[Occupancyzero]

Hi everybody!

I'm looking for a new Tenor Saxophone after 13 happy years dedicated to my beloved Yamama Custom Z. It's been my practice-room, Outdoor/Indoor, on-the-road, in-the-van horn for the better part of the last 8 years and well, it's seen some ****. As has it picked up plenty of internal and exterior scars along the way. I have it serviced pretty regularly but I think I'm ready for that new car smell.

My price range is probably $2000-$4000 unless someone can make a compelling argument for why that $7000 Yanagisawa is the bee's knees and worth selling a kidney for. The number of choices available in the market now a days is a bit overwhelming and I'm not sure where to begin my search. An initial query led me to the Selmer STS280 La Voix II Tenor, which sits at a pretty reasonable price. If anyone here can vouch for the STS280, it seems like a good Cure-all to my current issues and that black lacquer option is admittedly gorgeous.

I mostly play amplified using a DPA-4099 clip-on and run through a custom stompbox guitar effects board. While the effects allow me to fundamentally change the sound of the sax, coloring the timbre and throwing on some reverb or delay, the initial input tonality, build quality, resonance and fluidity of the keys is paramount.

My Custom Z just isn't walking like it used to and I'm looking for a horn that is well-crafted with durable components, excellent intonation and ergonomic key mapping. If anyone sees this and has some relevant knowledge to drop, I would greatly appreciate any and all leads on how to whittle down the plethora of Tenor saxophone options floating around.

Cheers and keep tootin, ya'll
Tristan

 

[turf3]

The horn you're contemplating is a step down from a Yamaha Custom.

I'd consider a good mechanical overhaul instead.

 

[Guto]

I agree with turf3. A full overhaul may set you back around $1,500 but you'd yield a better horn than what you could buy in this price range.

 

[!46puosxB]

A new Conn-Selmer Premiere PTS 380 Bronze or the PTS 380V Unlacquered Tenor might be a nice option . They run about $2,500 or so at an online store in England . Can also view YouTube and listen to one .

 

[Sacks Of Phones]

I agree with Guto who agrees with turf3. Has a competent tech looked at the horn? "My Custom Z just isn't walking like it used to" What exactly is the problem?

 

[Dr G]

+4 to an overhaul. You already have a pro-quality horn, even if it is not in pro-level playing condition.

As noted, you will only buy less horn for that money. A new Z Custom tenor is circa $5k.

Happiness is a great overhaul to better-than-new condition.

 

[lostcircuits]

None of the good advice given here is a remedy for GAS

 

[Dr G]

None of the good advice given here is a remedy for GAS

Good call, LC. Perhaps the OP needs a KB neck.

KB Sax link:

You are being redirected...

And then there's always the Quest for The Mouthpiece.

My mouthpiece questing days are long gone. I was contemplating a KB neck for one of my tenors, but found a good deal on a NOS Fender "Eric Johnson" Strat w/ maple neck and white lacquer instead. Whoops.

 

[artstove]

If you really, really, just want a different horn, given the quality of horn you have been playing and your budget, you should probably look at used horns (in good condition). But it sounds like you like your horn (and it is a good horn), so I would be inclined toward just having it overhauled. If you are looking for some sort of change, going down the new mouthpiece hole would be cheaper as well as a potentially endless source of new things to try.

 

[Guto]

...going down the new mouthpiece hole would be cheaper...

The first couple would. By the time you reach your 10th though.... GAS is a dangerous, slippery slope.

 

[Morph1590]

agree with all of the above!

8 years is very young in "saxophone years" - a lot of players play horns which are 50-80 years old (vintage Selmer, Conn, Buescher, Martin, King etc.).

Unfortunately you already have one of the best regarded modern pro saxes out there...which makes an upgrade pretty tricky In terms of build quality the consensus seems to be that modern Yamahas, and Yani's are best, but I'm not tech I'm sure others will disagree. I'd agree that an overhaul would be better than replacing.

