[jimmielwilliams]

I've searched the forums and internet and it seems like there are a lot of good saxophone out there. Unfortunately, I can't afford most of them. I've really looked for a used Bari, but I need a low A bari with high F# in playing condition and they are hard to find. I would like to stay away from vintage horns. I just like the newer key layouts of modern saxes. I'm a band director and I've was hired a year ago to play in a local big band. We play for our community and local schools. Because of COVID, I can no longer play my school's Bari. I've somehow come up with a budget that won't cause me to become homeless.

I went to my local music shop in East Texas and their cheapest Bari, Jupiter JBS1000 was $7,700. That seems a bit for a Jupiter, so I am forced to buy online. I am looking at the Thomann TBS-150, Sakkusu Deluxe (out of stock now), or one of the TaiShan on Ebay. I've only played on a Yanagisawa, Yamaha 52, Cannonball BigBell, and Selmer Paris SAII. I'm sure no sax I can afford will be that quality, but as long as it is somewhat in tune and produce a good big sound, I can live with it until I can afford something better. I'm asking for advice, suggestions or anything that can help me make a smart purchase decision. I am very open to any suggestions.

I play on BariWoodwind mouthpieces. They are great, but I think I'm going to get a mouthpiece with a little more power. So that could be in the budget, but it is no top priority right now. I need something to to compete with our trumpet, trombone and rhythm section. I love them, but they are stuck on max volume.

Thanks everyone.

 

[GT]

The Bari player in our big band (who also doubles alto on a S80 serie ll) uses a Taishan with great results. Big sound, good intonation and a nice looking instrument as well.
Neither a recommendation for or against...just an observation.

 

[Guto]

Kessler and Sons have good reputation in selling affordable horns at good quality. I don't have any personal experience with them or their saxes, just pointing another seller for you to research more on. There has been lots of threads on their horns in SOTW.
Here is an example of a bari they are selling within your budget: https://www.kesslerandsons.com/product/solist-bari-sax/

 

[turf3]

Online seller Getasax sells a Far Eastern bari with low A for around 2500. No idea if it has a high F# but you don't need that for playing in a big band, just use the standard fingering instead.

 

[click]

http://www.wichitaband.com/new.html#saxophone

 

[lostcircuits]

https://reverb.com/marketplace?query=baritone saxophone

https://pmwoodwind.com/products/instruments/?_instrument_categories=baritone-saxophones

Take a pick!

 

[GaSax]

What about financing?
WWBW has 0% financing for 36 months. Sometimes they have a 48 month plan.

Kessler and Son has financing too but I think they charge some interest.

PayPal also has financing options.

May can put down the $2500 and finance the rest for a better sax?

Read some great reviews on the Kessler saxes FWIW.

 

[BH9]

Kessler and get a Vandoren V16 while you're at it.

 

[jimmielwilliams]

Thanks everyone. I though about financing one, but with a recent divorce and student loans hit me hard last year, I doubt I'd qualify for that. I totally forgot about Kessler. The Solist might be the one, but I'll check out all the links everyone shared.

I've been out of the market for a saxophone for over 15 years, so I'm getting some hardcore sticker shock on the prices of some of these saxophones. I only paid $1500 for my Yanagisawa alto new. Now they are double that if I can find a deal.

Really, thanks everyone.

 

[KeithL]

I was going to agree with Guto, turf, and BH9 - the Kessler Solist and Get-A-Sax Nova are the same horn with just a different name stamped on the bell - a good copy of a Yani B901. Unfortunately they both appear to be out of stock right now so getting one quickly is unlikely at the moment.

 

[jimmielwilliams]

I was going to agree with Guto, turf, and BH9 - the Kessler Solist and Get-A-Sax Nova are the same horn with just a different name stamped on the bell - a good copy of a Yani B901. Unfortunately they both appear to be out of stock right now so getting one quickly is unlikely at the moment.

I noticed they were sold out and they look the same. Since these are recommended, what does everyone think of the Thomann TBS-150? The Thoman, Nova, Solist and SingerDay look like the same sax with a different name. I could save $1000. I'm probably going to order one tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a review of the one I get.

You guys are awesome. Thanks.

 

[lydian]

I noticed they were sold out and they look the same. Since these are recommended, what does everyone think of the Thomann TBS-150? The Thoman, Nova, Solist and SingerDay look like the same sax with a different name. I could save $1000. I'm probably going to order one tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a review of the one I get.

You guys are awesome. Thanks.

I asked Jay Metcalf of BetterSax if he thought the Singers Day and Kessler Solist were the same horn. He didn't know for certain, but he thought it very likely given the uncanny similarity.

I love my Kessler which I got used for $1600. It's perfect for big band. A few other Solist owners around here have no complaints either.

