what different between student and pro type for alto?

[kk]

I wonder we have to seperate them in 2 types and how are they different from each other. Is it just about the cost or sound quality or something else? :?

[kcp]

also features (like F# key and others), quality of material (srpings, pads, etc), fine-tuning, craftmanship, additional features (type of resos, lacqer, engraving) and probably more that I'm missing.

[kk]

So.........that's mean after I considered about manufacturer and type of music I going to play, the higher price the better quality isn't it? :shock:

[kcp]

What you need is a saxophone that suits your needs. Yes, buying a top of the line pro horn would be great. However, at this stage that you are now (I don’t mean to insult anyone by this) but most likely only your wallet would feel the difference between a pro and a student horn. For a beginner, what’s important is to get a saxophone that is in working order. Well, so it is for everyone. But what I mean is that you don't struggle with it and wonder if the trouble is you or the horn. Have it checked and adjusted properly by a competent technician and there you go. There are several brand names that carry student and step-up (intermediate) instrument models of good quality, like Yamaha and Jupiter for instance. Information about these and other student/step-up instruments is readily available browsing the pages of this forum. Ask for advice, try-out the different horns and compare, and have them tried-out and compared by a more experience player before buying.

[JfW]

I wonder we have to seperate them in 2 types and how are they different from each other. Is it just about the cost or sound quality or something else? :?

I find the most substantial differences tend to be in the keywork, especially in the LH table. Proffesional instruments have better crafted mechanics and smoother action expecially.

Other differences are cosmetic:

Pearl Touches
Elaborate engraving
finishes.
Asthetically appeasing keywork

There are other mechanical differences possible:

Underslung octave mechanisms
High F#
Felts on Tonehole gaurds instead of on cup
Ribbed construction.
various adjustment mechanisms

or composition:

Exotic metals like Silver or Bronze
Different brass alloys
Thicker gauge of metals used.

These are all possible differences you may find. There are probably more, but remember that student, intermediate, entry-level pro, and proffesional are all labels designated by their manufacturers or importers to differentiate product lines.

[JfW]

Intermediates tend to be harder to pin down for me. From where I recon, there are three types of intermediates:

1) Instruments that are built to be intermediates like the Yamaha 475s

2) Instruments that were pro horns, yet lost a few mostly asthetic features later in the product line (like Buescher Aristocrats and 400s)

3) Instruments that are student instruments but with laquered keys and a high F#

[singlereed]

Pro horns are not necessarily the easiest for a beginner to play. Some can be heavy (e.g. Keilwerth), others have a lot of 'resistance' to reward the stronger player. Having said all that, I reckon a Yanagisawa 901 or high model Yamaha such as the 62 would make a superb student horn, offering good tone and ease of playing.