Having said all that, if you want a new horn...why not? You could play test some horns and see what you like, I would probably want to buy used to retain resale value but that's just me. If I were looking for a modern horn I'd want to try all modern Selmers, Yanis, Yamahas, SX90, and maybe some Taiwanese horns like Eastman 52nd street, Mauriat etc.

 

[milandro]

also, chances are that a complete overhaul isn’t even necessary. Universally ( or at the very least by all the techs I know in person) Yamaha and Yanagisawa are considered the best made saxophones ( technically) in the industry.

Assuming that your horn has suffered some damage it is very possible that it won’t be necessary to repad completely the horn to put it back into wat it was.

As for adding accessories, that is , possibly, the most complex thing to do with possibly the least certain of returns.

Gas is fueling especially the maker’s economy. In the olden days people bought fewer horns and the neck thing didn’t start until the ’80, how did they manage to do what they did without any of this?


Good Luck, ask 1000 people you will get 1000 different versions, none will ever replace your own.

 

[lostcircuits]

Good Luck, ask 1000 people you will get 1000 different versions, none will ever replace your own.

In your head, in your head ....

 

[turf3]

If you want to try a different professional saxophone in the $2000-$4000 range, and yet you have a professional level horn in your hands already that you couldn't replace for that money, why not try something DIFFERENT?

For under $4k you can buy any of the following:

Conn 10M or New Wonder 2
Martin Committee 1, 2, or 3
Buescher 400, Aristo, or TT
King Zephyr or Super 20
SML
H Couf or Keilwerth

and probably a few others I'm not thinking of at the moment.

 

[JayeLID]

If there were two brand-spanking new horns I would look at if you wanna keep it at $4g....they would be the Eastman 640 (or 52nd St. as well) and the Buffet 400....

....OK so that was 3.....

Are they 'better' than a Z custom ? It depends upon one's yardstick. Most people would kneejerk-react "No !"...and most of those most people would never have tried either an Eastman nor a 400.

I cannot, nor would not, say they are 'better'....they are both very good, and different than a Yama....can hold their own against many contemporary heavyweights...and for under $4g they are a relative bargain.

IMHO it doesn't really matter if 30 people tell you 'you already have one of the best'. There comes a point for many players when their horn simply ain't doin' it for 'em like it used to.
As long as one can DISCERN that the reason for the love-loss is NOT that the instrument is becoming more difficult/less cooperative to play (IOW it needs a service)...nothing wrong with checking out what else is out there.

People switch off of their 82's, SA80's, VI's, Yanis, etc.....all the time.

I would keep the Yama for a bit after you get your new baby, however, if that'd be financially possible.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

My tech here in Oklahoma City is a 50+ year experienced and has rebuilt numerous saxophones. He charges $500 for a complete sonic bath and overhaul.

Sometimes he tacks on a bit extra if he has to replace rods, pins etc...

$1500 for an overhaul is cra cra imho

 

[milandro]

I think it is a MORE than honest price!

 

[lydian]

For a great professional model, I highly recommend the Yamaha Custom Z.

 

[skeller047]

My tech here in Oklahoma City is a 50+ year experienced and has rebuilt numerous saxophones. He charges $500 for a complete sonic bath and overhaul.

Sometimes he tacks on a bit extra if he has to replace rods, pins etc...

$1500 for an overhaul is cra cra imho

I think the price difference is due to location more than anything else. Where I live, SF Bay Area, $1500 is probably about right for an overhaul, maybe */- $250. Of course, a 2 bedroom condo goes for over $1M... maybe WAY over depending on location.

I agree with you about the cray-cray...

 

[Saxophone Strange]

I think the answer to this is pretty much out there in this post except possibly which horns you should buy. There are too many to appropriately contain every model someone likes.

That being said, it pretty much is, if you have decided it is time for a new horn (as opposed to an overhaul, “what are you looking for out of a horn?” While price shouldn’t be of no concern determine what you are looking for out of a horn and go from there.

Vintage vs. Modern?
Are you willing to trade/sell your current horn?
What sub genres of music do you play?
Who do you listen to and who are you trying to emulate?
What do they play?
What horns have you tried?