Economy MK 6

[hornfixer]

I am wanting to get an alto to play mostly for my own pleasure,.

What would be a good inexpensive instrument, that plays like a MK6 ?

[Morry]

Well, as a piano tuner, I'll ask...can you find a cheap piano that plays like a Steinway?

[Morry]

Now for my real answer. There are none, but there are any number of fine instruments available for the beginner. I would especially recommend the Yamaha 52 (now 475), Yamaha 62II or Yanagisawa 901. The intonation is superb on all these horns, the keywork is smooth and dependable, and they should last you for years.

[hornfixer]

Morry, thanks for the advice, I would reccomend to you a Roland Home piano.

These instruments you mentioned seem expensive, is there anything cheeper, I am only a hobbyist at this time,

[Gregg W. Jackson]

The cheaper you go, the further you're going to get from an instrument that plays like a Mark VI. One possibility would be to get an older model Yamaha or Yanagisawa or a King or Buffet. See Steve Goodson's Vintage Saxophone Value Guide (http://www.saxgourmet.com/VINTAGE_SAXOPHONE_VALUE_GUIDE.htm) and Jason Dumar's Saxophone Buyer's Guide http://www.saxophone.org/buyersguide/buyers.html.

If there are stores in your area, talk to them. Also, take a look at some of the vintage horn sites to see what the prices are like. There are many good sites -- here are a few, in alphabetical order. Check the "Saxophone Buying and Selling" forum for people's experience with these sites and others.

CyberSax: http://www.cybersax.com/
Roberto's: http://www.robertoswoodwind.com/
SaxGourmet: http://www.saxgourmet.com/
USA Horn: http://www.usahorn.com/
VintageSax: http://www.vintagesax.com/
World Wide Sax: http://www.worldwidesax.com/

Good luck.

[Morry]

Just my opinion, but I would suggest any beginner start on a modern Japanese horn. To me, they have the best keywork and intonation. Vintage horns have lots of character, some of which is best appreciated by seasoned players. Make it easier on yourself, find a used Yani or Yamaha. Better yet, find a local retailer that has a rental program. They will most likely use one of those brands. Rent one for a few months and see if it's something you want to pursue.

[Fred]

You can pick up a Yamaha YAS-23 alto fairly cheap. It's probably one of the best beginner altos on the market, and they are very popular with band directors. Consequently, there's a bunch of them on the market when kids drop band.

NOTE: Don't wait until June-August to buy. Prices go up on band instruments as the season approaches. :!:

[Gregg W. Jackson]

Morry, the vintage sites that I suggested have listings for what most of us would consider to be modern Japanese horns. For example, VintageSax currently lists a Yamaha YAS-62, World Wide Sax currently lists a Yanagisawa A-4, which may be closer to a Mark VI than the newer Yani's, and Roberto's has a Yamaha YAS-52 and a YAS-61.

[hornfixer]

Thanks Fred for the great advice. That is probably more my price range.
How much should I expect to pay for a good playing used one?

[hornfixer]

Gregg, I looked at those sites, there are sure some beautifull saxes.

[Fred]

Pawn shops in my area would sell them for $350-450, depending on condition. It would REALLY help if you took along someone that knows instruments before going the pawn shop route.

Ebay probably a little less; BUT, you don't get to see it first (except in pictures.) You really can't trust an individual (even one trying to be honest) when it comes to the instrument's condition unless they are a player or music store (then you can trust only the honest ones). Most non-musicians just don't realize what a problem is when they see it.

Remember that paying $75-100 more initially can often save you 2-3X that in repairs. Good luck with your shopping! :D

[hornfixer]

Thanks Fred, there are not many pawn shops here... I will do the Ebay thing. Thanks again for all your help.

[singlereed]

Yanagisawas are a very close replica of a Mk VI, the 901 series, or maybe a Yamaha 62 series, is the low-rent alternative to a VI IMHO.

[mostly alto guy]

If being made in Paris in the 50s or 60s (like a MKVI) is important, then why not look around for a vintage Buffet? A Series VII/VIII, Dynaction (these three sometimes collectively known as 18-20s), SuperDynaction, or S1 (the last a bit later than a VI actually) can be had for way less than a MKVI, and though they lack the star quality of a VI, nobody will make fun of you for playing a Buffet. Avoid anything earlier than a Series VII unless you don't plan to seriously play it.

These Buffets have great keywork and solid intonation, and they are way over-engineered, meaning they last and last. They have generally better lacquer than Selmers (shields up!) and each can play at the colour extremes better than a MKVI, which is more of a do-it-all horn. For example, if you seek a smokey ballad horn, go Series VII/VIII or Dynaction. If you're into jazz or even rock, try a Super. For classical, concert/symphonic band music, go for an S1. A MKVI can do all of these passably, but for the price of a decent VI you could have three vintage Buffets, and choose the exact match for each genre.

The only problem is they're getting harder to find as players re-discover how really good they are.

[singlereed]

I am inclined to think a VI can do everything excellently.... but anyhow, yes definitely look at Buffets and also Coufs, as well as the sound, you will find the keywork is mostly at least on a par with Selmers. Others with a similar quality of sound but different keywork (you might like the LH pinky table, you might not - this also goes for Buffet before the S1 and the last few Super Dynactions) include SML, Couesnon, French-made Leblanc/Vito and Dolnet. Coufs, SMLs and Buffets do have their fans and prices are not as low as they were. All of these are classic pro horns that will probably not attract as high a price as the Selmer. Have a look at the 'Other French' threads on this and the old forum for some interesting discussion, and look at saxpics for some further commentary and to give you an idea of what they all look like.

[gary]

pianotuner - you're getting a lot of good information and a lot of research topics and IMO you can't go wrong with the above. There is another, simpler, alternative however.

When I was looking to start back playing, I simply called up Chuck Levin's Washington Music, told them what sound I was looking for, gave them a price range, and they sent me a very good tenor. I later did the same thing with Wichita Band Co, and they sent me a great playing alto. I might add that the price range I gave them was $600-$800.

So, as an alternative, you might find a few dealers that are held in high regard, just tell them what you want and let them do the analysing for you.

[Sam]

Or, just be patient, look carefully, and buy a nasty-looking Mark VI or a re-lac. Lower collector value but 100% sound behind the screen.

[BobD]

I would think a good alternative to a Mark VI would be a used Series III. You could probably get one for around 1800 to 2200 and you'd be getting that Selmer sound. Otherwise going new I would think the YTS-62 would put on the ball park. I've played those and found it effortless to transition between it and my VI. Also, maybe a Series II.

[johnny]

I second the suggestion of finding a great playing relaq. When I was shopping for tenors years ago, I compared an old relaquered (probably relaquered 30+ years ago) BA to every other horn in the shop, including 4 different original laquer VI's of different vintages and a couple other BA's and SBA's. That relaquered BA downright outblew every other horn there, and was by far the most resonant. Needless to say, I bought it on the spot (and paid about a grand less than if I'd gone with an original laquer horn) and have had absolutely zero regrets.