Jupiter Saxophone?

[JoJo8192]

Hi. I was browsing some alto saxophones and came across the Jupiter 869SG Artist Series Alto sax. I was wondering if anyone has tried it or if anyone has any opinions on it. Thanks!

[atola]

Hi, Is anybody there having any information about Jean Baptist saxophones, I want to buy one (about $ 1000) but I don't have any reference on this brand... is it a new one??? :?:

[sax2003]

Hi. I was browsing some alto saxophones and came across the Jupiter 869SG Artist Series Alto sax. I was wondering if anyone has tried it or if anyone has any opinions on it. Thanks!

One thing about Jupiter saxes is to remember never to buy them because they break often and the tone just sucks!!!!!!! Its a piece of crap... Look into a Yanagisawa, Yamaha, or Selmer... Be careful of the new G1 necks as they are reported to be defective............well some.. you have to try the saxes with them...

[gary]

That's a pretty encompassing, if not rash, statement. I don't know why there seems to be some Jupiter bashing on this forum. I have no doubt you've had bad experiences with them or you would not be so vehement. I'm wondering, however, if this is based on past or current experience.

In my corner of Germany, and I can't speak for the rest of the country but I believe it is generally true, Jupiter is a respected and popular intermediate instrument. I have several students who play them and I sit next to players at times who play them and they have nice, deep sounds.

At Christmas I rented a new Artist Series tenor for about 2 1/2 weeks and really liked it. I wasn't about to trade my Lady Face in for it but it seemed well focused, and with good intonation. I really liked the ergonomics and the tone was compact and brighter than my Conn but that's neither good nor bad; just what one either prefers or not.

I would not argue that there may be other saxes in the same price range (ie Yamahas) that others might prefer, but the Artist horn I played was one which I would definitely consider as a second horn. And the store was willing to sell it for around $1200.00, which I would consider a good price.

I would definitely at least try the horn out.

[disgruntleddave]

no matter what, try anything before you buy. Jupiter is not that terrible for intermediate saxes, but remember they do lose their value real quick, resale is not very good at all.

[Gandalfe]

My son liked his jupiter bari better than the yani 990 I bought him. I have played both and I think the yani has a better sound and better intonation but that was five years ago. Maybe the jupiter pro stuff is better now.

[HDVSaxman]

The Jupiter Baris seem to have a very playable and deep sound. Easy to tune, and fairly good quality sound. Not the best by far but a good bet if you're looking for a quality intermediate instrument

[Morry]

An old-time pro jazz bari player here in Birmngham passed away recently. He had switched to the top of the line Jupiter several years ago. Who knows, maybe he lost his Conn in a card game? All I know is he was playing Jupiter when he died.

[Morry]

Just a follow up...it is not uncommon for companies that market "less expensive" brands to have their sopranos, altos, tenors and baris all made by different manufacturers. I don't if this is true for Jupiter or not.

[Storamin]

Good sirs, I do not understand your dissapointment with Jupiters. I own a Jupiter 893SG Artist Series Bari Sax. I've had this horn for about 2 months now, and everything has worked terrific! The horn has been in perfect tune, it came out of the box playing after being shipped to me(Pennsylvania) from WW&BW in Michigan or close to Michigan. The one thing my band director had to say about Jupiters was that they are a little on the soft side of wear and tear. He said he would not purchase one for the school because they are less durable than other brands. I have to agree with him, high school students treat horns like crap! Of course, I wanted an intermediate. I don't play to pursue music more than fun.

[Jonathan C.]

I agree with the Part about High Schools Students treating their horns like Crap. I sit next to two guys, both playing on School Horns, the guy on my right is a Tenor player, purposly banged his horn repeaditly against his chair. I asked him why he said "it is not mine" The Bari player next to me drove his fist into his instrument.
Both play on Selmer Super Action 80 series II's. The problem in High School is that their is a lack of personal responsabilty. You rent a horn from the school. You are supposed to treat it some what decently.

[RandyJ]

JoJo,
I'm sure you know to be very leery of any poster that says a horn is the very worst or the absolute best!

I'm on the road quite abet and in the past several years I've noticed allot of the Jupiter artist series horns being played by "professionals" making there living doing this. So much so I ended up getting one last year. It has taken the place of a MKVI because of how it plays and sounds.

As the smart ones have said play and try it! That's how you will decide.

[Jonathan C.]

I saw one for $595. Is that a fair price? Or you think I should try to get him to go lower?

