YAS 32/52

taff60 · Mar 23, 2006

Well, I just cant leave ebay alone. Ive just bought a Yam YAS 32 with a otto link m/p from ebay. It will replace my Trevor James Revo 1.

Have I done the right thing?

It was quite a good price and if the Otto is too much for me, I can stick with my Yam 4c and sell the link.

Is there anything I should look out for when it arrives (Tue or Wed next week?

Infact as Im a begginer, are there any tips (not too rude) that you can offer?

Any thing would be helpfull.

Yes I know that I need to learn to read music before I buy another sax but I am a fanatic.

rs2sensen · Mar 23, 2006

That horn should be in a good shape. I'm always hesitant to buy horns without playing them first, but you should be alright.

Since you are a beginner, if you know of any experienced saxophonists, have them try it out for you. Run every note on the horn against a tuner. Check for pad condition and that kind of thing.

In my opinion, if you like the sound of it and it plays in tune, it should be a good horn for you!

philippe · Mar 23, 2006

Have I done the right thing?

You tell us when you receive the horn! As a rule though I wouldn't buy a saxophone without trying it out first. there's no way of knowing if it's going to be better than the one you've got!

Is there anything I should look out for when it arrives (Tue or Wed next week?

Look out for any sign of poor repair that would indicate it's had a serious accident: soldering for example (including inside the horn) or clamps that look out of place, or something that looks like a dent that's been forced back into shape. The lacquer, obviously, if it doesn't correspond to the description, and the state of the pads and if they fit well. Check the tone holes to see if they're level and again with no obvious botched repair.

Personally I would take it straight to a repair person and have it checked out for leaks etc. and make sure it's in good playing condition. Most saxes need a set up when they come out of the box anyway. It's worth finding someone who has a good reputation because you need to be able to trust him/her. There's a lot of pseudo-specialists that will sometimes make matters worse.

taff60 · Mar 23, 2006

Thanks both.

On the subject of the tuner. I have one, a Korg chromatic one.

I can use it to tune my sax mouthpiece (I think) I set it to 440hz and play an F#. That should register as an A. How do I check the other notes? Is it just the #/b notes that will register in 'the green'. My TJ looks to play well in tune ( as far as I can see)

I have a friend who will take a look at my 'new' horn, he's v good (but too modest to say) but hes away for a while. As the seller is an instrument dealer and has offered a full money back guarantee. He asures me that it is in tip top form with exception to a few scratches around the strap look and a few zipper marks on the side (nothing new there)

rs2sensen · Mar 23, 2006

Leave it at 440, and you can tune with any note you want.

I would recommend having your friend do the work on tuning with it. An experienced player will be able to really nail every note, where a beginner will have great difficulty getting the extreme notes in tune, even on the finest horn ever made.

When tuning yourself, I usually tune at least three notes, and try to tune across a wide range, and at the dynamic (volume) level of whatever I will be playing the most. Also, don't become too dependent on a tuner for tuning. Being able to hear what is in tune and out of tune by ear is a great skill. It is better to have someone else tune you with your tuner. When you tune yourself, you will be focused on getting the little bar to be exactly in tune, and as soon as the tuner is gone, you will go out of tune again.

I also agree, have a good tech look at it. I have my personal horns in every 6 months anyways, and I oil my keys monthly.

Another thing to look at...serial number. Make sure it is there. Some horns on eBay have been stolen with their serial number removed.

This guide has some great info:
http://www.saxophone.org/buyers/

Pete Thomas · Mar 23, 2006

At 7:56:48 PM 23/03/06, taff60 wrote:
Well, I just cant leave ebay alone. Ive just bought a Yam YAS 32 with a otto link m/p from ebay. It will replace my Trevor James Revo 1.

Have I done the right thing?

It was quite a good price and if the Otto is too much for me, I can stick with my Yam 4c and sell the link.

In know what you mean about ebay. It's addictive. I have learnt to see something, make up my mind on it's value and stick to it.

YAS 32- good horns, so look out for it being in as good a condition as the seller says!

I never like Otto Links on alto so I can't comment on that, only you (or your teacher) can decide. Actually I never liked them on tenors either, but don't be put off by that. Many better players than me use Links.

philippe · Mar 23, 2006

I never like Otto Links on alto so I can't comment on that, only you (or your teacher) can decide. Actually I never liked them on tenors either, but don't be put off by that. Many better players than me use Links.

Coltrane had a Link for a while I believe. Mind you, "they don't make them like they used to!"