Which tenor?

[tenorchic]

Hello!
I'm trying to buy a new tenor for college, I'm going to be a music major. I play the school's student yamaha and I own a selmer c* mouthpiece. I have a price range of $2000-3000 USD and am looking at the Cannonball Albirghts and Stone Series per my director's instructions. I want a selmer and am also looking at a SA 80 serie II. I can go over my budget, but I really don't want to. I prefer the selmer, but it's almost too much and the cannonballs are easier on the checkbook. I need a quality horn to last me through college and I'm getting pulled in all different directions. I would be playing in the concert, jazz and big band ensembles. I NEED A LOT OF HELP!

[HC]

I just bought a tenor sax myself a few months ago with a similiar budget.
The ones that caught my eyes were: the Yamaha YTS-82, Yanagisawa T991, and the Keilwerth SX90 (no rolled toneholes). I then found a newly restored '69 Mark VI for 2500 dollars and bought that. Had I not, I probably would have gotten the Keilwerth SX90. It has a very dark and even sound with excellent response. But how could I not pass up a good playing Mark VI for 2500 dollars?

[Carl H.]

What does your college sax teacher recommend?

[tenorchic]

I'm taking private lessons from the asssistant professor of woodwinds, and I haven't talked to her yet but I go on Monday, but my HS one recommends the cb's because of the price for the quality.

[AlistairD]

IMHO play different saxes, play some more, take someone you trust with you and decide which one you like best. They all sound different and even the same models from the same manufacturer sound different so... Please try them and then decide.

[tenorchic]

I've tried all of the ones I've been directed towards... I have the top three in my living room. Those I have listed are the top three I have been told to try and I would like to know what one (not necessarily out of the ones I've listed) will best suit my life at college, be the best for the settings I will play in, what's good for my budget, and which will hold up best (I'm going to be very poor and can't afford a lot of bills from repair shops). I even had someone tell me that a cb would be a $2500 dollar mistake.

[Carl H.]

The one that will make yor life the easiest as a performance major is the one recommended by your professor. Cannonball will probably not be something your professor will want you playing. If I had to guess, probably one of the big 4, but not so much the Keilwerth, even though they are my choice.

Selmer is probably your best bet, if properly set up. Try tenor madness if you go selmer. Their price may not be the best (they might price match) but it will play on delivery, which cannot be said of most selmers. They come out from the factory in a pretty poor state of adjustment and Randy will not let a horn leave if it isn't playing at it's absolute best.

Talk to your professor.

[SaxyAcoustician]

Consider the Yamaha YTS-62 and Yanagisawa T901. Very easy on the wallet and outstanding horns.

[Ari]

Consider the Yamaha YTS-62 and Yanagisawa T901. Very easy on the wallet and outstanding horns.
Agree. Suprised they weren't on your list

[Saxplayer1]

At 2k, I would strongly recommend the Yani 901 over the new Yamaha 62's or Cannonballs. The sound has better clarity and more character. If you can go to 3K, seriously consider the Yamaha 875 Custom or the Yani 991 (lifetime horns). Both are absolutely wonderful. The Yamaha 82Z is good too. Prowinds.com has the best prices on these at this time and will set the horn up prior to shipment.

[J.Max]

Don't buy a Cannonball for college! Talk to your professor and see what he/she recommends. Probably you'll either want a Selmer Serie III or Yamaha YTS-875. The Cannonball is a very nice Taiwanese horn, but if it's going to be used for serious classical study, it's an inappropriate instrument. Also, if you want this to be the last tenor that you ever buy, stick with the Selmer or Yamaha.

I play a Keilwerth SX-90R, myself, and I usually recommend them, but a lot of sax profs don't like them for whatever reason.

[Carl H.]

Hey J. Max, That advice sounds familiar :D

[Razzy]

Alright, now here's what you do: check out Selmer and Yamaha, as most sax profs would want to see that, and they also sound great. I play Keilwerth and recommend them but for whatever reason, sax profs don't like to see them. Just follow this uniquely Razzy advice and you should be good to go.

