Beginner Sax Where Can I buy a Jericho saxophone? And how does a Sakkusu fare against a Jericho?

[Kierkegaardfan209]

Hello fellow saxophones (and their owners)!

I've read a lot of fine things about the Academy Jericho saxophones. But my google abilities have not allowed me to find as much as one single store which currently stocks them. Does anyone know where in Europe or the UK I can buy one? It needs to be sold with a guarantee and a free trial period ("return it freely inside 14 days ((or so)), if you are not satisfied with it"), so I think I'm primarily looking for new, unused versions.
(And, too, it needs to be able to ship to Denmark (or at least to the UK) - but don't worry about this shipment criteria, I'll look into that one myself).

Secondly: has anyone compared the Sakkusu saxophones with a Jericho? Sakkusu Alto Saxophones - Sax.co.uk - The Worlds Leading Saxophone Specialist

And, in case you're reading this and won't mind answering a bonusquestion: should I save up for something with the standard of a YAS-280 (or YTS-280 for that sake), instead of buying the much cheaper Jerichos or Sakkusus?
... I will do a more thorough CS forum search on this specific question (though I have already read a quite lot about it!). However, if you have a burning wish to add something like "Buy cheap, and buy twice: save up for the 280 instead!" or "I have a Jericho/ Sakkuso. It's just wonderful. I actually prefer it to ..." etc., then please, feel free!

The kindest regards, the sarcastic philosopher

P.s. the closest I've gone to finding a new Jericho is here Saxophone Instrument - Jericho Alto in Gold and Nickel by Academy® has been Compared to the Yamaha 62 - Considered One of the Best Budget Student Beginner Saxophones on the Market
But it is "currently unavailable." I want to call the shop and ask them when they think it will be available again, but I simply cannot find any contact info at the webpage. Does anyone have a phone number for Buy Wind Musical Instruments online, including flutes, tuba, trumpets, clarinets, and saxophones or anything? Thanks

Edit: I did not know inserted links would look like that. What a beauty.

 

[MMM]

Jericho saxes are no longer sold, the company ceased trading a while back. I have had a look at one of the new Sakkusu (ie.: not tick logo, black pearls) and I didn't like how it was put together or its sound.

If you're on a budget, I would look for a used YAS23/25 or 280 (I wasn't impressed with the 275), there's plenty about and if you don't know what you're buying you can always buy through a shop/dealer at a good discount compared to new + you have some comeback if it doesn't turn out to be in good shape (although a reputable shop will make sure all their used stock is good to go).
Just my 2p.
Cheers, M.

 

[nigeld]

For Sale - Jericho alto saxophone in gold and nickel

Or a used Yamaha would be a lot cheaper than a new one.

 

[Rob Pealing]

I think the Jerichos were sold by Student Music Supplies,
See here :
Student Music Supplies in 25 Bramblys Close, Basingstoke, Hampshire, RG21 8UP - Get Reading
How ever neither the website or the Facebook pages are functioning

Ah I was too slow typing!

 

[nigeld]

It's also worth checking out Headwind saxes if you are looking for cheap one, but I haven't played one myself
Alto Sax Zetland MK1

 

[kevgermany]

I'd also support going for Yamaha.

 

[Kierkegaardfan209]

Hi, thanks a lot for the replies

I'll check out the Headwind saxes and note what was said about the Sakkusu.
I'm not as such limited to an ultra cheap saxophone, but Jericho seemed like the deal of the decade for that sort of money. So I was (and am of course still) pretty curious whether some perfectly good, unsold stock was still to be found at some store.

If you're on a budget, I would look for a used YAS23/25 or 280 (I wasn't impressed with the 275),

I've tried a YAS 23, which was indeed fine. And I've only heard great things about Yamaha's student models, so they are definetely on my mind as the truly "safe bet". However, (and this is indeed a question for another thread - probably it has already been asked quite a lot in the other threads), navigating in all the different Yamaha Student saxes can be a bit confusing from time to time. Some swear to the older ones, because they were produced at "this factory instead of that" (etc.); others swear to the new.

