Opinion wanted - LA Sax soprano straight

[Balders]

Apologies if this has been covered elsewhere...I used search but didn't come up with any answers.

Does anyone have an opinion on the LA Sax straight soprano's? I'm about to pick one up second hand, which is in very nice condition...seems to play well, although the intonation at the top is quite hard to control (may have been due to soft reed when I tried it...can bend the notes a tone and a half!)

Anyway, honest opinions gratefully received....

Thanks in advance
Steve B

[goodsax]

Balders,
If the intonation is hard to control at all, there's a strong possibility you will not be happy with this instrument. To be sure it will meet your needs and expectations, you should try different reeds and/or mpc's until you know it's not the sax that's the source of the intonation problem.

"...although the intonation at the top is quite hard to control (may have been due to soft reed when I tried it...can bend the notes a tone and a half!)..."

There are too many excellent sop's out there with good intonation to waste your time and money on one you know from personal testing experience gives you trouble.

This is just my opinion.

[Balders]

thanks for the reply. I'm certainly gonna experiment with it on a meter for the intonation...I suspect it is probably a combination of me, the mouthpiece and the reed, but I'll find all that out in the next day or two.

I suspect the sax itself is sound, but wondered if anyone else owned one of these makes.

[goodsax]

I haven't owned an LA Sax sop, but I have owned a no-name sop (forget that hunk of junk), a Milwaukee saxello (not bad), a Unison S100GG straight sop (very nice) and my current sop is a vintage Conn (1925) which I like the best of all. You might consider doing a search for LA Sax sopranos and see what pops up in the way of the experience others have had with this horn - that is, if you don't get a satisfying level of response here.

Best of luck in making the right choice that suits your needs and makes you happy camper.

[Balders]

well, I've bought it. The price made it a bit of a no-brainer thankfully. Haven't had an awful lot of time to play it (just a quick 15 minute session)but initial impressions are good. Need to try it with a selection of reeds (got it with a yamaha 5C mpc) to see whats what.

Anyway, as no-one else seems to have owned an LA Sax soprano on here, I'll post my comments as they develop!!

[goodsax]

Steve, congratulations. I hope it turns out to be a good decision for you. At least you got to try it before buying it, which is a lot better than the deals others, like me, have made. I look forward to your feedback regarding how satisfied you are with the LA Sax sop.

[sattva]

Steve

I had one of these LA Sax sopranos for a few years (Chinese Red lacquer), and thought very highly of it - it has an excellent and individual sound and the intonation was not too bad, as I recall, although I too had a struggle with top notes initially which became easier in time.

Mouthpiece choice will be important. I use a rubber Bari .70 which I rate terrific . I have just ordered a Jody Jazz ESP metal, when they come off the production line, because the tenor ESP is so divine, I must try the soprano piece.

[It seems a little bizarre talking 'globally', Steve, when you only live a couple of miles away - come on over sometime!!!!!!! :) ]

[saxmanathome]

I have had a la sax soprano for about 6 yrs and never had any trouble with it. It is one of the best made horns coming out of taiwan. The tone is very full and edgy compared to a yani or yamaha. The horn is heavy and very well made. It plays very well in tune in all registers. You cannot go wrong by buying a La sax soprano when it comes to price and quality. The antiqua sop sax also plays very well, but is a bit lighter than the la sax. The antiqua sound is more true to true tone and th la sax is is more edgier and fuller than the antiqua. Hope this helps someone.

[JASaxman]

I'll have to agree. The LA Sax sop's are very good. I"ve had one for about 9 years and have never had a problem with it. Actually the only two complaints I have is the weight, (hard on the thumbs after awhile) and the fact that two of my inlays feel out during the first week. Nothing a little Glue didn't fix. :) Congrats on the great purchase.

[A Little Sax]

I own an LA Sax Straight Soprano. I also own a Yanagisawa (901 I beleive). I feel the LA Sax straight plays just as well in every aspect, and for much less the price. Not to mention, the LA Sax gives me a brighter tone than the Yani, with the same mouthpiece and reed. Ergonomically, with the size of my hands, the LA Sax works better for me. The Intonation is no better or worse than the Yani.

[RandyJ]

I was offered a LA soprano to play and endorse about 12 years ago (I think) it was the worst soprano I had ever played. I hope yours is newer and perhaps better.