I would like opinions concerning jupiter alto saxophones

[blitzwing]

hi all, i have a jupiter student brand but, because I am a begginer (4 months) i cannot properly judge the quality of the saxophone brand. So far I have had no problems albeit from a layman's point of view, but I would like to know where Jupiter stands in regard to other saxes so I know what I am dealing with.

what are peoples impressions of jupiters - honestly (you will not offend)
This post was influenced by a comment made by Jason DuMars - the author of the buyer guide 2004 - which I read the other day. He seemed to indicate that he would never buy/recomend any jupiters (http://saxophone.org/buyersguide/buyers.html)

Jason DuMars says:
"Either fortunately, or unfortunately there are dozens of choices in the student model arena. Horns which in my opinion you should stay away from are: Belmonte, Antigua Winds, Jupiter, El Dorado, Olds Parisian, Conns after the M was dropped from the serial number, Grassi, Conservarte, and just about any Chinese-manufactured horn"

- is this fair comment in regard to the jupiter?

i would love to hear from people who have actually used them or even people who have heard stuff on the grapevine
much appreciated in advance

[bariman]

You gotta remember here, Jason is used to the best, and you have to watch the wording: "Jason DuMars says that he would never buy any jupiters". That is Jason's preference, and I bet his circumstances are a little different from yours and mine. Personally I think that the artist series Jupiters are great, and some people like to play on them more than a mk 6. Even the deluxes are ok horns, and can be a great answer to a begginer's prayer's. If you don't feel held back by your horn, than it is good enough right now. Some find it hard to start out on a pro horn. but be sure to upgrade as soon as possible to maybe a yamha or keilwerth. Best of Luck!

[gary]

Forget about it, blitzwing. Enjoy your sax. I don't know what Jason's been smoking. He's intitled to his opinion but I just don't agree with it.

Please do a search on Jupiters and you'll see that some of the negative opinions are either outdated or spoken by people who don't know what they're talking about. It seems that many Americans just are not as familiar with Jupiters. Yamahas have been in about the same price range and I think they've just had the upper hand in familiarity. Also I believe some may have not been impressed by Jupiters in the past but they have come a long way since then.

Frankly, I prefer the tone of the Jupiter student model to the least expensive Yamaha student models (and I play Yamaha so there is no anti-Yamaha bias on my part). I have a number of students who play Jupiter student models and they're fine horns with a good sound.

By the way, his comment about Antigua Winds is also at odds with a number of forum members who have either bought or played them.

Just enjoy your horn and forget about any criticism of it. Jupiters are fine. Your challenge at this point is to play it, improve and enjoy it.

[bariman]

Well said, Gary.

[kcp]

...Please do a search on Jupiters and you'll see that some of the negative opinions are either outdated or spoken by people who don't know what they're talking about...

Agreed

In Jason's defense, I believe that article was originally written five years ago or so - maybe even longer than that. From what I've read lately, Jupiter, Antiqua, and possibly some of the others have improved significantly since then.

Agreed too. And in regards to Jason's opinion, I interpret that he might have meant that Chinese-manufactured horns are not all made equal. Some brands such as Jupiter and Antigua have come a long way and now have good reputation - Can't say this for allChinese-manufactured instruments

...I don't know what Jason's been smoking...
It's the funky stuff on his reeds man... the funky stuff :a-run :lol:

[gary]

It's the funky stuff on his reeds man... the funky stuff :a-run :lol:
Yep. It's the "black little mushrooms with white fuzzy hairs" :shock:

[girl]

I bought a student Jupiter in Jan 2000. I too was a complete beginner and wanted something to get started on. I've had no problems with it whatsoever.

[SaxyAcoustician]

Jupiter makes decent horns. I had a Jupiter tenor for a while that played quite well.

At this point in time though, I think that for the money there are better horns out there, e.g. Antigua.

[gary]

I think that for the money there are better horns out there, e.g. Antigua.We don't see many Antigua's in this neck of the woods, Saxy. Could you contrast the two horns for me? Thanks.

[Azuka]

Hi folks. I own about 75 saxes right now and more clarinets. I have been a very active ebayer both as a seller and buyer and I do much of my own repad and repair work as time and energy permit.

I do understand Jason's comments, but they are clearly in light of his preference for the best. I assume that he has no reason to have an interest in the many Chinese or Taiwanese horns.

I think that some folks in this thread are mixing Taiwan and China together as if they are the same thing, and they are not. In my opinion Taiwan horns have been of a dependable quality. So... Antigua and Jupiter are fine student/intermediate level instruments.

I am stunned that he included El Dorado in his list. The El Dorado is a name used on Yanagisawa stencils and are pro horns.... mostly the A-5 and A-4 era. Great horns.