 

[Dr G]

I noticed they were sold out and they look the same. Since these are recommended, what does everyone think of the Thomann TBS-150? The Thoman, Nova, Solist and SingerDay look like the same sax with a different name. I could save $1000. I'm probably going to order one tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a review of the one I get.

You guys are awesome. Thanks.

Jimmie,

First off, thank you for what you do - teaching band, and getting out to carry on the tradition of big bands and live jazz.

One of the things that has become apparent over the last several years, is that horns may come from the same factories, made by the same hands - but the differences lie in the details: selection of pads and soft materials, fit and finish, and quality control. The most successful brands have greater quality standards. That is not to say that the most expensive horns guarantee the highest quality, but it does explain why some horns that look the same, don't necessarily play as well as others.

G'luck in your quest!

P.S. Please stick around and contribute occasionally. We value hearing from teachers and active players.

 

[Taragot]

My school has a thomann TBS 150 and I think it's-paired with a good mpc- very usefull for Bigband playing. I think their pro line is great value, too, but of course more expensive.

 

[KeithL]

I noticed they were sold out and they look the same. Since these are recommended, what does everyone think of the Thomann TBS-150? The Thoman, Nova, Solist and SingerDay look like the same sax with a different name. I could save $1000. I'm probably going to order one tomorrow. I'll be sure to post a review of the one I get.

You guys are awesome. Thanks.

That horn looks like it probably comes from the same place as the others. However, as Dr. G points out the devil can be in the details so just because they look the same doesn't mean they are going to be exactly the same. I would offer two comments; first, some horns at these price points are going to have issues. I would trust Kessler and Get-A-Sax to find /sort those issues and ship me a horn that's been setup correctly and play tested. Neither of these dealers is the cheapest around but they have very good reputations for delivering good products and reliable service if any issues arise. I have no personal experience with Thomann but reviews of their service seem to be less consistent. For example, read the last few paragraphs of post #15 from this thread - https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showt...ann-baritone-saxophones-good-bad-ugly-and-why

The second thing is that the Thomann horn comes with a floor peg. This can be a nice option to have but also a PITA when it comes to finding and aftermarket bari case should the want or need arise. Probably not a show-stopper but something to know.

 

[1saxman]

Five and a half years in with the Kessler Solist bari and no problems. Here's the huge difference with it - Kessler has them made a certain way, to clone a B901, and that resemblance is uncanny. Not the name of course, its clearly a Kessler Solist, but the design and details are Yani. And the most important thing is, he runs every one of them thru his 'pro shop' before shipping. My sax played right out of the box, compared to other Chinese saxes that I've had to work on before playing. Getting one will max out your budget but I believe you will not have to spend any more money on it out of the box.

 

[jimmielwilliams]

Jimmie,

First off, thank you for what you do - teaching band, and getting out to carry on the tradition of big bands and live jazz.

One of the things that has become apparent over the last several years, is that horns may come from the same factories, made by the same hands - but the differences lie in the details: selection of pads and soft materials, fit and finish, and quality control. The most successful brands have greater quality standards. That is not to say that the most expensive horns guarantee the highest quality, but it does explain why some horns that look the same, don't necessarily play as well as others.

G'luck in your quest!

P.S. Please stick around and contribute occasionally. We value hearing from teachers and active players.

Dr. G,

Thank you for the kind words. The great life that I am lucky to live everyday is because of band. I'm kind of young compared to the people who play and teach with me, but 30 years of playing sax and I learn something new everyday. I'll sure stick around and help any way I can.

-Jimmie

 

[Always_Learning]

Kessler sent out an email sounds like their is a delay on the Solist clearing Customs but they should be back in stock soon. I signed up for email notifications a month or so ago, but the email came out I think a week ago.

Thanks for what you do!

 

[datsaxman]

I like my Solist a lot. Had YBS-52, several Conn 12M, Conn 11M, Pierret, Buffet, Bundy, and played a few more regularly once upon a time.

Chuck Kessler sets up the saxes himself at Kessler, and he does a very thorough job. Would buy again.
Not sure who else does that, but Kessler sure does.

dat
sax
man

 

[patporemba]

Hello, I bought a new Crescent Bari Sax from Palo Tang of Just Saxes in Capitola back in May. I also considered the Kessler Solist and the sax.co.uk Sakkusu, but went with Palo because of the price, the local pickup, and his amazing customer service. It's a solid, really well playing sax that I am having a blast playing with (I'm normally an alto and tenor player). At $1895, it's well in your price range and a great horn for the price. I liked it so much that I just placed an order for a Crescent Soprano! You can contact Palo for more info from the contact page on his website - http://www.justsaxes.com/just-saxes-crescent-saxophonesintroduction/. Good luck.