The King is dead! Where do I go from here?

[AmyPf]

I'm ready to junk my old King Cleveland and take the leap towards a new, better tenor. For the immediate future, I'm renting a Yamaha student model. I'd like to hear opinions on which tenor you might recommend, and whether to buy vintage vs. new. Has anyone had a good experience w/ eBay? I don't expect I'll progress much further than the intermediate (or possibly advanced) student level over the long term, so I'm not looking for a pro model. I'd just like to find something that's easier to play - those left hand table keys (for the low notes) are a killa!

[rcwjd]

Since you are used to King, why not consider:
Vintage
1. King Zephyr (less expensive)
2. King Super 20 (more expensive)

or

3. Buescher 400 (pre '64 model)

New

Selmer Series II

Personally, I would go new. It might be more expensive, but the keywork will be right and you can cause the wear rather than deal with someone else's mistakes.

I mainly play bari (Selmer Series II and Selmer Mark VI) but I have as tenor (King Super 20 and Buescher Aristocrat as backup). For alto I have a Buffet SuperDynaction (also a good tenor choice) and as backup a Buescher 400 (before Selmer bought them). For soprano I have a new Antigua which is surprisingly good quality - they also make tenors so might be a choice.

[Tom Goodrick]

I also rented a Yamaha student model for a few weeks while deciding on a new horn. I must put in a good word for Yanagisawa. I bought a T-991 and it played great right out of the box. You could get a T-901 or 'intermediate' horn for a few hundred less. As I understand it, the T-991 is more delicate. I am careful how I pick it up. I think it is lighter than the Yamaha. Most people report the keywork on the Yanagisawa is very fine and easy to use. I certainly found it that way in comparison to the Yamaha student model. With the right reed-mpc-lig combination, you will play every note from B flat to high F sharp with ease and add a few more above that. If you say now that you will never progress beyond the intermediate level, that has the ring of a self-fullfilling prophecy. Keep an open mind on that. Your level of attainment is up to you in terms of the quality of your play. Whether you go on to record or work steadily in a big city club is of no import. A good horn will help you feel better about your musical activity, whatever it is.

[JL]

.......so I'm not looking for a pro model.......(for the low notes) are a killa!

By all means, get the best horn you can afford. "Pro models" are not just for pros. Regardless of your playing level, you'll derive much more enjoyment playing a horn with a great sound. Of course it's up to you to achieve that sound, but a good horn & mpc will help. If you like the tone quality of your sax, you'll be more willing to stick with it and play/practice more. Regarding the vintage vs. new question, IMHO tone is more important than keywork, so I lean toward vintage.