Prestini USA

[Kerry Jean]

Anybody got a word on this sax?It's for sale on e-bay.
Am looking for a student.
Thanks...kerry

[Jerry K.]

Kerry, I am a Prestini dealer, and depending on the model they can be very good horns. I have been selling only the top few models of the range and I have not seen the case shown in the listing mentioned. I would suggest emailing the seller to see what model they are offering. The least expensive horn Prestini offers is not ribbed construction and is made in China. The balance of the range is made in Taiwan. If you have any specific questions feel free to email me.

[Kerry Jean]

OOPS ..the item # on e-bay is 2366475134
It's an SA510E

[Denis]

Hello.I have one question.As I understand, cheap models Prestini are made in Taiwan and more expensive ones - in USA. I get it right? Is there "made in USA" or "USA" engraving on the models made in Taiwan?Haw can I distinguish sax made in USA from the one "Prestini" made in Taiwan?Best Regards

[pth]

I think that all Prestinis are "made" in Taiwan (or perhaps some are made in China). I have heard that some are assembled here in the USA, or at the least, final adjustment is done in the USA.

In any case, their top horns are Prestini "Classic" which is on the bell. I have an alto, and it is excellent. For reference, I have owned Yanis, an SML rev d, king super 20, B&S CJS.... And the Prestini Classic belongs among them, maybe not quite in terms of build quality (which is nevertheless very good), but in terms of sound and playability.

[Mark The VIth]

I just though I'd throw this in there. On Some of the more, errr, non-musician friendly places I gig i.e, no stage + dancefloor + gaps in the monitors, I take my less expensive horns for fear of having them trampled. In my case, I use Prestini alto and tenor. They play great... When they're not falling the hell apart. Forget "info@prestiniusa.com" for help. They will not reply. I needed a right hand stack index finger pearl. 4 Months ago. No Reply. Bottom line, terrible customer service. If you plan to buy Prestini, be sure to live by a dealer that has the knick-knacks that are prestini sensitive. I've learned the hard way that you can't use Chevy parts in a Ford!

[pth]

Yeah. I played a Prestini Classic tenor in a shop, and one of the plastic "pearls" came off. They are glued into place with too little glue. I am sure this makes them seem questionable in terms of quality. But they are so inexpensive in terms of price/performance that a couple of niggling problems on some of the horns should not be a deterrent from checking them out.

[J.Max]

Something to throw in here...The primary consultant on the Prestini saxophone line was Elizabeth Ervin of the University of Arizona, so they aren't just copies of other horns, and they do have at least a little bit of a pedigree. She was also the consultant on their reeds, which are made in Nogales (close to to Tucson, where the U of A is located) in what I believe is the old Conn factory. At least they used to be...I know that they didn't build the horns in Nogales, so I'm not sure where they are actually put together. The saxophone studio used to take annual trips there to see the cane fields.