Lien Chang Saxophone

[Awesomesax]

:DWoo! first post!:D

Has anyone tried out this brand of saxophones?
They're apparently the first makers of a taiwanese sax
I searched and found a thread about it but it didn't have any info. They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website
http://lcsax.com

[Garrett]

You cannot go wrong with a Lien Cheng saxophone. Lien Cheng was the first person to start building saxophones in Taiwan. He was a trumpet player and a big fan of western style music. In 1947 he started manufacturing saxophones by hand drawing the parts of a friends saxophone that was burnt in a house fire. This was the start of the Taiwanese saxophone manufacturing and was based in the small township of Houlie (pronounced Holy) Taiwan. Houlie became a saxophone manufacturing mecca and swelled to 20 manufacturers at its peak manufacturing 1 out of every 4 OEM saxophones in the world. Since about 20 years ago 16 of those manufactureres has either left Houlie or have gone out of business due to the increased competition from mainland China. The Lien Cheng factory still remains in Houlie and maunfactures one of the 3 highest quality Taiwanese saxophones. I personally visit Houlie often and my company Saxophone.com (www.saxophone.com) has manufactured it's saxophones in Houlie since 1999. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMirIflN50 to a short video we made in the Lien Cheng Saxophone Museum. You can also see the video on our home page www.saxophone.com in the flash video playback section. --Garrett--

[modman]

:DWoo! first post!:D

Has anyone tried out this brand of saxophones?
They're apparently the first makers of a taiwanese sax
I searched and found a thread about it but it didn't have any info. They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website
http://lcsax.com

If I am not mistaken they look like the Phil Barone N.Y. saxophone. B8-)

[modman]

You cannot go wrong with a Lien Cheng saxophone. Lien Cheng was the first person to start building saxophones in Taiwan. He was a trumpet player and a big fan of western style music. In 1947 he started manufacturing saxophones by hand drawing the parts of a friends saxophone that was burnt in a house fire. This was the start of the Taiwanese saxophone manufacturing and was based in the small township of Houlie (pronounced Holy) Taiwan. Houlie became a saxophone manufacturing mecca and swelled to 20 manufacturers at its peak manufacturing 1 out of every 4 OEM saxophones in the world. Since about 20 years ago 16 of those manufactureres has either left Houlie or have gone out of business due to the increased competition from mainland China. The Lien Cheng factory still remains in Houlie and maunfactures one of the 3 highest quality Taiwanese saxophones. I personally visit Houlie often and my company Saxophone.com (www.saxophone.com) has manufactured it's saxophones in Houlie since 1999. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMirIflN50 to a short video we made in the Lien Cheng Saxophone Museum. You can also see the video on our home page www.saxophone.com in the flash video playback section. --Garrett--

Thank you Garrett.

This may be something you can not do but I thought I would give it a shot.

Some background first. I have been champion a certain line of saxophone lately from Taiwan, and have enjoyed doing the research to find out more about Houlie and its sax manufacturers without actually flying to Taiwan.

In your opinion and keen close-up observations which of the three or four Houlie manufacturers you mentioned are best (lets just assume that Sax.com are #1), and which make "boutique" horns for the US market?

Secondly, do you think mainland China is coming up in the world of professional saxophone manufacturing and how long until the Chinese push the Taiwanese aside?

I am not a reseller or have any plans to be, just a person doing research for his own use.

Thanks in advance. B8-)

[Awesomesax]

Thanks, I knew all about Houli anyway but wasn't sure if Lien Chang saxophones were as good as the others (judging by the questionable translation on their site). I'm currently looking for a pro sax for under 2000 I've considered TK Mel and may consider this when they start shipping to the US. anyone know of any dealers so I can see prices?

[modman]

Thanks, I knew all about Houli anyway but wasn't sure if Lien Chang saxophones were as good as the others. I'm currently looking for a pro sax for under 2000 I've considered TK Mel and may consider this when they start shipping to the US.


