[SaxDad55]

Newly registered with this website but have dropped in previously when Google searching.

My son is a 10th grade alto sax player using a YAS-23, which he has had since he started playing in 6th grade. This year, his band director asked him if he would be interested in trying to play tenor in the jazz band (they only have one tenor). My son and I talked and he replied yes. I am not worried about his desire to play tenor, as he has asked me about it before (kind of got him hooked on Grover Washington Jr. that I have been listening to since college).

I’ve read through the threads on this site dealing with switching between alto and tenor, and comparisons between the different tenors that are available, trying to devour all that I can, but I still need some opinions and guidance from the gallery to help us come to a decision. My son is used to the ‘feel’ of his YAS-23 and has expressed his desire to have that same feeling with a tenor. Since I am not afraid to show my ignorance, is there any difference in how keys are laid out across the tenors from different manufacturers, or how they feel in your hands when you play? Also, is it easier to go from a Yamaha Alto to a Yamaha tenor, or does it not really matter?

Finally, the shop that sells and repairs most of the wind and brass instruments used in our schools has a gentleman who was a professional sax player in the Army, and he truly loves the YTS-62. He would be the one that will take care of this sax when it needs servicing and repair. The band director leans toward Selmers, but his reply was to go with the recommendation from the shop as he trusts his judgment. Financially we can probably go up to $1700-$1800 (apparently the range for a used YTS-62 or 62II on eBay), but I am trying to get Andrew the best ‘bang for the buck’ in our price range that he can use for a long time – he can buy his own Ref 54 with his own money when and if that time comes.

Thanks for the help.

 

[saintsday]

Although I am not personally a big Yamaha fan, the 62 probably makes a lot of sense for your son. They are highly regarded by many and should have decent resale if bought used.

There are differences between manufacturers in how they lay out horns and if your son is comfortable with his YAS 23, the 62 should work well for him.

If he ever wants to change from the 62, which he may not, I would suggest that there are some great vintage horns that will blow away a 54 for a lot less money. Hopefully he'll be lucky and be content with the 62 until it disintegrates in his hands from use.

 

[Canadiain]

With $1700 budget the choice is bewildering. There is no need to stick to Yamahas, Tenor is sufficiently different to Alto that it will feel different anyway, so I would say try a few different reputable brands and see what feels right.

If you dont want to blow the whole budget (leave some money for a nice mouthpiece) there is a guy here desperate to sell his Cannonball, price now $1150...thats a good pro level horn at a stellar price if you ask me... Im holding out for a B&S stencil though...as its nice to have a matched pair I suppose.

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=63747

I dont have an association with the seller, but I have done business with him and I know he wouldnt be selling at that price unless he really needed to!

 

[SactoPete]

Yes, the 62 has a great reputation, and probably meets your bang-for-the buck goals as well as anything out there.

But, you might also want to consider the YTS-23... most people comment that they are very good, very serviceable horns, and if you can find a used one in good shape, you'll save yourself a lot of $. If your son decides to stick with tenor, then it'll be worth upgrading, but for now, I'm guessing the 23 is just fine. He likes his YAS-23, right? So, get him its match.

Pete

 

[SaxDad55]

Yes, he enjoys playing the YAS-23. I have even asked him if he wanted to move to a 'better' alto, and he said that he was just fine with what he has.

 

[saintsday]

Yes, the 62 has a great reputation, and probably meets your bang-for-the buck goals as well as anything out there.

But, you might also want to consider the YTS-23... most people comment that they are very good, very serviceable horns, and if you can find a used one in good shape, you'll save yourself a lot of $. If your son decides to stick with tenor, then it'll be worth upgrading, but for now, I'm guessing the 23 is just fine. He likes his YAS-23, right? So, get him its match.

Pete

Great point.

You could also get the Vito clone of the YTS 23 and have a solid 1k left for some killer mouthpieces or a Buescher 156

 

[SaxDad55]

New twist!

