buyin' a sax

[ireallysuk]

I have been playing tenor ( a naked lady conn owned buy the school
in pretty poor condition) for about 9 months now and have conviced my
parents to buy me one :D . It has to be a fairly reasonable price but I really am not intrested in a student modle that I will grow out of in a year or two. I was looking at yamaha 62 and a keilwerth ST modle or possibly a cannonball. What are your thoughts on these saxophones and what are some other recomedation you guys have?

[Dave Dolson]

ireallysuk: Most students are not happy with anything but new-and-shiny. But if you can go beyond that, go vintage. There are several posters on SOTW that deal in vintage saxophones who will treat you right. The price may even be less than a new alto - but be much better. To buy new, you usually must pay big money for something decent. If buying new, I'd go with Yanagisawa, but I'm sure others have their favorites. DAVE

[Gandalfe]

What's your price range? I got a lovely Buffet Crampon SDA for $1700. I've seen YAT 62s as low as $1000. There are a lot of used horns out there that will last you a lifetime. You just have to make some basic decisions about how much money you really have, what makes your heart go pitter patter, and such. More info please... :roll:

[Joey]

I'd go for the Cannonball. My first sax was a Vito student model. I recently got a Black Nickel Big Bell alto. It is a great horn. When I play tested it, I played it against a Selmer Super Action 80 Series II, and a Series III. It blew both Selmers out of the water. The sound was very free and open, but also focused. I sensed a constriction in the sound of the Selmers. (Imagine trying to sing while being choked.) Not only is the horn and craftmanship superior, the price is very attractive. Cannonballs range in price depending on where you buy yours. I bought mine near Orlando, Florida for just under $2,000.
As far as maintenance, the only thing I've had to do to the horn is clean the pads with Charlie A's crud patch and spray with Gig Dust.
I suggest checking out http://www.cannonballmusic.com which is the official site of Cannonball Musical Instruments. The CEO, Sheryl Laukat is easily accessible; send her an e-mail, and you'll most likely receive a response within a week, unless she is out of town. Try doing that with any of the "Big Four" companies. Also, check out http://groups.yahoo.com/group/cannonballsaxophones/, a Yahoo! based internet group of Cannonball owners and supporters. It is very helpful, and was also influential in my purchase of a Cannonball. Whatever horn you buy, remember that it is solely your decision. You'll have to play it. Don't buy for a name or because somebody tells you to buy a certain horn. Play test every horn you can get your hands on, and then make a decision that you want to make. Good luck!

Joey C.

[adrianw]

Go new, go pro and go the best you can afford. If you buy a beginner or intermediate it's like "planned redundancy" (expensive).
I was fooled by the word beginner. I thought it meant that it was easier to play than a pro when all it really means is that it is cheaper and doesn't sound quite as good.
Just looking at my nice shiny new yas62 makes me feel good and my old Karl Meyer is now relegated to the status of a 'door stop.'

[Metro Gnome]

Rather than repeat my post, see it here:
http://saxontheweb.myforums.net/viewtopic.php?t=1351