What do you mean when...you can buy them direct from the U.S. dealer , Terje Odden in Houston Texas.

You can get a top of the line T.K. for less than $2000.

B8-)

[milandro]

:DWoo! first post!:D

Has anyone tried out this brand of saxophones?
They're apparently the first makers of a taiwanese sax
I searched and found a thread about it but it didn't have any info. They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website
http://lcsax.com

they come with the most beautiful leather case on the market GL!

[cmelodysax]

.....They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website http://lcsax.com

But they do seem to have a presence in Belgium - for US readers that's quite a bit west of China ;) And probably much less of a language barrier.

http://www.lcsax.eu/?page_id=175

Contactgegevens:

OMC – LC SAX Europe, Brugge – Belgie
Tel: +32497555585 - E-mail: info@lcsax.eu

[modman]

.....They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website http://lcsax.com

But they do seem to have a presence in Belgium - for US readers that's quite a bit west of China ;) And probably much less of a language barrier.

http://www.lcsax.eu/?page_id=175

Contactgegevens:

OMC – LC SAX Europe, Brugge – Belgie
Tel: +32497555585 - E-mail: info@lcsax.eu

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?

That said, if someone lives in the U.S. then buy from an established dealer like Terje Odden of T.K. Melody or others suggested.

B8-)

[cmelodysax]

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?

That said, if someone lives in the U.S. then buy from an established dealer like Terje Odden of T.K. Melody or others suggested.

B8-)

modman - I posted that Belgian info more for the benefit of potential buyers this side of the pond - being from within the EU, it's

a) more accessible, and
b) tax/duty free...

[modman]

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?

That said, if someone lives in the U.S. then buy from an established dealer like Terje Odden of T.K. Melody or others suggested.

B8-)

modman - I posted that Belgian info more for the benefit of potential buyers this side of the pond - being from within the EU, it's

a) more accessible, and
b) tax/duty free...

I understand but I wish that they had more up to date information about product. Oh well.

B8-)

[Bloo Dog]

[/QUOTE]

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?

B8-)[/QUOTE]

Click onto the English version of the website. There are some great pix there.

Pretty horns.

[Awesomesax]

double post

[Awesomesax]

Thanks, I knew all about Houli anyway but wasn't sure if Lien Chang saxophones were as good as the others. I'm currently looking for a pro sax for under 2000 I've considered TK Mel and may consider this when they start shipping to the US.


What do you mean when...you can buy them direct from the U.S. dealer , Terje Odden in Houston Texas.

You can get a top of the line T.K. for less than $2000.

B8-)

I was referring to the Lien Changs when I mentioned the shipping to the US and whatnot.

[Brusselssprouts]

These horns are great. I actually play 2 of those. A tenor and alto. Very sharp price and good horns. I know the European dealer, Karel, he is from my country, the lovely Belgium. He has a site too: www.lcsax.eu
I mailed him about this thread. He'll be checking out here soon!

[LC Sax]

Hi all :-)

I am Karel and I am an agant for LC (Lien Cheng) Saxophones.
Currenlty the EU website is only in dutch (english version soon) and the site still needs some work! But I am available for all questions and remarks.

[LC Sax]

:DWoo! first post!:D

Has anyone tried out this brand of saxophones?
They're apparently the first makers of a taiwanese sax
I searched and found a thread about it but it didn't have any info. They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website
http://lcsax.com

they come with the most beautiful leather case on the market GL!

You might want to know that this case (sellingprice) normally cost 822 euro!!
We currently offer this in a very interesting package deal (only) for the first 15 buyers.

Leuk om hier trouwens taalgenoten te zien :-)

[LC Sax]

wasn't sure if Lien Chang saxophones were as good as the others (judging by the questionable translation on their site).

Well, how is your Taiwanese these days :D ?
Not many people in Taiwan speak english. But they do their best. And the main importance is the quality of the horns, isn't it?

[LC Sax]

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?
.