Grassi is another horn that I am at odds with. Grassi made great playing saxes with obviously cheap keywork. I've never cared for the chromatic F# key, but that is minor. The sound you get is world class. Huge. I consider it the poor man's Mark VI. Man do these babies blow! I haven't ever tried the Grassi's made in the late 90's thru the end of their run around 2000. The best of the Grassi's I've run into were the Martin-Busines. These are sometimes listed on EBay as Martin's. But they are made by Grassi and have a winded horse on the bell and neck. Considering what excellent pro Selmer's cost and how cheaply a Grassi can be purchased, I suspect that they represent the best 'bang for the buck.'

I'm in the position though of being able to acquire pretty much whatevery I want. My personal sax is indeed a Selmer Paris (either a series II or a Mark VII depending on what I think next week!)

Another decent student sax is Wexler. Made in Germany and I don't know where, but I think they perform well enough for the demands of beginning and intermediate students. I just bought a Wexler tenor sax for $100 with two small dings and no case. Plays just fine.

Another stunning performer for the money is the French VITO. I have about 5 of these right now. There are two cosmetic styles. One has the word VITO in large handwriting style script. The other has block letters running down the bell inside a large oval. These were made in the late 50's through 60's and these are clearly NOT entry level quality horns, despite the name. The sound of either style is phenomenal and unique. These horns are horribly underpriced in the market because nobody realizes what they are. The sound is darker, more buttery and mellow than any sax I've ever played.... bar none. They are a joy to play. The tonal characteristics are unique to LeBlanc it appears. The sound is not inferior to the Selmers, Keilwerth, Yamaha and Yani's.... but way different and not in a bad way. When I prune my collection to just my personal horns and special projects I'm sure that a French Vito will be in the group.

Now here is something special about the block-style French Vito horns. Some of them are really LeBlanc Rationales. The Rationales go easily up to $1400+ on eBay. The VITO Rationale is virtually unknown and I'm spilling the beans right now. I haven't gotten my hands on an official Rationale yet so i haven't been able to compare side-by-side yet, but I have detailed photos. The VITO Rationale appears to be identical to the LeBlanc Rationale in every single aspect. I can not imagine in my wildest dreams how the LeBlanc can be superior to the Vito version in any way.

The way to find them is to scrounge eBay listings and look for the VITO horns that have photos that show the keywork. Rationale horns have tone holes in places that regular horns do not. The placement of the brace for a regular vs Rationale Vito is different. The easiest to discern difference (but ofted poorly photographed) is the presence of a left-hand high F# key on the Rationale. A rod runs in-between the left-hand palm keys. My Vito Rationale is staying here.

[Reedist]

Jupiter make solid horns with solid sounds. I myself have a Jupiter Silver Artist Tenor and rejected a yamaha and an evette. I personally don't like yamaha and their whole structure. to unsolid and not a practical horn. But yes Jupiter make terrific horns with particualarly good intonation and projection and generally play excellently. If it means something my teacher highly recommends them for students and more advanced students and seems here even pros use them i.e Merlin
My two cents worth
Reedist

Out of interest which model specifically do play with?

[Kareeser]

I bought a Jupiter Artists Series Alto Sax one or two years ago, and it's only gotten better so far.

The student models are built like a tank, and the artist series are gorgeous.
I had a little problem with the thumb key, but that was it... still plays great today.

[Jason DuMars]

:) this is an entertaining thread, especially that part about the mushrooms! Remember that the Buyer's Guide was originally written in 1996 (IIRC), and modestly updated in 2000 for the runaway success of eBay. Back then, Jupiters were absolutely awful by anyone's standards. While I do have relatively sophisticated tastes, I was basing my judgment much more on the quality of manufacture, intonation, etc. Jupiter and all other Asian horns have made tremendous improvements in the last 10 years. Heck, I play on a Taiwanese Allora alto nowadays. The horns to avoid these days would be totally different... I would recommend against all of those cheap ones on eBay from mainland China, those hideous unplayable low-B altos from India, some Kohlerts, etc. Ultimately, you should play what fits you best from an economic and aesthetic perspective.

[Bloo Dog]

Jason, If I remember correctly, you were hawking Jinyin Saxophones (a mainland manufactured horn) about four years ago. What happened?

[jazzsax07]

I own 2 Jupiter sopranos, #547(?) which I have had for maybe 10 years that I have used on gigs. Never have had any trouble or repairs on this horn. Like any sax the c, c#, d notes must be played in tune by the "operator". That being said as a sax player and teacher that's what is learned from the very beginning.
The 2nd Jupiter is an Artist 847 which I bought earlier this year. It is a wonderful horn.
I use a Selmer S-80 C* and older Selmer metal, scroll C*, depending on my mood.

[Pharmasax]

All recent jupiter saxophones [I mean from the 500 series to the 800 (Artist)] have a quite good reputation here in Italy. They have an excellent quality/price ratio and are nice sounding.

