[rkhanso]

I have the opportunity to get either - the same price.

Bundy II Tenor info:

It is
an older model, but has been shop checked and adjusted
every summer except this summer.  It does not come
with a mouthpiece, as I am keeping it for my new sax. 
It was checked and appraised in July.  I am asking
$600.

or:
Kessler Custom Tenor info:

Almost new means that I bought it less than two years ago,
only used it in the house and as been in the case. 
It has very few scratches and, if my memory serves me right, one small ding.

Both are $600. The Bundy has no mouthpiece, the Kessler will need shipping paid for.
Suggestions? Opinions?
Thanks.

 

[SaxyAcoustician]

The Kessler is by all intents and purposes a professional horn. There simply is no comparison between the Kessler and a Bundy.

 

[Carl H.]

Kessler!

 

[Pinnman]

The Bundy II is a student sax, from its conception on. It replaced the Bundy which was well liked and regarded as being far superior. Indeed, there are different generations of Bundies, some of which are very ell liked.

I know nothing about Kesslers, but the odds are that it will be better than the Bundy II. At $600, by the way, I think the Bundy II is overpriced.

 

[ratracer]

My Kessler Custom Deluxe was purchased new last January from Kessler. If the Custom in question is anything like mine, and I think it is from what I've read around here and Kessler's web site, then it's the Kessler, hands down. Good luck!

 

[BYOB]

Most definently go with the Kessler.

 

[rkhanso]

OK - the Kessler sax doesn't come with a mouthpiece....I need to get one.

This will be for a 10-year old boy beginner player in a homeschool band.

Shall I get the basic Kessler Standard OL7 mouthpiece to go with it? Or is there something else that would be better. I didn't want to spend a lot of money, but did want to get something that will be easy to play. I'm not as concerned about the sound until he gets older...unless I can get good sound, easy play and low price all in one.

I've read that the Selmer S80 is a good one, though a little more than I wanted to spend for him right now. I'd like to stay under $50, shipping included...unless it's not suggested by the experts on the board here.

I also saw a Meyer 5M on ebay at $25, though there's over a day left in the auction.

 

[Cerot]

I started on a Bundy 2 (rental), and then bought a Kessler Tenor. Much prefer the Kessler Tenor! Im using the 50OL7 on it and it plays great!

 

[ratracer]

The 50OL7 has a tip opening of 0.100". That may be a bit much for a beginner. I'd like to hear from the more experienced members on that aspect.

 

[BigChas]

I own a Kessler Custom Tenor, and my kneejerk reaction is to say "Kessler, hands down," but this is for a 10 yr old beginner. There may be some rough treatment ahead for this horn.

If I'm not mistaken, student horns, like the Bundy II, are built to take more of a beating than an intermediate, or pro grade horn. This comes at the price of tone, responsiveness, and key action.

I'd like to see some veterans, or perhaps Dave Kessler, weigh in on this.

 

[Dave Dolson]

I bought a Kessler Custom tenor from Dave a while back . . . came with one of his mouthpieces. I am NOT a tenor player (but a 51-year soprano, alto and clarinet player) and I immediately took to the Kessler mouthpiece, unlike other tenor pieces I'd tried.

I bought my 10-year old grandson a Kessler Custom alto and he's doing fine with it. He treats it with respect and it is holding up well.

While I was playing various altos at his store to make the purchase for my grandson, Dave offered that he thought his Custom line was tougher than the Antiguas (which I was also considering). That was one reason I went with the KC alto, although pricing and great playing were two other reasons. DAVE

 

[Canadiain]

I do sem to remember reading a comment from Dave Kessler(I think) many years ago about how robust the Antiguas were, and how he used them for his rentals as they were hard to break....this was before they had their own line I guess. But if thats true the Customs must be tanks?

 

[ratracer]

My Kessler Custom Deluxe is too "refined" to call it a tank! It's a very "robust" horn in sound as well as in construction! I can't imagine much in the way of construction not hanging together unless you consistently pick it up by it's F# rod. Or, throw it like a bowling ball (while it's in it's case!) down a freshly waxed tile floor in a junior high school hall just to see how far it would slide. :shock: :yikes!:

(Uh, like I did to my alto so many years ago before I knew better. My parents would have killed me! Man, the little metal feet on that case would let that thing slide forever. Fortunately, once out of the case I treated it well. But that old case, now it was built like a tank!)

 

[rkhanso]

I did pay for the sax. Now I need to decide on the mouthpiece. I guess I'm leaning towards the cheapest Kessler mouthpiece as well. But maybe I should call them first.

Unless there are other suggestions....

Not-so-patiently waiting for the sax to arrive.