Héhéh :D Yeah, still work in progress - sorry, give me a few more weeks.
English version will be online soon. As a real chauvenist we wanted to do the dutch version first :-)

[LC Sax]

.....They don't seem to ship to the US yet judging by their website http://lcsax.com

But they do seem to have a presence in Belgium - for US readers that's quite a bit west of China ;) And probably much less of a language barrier.

http://www.lcsax.eu/?page_id=175

Contactgegevens:

OMC – LC SAX Europe, Brugge – Belgie
Tel: +32497555585 - E-mail: info@lcsax.eu


Yeah, inside EU less problems with customs - those guys can be a real pain in the ...

[LC Sax]

Modman - I posted that Belgian info more for the benefit of potential buyers this side of the pond - being from within the EU, it's

a) more accessible, and
b) tax/duty free...

Thanks Cmelody - and yes, you are right:
inside EU no custom-problems and cheap shipping inside EU too.

And I travell around in EU, so sometimes I'll be able to do personal deliveries too (I just don't like sitting at home, so it's a good excuse NOT to stay home much)

[LC Sax]

they come with the most beautiful leather case on the market GL!

Yes we do :-) But this is ONLY for the special package deal. You might know that the official selling price for that case is 822 € (that makes 722 £ or 1131$)... It's handmade with genuine Italian leather and boy...It looks GREAT.
And the cool thing is: it's STRONG. It can carry pressure up to 120kg.
I actually tested it (I am 92kg) and it didn't move a bit :D

Trouwens leuk om taalgenoten tegen te komen hier :-)

[LC Sax]

I understand but I wish that they had more up to date information about product. Oh well.

B8-)


I'll upload some product sheets - then you'll get to see more details :-)

[LC Sax]

I forgot to introduce myself :-)

I am agent for LC Saxophones. I mainly focus on Europe.
Feel free to ask questions: info@lcsax.eu

[LC Sax]

http://img200.imageshack.us/img200/7233/productsheeta7series.jpg

http://img29.imageshack.us/img29/1750/productsheett6series.jpg

Here you can see 2 of our productsheets

[modman]

Thanks for the website but it has no content other historical information. I wonder why they have not added pictures of actual product?
.


Héhéh :D Yeah, still work in progress - sorry, give me a few more weeks.
English version will be online soon. As a real chauvenist we wanted to do the dutch version first :-)

Dutch is fine but good pictures would be better. Looking forward to the site being finished.

Are you able to ship to US?

B8-)

[LC Sax]

Dutch is fine but good pictures would be better. Looking forward to the site being finished.

Are you able to ship to US?

B8-)

Well, the official launch was estimated for mid june - thant give us a bit more time. Shipping to US is no problem.

[milandro]

they come with the most beautiful leather case on the market GL!

Yes we do :-) But this is ONLY for the special package deal. You might know that the official selling price for that case is 822 € (that makes 722 £ or 1131$)... It's handmade with genuine Italian leather and boy...It looks GREAT.
And the cool thing is: it's STRONG. It can carry pressure up to 120kg.
I actually tested it (I am 92kg) and it didn't move a bit :D

Trouwens leuk om taalgenoten tegen te komen hier :-)

Hoi Lc sax, welkom op het forum! :)

I wonder why GL doesn't make tenor cases .:?

[NissanVintageSax]

It's happening folks. An honest to goodness Taiwan brand name! As usual starting in Europe (cause the US is so pig headed and shipping's a pain!), but they're not hiding behind names now! I give it 10 years and we'll see Taiwan actively competing with Yamaha and Yanagisawa in the pro sax market (they are kind of doing it now, but hiding behind different names, much like Yamaha and Yanagisawa did in their early years).

And with the prices these Taiwan models are asking, with the added competition, Yamaha and Yani should come down a little lower to compete, and meet somewhere in the middle.

Somehow, I see Selmer Paris and Keilwerth becoming "Artist" brands though. Staying high priced, but focusing on more details, and more custom stuff (I could be wrong).

