[batonstar]

Wasn't sure where to place this question so I have put it here.
I am looking to find out more about various saxes as I have only been playing for about 2 years, and would like to find out all I can on various sax related topics.

Apart from the price ranges, is there a difference between a student, intermediate, or pro horn?

And how can you tell if there is just by lookingf at the actual sax?
(Please bear in mind that at the moment i don't really know much about saxes except how to play one!)

 

[Dave Dolson]

Pro vs intermeadiate vs student?

Much of it has to do with the care put into build-quality, but I've played some really nice inexpensive saxophones recently from Taiwan and China. I can't speak to their long-term ability to hold their adjustments, but new they played really well.

I suppose one could list the big names in saxophones (models, too) like Selmer-Paris, Yanagisawa, JK, Yamaha, Rampone, etc. and say they are "pro" quality.

For the most part, they'd be right. But given the continuing and increasing quality of the Taiwanese and Chinese products, I'm thinking that terms like "pro" and "student", etc., are passe. I'd like to just call them inexpensive vs. expensive and let the individual player sort them out.

Another way to put it is to look to what the major saxophone stars play/played. Those folks make/made their living with their equipment, so the equipment would most likely be thought of as "pro." However, in today's market, one could probably go forth with a tweaked Maxtone and play it well enough that no one would care what brand of horn was being used. DAVE

 

[amoram]

If you want to learn much more about the saxophone in general, just read the entire forum, lol
good luck

 

[SaxyJ]

Another way to put it is to look to what the major saxophone stars play/played. Those folks make/made their living with their equipment, so the equipment would most likely be thought of as "pro." However, in today's market, one could probably go forth with a tweaked Maxtone and play it well enough that no one would care what brand of horn was being used. DAVE

I agree with Dave. One example is the $200 alto I bought months ago. Although it's cheap, it's built well, has solid key action and sounds great. In addition, not only was a Selmer user amazed, some bands have asked me to join their groups.

It's not really about what the saxophone can do for you. It is mainly what you can do to the saxophone that will make a huge difference.

 

[Bernards20040]

If you want to learn much more about the saxophone in general, just read the entire forum, lol
good luck

I would skip the "Random" and "negative" threads though
Unless you want to learn about sax "players":twisted: