Need help deciding which saxaphone is the best?

[KiwiLaser]

I've been playing on a miserable Bundy II for 6 years now. I utterly despise this instrument just because i've played it so long. Great beginner horn, but not for me. Anyway, I'm in the market for a new Alto saxaphone. I have pretty much narrowed my search down to three choices. I'm deciding between........

1) Selmer Series III model 62
2) Yamaha Custom Series YAS-875EX
3) Selmer Series II model 54

Just let me know what you think would be the best choice saxaphone.
If you prefer your own make or model lemme know too!

[BrianL]

Simply put, there is no 'best' saxophone. Selmers have a very fine, historic reputation, but tend to be expensive horns. Yamahas, to some, dont seem to be as well built, but are inexpensive professional model horns. The selection of the horn your going to get is solely based on one thing: Which horn -you- like best. We cant tell you what horn is the best, but we can tell you our experiences with them.

I've played a few 875s (the older models) and I currently own a Yamaha YAS-62II. These horns are considerably cheaper than the selmers, and I personally love the sound I get from my horn when paired with the right mpc/reed setup. If I'm correct, the 875EX was designed to try and reproduce the sound of vintage horns (for example, the Selmer MKVI). The one thing about these horns that you have to be careful about is the G1 neck. Make sure the horn your getting has a revised neck.

I've also played on a few of the modern selmers. Now, mind you, I havent played these horns as much as my Yamahas. To me, I could get a very similar sound on a Yamaha that I was getting on a Selmer, but I liked the Yamaha sound better, so I went and purchased a Yamaha horn. Now, this doesnt mean you will have the same experience, infact I know many who have had the exact opposite.

A few other suggestions:
Yanagisawa A-901
Selmer Reference altos
Yamaha 62II and 82Z
Keilwerth EX90 (I believe thats the horn, I dont really know much about the Keilwerths)

Best of luck

BrianL

[Hurling Frootmig]

I would give a serious look at the new Yamaha 82Z and 62 II. They are really nice players and are at a really nice price point.

The Keilwerth SX-90's are nice horn but you need to make sure that you get one that is set up well.

I like the Series III Selmer's better than the Series II in terms of build quality and how they feel in the hands.

You could also consider a vintage Selmer Mark VI if you have lots of money to spend.

I thought the 82Z and even the new 62 II were the best of the new horns I have played.

[katysax]

As others have said don't overlook the 82Z or YAS 62II. Personally, I've owned a few altos, and the 82Z is the best one yet (I like it better than the 875). The 62II and 82Z are also the best value price to performance in the marketplace today in altos.

I had a Series II and it was a good horn, but not as good as the 82 Z I currently play.

[yana sax]

I have recently purchased a Yani A901 and they are fantastic instruments. I believe that they are up their with any pro horn, but are at an intermediate price. Try one.

[Fred]

If you haven't played the Yanagisawa A901, you really should. You could end up saving a bunch of money.

[bcrayg]

KiwiLaser,
Hello, all! I can only speak for the Selmer, seeing as I own one and I've never really had too much experience with too much else. It looks to me like you've narrowed it down by now. Some of you may call me crazy for this, but if you're stuck between the series II and III, my own opinion for you is to stay with the Series II. To me, the III is just several extra bucks for not enough. To me, it functions the same as the Series II. I'll even take it THIS far. I simply like how the Series II feels/sounds/performs better anyway. Again, that's just MY OWN opinion. ONE piece of advice, I think EVERYONE will agree on. Go out and try these horns out. Like I said, I'm a Selmer II man myself, but only because when I was choosing horns, it worked best for me. Selmer, Yamaha, Yanigisawa, Keilworth, etc. I liked the Selmer best. Don't make a decision based on what you've HEARD. Go out and try these horns out. My two cents!!!! Thanks!

bcrayg

[GHawk]

KiwiLaser,

Any of those will serve you well. You'll get all kinds of opinions about the merits of this horn or that one, but you need to play them for yourself. I play a Serie III soprano and a Serie II tenor....the Serie II tenor is the very best horn that I've ever held in my hands - bar none. I owned a Serie II alto at one time and it was a very good saxophone. Selmers will be more valuable over the long-haul, but the Yamahas are might fine horns. I'm an ex-high school band director and have had students on Bundys, Yamahas, Armstrongs, etc. Any of the horns that you mention will be an unbelievable change for the better from the Bundy II. There are gobs of professional saxophones out there....don't agonize too much if the three that you mention are your choices.....ALL of them are fabulous horns.

[DaveKessler]

You have gotten lots of great advice on this thread but as you can see, the "best" horn is really whatever works best for the player.

Now you can ask which horn is the Best for the money... in which case my vote goes to the Yani A901. The Yamaha 62II is in the same price range ($1600 - $1700) but we (myself and my repair shop) have never really cared for Yamaha saxes.

In fact, we were comparing a Selmer Series III, Yani A901 & a Yamaha 62 (new but older model). The Yani held up Very well against the Selmer for half the price. We feel the Selmer still edged it out by a hair, but just barely.

If you are on a budget, get a Yani A901 (I sell for $1595 new). If price isnt the issue, then you really need to just try everything, but I would recommend holding off until you can also try a Selmer Reference 54 alto.

[KiwiLaser]

Thanks for all the positive feedback. It actually helped alot. I'll be heading over to Wood Wind and Brass Wind soon to playtest these instruments. Wish me luck.

[M Exner]

KiwiLaser-

From what I've read by the responding posters, they've been even handed with good advise. Just as they said, any of these choices you've narrowed the field down to, would be great.
You now just want some advise from others to help in your decision. Right?

If economics comes into play, then I think the Yamahas would give your more bang for the buck over the Selmers. Comparing model lines to model lines they are less expensive.

If the mail order option comes into play, then again the Yamaha has a better track record for the "sax out of the box" contest with less risk, many would argue.

If sound (tone), action, ergonomics, and looks are evaluated then that becomes subject to your personal taste.

Many of us have been down this same road. I vote for the Yamaha. Others will say just the opposite . So decide what your priorities are and live with your decision. Good Luck. Mike