[modman]

It's happening folks. An honest to goodness Taiwan brand name! As usual starting in Europe (cause the US is so pig headed and shipping's a pain!), but they're not hiding behind names now! I give it 10 years and we'll see Taiwan actively competing with Yamaha and Yanagisawa in the pro sax market (they are kind of doing it now, but hiding behind different names, much like Yamaha and Yanagisawa did in their early years).

And with the prices these Taiwan models are asking, with the added competition, Yamaha and Yani should come down a little lower to compete, and meet somewhere in the middle.

Somehow, I see Selmer Paris and Keilwerth becoming "Artist" brands though. Staying high priced, but focusing on more details, and more custom stuff (I could be wrong).

Nissan you sound as excited about Houli horns as I am! :)

As far as names are concerned it does not have to sound Asian to be an established brand from Asia.

T.K. Melody and Maxtone are established brand names being sold in Asia and Europe with Maxtone since 1970. T.K. Melody since 1978 in Europe, and Asia.

B8-)

[NissanVintageSax]

See, how many other people do not know this?

The American/European sounding names might be easier to market, but a name in their own native sounding tounge I think would be better in the long term.

It'll take some incredible marketing, but musical instrument manufacturing seems to be moving East. It would be nice to have some American pro brands again, but we've been out of the game so long, I doubt that will ever happen!

[LC Sax]

I wonder why GL doesn't make tenor cases .:?

You wonder?!!! If an alto case already costs 822€ /722 £ or 1131$
how much more would a tenor case cost :D

It would be unaffordable...

[milandro]

nice try........

[CE Winds]

I like the translated spelling of saxophones - 'saxofoons'.

Those cases are awesome. How do they look/feel on the inside? Are they very plush? I would like to see the inside if possible.

Nice saxes too, I bet they play well.

[milandro]

well is not a translated spelling.......it is just pure Dutch........like telefoon

[CE Winds]

it's translated for me.... :-)

Either way I like it.

[NissanVintageSax]

CE, you should start a "European" spec sax, with Saxofoon engraved on it. Not trying to make fun, just think it would be cool.

[LC Sax]

The American/European sounding names might be easier to market, but a name in their own native sounding tounge I think would be better in the long term.

Well Nissan, that is the whole idea why I contacted LC in Taiwan.

I am not one of the best saxplayers, but even I can tell the difference between a good an a bad saxophone. I actually deeply fell in love with the saxophone. It was invented in my country (Belgium! Not France!!!) and that makes it even more special.

Some time ago I started working on some lovely old Americans that needed LOTS of love (= pads, springs, a rubbing and oil). I loved it so much that I wanted to make a business out of it. But old American horns, they need time, love and respect and should only be sold to people that feel the same way about them. It is like a pet – you should take good care of it... So I also wanted some modern brands too to create a more steady income. I contacted some and a few of them offered kind of aggressive contracts, putting a lot off stress on my back, pushing me to sell a lot of horns. Well...that is not a good way of doing business...

And then, last year, trying to find something special, I found something on a special family in Houli... When I read their history and story I was immediately interested. I love the sweet smell of history and the fact that the business always stayed in the family.

Those guys do a very good job but because they work so much for other brands they never get the credits they deserve.

I wanted to call them and ask them why they don't start making their own brand. They should get the credits for their work, not the Western companies...

So I called them and told them about the own brand idea. And it seemed that they actually already started making their own brand but they just recently decided to go outside Taiwan (where they are very famous) and start promoting their brand to the rest of the world. I actually called on the right moment :)

I ordered some saxophones and had some well experienced players test them. The student model wasn't so special because it is the same as so many other brands, so we dropped that one.
We decided to focus on the up-level horns.

They work together with a institute that does hi-tech research to develop a better and new saxophones and to create a stronger position to make sure they stay ahead of China and to be able to remain making good and better saxophones instead of mass production.

One of the results is the A-701 alto. But they keep on working and improving.