[Nando]

I treat my Jupiter Soprano SPS547 just like I do my MK VI Alto & Yani T9937, with love. It is still a great horn to play and I enjoy playing it in a church orchestra. Haven't broken or ding/dent a thing on it in 12 years and I don't have plans on retiring it any time soon.

I would try it and see how you feel with it.

[Jonathan C.]

I just got the message back from the guy. It is around 2-3 years old. If the Tech says its good, and I like it, I will have a new sax.

[Kareeser]

For $595, why not? I paid $1400 for mine, new, but at any rate, check for tarnishing...

Mm... I'd have to disagree with the point about Jupiters being fragile. That may be the case with the 800 series (Artists), but the 700s are built like a tank. I dropped one in high school (didn't mean to, honest!), but it played perfectly right after, no repairs needed.

[Jonathan C.]

The Sax, I recently mentioned, I did not buy due to a lack of funds. The funny part is the guy was stuck on $575. It is now at $525. The Question now is to Laugh or not to Laugh. Seems that their were no other takers. Can I please have a collective laugh. HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
Ok, now to a somewhat serious post! I haven't head much about the Artist series, except them being a PRO. Model, and that they look great. As for the other series, Since they are listed as a beginner sax, on WWBW, I would expect them to be built close to a tank. It seems to be about personal style, as to what you buy. Shame I spent that money, If I held on for a little longer, I could have had a silver horn. Dang. Ohh well.

Now the important question to Laugh or not to Laugh?

[saxpiece]

A couple of youtube links with guys playing Jupiter saxes.
Don't know what models though.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vR5O3yN0_yo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDhU7Psg1V8

[Bloo Dog]

I own four of them: 1 soprano (2001), 2 altos(about 1995, the other a 767 2001), and one tenor (787). The tenor is as good as anything out there. REALLY.

The altos are a different story. The newer one is a bit more robust with metal resonators. The older one has plastic dome resonators, and although it is a beater, it plays VERY well.

I am very skeptical of the guys who tout the major name horns and step on the so-called intermediate manufacturers without even having owned one. If you take a look at what Jupiter has coming down the pike, the disbelievers will soon become true believers if they'd just hang up their prejudices.

I am a firm believer that there must be a good combination and compatibility of mouthpiece, reed, horn, and player. Some players just aren't made to play certain horns.

[Semiquaver]

I sit in the pro Jupiter camp. I have a tenor and have had no problems with it. I do not have much experience in the different makes so before I bought it I had it checked out by those who are in the know.

The comments I got was that it was a very good intermediate sax. a bit clonky in the action and sounded reedy in the high register but sounded lovely and deep in the low.

It does me. I paid £400 ($800) for it second hand but it had not been used much.

As an amature i could not afford much and so consider i have a good instrument for my money.

[oldbluesman]

One thing about Jupiter saxes is to remember never to buy them because they break often and the tone just sucks!!!!!!! .

After 10 years of hard playing I've never had a problem and the tone (which depends on you and the mpc) is great. I know a lot of pro's who have switched to Jupiter and are very satisfied. My alto is built like a tank and should last even longer.

[sallan]

The second video, it's the exact same Jupiter tenor....could be the one I bought used they are so close.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GDhU7Psg1V8

What can I say, great tone, great player. Thanks for the links Saxpiece!

[marton]

i've been playing a jupiter student model tenor for a year now. great sax. not a problem with it. i think their reputation is a little undeserved. either that or i lucked out with mine, but nonetheless the 585's a great sax to learn on.

[vishnuumusic]

I have nothing against any minds, neither the conservative ones but those critics I hear and read about Taywan brands and thus about Jupiter are based on a reality that doesn't exist anymore for AT LEAST ten years..!
I'm playing for ten years on a Jupiter student soprano from small clubs to big stages and people keep appreciating the sound and not believing it is "only" a Jupiter.. It has colours and brings you where you want to be.
About the quality: It never has let me down and I'm still playing with the original pads!!! Only now they are asking for retirement :TGNCHK:

Just please keep your minds open and stop fighting for old dogmas:)

Beautiful things don't need to cost a lot of money

[Kareeser]

The altos are a different story. The newer one is a bit more robust with metal resonators. The older one has plastic dome resonators, and although it is a beater, it plays VERY well.

I like that you mentioned that, Bloo Dog :)

Despite the technical fluidity of the 869 over the 7xx I played in school, I did appreciate the tone more on the 7xx, perhaps due to a combination of material in the body/pads/resonators.

Mouthpiece and Reed were the same.