[SallyLynn]

Hi, I am new here. Thank you all for the endless information on this website, however, I am feeling more confused the more I read.

I am returning to the saxophone after 40 years and am currently using a Selmer Bundy II. Needless to say, I have plenty to learn. The instrument was recently put into playing condition at a very reliable repair shop. The sax specialist there still had problems with the low b/b flat and upper palm notes on this instrument, too, so I don't think it is just me having trouble.

I am taking lessons and have joined a community band. But I go round and round about whether to upgrade my instrument and if so what to buy. I don't want to get stuck with a dud on eBay but not sure where else to turn or who to trust. Music store prices seem so high. Would a Yamaha YAS 62 or 575 Allegro be a good choice for me? If so, is eBay an option? I am lost. Reading all the information here has left my head spinning with so much to think about.

Thanks to anyone who can send my spinning head in the right direction.

 

[Dr G]

I'd avoid eBay - especially if you lack experience and your tech cannot get your current horn to work. You need a reliable and predictable horn out of the box.

What's your budget?

 

[SallyLynn]

Reliable and predictable would be perfect. I guess price depends some on what horn but I've been looking around $1200 or less.

 

[soybean]

Yamaha 62 is a fine saxophone and miles better than your Bundy. That being said, you don't need to rush out and buy a new sax. Play in the community band for 6 months or so and build up your embouchure. Then, you will have a better basis on judging which sax to buy.

Also, what general area do you live in? We may be able to recommend a local music store that will have good saxophones in your area.

 

[getafix]

http://2ndending.com/
If you are interested in vintage horns, this is a great website. The owner, JayePDX (formerly JayeSF) is a well-respected member on this forum. I am a beginner and do not know anything about selecting saxophones. I got a very nice instrument from him.

 

[ratracer]

Welcome to SoTW SallyLynn and welcome back to the sax. I would listen to what your instructor would have to say. If the Bundy is that problematic, they should be the first to hear, see, or understand to what extent it is holding you back or preventing you from advancing.

That said, you have a budget that would give you an excellent horn, albeit a very wide range of horns to choose from. From excellent vintage or used to some very good horns from Taiwan. If you decide to go one of those routes, you will need to describe the characteristics you are after, eg tone, ergos. Keeping in mind that your mouthpiece and reed combinations can flavor the tone to quite an extent.

Until you can describe what it is, besides, the tech citing low end and palm key issues, that your Bundy is lacking you might be best served by hanging in with it until you do know.

If one doesn't know where one is going, any road will get you there! But, that's just me. Obviously, if the palm keys and low end will not sound regardless of your tech's best efforts and the money you have already invested in it, you will want to get something else. But, providing a little more info about your needs/requirements will certainly allow members to suggest better suited alternatives.

 

[Dr G]

Obviously, if the palm keys and low end will not sound regardless of your tech's best efforts...

Notes not speaking well at either end of the horn could be mouthpiece/reed issues.

Have you and an experienced saxophone player (perhaps other than your tech) tried other setups on the horn?

 

[hakukani]

A YAS 23 would be a good choice, also, and it fits your budget.

 

[SallyLynn]

Thank you all for your suggestions.
I tried out a YAS 23 and and had no problems at all with any of the notes at either end, and the keys were so much easier and lighter - faster. That's what got me thinking I would like a different horn - that and I should give the Bundy back to its owner.
I've been looking at mouth pieces, and again, the choices are so varied. Do you start with the horn or the mouth piece? I tend more toward classical music. The community band is also more in to classical music. On other threads here it looks like the a Rousseau New Classic 4 or Vandoren Optimum AL3 are the most likely choices. Do I just go to a music store and try them out with my Bundy? My teacher is great and is willing to help with the selection, but the music store has very limited choices. I think they had a Rousseau (not sure which one) and a Vandoren V16. More information is helpful.
Thanks so much. I am really in the dark on how to proceed.
I am not opposed to a vintage horn and appreciate the suggested website. However, it is a big scary step to purchase something.
I cannot tell you how much I appreciate your advice!!