After testing some saxophones and enjoying the good contact I decided to visit them. They are such a nice people :) I actually gained 2 kg, even when I only used those funny chopsticks :)
I could test all saxophones, from sopranino to baritone and I loved it :)

So...we decided to work together, signed a contract and I am now their agent, promoting their brand to the rest of the world :)

Some people in Belgium, the US and The Netherlands asked me to change the name to a more French or American sounding name. And yes, as Nissan said, it would be better to market those horns, but then I wouldn't be better than all those other brands that work that way.

I wanted an honest brand, supporting the manufacturer and giving them the honor and credits. I want the buyer to know what they are buying.

I also didn't want to push them the get me higher discounts, etc... I wanted to pay them a good price for their (good) work, but still make sure the horns are affordable for everyone. I will not get as rich as fast as some of my colleagues but at least I'll be enjoying what I do and I'll be helping out some people that became good friends, especially Pat, the only guy over there that speaks English :)

Setting up a business I a lot of work, we've been very busy but now we are almost ready.

And to make sure I don't become a pushy seller I still have some other activities :D

So...that's the short version :-)

[LC Sax]

I like the translated spelling of saxophones - 'saxofoons'.

Those cases are awesome. How do they look/feel on the inside? Are they very plush? I would like to see the inside if possible.

Nice saxes too, I bet they play well.

I'll get you some pictures soon :-)

[gary]

About the names of the saxes coming from the language of it's source, IMO, from a marketing viewpoint, these companies would do much better finding exotic sounding names for their brands than what they are using now.You know, brand names like Fu Ling Yu, Foo King Excellent or Poon Tang.

[NissanVintageSax]

Poon Tang! :D

[modman]

About the names of the saxes coming from the language of it's source, IMO, from a marketing viewpoint, these companies would do much better finding exotic sounding names for their brands than what they are using now.You know, brand names like Fu Ling Yu, Foo King Excellent or Poon Tang.

You said in another post you thought the name T.K. Melody wasn't sexy enough either! :D

How about a line of saxes named after Jazz Divas.

The ELLA, SARA (vaughn) or The HOLLIDAY.
B8-)

[cmelodysax]

Modman - I posted that Belgian info more for the benefit of potential buyers this side of the pond - being from within the EU, it's

a) more accessible, and
b) tax/duty free...

Thanks Cmelody.....

That's OK, LC Sax - if you insist, you could always send me a leather alto case :) In all seriousness I could be very interested in an alto...

[LC Sax]

Modman - I posted that Belgian info more for the benefit of potential buyers this side of the pond - being from within the EU, it's

a) more accessible, and
b) tax/duty free...

Thanks Cmelody.....

That's OK, LC Sax - if you insist, you could always send me a leather alto case :) In all seriousness I could be very interested in an alto...

Well...ok, give me your addres, I'll send one as soon as I receieved the payment :)

By the way, this is the interior of the case

[cmelodysax]

Well...ok, give me your addres, I'll send one as soon as I receieved the payment :)

LC Sax, now you're just teasing me - OK, how much for 'that finish' alto c/w the leather case ? I don't mind ex-demo horns. Is the neck an optional extra, I don't see it... ? ;)

Just send me a Paypal money request, alan@cmelodysax.co.uk

[LC Sax]

Well...ok, give me your addres, I'll send one as soon as I receieved the payment :)

LC Sax, now you're just teasing me - OK, how much for 'that finish' alto c/w the leather case ? I don't mind ex-demo horns. Is the neck an optional extra, I don't see it... ? ;)

Just send me a Paypal money request, alan@cmelodysax.co.uk

A neck? Who needs a neck? Neck are overrated :)

[LC Sax]

Just to make the picture complete:

This is the exterior of the case:

[/URL]

And it has a belt too:

[URL=http://img35.imageshack.us/my.php?image=case1b.jpg] (http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=case2k.jpg)

[gary]