But yes, unless I can find as good a deal as the Jericho seemed to be, then I'll probably move up a notch - looking at Yamahas, Bauhaus Walstein saxes and the likes.

For Sale - Jericho alto saxophone in gold and nickel

Yes; had I been in the neighbourhood to try it myself, this would indeed have been quite tempting.

 

[Stephen Howard]

At the moment I'd stick with a Yamaha.

Ideally a Japanese-built 23 in mint condition would be the very best bet - but failing that you don't need to worry too much about the differences between the models and the country of manufacture. As with many things, the older models tend to have been assembled with more care - but you have to offset this against possible wear and tear and more advanced features on later models.

 

[kevgermany]

Jerichos. Based on the sop I have, they're overrated. The altos may be different. I had an email exchange about the sops with the owner before they went out of business, I was looking for a sop at the time and they weren't available. She said that they had QC problems with the suppliers and we're trying to find a new one. Mine was picked up later, second hand.

But the alto that went as a passaround was well received and some members bought as a result. Maybe you can find a used one, but listen carefully to Stephen Howard.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Secondly: has anyone compared the Sakkusu saxophones with a Jericho?

I've tried both but not side by side and not for years. I still recommend the Sakkusu because the one I played was great, but I don't mind saying that it was quite a quick playtest, nothing like @Stephen Howard would o on a bench test, just initial gut reaction.

Jericho was good, but sadly no longer available.

Another contender in the student type price market is the Adolphe Sax Aspirant, but maybe a rung or two up the ladder. You could contact @Karel Belgium about these

Saxophones | Adolphe Sax

 

[Stephen Howard]

She said that they had QC problems with the suppliers and we're trying to find a new one. Mine was picked up later, second hand.

And that's where the Chinese have shot themselves in the feet.
I've seen what they can do - and I think most players would be gobsmacked at the level of quality they're able to turn out...but they just don't seem to grasp the notion of consistency.
It's not that dealer are expecting wonders for £300, but if the inevitable flaws were consistent it'd at least be manageable...and possible to budget for during the setup process.
If you knew (for example) that every alto had a loose crook joint and a wobbly low C tonehole, you could plan for it...but you're just as likely to open the case and find that they've nailed a tangerine to the bottom bow.
I think the very worst example I've seen was a pair of sopranos (quite well made, I should add) pitched in B.

 

[kevgermany]

I think the very worst example I've seen was a pair of sopranos (quite well made, I should add) pitched in B.

I want one, bound to be valuable, like the F altos.

 

[Kierkegaardfan209]

Thank you, Stephen Howard. Your reviews have been a great help for the picking-a-saxophone-process. You got me to look into the Jerichos and your Yanagisawa comparison got me really interested in the (now much more expensive) Bauhaus Walsteins.

I haven't read all of your Yamaha Student Saxophone reviews yet (but I will tomorrow). But just to clarify:

At the moment I'd stick with a Yamaha

Stick with a Yamaha above Bauhaus Walstein as well? Or do you just mean Yamaha rather than saxophones cheaper than it?

Ideally a Japanese-built 23 in mint condition would be the very best bet

Do you recommend the 23 instead of, f.i., the 280, primarily because of the price difference, or do you simply prefer the 23 to the 280? (If that is a fair question).

Jerichos. Based on the sop I have, they're overrated.

But the alto that went as a passaround was well received and some members bought as a resul

Yes, the passaround reviews really made me interested in one! With the trial period, it might still be like a roll of the dice due to QC issues, but if I wasn't satisfied with my roll, I'd just be send it back. Seemed like the perfect plan! Oh well

Another contender in the student type price market is the Adolphe Sax Aspirant, but maybe a rung or two up the ladder. You could contact @Karel Belgium about these

Thank you, Pete Thomas. Your recommendation of the Sakkusu (and all your very positive comments on the Jericho that I've been able to find on this forum) was my reason for asking about the comparison. But now I'll probably go up a step on the financial ladder and look into the ASA

I think the very worst example I've seen was a pair of sopranos (quite well made, I should add) pitched in B

I know this ought to scare me off, but man --- if it came with a free trial period I'd order one right away just to try it! (Also, I read somewhere that a well developed embouchure should be able to fix any bad tuning ... this one might be a challenge to most, though).

