Odyssey Alto Sax

[mrspink]

HI there

I am totalyl new to this board but you all seem like an extremely knowledgable bunch so here goes from the UK!!!!

I am looking to buy an Alto Sax and have been offerred an Odyssey Alto sax for a great price that suits my menial price range

has anyone got any experience of these horns and know what they are like?

cheers for your help

Lisa

[JfW]

Never heard of the Odyssey make. It's probably a remark of a generic Chinese of Taiwanese horn of questionable quality.

[mrspink]

thanks for the feedbackl - what would you recommend for someone with a £200 - £250 budget?

I know its not a lot but thats all igot at the mo!!!

cheers

Lisa

[JfW]

thanks for the feedbackl - what would you recommend for someone with a £200 - £250 budget?

I know its not a lot but thats all igot at the mo!!!

cheers

Lisa

well, I'm from Wisconsin, I wouldn't use pounds http://www.pegasus3d.com/phpbb2/images/smiles/icon_smile.gif

Assuming that's the economic equivalent of about $360 - $400 U.S., I don't know what the heck I'd do. Probably do a bunch of research on worthy vintage models, hit the pawn shops hoping for good fortunes, and even then you may need an additional $150 (80-100 pounds) to have it serviced into playable condition provided it was in 'working' condition in the first place.


Second hand music stores may have well used (beat up) student Bundys or the like there that may be well enough adjusted. Otherwise, if the Odyssey is the only option, you may have to go for it saving for a nicer instrument later.


Besides that, wait, save about 800 pounds and find a nice 1980s vintage Yanagisawa.

[Dave dix]

Hi,
go on ebay (the world online and not just ebay uk) and look up Martin handcraft and you may get one for your budget.Brilliant sax's.
Ibought a handcraft standard special (1940) for £166 +ABOUT £40 POSTAGE. Only problem is the uk customs sometimes put a tax on. I have bought 3 martins and been taxed on two of them so dont over do the insurance as they can charge vat on insurance value. If you buy from a private seller it may slip through the net !!!!
All three i have bought have been in very good condition but look at the photos closely and ask seller questions and do some private detective work on the models for sale on the internet.The martin story is a very good site from one of our dutch friends.
Go for a vintage martin. You wont be dissapointed
Dave also from the UK

[JfW]

It's good to see you've had success the ebay way dave, however, the possibility of getting ripped-off or getting a horn needing extensive repairs is too great to warrant risking ebay for someone who has basically one shot at getting a horn I'd say

;)

[Biff]

Ebay can be a good thing, but it's best if the seller has a try before you complete the deal sort of thing going on. three day trials can be a good indication on how the sax will act and how your style sounds on it.

[Dave dix]

I admit i have been lucky with my purchases on ebay but its not all luck..If there are a few pictures you can see condition,any dents,a rough idea of pads(as in colour) and the key heights.giving a clue on cork wear etc.Then check out a few web sites etc,ask the seller a few questions and hope no one else does the same.
Quality vintage sax's are quite expensive and rare in the uk so,even with some repairs needed (i do all my own repairs except large dent removals) they work out much cheaper than a taiwanese sax and a much better instrument.My main problem is many us sellers dont ship abroad or decline paypal.
My last martin purchase was a handcraft standard special with 99%original lacquer and a small dink on the base. cost,inc shipping and insurance $325. The equivelent in a uk shop would be about £600 or about $950-$1000 so i am still well in pocket
Dave

[john123245x]

nooooooooooooo do not get a odyssey that are rubish!!!!!!!!!very ****
if you what to pay £200 your sax will be crap. if you want to pay £500-700
you could get a p.mauriat pmsa-202 antigua 525lq if you want to pay 1000-2000 p.mauriat pmxa-67r or a p.mauriat system 76 or a p.mauriat pmsa 60
and for more p.mauriats go to www.pmauriatmusic.com and if you wana but one go to www.sax.co.uk if you phone sax.co.uk up thay will tell what is best! and selmers are ok but p.mauriat are the best in the world if you want a big sound!!!!!!!!!!!! my e-mail address is john123245@talktalk.net if you want more help just ask me!!!!!!:line6: nut please do not buy a odyssey!!!
you will wish that you never got one if you do!!!!!!111 if i was you a would buy a p.mauriat!
hope this helps
john.

[delboy1961]

Lisa,
I play an alto that is a cheapo and I find its ok.I brought mine off e-bay for £95 and spent £60 at a repairers and am more than happy.
Its like anything in life you get what you pay for,some people on here do not like cheap saxes but if they were not available I would still be dreaming of one day playing the sax instead of having 6 months of fun,
All I will say is if you do not play yourself get a teacher or a repairer to play it first as £200 could turn into more and you could have spent that money on a better quality sax.
If I had to do it all again I would buy a good name vintage that has been loved and played

Cheers
Delboy

[delboy1961]

Take a look at Pete Thomas' website..the breakfast room.There is a good alto for sale at £295 just been serviced worth a try..

[jmartin]

This post started about 4 years ago, that is if I'm reading it right. I would guess that mrspink found a horn by now.