Your thoughts on the La Voix alto ?

[SaxPower]

Hi there !

I'm currently using a Yamaha YAS-23 and I'd like to move up to an intermediate horn. I’m looking at the Selmer La Voix alto sax. The price is pretty good ! Is it a ''cheap'' Selmer or only a standard intermediate model ? I was so surprised when I saw the price. What's your experience with it ?

thanks all for your answers !

[Dave dix]

I would have thought the YAS23 to be the same level as the made in taiwan selmer and an intermediate horn at best but i haven't played one so perhaps other people will chip in
Dave

[illezt]

IMO for the money, Yamaha YAS-52 is the best intermediate out there. If you're looking to spend a little more, check out the YAS-62 or the P-Mauriat 67-R. I havne't tried a P personally, but it's gotten great reviews on this site.

[JPSaxMan]

Hi,

I play a LaVoix tenor and think it's a phenomenal horn. You hear all the time that pro horns need to be setup b/c of leaks and stuff...this horn has no mechanic defects whatsoever!! I love it...but of course it's not the Serie III I wanted (lol). You can hear it at my music page in my sig.

[SAXISMYAXE]

I've yet to play a LaVoix, but I can attest that JPSaxman has a nice, solid tone on it and get around his horn nicely. Check out his site to hear some sound samples of him on the LaVoix.

[JPSaxMan]

Thanks for the good words Mike :D

[Hurling Frootmig]

I have a review up at my personal site:

http://woodwindforum.com/plugins/content/content.php?content.16

They're powerful horns but in the end I would prefer something like a used Yamaha 62 at the same price.

[sycc]

My older daughter and I played a LA VOIUX ALTO-We bought a cannonball A1 big bell for her. Horn was strident sounding to me-could play quite loud but no fat sound or warmth. Just our 2 cents.

[MikeCa]

I played the La Voix at the recent Namm show and really liked it, especially for the price. I liked it quite a bit better than the Mauriat but it was on the Namm floor which is one of the most distracting places on earth. It just felt great and seemed to cut through all the clamor with plenty to spare! It didn't feel like a Selmer Paris at all but is one of the better Taiwanese horns I've played. Comes with the really cool BAM case also which is a huge plus, especially at this price point. It also comes with a C* mouthpiece which isn't great for jazz but sure comes in handy if you are in band, or sax quartet. All in all this was a great package. I'm not big on Yamaha sound but they are very well made horns also. I for about the same money might go with a Yamaha 62 series (they are under 2,000.00 now). Hmmm... No I think I'd get the Selmer. Others to try would be Cannonball, Unison (If you can find one), Hollywoodwinds (very cool, also hard to find).

Another really cool new horn I tried is actually from China by a co called Palm winds (we are stocking these ones) they are incredibly cool at an unbelievably low price if you can find one, they are a little on the bright side but this one from China appears to be built like a tank! Intonation was very, very good and comes in some really cool finishes. Those were choice of show in bang for the buck. If money is no object there's still no beating a Selmer, Keilwerth or Yani IMHO.

Hope that helps.