Beginners Sax.

[Fireball_73]

A big hello to everyone at the Woodwind and Brass forum! :wave:

Just wondering how much a beginners saxophone would cost roughly and if it would be necessary to have lessons. I'm just quite nosy! I admire sax players hugely, looks and sounds like a great instrument to play!

Cheers!

[saxdaddy1]

Yamaha makes the best begginers horn. The thing is get one from a local store or be prepared to pay upwards of 400.00 more to have the instrument put into good playing condition. There is also a horn that has the Vito name on the bell, that is made by Yamaha and is the same instrument in every way except the name printed on the bell, this one says made in Japan on the back. If you get one make sure it is the Yamaha stencil, there are other Vito's that are not as good. The Selmer Bundy was a good begginer horn in its time but is no longer made, although there are still alot of used ones on the market. If you know someone that plays, bring them along to play test horns for you, nothing is worse than getting a horn that is in bad shape, and thinking that the problem is you , when it is the horn. And in most places a good quality repad goes for 400.00 which is alot to tag on to a horn you have just bought. One way to go is get a good brand name horn in bad playing condition, but with no other damage and all the parts there cheap, and then just count on getting a repad. Most of the time if you have found a good repair tech to do your work this will get you the best playing instrument for the best price.

[777Brad]

I posted a similar thread recently. There's some good information here http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1251808

Brad

[Fireball_73]

Originally posted by 777Brad
I posted a similar thread recently. There's some good information here http://acapella.harmony-central.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=1251808

Brad

Cheers. Saxaphones are expensive.... :(

There goes the "lean, mean, blues machine" idea down the pan! :D

[sunburstbasser]

Originally posted by Fireball_73


Cheers. Saxaphones are expensive.... :(

There goes the "lean, mean, blues machine" idea down the pan! :D

All wind instruments are pricey to get something new, unfortunately. While $1000 will get a VERY nice bass or guitar brand new, it barely gets an intermediate-level trumpet, and trumpets run on the cheap side of horns.

Scour Ebay religiously, and you can find some good deals pretty often. Here's a bari sax that looks OK and won't likely go for too much:

http://cgi.ebay.com/King-Zephyr-Baritone-Saxophone-Vintage-Sax-HN-White_W0QQitemZ250012016033QQihZ015QQcategoryZ1623 3QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

Here's a Martin Tenor. Martin at one point made some very nice horns:

http://cgi.ebay.com/MARTIN-CLASSIC-SAXOPHONE_W0QQitemZ180012195690QQihZ008QQcategoryZ 16232QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

And a Yamaha alto that may stay under $600:

http://cgi.ebay.com/YAMAHA-YAS-23-SAXAPHONE-W-CASE-L-K_W0QQitemZ150016426322QQihZ005QQcategoryZ10184QQr dZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[saxdaddy1]

That bari looks nice, and will go for alot. The Martin is a Alto sax not a tenor, but a very nice horn, I play the tenor version. The Yamaha is a great student level horn. But always allow for a full repad on any ebay horn when figuring how much your willing to pay. Most of the time they need quite a bit of work. Thats why I like ebay, I can get them fixed for the price of a pad set. Since I do all of my own repairs.

[Saxman7]

I think you can find a very good beginner's horn on eBay or Craigslist, I've found some great pro-quality ones, for good prices, and often quite playable!

I would strongly suggest going for an older horn, they are often cheaper than newer, lower-quality ones. As long as you are not stuck on one being bright, sparkly, shiny, you can often find an excellent playing tenor for $350-700, and altos from $250-up, as there are always far more of them on the market. I've had very good luck with older Bueschers, I've bought tenors, altos, & sopranos, and they've all been great playing horns.

Only a couple needed much work before I could play them, and the others were fine....

There are also good buys at some local music stores that sell used instruments. Since most kids go for the "shiny ones", you can often score the better, but older horns, for a deal. I've seen some great deals at these places ( I was able to pick up a perfectly fine alto flute for $450, less than half what it's worth), so just look around. But do keep in mind the extra money you'll have to spend if it needs repair, and make sure your price reflects that. Also, if you do buy off the web, make sure the seller allows at least a 2-3 day return option, just in case you end up with a real clunker....

Good luck...

[Fireball_73]

Thanks for the opinons. I'll keep Saxaphone in mind once I find a real job some time in the future. But for now I have uni and untill I'm outta that seems I'll just stick with bass. Thanks very much though, you gave me a clearer idea about saxaphones! :thu:

Thanks again!

[GZsound]

I just found a Conn alto for my nephew on Craigslist for $200. Fresh pads and plays great.

He actually had the balls to suggest I give him my 1965 MK VI Selmer... Ha!

I told him I'd put it in my will..