Found out from my son last night that the band director does not want him to use a student sax in the jazz band. Wants at least an intermediate level. So much for the YTS-23.

 

[Canadiain]

There is a potentialy very nice Antigua Winds Pro 550 horn with a BIN of $500 on ebay right now. Thats so cheap for that horn that its bordering on rude...
http://cgi.ebay.com/Antigua-Winds-T...ryZ16232QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
Cant go wrong if you only want to spend an introductory amount.

Again, I have no personal connection, but thats a steal of a deal for a great tenor.

However , I have reservataions about a director who issues edicts like that...a YTS23 is a bit more than the average crapy student horn. Its a school band for gods sake, not the london philharmonic.

 

[Jonathan C.]

The Band director is Whack!! Sorry *bows head in shame*
I would say Vintage, since alot of Jazz is played during the 20s-80's really. A great vintage horn won't kill the budget. They hold their value well.
Martins are great so are the Buescher's. Conn's are killer horns to, they had a very good run and anything up till I would say the 50's would make a killer pro. horn.
I would probably recomend (from readings)
Conn 10M
Buescher Big B, 140,400,156 etc. (Buy before the selmer buy out though)
The Martin Tenor is also supposed to be a killer horn.

Also Conn Chu Berrys, New Wonders. You can find these horns here or on E-bay for pretty good prices. Though on E-bay expect to pay for an Overhaul.

 

[RootyTootoot]

New twist!

Found out from my son last night that the band director does not want him to use a student sax in the jazz band. Wants at least an intermediate level. So much for the YTS-23.

I find this comment from the band director completely bewildering (assuming your son understood him right).

What is an "intermediate" as opposed to "student" saxophone, for goodness sake? I would very much like to see this gentleman engage in a blindfold test between a YAS 23 and what he would call an "intermediate level" Yamaha saxophone. If he could hear a difference he would be a prodigy. The difference to you might be, what, $2000? And that's quite a difference.

When i hear these tales it makes my blood boil because i can't help thinking about the kid whose parents can't afford the "next step up" and is left with the feeling that he can't make it because of that. Granted, there will be brilliant kids who have the confidence to carry on regardless but what about those that get put off by this rubbish?

 

[Jonathan C.]

Why doesn't the school supply the Tenor?

 

[Canadiain]

Why doesn't the school supply the Tenor?

Surely you know better than most how expensive they can be

Seriously, in this day and age its a miracle schools provide any funding for something as frivolous as Jazz band! You can buy 4 clarinets for the cost of a tenor...makes it hard for a director to justify, even if he does have a budget of some sort.

 

[SactoPete]

Just tell the band director that the YTS-23 IS an intermediate horn.

Something tells me that this guy would be the same type that would reject a vintage pro horn as well, unless it was a Selmer.

Why don't you ask him to name a list of horns that WOULD be acceptable... at least 10, by name and model, so you have some choices. I'd bet money he couldn't name that list without looking at a catalog.

If you need to please the guy, there are some options that wouldnt kill you price wise and you'll likely be pleased with the results... Kessler has some horns available that seem to please people very much at very reasonable prices (they have a banner ad on this site, just look up), and I've noticed that a very respected mouthpiece maker, Phil Barone, has started to sell saxes with his name on it at VERY reasonable prices, and a couple of people on this board have compared them quite favorably to Selmer's best, considering the price difference. You could contact him via this board or just give him a call, his number's not hard to track down, and he might be able to help you out.

Pete

 

[SaxDad55]

Thanks for all of the help everyone.

Took your suggestions and looked at some of the web sites that are mentioned in this forum to see what was available. Called Tenor Madness, told them my son's situation, and ended up getting a used Yanagisawa T-991 - not too far above my price target. We'll see how it goes. In the meantime, we are renting a YTS-23 until the Yani is shipped. Figure that if worst comes to worst, we can always sell the Yani without getting hurt too bad, but I get the feeling that will not be the case.

Thanks again for all of the help!