[mmichel]

The Antiguas from the mid-to-late 2000s are pretty nice. I now play on an SX90 (Keilwerth), but I played on an Antigua (whatever the one-piece model was called) as my main sop for more than a decade.

As far as resale value, the key is to buy a used horn in good condition, then you're likely to get most of the value back when if/when you sell it. If you buy new, you're going to lose a significant amount to depreciation, even if you buy from a major brand.

 

[mmichel]

I had a MkVI soprano that I bought new in the late '70s. I eventually sold it, but now wish I'd kept it. That was a great horn. Nowadays the VI is expensive of course. Another good option you can find at a more reasonable price is a Buescher TT soprano.

As to an inoffensive, soprano, that's up to the player!!

The OP is looking for something he can get for under $1000 (about $700). I don't think either of these qualifies. In addition, while those are both great horns, neither is what I would recommend for a soprano beginner, and both have significant idiosyncracies that might be worth pointing out (e.g., no strap rings, no front F, old-style LH pinky tables, awkward palm keys, etc.).

 

[mmichel]

Not sure if you were being sarcastic there, but in case not— I assure you he has a lot of fans! 😄

I don't think he was being ironic. There are many great fans of Coltrane (myself included) who wouldn't exactly consider his soprano tone as one to emulate.

 

[mmichel]

Yes I’ve seen that, but just because there are lots of detractors here doesn’t mean there aren’t also tons of fans out in the world (i.e. that “not many share that view”). Every week or so I read someone in an interview or record review specifically calling out Coltrane’s sax tone as an influence or object of admiration. It is loved by a great many people in the scheme of things.

Extolling his soprano tone in particular? Every week?

Perhaps so.

In any event, I think JL meant "not many here share that view" which is likely based on his impression formed over nearly 20 years of experience (and tens of thousands of posts!) on this forum.

 

[mmichel]

Julie Andrews?

Little bit OT, but she hasn't sung as a soprano in more than two decades. Moreover, to the extent she sings at all anymore (i.e, not in public), she's more of an alto now.