[Keith Ridenhour]

He gets a good tone out of the Antiqua alto he has but the store wants 1500 for it that sounds high to me. Any suggestions on a decent alto for a 10 year old. YAS 23?? K

 

[tjontheroad]

You can get many brands of alto for $1500. So many choices...

But since he/she is only 10. You'll want to recommend something that can take a beating or will cost less. Kessler maybe?

 

[goodsax]

You can have my Holton Collegiate Model 566 that's in excellent playing condition and looks decent with the original case also in good shape for only $150. If you don't agree with me after you get it, ship it back and I'll refund your money. My first alto at age 9 was a Holton Collegiate much like this one and it served me well throughout four hears of high school band and beyond.

Rob

 

[rabbit]

goodsax,

You're a credit to the breed.


rabbit

 

[goodsax]

I'm sorry, Rabbit. It's got to be cash, check or M.O.

 

[Keith Ridenhour]

IF it has decent intonation and a better octave key than my Buescher maybe I'll get it for me? Good? K

 

[goodsax]

Be my guest. I can't comment on the relative merits of the octave keys, but can assure you that the one on the 566 works as it should. You will be pleasantly surprised at the value you get in this horn for such a small amount of money. I have two other altos, and honestly don't need three. - Rob

 

[hornimprovement]

Rental Sax

How long has the kid been renting? Is the store applying any rental equity towards the purchase? Many stores (myself included) have a rent to own program where the rent goes toward the list price, which may explain the high figure for what I assume is an entry level Antigua. The store can give a much better price on an outright purchase than if the customer is going to take a couple years to pay it off.

 

[hornimprovement]

By the way, I have a freshly overhauled Yamaha 21 with some SBA style engraving going for $550

 

[Dog Pants]

Keith,

Just be sure the kid gets to try the horn on for size first. Even the vaunted YAS-23 is a little large for some of my little kids. Just be sure he can get his hands around it.

 

[gworthey]

YAS-23 is a good choice, as is the Vito stencil of the YAS-23. I picked up a Vito for my 9-yr old and another for a 10-yr old cousin. They are both great horns. My backup is a YAS-23. If your student is wanting a new horn, go with the Kessler. (I have the Kessler Deluxe Tenor, and love it!)