[LesleyM]

I know I will probably get a whole load of conflicting responses but i need some help.

I wil shortly be in a position to buy myself a sop sax. I have been using a loaner from a friend for the last few months but now I have to bite the bullet and buy my own.

I am very confused. of course I would love to spend several 000 of pounds but my budget is pretty much restricted to a max of about £1,500.

I have seen the Keilworth ST90 that is a good make but a student model. It is about £1,000.

However I have also seen several "pre-loved" ones for a similar price but if Intermediate or pro std.

What is the big difference between the student and inter/pro horns? What will I notice?

Thanks!

Lesley

 

[milandro]

Sopranos of all saxophones can be tricky to buy. Normally the words cheap and good don't go together.
As for anything else, you can buy new or second hand. If you buy new you will pay a premium for the pleasure of being the first owner and if you buy seconhand you would take advantage of the depreciation which anything undergoes.
Vintage sopranos seem to be more difficult to get used to because of intonation quirks and less well thought of ergonomics, some though swear by them and are prepared to put up with some discomfort and some intonation quirks because of their, in their views, superior sound.



1,500£ would buy you a lot of saxophone these days! You could buy for a lot less Yamaha SS 475 probably the best saxophone for a student out there.
Great sound and ergonomics for little money.

If you have seen some Keilwerths (please forgive me if I a m pointing out to you that your spelling of the brand was wrong) and you like them , leave the ST 90 alone in favour of a SX 90 (I-II or III).

I have one of these for sale and I can tell you that they are very special horns.

 

[Stephen Howard]

The difference will be in the build quality and ultimately in the tone production and playability.
That said, the lines have becomes somewhat blurred of late.

I wouldn't been overly keen to get the ST90, but an SX series would be a good bet if within your budget.
I love the 475, though if you can find a used 61 or 62 so much the better.
The high-end Antigua sops are pretty good.

I'd also throw in a recommendation for the Bauhaus-Walstein M2 - definitely worth a try.

Regards,

 

[LesleyM]

Thanks both - yep, my spelling is atrosiuos attrocius, Very bad!

I would love to afford the SX Keilwerth but the budget won't stretch. I wasn't looking at the Bauhaus ones as I was warned to stay clear of the chinese and other asian horns. But my local shop has an M2 for a reasonable price.

I think I will have to see how the budget goes. The Yam 475 is winning at the moment.

Lesley x

 

[milandro]

well, you might be pleasantly surprised to know that 1500£ would buy you a SX 90 II if you wanted to :bluewink:

 

[Stephen Howard]

If you're on a tight budget some of the Chinese horns can be extremely good value for money - as long as you buy wisely.
Taiwanese horns are a whole step up, and these days some of them are easily on a par with the big names.
If you have a local shop with an M2 in stock you'd be mad not to at least try it. The build quality is up to the mark - and if you compared it side-by-side with a Yamaha 62 you might be very surprised indeed.

Keep an eye open for any used Yanagisawa sops too.

Regardsm

 

[Stephen Howard]

well, you might be pleasantly surprised to know that 1500£ would buy you a SX 90 II if you wanted to :bluewink:

Ooh, now that's a sweet deal!

Not only is the SX a great horn, Milandro is a thoroughly decent chap. A recommended deal on both counts.

Regards,

 

[milandro]

Ooh, now that's a sweet deal!

Not only is the SX a great horn, Milandro is a thoroughly decent chap. A recommended deal on both counts.

Regards,

thank you Stephen!

 

[Pete Thomas]

I was warned to stay clear of the chinese and other asian horns.

Whoever warned you of that may be basing it on what was available years ago. The market has changed a lot, I use Taiwanese/chinese horns professionally with no problems. I have the bauhaus M2, it's a top class instrument. I would also recommend milandro and the deal he is offering.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I bought my Yanagisawa S901 from an eBay auction by well-known Wichita Band Instruments (in Kansas) a few years ago for $1500.00. It was pristine and a fine saxophone. I've read good things about the Chinese Bauhaus (however it is spelled) but have not played one. I agree with Milandro though that good and cheap don't mix with sopranos. Could you find one like that? Maybe, but I'd much prefer to pony up the money and buy the best i could find. You don't need intonation problems as you struggle to learn soprano. DAVE

 

[milandro]

Thanks both - yep, my spelling is atrosiuos attrocius, Very bad!

I would love to afford the SX Keilwerth but the budget won't stretch. I wasn't looking at the Bauhaus ones as I was warned to stay clear of the chinese and other asian horns. But my local shop has an M2 for a reasonable price.

I think I will have to see how the budget goes. The Yam 475 is winning at the moment.

Lesley x

I have a 475 too......I 've also sent you a PM to which you don't seem to have given an answer

 

[LesleyM]

Well, I have done it. I bought myself a nice new Yam 475 and she is gorgeous. All of the high notes that elluded me on the Yam 61 I was using now sing out clear and in tune (not wild and fluctuating as before).

The guy I bought it from was very helpful. He offers a rental scheme and buy back if you change yr mind. The buy back is for the original purchase price minus whatever the monthly rental charge would have been. When I bought my Yam he even took some off the price as I didn't need the mouthpiece (and I got a 30 min lesson and a stand!)

So the loaner has gone back and I am now getting to know my "baby". I think we will be friends. She seems to like being played by me so.......

Thanks to everyone for the various offers of help and horns!

Llesley