Those cases are elegant and classy. I'm sure many would love to have them, and I wouldn't fault anyone for that. My own personal take? What's the point of being a sax player if you can't look like one. When I walk around an airport, I don't want to be mistaken for a businessman who'll be flying in first class. :hippy2:

:twisted:

[LC Sax]

Those cases are elegant and classy. I'm sure many would love to have them, and I wouldn't fault anyone for that. My own personal take? What's the point of being a sax player if you can't look like one. When I walk around an airport, I don't want to be mistaken for a businessman who'll be flying in first class. :hippy2:

:twisted:

You have a point there, but with the help of this forum we'll make them known :)

And from personal experience: I had no people mistaking me for a businessman at Charles De Gaules airport in Paris. The combination of an old jeans, t-shirt and hiking boots didn't match the businessman picture :rr:

And we shouldn't look like saxplayers...we should BE saxplayers!!
I never had the guts to play my sax in the airport, but maybe that would be a great challenge (and a way to get kicked out of the airport!)

[cmelodysax]

LC Sax - thanks for the pics, were they so good you really had to send them three times ? I'd still prefer the (bare/brushed ?) one above to the the nickel one in the photo's ...

Gary - I have two classes of saxophone case -

a) the original, 'pretty' cases, which usually stay at home - except for the really safe hand-carried 'poser' gigs - and are great for impressing friends and for selling on the sax (if I ever need to) - there's nothing quite like a 'virgin case' and accessories to clinch a deal. And, let's face it, my normal appearance and that expensive looking leather case are worlds apart - I'd either get arrested on suspicion of stealing it, or get mugged because it looks so valuable...

b) my gigging/travelling cases, strong, old, scruffy, battered, but happily still resisting all attempts to actually kill them (and their contents) - and very 'low key', therefore don't attract unwanted attention. Makes me look more like a busker on holiday, travelling 'steerage'... ;)

But I'd still like that leather case to satisfy my alleged case 'fetish' (as it's been unkindly described). :D

[modman]

I prefer the saxophone case to be contoured myself. Do you offer a line of contoured cases? B8-)

[LC Sax]

I prefer the saxophone case to be contoured myself. Do you offer a line of contoured cases? B8-)

Well, these are 2 cases I have (and also in yellow musical pattern and a neutral normal grey pattern)
but personally I prefer the "normal" cases. They have more space to store your stuff in.

[/URL]

[URL=http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eaa061bbb53d65240026b77.jpg] (http://img196.imageshack.us/my.php?image=23062039886e841d5a1a8a4.jpg)

[modman]

I prefer the saxophone case to be contoured myself. Do you offer a line of contoured cases? B8-)

Well, these are 2 cases I have (and also in yellow musical pattern and a neutral normal grey pattern)
but personally I prefer the "normal" cases. They have more space to store your stuff in.

[/URL]

[URL=http://img36.imageshack.us/my.php?image=eaa061bbb53d65240026b77.jpg] (http://img196.imageshack.us/my.php?image=23062039886e841d5a1a8a4.jpg)

Those are fun but not for me. Thank you. B8-)

[LC Sax]

Those are fun but not for me. Thank you. B8-)

Well, I would not want to be seen with these... :D

Popular with kids, but "grown ups" prefer neutral design

[padodop]

Hi bro, I m here to sign in. hei hei. ^^ When will u visit again to our place in Taiwan? Like in the schedule, our new place will be operated around the middle of July. Producing line will also be set up in the better way to control the quality. I wish can meet you when new place is fully build up. Don't forgot to take ur family with you this time. hei hei.

Anyway, guys, I m Pat. nice to be here. :D

[LC Sax]

Hi bro, I m here to sign in. hei hei. ^^ When will u visit again to our place in Taiwan? Like in the schedule, our new place will be operated around the middle of July. Producing line will also be set up in the better way to control the quality. I wish can meet you when new place is fully build up. Don't forgot to take ur family with you this time. hei hei.

Anyway, guys, I m Pat. nice to be here. :D

Hééy man :)

Before I come I first have to loose all the weight I gained during my last stay!

