[Kieks]

Hey all, for the longest time i've wanted to get a soprano sax, and I asked my music teacher at school about them and he showed me the one that was given to the school. It's a Beltone Bb straight soprano, I tried it out and could barely get anything out of it. Later I tried looking around on the internet and couldn't find anything about it, so I was wondering if anyone out there could help me out, any information at all would be greatly appreciated, things like where it's made, and if it's any good or not, because if it's not, i've got my eye on a beautiful cannonball at a local shop
Thanks
~Kieks

 

[bandmommy]

Hey Kieks, Welcome!
What school do you attend in Zeeland? East or West High?

I have seen 'Beltone' clarinets in an old catalogue at a music shop that used to be in Ionia. If I remember correctly they were VERY inexpensive 'stencils'. I passed on one when I was shopping for a clarinet for my daughter. That was back around 1998-99. I can only guess that the saxophones were the same.

If you had trouble getting anything out the soprano may be completely out of adjustment, the reed was way too soft/hard, or you just need a LOT more time getting your 'sop chops' in order. It might be an 'OK' horn, but...
If you REALLY are serious about playing soprano try the Cannonball. Then check out any other models that Meyer Music in Holland or Grand Rapids have in stock. Marshall Music on 28th St and 131 might have something of interest as well.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Agree with bandmommy. My comment is that some may be able to come up with a decent soprano player for little money but generally, the more you spend, the better the horn. GENERALLY, people.

The school probably needs to take the horn to a tech for some adjustments and maybe even pop for a decent mouthpiece, if the one with it is the stock piece that came with it. The CB's are decent and will play. DAVE

 

[Kieks]

If I remember correctly they were VERY inexpensive 'stencils'.

Yeah, I figured as much, and that's about what my band teacher told me, I figured seeing as I couldn't find anything about it online that it probably wasn't the best, and i've tried the cannonball, and I have to say it was really quite nice, it played very easily and sounded really good, it may not be a Selmer Mark VI or a Selmer Paris but it was still really nice, now if only I can get my parents to agree to it...

 

[Dave Dolson]

FWIW, a Selmer MKVI is a Selmer-Paris horn and they haven't been made for many years now, soprano or whatever. Selmer is now making models known as Serie II or Serie III (the II having a straight fixed neck, the III having interchangeable necks).

If you have access to other brands besides Cannonball, maybe you should expand your search - there may be some very good sopranos available at that same price - or close enough for consideration. DAVE