anyone have experience with these?

[foresterdjb]

Last week I saw two sax makes which I had not seen before, and I can not find any info about them on the web. If anyone has information or experience with them, please respond.

1. In Kalispell, MT a black bodied and chrome keyed DeVillier alto sax. Key shapes and layout seems similar to some Antigua and Taiwanese Selmers. Might this be a stencil from that same factory?

2. Local shop in Helena, MT said they were going to import a new line directly. I only had a quick look at this Bower alto sax. To me the key layout, especially the shape of the Chromatic F# and the High F# keys, looked like a Yanagisawa copy.

I did not have a chance to play either one.

[Dave Dolson]

Were these brand new instruments? If so, they were likely made in Taiwan or China. That may or may not be a bad thing. The black body with chrome keywork makes me think the one you described is new.

As to "Taiwnese Selmers", that's a new one on me. I know that Selmer imported a VERY cheap Asian saxophone and put a "Buescher" label on it. Oh, the audacity!!!

And now that I write this, I recall a Selmer line recently introduced (and maybe it WAS Taiwanese) but I can't recall the name they put on it. Oh well . . .

That a local store would import Taiwanese instruments and put a special name on it is not unusual. Dave Kessler in Las Vegas does that (and buys branded Taiwanese instruments, too). But he ensures that what he brings in are real players - and they are - I've played them.

Maybe the Helena store is doing the same thing. I've been to the Kalispell stores a while back but at the time all I saw were Antigua altos.

Knowing Kessler and his business practices, if I were to consider a Taiwanese saxophone, I'd buy his over the others - on reputation alone.

I played the Helena trad-jazz festival many times in the late 1980's and early 1990's - with Montana's Good TYme Jazz Band out of Whitefish. DAVE

[foresterdjb]

Both horns are new.

I took another look at the "Bower" horn. Was told it was imported from China. Various aspects of the workmanship turned me off. (some slightly sloppy soldering of posts, inside of neck not shiney, even a bit corroded). I could find no other markings on this horn, just the name on the right side of the bell. Not even sure where they hid the serial number, as I didn't see it.

[Sigmund451]

Run, dont walk to the nearest reputable sax dealer. Prepare to spend. You frequently get what you pay for.

[foresterdjb]

I am currently renting a Selmer AS500. It was my wife's strong suggestion that I rent for a time before buying, and she was right. I have been learning much more about makes, models, and also learning to play. My mission for the next 9 months or so (until next tax refund) is to get my hands on as many various makes and models as I can (limited opportunities in Montana), and test play when possible, so I can buy next year.

I keep thinking of a way to convince my wife we need a trip to Las Vegas, and while we are there to go to Kessler's.

[Dave Dolson]

Just a suggestion . . . there's a guy in Somers (Russ Larson) who is a band instrument dealer. I don't know what if anything he has in stock, or if he is even still in the business, but I once bought a new Yanagisawa soprano from him. He still plays in the Flathead concert band (I saw him within the last year and spoke with him briefly).

Still, Kessler's may be the best bet. DAVE

[foresterdjb]

I go to Kalispell every couple months, and will try to look him up. Thanks.

[Dave Dolson]

I know of two retailers in Kalispell . . . the one store is on Main Street (Hwy 93) on the west side of the street, south of the mall. The other store is Jones Music north of the Outlaw Inn. Both carry some band instruments and accessories. DAVE