Help me make a decision please

[jld621]

Hello everyone. I am new here and I need some help. I returned to playing sax after a long time away. I bought an old Conn, (Mexico) from a pawn shop and traded for what I thought was a good intermediate horn. A keilworth st90IV. Now here is my dilema. The st is made by Jupiter. I paid alot for this horn and today I found out from a dealer who called Jupiter himself, that my st is the same as the 600 series Jupiter Alto. I am not very happy because for the same money I could have bought an atrist series.
Now do you all think it is worth taking a hit (money wise ) to up grade to the artist series. I havent had this horn but about a month and have had it back to the shop 3 or 4 times for little things > octive key adj. sticking pads, loose springs. It also seems hard to blow in the middle register. Any opinions or suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[JupiterSaxMan]

Hey,
I'm pretty sure the ST is different to the 600 series. Yea they're made by Jupiter but they are completely different in terms of design concept but thats not really an issue. If you want a good intermediate horn the 700 series is good i play on one and it sounds great and the artist series is even better so if you can sell the ST and get an artist series than go for it but if you don't ahve the cash or can't sell the ST go for the 700 series they're both excellant horns

[MikeCa]

The Keilwerth has a different body / bore design than the standard Jupiter and the bow is much larger allowing for the more Keilwerth type big sound in the lower register. I work in a music store and have played both side by side. The Keilwerth student model sounds better IMJO (and costs more from what I remember, it's been a few years). The Keilwerth student model is definitely made in the KHS/Jupiter factory out of what appear to be the same materials. Some people do prefer the more direct sound of the Jupiter version.

I personally haven't noticed a huge playability or sound difference between the 600 and 700 series Jupiters. The difference being nickel as opposed to lacquered brass keys (a more professional look and feel) and the high f# key.

I don't think you'd be making a huge improvement with the Jupiter 700 but the artist model would be a huge improvement.

JMHO