I was born in Sheffield

Jx

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

 

[Jay]

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'.

 

[Jay]

Careful, I was born in Sheffield

Jx

Yeh, so wuz half my family. I like Sheffield

 

[ProfJames]

This is England.....this land of Sheffield steel......great lyrics......https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YewjtDeuDQ

 

[Targa]

Careful, I was born in Sheffield

Jx

George Orwell: "Sheffield, I suppose, could justly claim to be called the ugliest town in the Old World".
And he'd been to Wigan.