[ZuluChief]

It seems, I must be creating some disturbances and confusion, :? every time I ask for info about some strange new brand of instrument.:shock: Well, judging from the zero responses, to date, anyway! But, I am looking for an alto, better than student variety - as cheap as pos and as good as there is! (A contradiction, I know). But, with a limited budget, one needs to make sure, the selection will be right! I have just found yet another brand, I never heard before, where the distributor claims the model to be pro level. Since it doesn't show in the price, I am, obviously, interested. It is a German Company - Sandner Dynasty. The alto model is AS200. They have some Taiwanese and Chinese connections. I wonder, if there is anyone with any information or experience on this instrument? There seems to be very little on the net. I could not find anything about playability/sound/ergonomics!!!!!! And yet, the Company seems to be a rather old family affair.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Zulu: No harm in asking about particular brand names out there. Someone may actually HAVE one!!

But I'm thinking that there are a TON of new brand names out there, most coming from folks who have enough funds to connect with a Taiwanese or Chinese maker and arrange for a dozen gross antique-finish altos with their own house brand on them. When those horns hit the market, the marketing MBA's take over and the stencilled altos become pro-level with German (or French) engineering and a pair of whjite gloves are included.

Could someone pick up a decent saxophone with one of these house-brand names? Maybe - I did when I bought two Kessler Custom saxophones a while back. But I trust Dave Kessler to make sure that what he orders is made well, have the features he requested, and then are tweaked in his store before delivery. I can't say the same for Brand X or Brand Y.

A friend of mine who used to own a store in SoCal bought a bunch of MONIQUE brand altos from China, then re-padded them all and did other tweaks before selling them. His profit margin was so good he could do that. I played one and it was remarkable for the price.

Bottom line? I think you need to raise your budget a bit and look at known brand names. DAVE

 

[ZuluChief]

Thanks for your advice, Dave. You are right, of course. There is so much rubbish being sold around. Well, what drew my attention was the "old German musical instruments family tradition" of Sandner. One assumes it is true. For, I have never heard of this maker. Apparently, the instrument is made in Taiwan and carefully checked and tuned etc. So, maybe it is OK, I don't know. On the other hand, many of these "well known" brands also originate in Taiwan. That was why I asked whether someone heard or had some experience with Sandner. I need that Alto! Looking at a second hand Conn 20M. Made where? In any case, made as a student model (whatever that means). Btw the market in Oz is much smaller for 2nd hand stuff and expensive.