 

[getafix]

Regardless of the place where you purchase your horn, you should buy it from sellers who give a 5-7 days trial period so that you can return the sax if you do not like it for any reason. In this way, you can try out the horn and have others (your teacher and your repair tech, for instance) test it before you buy it. Of course, if you want to return it, you will most likely have to pay the return shipping.

Has your teacher or your other sax-playing friends played your current horn and do they have any recommendations about keeping it or getting another one?

 

[Tony aiello]

Greetings, eBay can be a great alternative, a gamble though, ask many questions, pin the seller down to exact info about the instrument. Also, a good, reputable repair shop will sometimes have instruments at a fair price! Yamaha makes a great horn for sure, far better than a bundy! Good luck

 

[tictactux]

I've been looking at mouth pieces, and again, the choices are so varied. Do you start with the horn or the mouth piece?

I think a good mouthpiece is, regardless of the horn dangling off its other end, an important choice. I'd suggest to own a "personal" mouthpiece whether you buy or rent the instrument; after all, it's the "business end" of your horn.
My "budget friendly" recommendations are one of the "foolproof" student pieces like Fobes Debut, Behn Ouverture or Hite Premiere, you can't really go wrong with them and won't sink a lot of money. Sure, over time you may find an other one, and yet another, and so on, but as a "safe spot" they're priceless. I still have my Fobes Debut for doubling gigs where things just have to work.

 

[maddenma]

Notes not speaking well at either end of the horn could be mouthpiece/reed issues.

Have you and an experienced saxophone player (perhaps other than your tech) tried other setups on the horn?

And could just as likely be an embrouchure issue. Lip pulled too far back over the teeth, biting, etc.

 

[SallyLynn]

Thank you all again for your advice. I will take it and work more with my teacher to select and instrument as well. My teacher has made several suggestions for an instrument and mouthpiece, too. However, time is limited during a lesson. There is plenty for me to learn. However, the Yamaha YAS 23 I played briefly haunts me so! It played so effortlessly, even the low b flat and high e. And it sounded better, too. Maybe that's the best place to start.

So long for now!

 

[maddenma]

Thank you all again for your advice. I will take it and work more with my teacher to select and instrument as well. My teacher has made several suggestions for an instrument and mouthpiece, too. However, time is limited during a lesson. There is plenty for me to learn. However, the Yamaha YAS 23 I played briefly haunts me so! It played so effortlessly, even the low b flat and high e. And it sounded better, too. Maybe that's the best place to start.

So long for now!

A YAS-23 will serve you well. I played it's older brother (YAS-21) through HS and half way through college with sax as my major. Don't fear buying one.

 

[gary]

I'm jumping in here late and you may not be returning but I'm going to do something I normally don't do and that's to recommend avoiding all of the information overload you can wind up being subject to and call Phil Barone and see what he can do for you.

I have never played one of Phil's saxes nor have I ever recommended one of his saxes to anyone, but there have been quite a number of satisfied buyers in your shoes as well as more experienced players who have been more than satisfied with, not only the saxes, but the conversations with Phil and the mouthpieces he's provide and the advice he's given. Given the amount of confusing information one can be confronted with in your situation, I think you'd do well to just side-step it all and give him a call.

Disclaimer: I not only have no business ties to Phil, he and I have even been known to not get along from time to time.

http://www.philbarone.com/

 

[windman53]

Yamaha makes great horns, even it is very high price. I would suggest something cheaper for you to start again.

Just in case if you have to stop or drop out , it will not cost you too much.

 

[Nefertiti]

As a side note, I would be worried about a tech that couldn't play the low notes and high notes but also couldn't fix it. He should either be able to fix it or at least tell you what the problem is. If he just handed the sax back to me and said they just won't play I would find a new tech ASAP.

 

[toughtenor]

^my thoughts too ^ . Bundy's might not be the greatest horns in the world but usually they do function. Or can be set up to do so.

 

[DewtimeMusic]

A couple of horns you want to try, when you are ready are CE Winds Alpha series (www.cewinds.com) or as someone said before the Barones. They are both great horns. And they play. I think the Ce Winds Alpha 1 and Alpha 2 series are well within your price range. the Barone may not be but you can call Phil himself. I hope this helps. In the meantime, be sure you are going to play for while before you make an investment in a horn.