e.m. winston

[sam_2d]

i have a e.m. winston 350 and was wondering if any one know s anything about them?

[bari_sax_diva]

I'd have to look at my Winston sop to see what model it is, but it's been the best cheap horn I've ever owned. Cost me about $475 at Sam Ash (about three years ago), and it's solid enough that I'm able to gig with it. Here are my caveats, though:

1. Soprano is strictly a double for me; I use it in big bands and take it to quartet gigs to use on a few tunes. Things like "I Mean You," "St. Thomas," and "Dolphin Dance" seem to lend themselves well to the sound. The rest of the time, I'm playing tenor or baritone.

2. Sam Ash had several in stock, and I was able to play three before I settled on one that had intonation I could live with.

3. I did have to have a couple of pads replaced a few weeks after buying the horn--they fell out. :roll:

I think that, if I were going to play more soprano than I do (or practice it more regularly), I'd probably get a Yamaha--people who I've talked to say the intonation is easier to manage. YMMV.

-Leanne