Hi folks,
After 16 years of wanting to start, finally looking to buy a horn, specifically a tenor.
I've got a pretty tight budget, so I was looking around on eBay and local classifieds. On eBay I found this nicely engraved, abalone key one:
It's nice and cheap, but unbranded. I feel like I've seen identical saxes to this one that cost $3000+, so I'm thinking maybe it's from the same factory in China as those but sold unbranded for the domestic market?
There's also a used YTS-21 in my local classifieds for $1000 (Canadian). From what I understand, the YTS-21 is basically professional quality, made in Japan in the 70's to the same specs as Yamaha's top-end models but without fancy engravings/ features. But I also always see it touted as a student model, so that seems like a contradiction to me, and I'm not sure what the age and history of it is.
Thoughts? And does anyone here have any experience with the mystery sax? I really like the look of the unknown eBay one, and it's a few hundred bucks cheaper, but it is still an unknown (though if it's garbage, I think eBay's buyer protection may help me?).
Thank you in advance for your help!
- Ken
After 16 years of wanting to start, finally looking to buy a horn, specifically a tenor.
I've got a pretty tight budget, so I was looking around on eBay and local classifieds. On eBay I found this nicely engraved, abalone key one:

100% New Professional Bb Matt Black Surface Black Key High F# Tenor Saxophone | eBay
Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for 100% New Professional Bb Matt Black Surface Black Key High F# Tenor Saxophone at the best online prices at eBay! Free shipping for many products!
www.ebay.ca
It's nice and cheap, but unbranded. I feel like I've seen identical saxes to this one that cost $3000+, so I'm thinking maybe it's from the same factory in China as those but sold unbranded for the domestic market?
There's also a used YTS-21 in my local classifieds for $1000 (Canadian). From what I understand, the YTS-21 is basically professional quality, made in Japan in the 70's to the same specs as Yamaha's top-end models but without fancy engravings/ features. But I also always see it touted as a student model, so that seems like a contradiction to me, and I'm not sure what the age and history of it is.
Thoughts? And does anyone here have any experience with the mystery sax? I really like the look of the unknown eBay one, and it's a few hundred bucks cheaper, but it is still an unknown (though if it's garbage, I think eBay's buyer protection may help me?).
Thank you in advance for your help!
- Ken