Vince,
Congratulations on your soon-to-be soprano
and co-operative spouse!
I'd like to have a soprano, specifically a Yani curvy
but the real world may 'only' (the suffering!) allow
me a straight Antigua, which I will rationalize to you.
These instruments seemed to have acheived an
SOTW concensus as best for the $ and good
sounding too. In my conversation with Dave Kessler,
he warned me OFF Antiqua curvies.
LINK:
http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/saxophone.html
You might want to check out Kessler's proprietary line too.
As for thumb issues, I've got 'em and plan on
experimenting on a "Quodlibet" style support
with my clarinet first, before purchasing a sop.
LINK:
http://www.quodlibet.com/
I bought a vintage first Tenor but I want a new horn
I can burden the dealer with adjusting to perfection
with less risk of intonation issues than a vintage.
Also, there are of course endless posts on this matter
in the SOTW Sop subforum and you can also (wisely)
review Mr. Dave Dolson's posts for the opinions of
our likely most active & authoritative sop practioner.
Enjoy.