Welcome here :)

[CONN-hunter]

Great history and lovely story guys, Karel and Pat.

Karel, I wish you plenty of success for yourself and for the Family Cheng as well.
Wonderful story of Mr. Cheng, a modern Asian "Adolph Sax".

Karel you make a very likeable impression. It seems to be that Adolph Sax and the family Cheng found in you a worthy passionate representative.

The whole thing looks nice and you are all hard workers too, as we can see.

I hope the sound of the LC sax will be that good and the price so interesting that you become a lot of purchasings.

All the best for you.

and Pat, ... welcome here (in my own name). and...
Grettings from Germany to Taiwan:)

[LC Sax]

Karel, I wish you plenty of success for yourself and for the Family Cheng as well.
Wonderful story of Mr. Cheng, a modern Asian "Adolph Sax".

All the best for you.

and Pat, ... welcome here (in my own name). and...
Grettings from Germany to Taiwan:)

Well, Conn, thanks for your kind words :)

Actually, this topic has a mistake: the brand is called "Lien Cheng". The family name is "Chang". "Lien Cheng" is the first name of the grandfather that started the factory.

I consider myself blessed and lucky to be able to do this an make a job out of my passion and hobby :)

Soon I'll start looking for interested dealers all over the globe (mainly Europe) with the saxophones and spread the LC message! It'll be fun :)

[padodop]

Karel, I wish you plenty of success for yourself and for the Family Cheng as well.
Wonderful story of Mr. Cheng, a modern Asian "Adolph Sax".

All the best for you.

and Pat, ... welcome here (in my own name). and...
Grettings from Germany to Taiwan:)

Well, Conn, thanks for your kind words :)

Actually, this topic has a mistake: the brand is called "Lien Cheng". The family name is "Chang". "Lien Cheng" is the first name of the grandfather that started the factory.

I consider myself blessed and lucky to be able to do this an make a job out of my passion and hobby :)

Soon I'll start looking for interested dealers all over the globe (mainly Europe) with the saxophones and spread the LC message! It'll be fun :)


Come on bro. you deserve it. :D After all the hard work you have done. I believed there is something that makes the connection between LC and you. So ~~ it should be that LC is glad to have you. :TGNCHK:

Anyway, I am also soon to looking for the global distributor/dealer (after we move to the new place), and now, I am still working on our mission - be next Yamaha :D

[JazzDaddy]

So how far away is the factory and/or showroom from Taipai? If my son was going to be playing there first coupla weeks in October?

[Garrett]

You cannot go wrong with a Lien Cheng saxophone. Lien Cheng was the first person to start building saxophones in Taiwan. He was a trumpet player and a big fan of western style music. In 1947 he started manufacturing saxophones by hand drawing the parts of a friends saxophone that was burnt in a house fire. This was the start of the Taiwanese saxophone manufacturing and was based in the small township of Houlie (pronounced Holy) Taiwan. Houlie became a saxophone manufacturing mecca and swelled to 20 manufacturers at its peak manufacturing 1 out of every 4 OEM saxophones in the world. Since about 20 years ago 16 of those manufactureres has either left Houlie or have gone out of business due to the increased competition from mainland China. The Lien Cheng factory still remains in Houlie and maunfactures one of the 3 highest quality Taiwanese saxophones. I personally visit Houlie often and my company Saxophone.com (www.saxophone.com) has manufactured it's saxophones in Houlie since 1999. Here is a link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0tMirIflN50 to a short video we made in the Lien Cheng Saxophone Museum. You can also see the video on our home page www.saxophone.com in the flash video playback section. --Garrett--

Thank you Garrett.

This may be something you can not do but I thought I would give it a shot.

Some background first. I have been champion a certain line of saxophone lately from Taiwan, and have enjoyed doing the research to find out more about Houlie and its sax manufacturers without actually flying to Taiwan.

In your opinion and keen close-up observations which of the three or four Houlie manufacturers you mentioned are best (lets just assume that Sax.com are #1), and which make "boutique" horns for the US market?

Secondly, do you think mainland China is coming up in the world of professional saxophone manufacturing and how long until the Chinese push the Taiwanese aside?

I am not a reseller or have any plans to be, just a person doing research for his own use.

Thanks in advance. B8-)

Sorry for the delay. We use two factories to build our saxophones, one for the altos and tenors, and one for the sopranos and baritones. I use these two factories because I cherry picked the best playing models from all of the Houlie factories I tested. You can go to www.Saxophone.com (http://www.saxophone.com) and take a short video tour of both factories. I honestly don't know the names of the Houli factories except for the Chang Lien-Cheng factory because the names are in Chinese. I do know the owners last names (I introduce them on the videos (http://www.saxophone.com)). Most of the Houli factories make saxophones for other major brand name companies and some factories make smaller runs for select discreet companies, however this will probably change in a few years as they develope there own branding and identity.

Since I don't speak Chinese I have help from a export company. The owner of this export company is the son of a man who owned one of the Houli saxophone factories that was there for many years. This factory relocated to China 25 years ago because the Chinese (PRC) manufacturing base was opening up and the labor was much less expensive than in Taiwan (this is the same factory our intermediate saxophones are manufactured at). If fact you will find that a lot of Chinese (PRC) factories are owned and run by Taiwanese industialists/businessmen. This is because the Taiwanese have many more years of experience in manufacturing than the Chinese, also they speak the same language.

So yes, the Chinese (PRC) factories will eventually get to the level of quality of where the Taiwanese factories are today, however the Taiwanese govenment has decided to help the Taiwan factories focus on building much higher quality saxophones under their own Taiwanese brands. This new government counseling by Taiwan’s Industrial Technology Research Institute is called the "Houli Saxhome Plan".

This is a mission quote from TITRI:

"The Houli Saxhome Plan encompasses four major categories--“setting up standard operation procedures,” “developing testing standards,” “establishing industry alliance,” and “building brand image”—to advance product technology and quality through innovative, integrative hi-tech capabilities. At the same time, owing to the thoroughness of the industrial chain of musical instruments and parts in Houli, as well as technicians’ first-rate skills, the Houli-made saxophones have been creating exquisite acoustics, precise pitch, and bright appearance, which have passed many European, American, and Japanese companies’ examinations and supplied the high-end market. Right now, Houli’s saxophones hope to root in Taiwan, break out of the OEM/OBM model, and promote own brand names through global marketing."

So you can see that the Houli factories are working together to create their own recognition as a group of master saxophone builders. I think they will surpass the Japanese in a few years and will be way ahead of the Chinese (PRC) for some time. Of course the Chinese (PRC) factories will have the lowest prices.

[LC Sax]

So how far away is the factory and/or showroom from Taipai? If my son was going to be playing there first coupla weeks in October?

It's about 2h drive :-)

[teledyn]

are there any distributors in Canada? I contacted long-mcquade.com who I thought for certain might be already into the LC horns, but the answer I received was quite disappointing, maybe even a little patronizing:
"We carry a few Taiwanese makes, so we don't really need any additional lines in this price range."as if if you've seen one, you've seen them all and that's the end of the story.

[LC Sax]

are there any distributors in Canada? if you've seen one, you've seen them all and that's the end of the story.

No distributers yet in Canada.
And I don't agree with that last remark. They talk about PRICE RANGE. And I agree with them in a way:it is almost useless to have 4 or 5 brands in the same price range.
1 or 2 student brand, 2 mid section and 4 pro brands is a good avarage I think.

[Currawong]

I am interested in the Lian Cheng saxophones, and I tried to use this thread to work out what their merits might be, but most of the comments do not address that aspect. If anyone has any experience with these saxophones, especially tenor, I for one would be keen to hear about it. One point of special interest is how it might compare with the YTS-82z, a saxophone generally thought to have quite a bright sound, but endowed with great ergonomics.