[blahchici]

I've been searching for decent quality altos for around $1000

I've found a

Kessler Custom Deluxe Black $999
Buffet Crampon 400 Series $1299.99
L.A Sax Bad Aax Big Lip $1395
Jupiter 2069GL XO $1450

Which is the best in your opinion? If you don't like any of them could you recommend one you think is better?

Thanks,
Austin

 

[thadnoland]

You need to check out:

Phil Barone Classic

Bauhaus-Walstein Deluxe "Action Improved"

Just Saxes and Russ Becker Woodwinds carry Bauhaus-Walstein in the US.

Sax.co.uk also carries the BW saxes.

 

[William Bua]

Great advice Thad,
Also check out ads from sotw members in the horns for sale area. I have a SML alto for what that jupiter will cost, and an sml kills any jupiter. If you want a new horn, check out Bauhuas Walstein or Barone if you want bang for your buck.

 

[blahchici]

So none of the ones I found are any good? The Barone looks really nice

 

[blahchici]

I think I'm leaning toward either a Kessler Custom Deluxe Black & Silver for $1099 or a Phil Barone Classic Alto Black Nickel for $1425. What's the sound difference?

 

[thadnoland]

So none of the ones I found are any good?

Maybe, but these are good w/o a doubt.

Also, as William pointed out, with a budget around $1000, you could pick up a really killer vintage horn.

 

[blahchici]

Im in a school band so I'm not sure what my band director's would think if I showed up with like a 1950s Beuscher Aristocrat.

 

[thadnoland]

I think I'm leaning toward either a Kessler Custom Deluxe Black & Silver for $1099 or a Phil Barone Classic Alto Black Nickel for $1425. What's the sound difference?

Barone is the better horn by far. There are plenty of reviews around SOTW discussing the Barone saxophones. I own a Classic Alto and it is a monster player. I have had it for about a year and half and it is still leak-free and tight.

I own a Kessler Deluxe Black & Silver Tenor. It is a nice saxophone, but not anywhere as good as my Barone Vintage or the Classic I play-tested @ Phil's. It is definitely brighter. It feels and plays much like a Selmer Super Action 80 Serie II. Dave Kessler told me it is essentially a SA80II with a III neck.

 

[thadnoland]

Im in a school band so I'm not sure what my band director's would think if I showed up with like a 1950s Beuscher Aristocrat.

Some band directors do not like saxophones in any finish but gold.

 

[blahchici]

Ok then I'll get the Barone

 

[blahchici]

And my band directors love exotic finishes nobody in my school has just a plain gold finish

 

[thadnoland]

Ok then I'll get the Barone

Cool. You'll dig it.

 

[joseph5231]

Dont discount the Jupiter JAS 2069. Dual necks and the MP included isnt too mad either. I love the one I have. Great sound and ergos. If I could have got my mits on a barone to play test, i may have gone that way.
Best advise is to try and play all of the saxes listed here. Make your decision based on what you hear when you play.

 

[cbandwoman]

Try a vintage Chu Berry. I think the Chu's are the most under rated sax out there. Great sound, superb intonation and good mechanism, especially if you have big hands like me.

 

[blahchici]

I probably have one of the smallest hands in the world so the Chu probably wouldn't work and I'm not really looking for a vintage horn

 

[blahchici]

Also my friend has a Buffet Crampon 400 Series and he seems to like it a lot. How would it compare to a Barone Classic?

 

[blahchici]

I also recently saw a manufacturer called MacSax. Most of the reviews are good and both the Magnum and The Classic are in my price range. How would that compare to a Barone?

 

[jasonm71]

I also recently saw a manufacturer called MacSax. Most of the reviews are good and both the Magnum and The Classic are in my price range. How would that compare to a Barone?

I tried some of the MacSax horns recently at a conference and was very impressed with them. For the price, I can't think of any better horns in their price range. I'm very tempted to get one as a backup horn.