[58tenor]

Very simple. Go somewhere and try as many saxes as possible. Pick the one that makes you happiest. Should be a bunch in that price range. To heck with some professor's idea. YOU have to play it! If they don't approve, prove them wrong. This is a major undertaking and you have to be happy with your choice.

Flipside: any pro quality horn will work if you spend some time with it.

[Carl H.]

And skip classes too, they won't get you a gig.

Why fight an uphill battle? I was there and fought the battle (you don't want what I was playing at the time !!) and what did it get me - tired! At this point you really should consult your future prof, who knows, you both might like the same horn. Profs generally have a reason for recommending certain horns.

4 years is a LONG time to study with somebody.

[tenorchic]

Tomorrow I go to help with beginning band camp with my hs director and play the horns for her. I like the big 4 brands, but they just seem out of reach for the area that I live in. All of the local music stores don't really have a big selection for me to try, and my parents don't want to drive four hours to the nearest big city. I know I want a new horn, but with the selection I have, it's very hard to find one that would work. And I'm deffinetely not going to go and buy some horn my professor hates. That would be suicide.

[Carl H.]

Wait untill you get to college then. Odds are you will have more opportunities to try different horns there.
Might I suggest you get an inexpensive "beater" now, to keep your chops up over the summer, and for use in marching and in pep bands (some of them pay too) when you get to school.
Get into school first and try several of each type you are considering before spending big $$.

[Randall]

While I don't agree with people telling you to stay away from a Cannonball,
I do agree with the comments about your professor maybe not liking certain horns.
Ultimately, you need a horn you are happy with. However, some people (including those who may instruct you or judge you on a jury) may have very deep prejudices about what you should and should not play.

One thing I have found out through my many years here and my many associations with professional sax players and university teachers is that many, if not most of the pros and teachers out there, are woefully ignorant of a lot of what is common knowledge of saxophones on this forum.

You will defintely find many in the "if it ain't a six, you ain't got #@$%&*"
crowd.

And Selmers are fantastic horns, no doubt. However, there are not so brilliant Selmers in every batch of model.

If your teacher is a resonable person without prejudices, then go with your heart. But if not, it might be good to get on the teachers good side;)

[tenorchic]

I would like to purchase one this summer that way I wouldn't have to carry the payments all through college. I also think that my professor is open-minded, so hopefully if she doesn't like the horns, she will find me one that she likes that I will hopefully like too. N yes, I do live in an area with the motto "if it ain't a six." It's sad, you know! Thanks for all you guy's help!

[Carl H.]

Not to put you off or anything, but I have a friend who graduated with her masters 14 years ago and is still paying off her bassoon!

[Blackwolf42]

Not to put you off or anything, but I have a friend who graduated with her masters 14 years ago and is still paying off her bassoon!

Yeah, but bassoons cost a great deal more. ;)

[tenorchic]

And that means? I'm sorry but I don't understand. I'm not a stupid blonde or anything, I just don't know what you're saying.

[Carl H.]

When you go for THE instrument, don't be limited by money, if you can swing it. Saxophones are pretty inexpensive when compared to other instruments. If I sold my favorite violin bow (Just 1) I could buy any sax out there. New instruments aren't getting any cheaper, so buy the best you can find now, before the prices go up even more.

[tenorchic]

Okay, thats clearer now. Thanks for the explaination!

[J.Max]

Hey J. Max, That advice sounds familiar :D

Heh. Great minds think alike, I guess...

[Razzy]

Man, I thought somebody would get it... oh well :)

Now, for serious... what JMax and Carl H said!!

[Pinnman]

If I were in your position, I would check out a number of saxes and make up a short list of three. I would look at some vintage models, especially Buffet (Dynaction, Super Dynaction and S1) and Buescher Aristocrat (pre 1957 - i.e. 267K to 357K serial numbers) as well as the big four and Taiwanese saxes.

Then e-mail or write to your prof. You should get a proper rsponse if she is worth studying with. Give her the list and ask for her opinion. I would not be too afraid of a relacquered Vintage sax if looks matter (as they probably will) provided you go to one of the experts like Charles Fail or The Sarge. (If you need their e-mail, just shout.)