Thanks for all the replies! Very appreciated

- SPh

 

[Pete Thomas]

But now I'll probably go up a step on the financial ladder and look into the ASA

At some stage I'm hoping to either visit Bruges again, or find some way maybe to borrow a review instrument from Karel - my initial reactions to it were that it is not like other Chinese instruments I'd seen.

 

[Kierkegaardfan209]

At some stage I'm hoping to either visit Bruges again, or find some way maybe to borrow a review instrument from Karel - my initial reactions to it were that it is not like other Chinese instruments I'd seen.

In what way unlike? And do you know how it holds up against f.i. the Jericho or a Yamaha Student sax?

 

[Pete Thomas]

In what way unlike? And do you know how it holds up against f.i. the Jericho or a Yamaha Student sax?

When you say holds up against, then I have to honestly say no because I didn't compare side by side or be able to see what happens over time. Just a gut reaction, "ooh this is a really good horn for the price" - and it costs more than a Jericho.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Stick with a Yamaha above Bauhaus Walstein as well? Or do you just mean Yamaha rather than saxophones cheaper than it?

Do you recommend the 23 instead of, f.i., the 280, primarily because of the price difference, or do you simply prefer the 23 to the 280? (If that is a fair question).

I know this ought to scare me off, but man --- if it came with a free trial period I'd order one right away just to try it! (Also, I read somewhere that a well developed embouchure should be able to fix any bad tuning ... this one might be a challenge to most, though).

In your situation, at your locale, the Yamaha is going to be the best bet.

I prefer the 23 to the 280 simply because it's a simpler horn, and I have a preference for its tonal approach. But I'm happy to recommend any of the series.

There's tuning and there's tuning. While a player can moderate a few anomalies, they can't overcome the inherent mathematics of a horn's bore. It's easy to test this..simply pull the mouthpiece out to the end of the cork (use some tape if necessary) and then try to play a scale. In tune with itself.

 

[Kierkegaardfan209]

When you say holds up against, then I have to honestly say no because I didn't compare side by side or be able to see what happens over time. Just a gut reaction, "ooh this is a really good horn for the price" - and it costs more than a Jericho.

Sure, one seldomely has the conditions to truly compare. This thread "Adolphe Sax & Cie" saxophones ARE BACK! - Page 6 contains some real enthuasism about the AS horns (from you as well, Pete Thomas). It seems more people had a similar gut reaction. This definetely seems like something I'll investigate further.

I prefer the 23 to the 280 simply because it's a simpler horn, and I have a preference for its tonal approach. But I'm happy to recommend any of the series.

Great! They (Yamahas) truly seem more and more like the safe bet. And perhaps not just the safe bet; perhaps the best bet, too. I'll keep an extra eye open for the 23's - I borrowed one this december, and the tone was actually surprisingly nice.

Thanks for all the help

 

[Karel Belgium]

I would't go for a YAS280. Building quality is not good - at all. Soft alloy. Even the last 275's that say "made in Japan" seem tricky (and probably already made in Indonesia). The old ones I like, nice horns, quality material. Budget-wise, go for the old ones - and of course the Aspirant is a nice choice, also a good copy of a Yamaha in better quality brass and nickle plated keys to have a more rigid, stronger feel.

 

[jonf]

I would't go for a YAS280. Building quality is not good - at all. Soft alloy. Even the last 275's that say "made in Japan" seem tricky (and probably already made in Indonesia). The old ones I like, nice horns, quality material. Budget-wise, go for the old ones - and of course the Aspirant is a nice choice, also a good copy of a Yamaha in better quality brass and nickle plated keys to have a more rigid, stronger feel.

The ones which say 'made in Japan' were made in Japan. The ones which say 'Made in Indonesia' were made in Indonesia. No conspiracy, Yamaha were quite open about it all. I have had about half a dozen YAS21/23/25s, and also a YAS 275. The YAS275 was an excellent horn, with very good build quality, nice tone and excellent ergonomics. It was a 'Made in Indonesia' model, and I'd be happy playing it in any environment.