[BrianDL]

I got to try out a 900 series tenor at work. Beautiful horn, beautiful sound.

We should be getting the XOs in the next month or two, I'll let you know how they stack up.

[jbtsax]

I would like to affirm what others have said that the Jupiter saxes are well made student horns that play quite well and are reasonably priced. I would add that the company that makes Jupiters is very supportive of the repair industry furnishing replacement parts that are delivered quickly and are reasonably priced. The same cannot be said for quite a few of the Tiwanese made instruments, almost all the Chinese made I.S.O's (instrument shaped objects), and (unfortunately) some "well known" instruments made in the USA.

[BrianDL]

Well, not just their student horns are well made. Their upper tier saxophones are excellent horns, especially considering the price.

[Desax]

I might get a Bb Soprano. Serial number is COO246., Model # JPS847. 1. How do I determine that it is not a stolen horn? 2. Anyone out there playing this model # have any input on how she performs. Thanks.

[Pharmasax]

Desax,

I am currently using a JPS (Jupiter Soprano) 847; it belongs to the so called "artist series" (series 800). Excellent horn!

Further, various pros (e.g. Merlin) use & love it.

No idea about the importance of the serial No. (my starts as H350... I get it about 1 year ago).

Hope it helps.

[Desax]

That like the artist series. The horn mentioned above this post though, aside from contacting Jupiter, does anyone know when this Ser.# was manufactured. Thanks.

[marian305]

I have a jupiter student model and it's actually got great tone. i suppose it depends on your own preference

[Razorbaxsax]

Howdy folks. I own a Vito rationale with a four digit serial....and I can I just say it is the best horn I've ever played. I'm extremely fortunate to have it. I also have a 1969 mark vi in near mint condition, that I love, but I can't get the same quality of tone from it as I can my rationale. To hear what it sounds like, go to my site at www.JustinHamby.com and click on music.

[Reedsplinter]

Now here is something special about the block-style French Vito horns. Some of them are really LeBlanc Rationales.

I know this is a blast from the past but: can this be true? Or are they LeBlanc System horns? In my understanding, the Rationale was a truely unique horn, and the System a less radical reworking of it. I used to own a Leblanc (Paris) System horn, long ago, and wish I had it back, but I'd REALLY like to get my hands on a Rationale! If these Vitos are Rationales, I'll go hunting one, but I doubt it.

[Reedsplinter]

Here's a partial view of a Rationale. Look at that crazy thing! It looks great! See all the pix on good old saxpix, where I got this.

[Reedsplinter]

Here's the later System horn, the one I had in the late 60s. Excellent horn! This view is different from the view of the Rationale, above, but it's obviously a very different design. Again, look at the whole range of pix on saxpix.

Note the block lettering.

Is this more like the Vito, or is the older Rationale more like it?

[Reedsplinter]

Here's a detail of a French Vito, which, come to think of it, looks quite different from either of these horns (this is on eBay now):

[Reedsplinter]

If anyone has info about the Vito vs. Rationale issue, I'd appreciate knowing more.

[smiffy]

I have a Jupiter 769-767 made in 2000

I got it off ebay :shock: 1 year ago (because it was cheap) I had done some reading-up but in truth just took a chance on it

It was advertised "as new" and when it turned up it was, well looked it....

I took it to a tect, word of mouth that he was good, he does all the instruments for the schools around here, he just cleaned it up, no other work needed

When I went to pick it up he asked where I had got it and what I paid, he could not believe it and said he had, had a go on it and it was really good

I said I may get a Yamaha 62 in a year or 2 but he said not to wast my money, just look after this one


Started having some lessons and my teacher tried my Sax out just to see if it was ok before going to far, She plays a Yamaha 875 Custom Alto Saxophone
She said the same as the tect :)

I can't say other Jupiter's will be the same, I may just have been lucky and very happy :D

[Stargazer]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a new jupiter 547 soprano saxophone
Would you recommend Jupiter? I also looked at j michael saxophones, but no-one seemed to know much about them except they are cheaper
Had any experience?

[smiffy]

Hi, I'm looking to buy a new jupiter 547 soprano saxophone
Would you recommend Jupiter? I also looked at j michael saxophones, but no-one seemed to know much about them except they are cheaper
Had any experience?

I think if you do a search on the whole site you will find lost of post on the Jupiter
sopranos, it's liked by most

[Colin]

I had a 767-769 alto, it was well built, played ok but it was just so dull. After playing it I just felt nothing, not good or bad just :scratch:. Not sure why, just uninspiring.

col.

[BlueTone]

I bought a Jupiter Tenor XO the other day (July 22) and It's one of the best Saxes I've ever played..

The Workmanship is First Class and for $2149.00 I'm very satisfied.

I'll post more in the Tenor Forum..Soon.

[barisaxi]

frankly, i use a jupiter alto and LOVE IT!