[J.Max]

If I were in your position, I would check out a number of saxes and make up a short list of three. I would look at some vintage models, especially Buffet (Dynaction, Super Dynaction and S1) and Buescher Aristocrat (pre 1957 - i.e. 267K to 357K serial numbers) as well as the big four and Taiwanese saxes.

Then e-mail or write to your prof. You should get a proper rsponse if she is worth studying with. Give her the list and ask for her opinion. I would not be too afraid of a relacquered Vintage sax if looks matter (as they probably will) provided you go to one of the experts like Charles Fail or The Sarge. (If you need their e-mail, just shout.)

I don't know...unless you are going to a Rascher based school, most of the time vintage horns are going to be looked down upon in an academic setting. I would be careful about any vinatge horn that you purchase for this purpose...

[tenorchic]

I went to talk to her and she said that for college I need a new horn, and that I wouldn't want anyone else's possible "Mistake". She told me to go with the Selmer Super Action 80 Serie II. She wants me to accompany her on a trip to Wichita to Wichita band instruments to try all of the horns out. But she for sure wants a new horn for me to play and is deffinitely in favor of the new Selmers.

[Carl H.]

Where are you located? (which state)

[Pinnman]

That seems to me to resolve a number of questions.

The Sa80 Serie 2 is an excellent sax. I had one for eleven years, but changed to a Buescher Aristocrat for two reasons. Firstly, I could never resolve the position of the right hand. It was always cramped and created tension in the hand and consequently in my playing. Secondly, I prefer a free blowing sax and the Buescher is certainly that.

Wichita Band is a very good outfit with a good stock and you will be able to try modern and vintage saxes there. That said, the website shows only one vintage tenor worth looking at (on price) - a Conn 10M which my not find favour. They stock Keilwerth and Yanagisawa, but not, as far as I can see, Yamaha. No price information on Selmers, so be ready to do some horse trading on price.

Once you have a sax you are comfortable with, think about the mouthpiece. The SA80 which comes with the SA80 Serie 2 has a wonderful tone, but make sure you can reach the top and bottom notes easily. If you have a problem, think about an alternative.

Finally, and mindful of JMax's caveat, your prof will be on hand to advise.

[tenorchic]

I know I'll be able to play the SA80 well because I've had one to try for two weeks. I also use a mouthpiece that is a C*, which comes with it... I guess now I'll have two. I'm really excited, but i wish I didn't have to go over my price range. she said one of her students bought the exact same horn at wholesale from Wichita band for 3600. We'll also have to pay for gas, we live in SE Kansas, but I have a feeling it will be worth it, because I know that they have more than one in stock for me to try.

[Pinnman]

I bought my SA80 from the main Selmer dealer in Paris and, because I already had a S80 mouthpiece, was able to buy the sax alone. It saved me quite a few francs.

[olhonker]

To Tenorchic !! Since Bucks are a big factor in your college situation, I would highly recommend rather than take a chance of a horn that maybe a dud or require a lot of work, but a NEW Kohlert Tenor, out the door for about $600.00. !! It is an exact copy of the new Selmers and trust me it plays about 99%or so as good, only caveat is to take extreme care in handling it, since it does not hold it's alignment as good as a selmer whcih you an grab from any end with no problem, the case it comes in is also high quality. I have a Serieiii and an old Selmer Cigar Cutter era too which is the best, but for the money go with a new vietNamese horn by Kohlert !! Bruce NY

[SaxyAcoustician]

The Cannonball is a very nice Taiwanese horn, but if it's going to be used for serious classical study, it's an inappropriate instrument.
Hmmmm...

I think the New Century Saxophone Quartet need to read this comment. They're obviously not playing the right horns for the music they play. :?

[mattsax]

There will be no "horse-trading" for Selmers with any Selmer dealer. As is common in the music industry, the price is fixed, but unadvertized if it is wholesale. Part of the reason for this is that no doubt Selmer wants you to pay the full retail price someplace else if you will do it.

[Pinnman]

So here we are nearly four months on and we still don't know what tenorchic bought! Please, tenorchic, let us into the secret!