[SmoothSaxPlayer]

So I had my first lesson today with Fred Rast of rastmusic.com. Before I met him, we talked on the phone and he asked me if I already got a horn. I told him I bought one on Ebay made by Australia Largo and it was a chinese made saxophone. He advised me about buying sax made in china and told me that he had few students that wasted money on sax that are not playable at all.

So today I went to see him for a lesson and right away he played my sax and I could hear him hitting both the lowest and highest note. He tried it with the original MP and also his vintage Selmer MP. He couldn't believe how well my saxophone sounded. He said that it's comparable to other expensive sax out there. He asked me how much I got it for and I told him $330 and that blown him away even more. I'm so happy to learn that my sax is at least competitive considering that the silver Mark VI soprano he's holding on his hands cost him $4000 used.

 

[Paul B]

Your $300 sax is competitive with better horns until you become a competitive player, at which point its weaknesses will become manifest. There's a reason why some horns cost more than others. That said, the Largo should work for a while, and you can't beat the price. Also, lessons really aren't a bad thing, especially when playing a tricky instrument like soprano. Of course, it all depends on what your goals are...

 

[Agent27]

Who in the hell spends $4,000 on a used Mark VI? If I'm going to spend that kind of money, that VI better damned well be new.

 

[leseylex]

WHAT???

Your $300 sax is competitive with better horns until you become a competitive player, at which point its weaknesses will become manifest. There's a reason why some horns cost more than others. That said, the Largo should work for a while, and you can't beat the price. Also, lessons really aren't a bad thing, especially when playing a tricky instrument like soprano. Of course, it all depends on what your goals are...

 

[Paul B]

I'm simply saying a) that once SmoothPlayer becomes a stronger player he will realize the limitations inherent in any cheap horn such as the one he has purchased; b) that lessons will most likely help him rather than hinder him, depending on what his ultimate goal is.

 

[ChuBerry47]

You have no idea how lucky you are! It will play for a month, and never will play again!

 

[phatenomore]

well, I' m playing soprano since 30 years at a pro level. Four months back I bought an ultra cheap chinese curved sop on the ebay and I can tell You the thing is sturdy and sings like hell. My two cents.

 

[al9672]

Who in the hell spends $4,000 on a used Mark VI? If I'm going to spend that kind of money, that VI better damned well be new.

That could be AU$4000 = US$2,722.01

 

[paulio]

That could be AU$4000 = US$2,722.01

In celebration of the late playwright, that was a monumental "Pinteresque" pause.

 

[bruce bailey]

Someday try a Buescher TT, Conn or Martin. You can get all three for less than a VI. I have owned several VIs and none compare to a 20s US horn.

 

[csax]

That could be AU$4000 = US$2,722.01

Don't worry guys, could soon be the other way 'round...

 

[al9672]

Hopefully, the sooner the better. second hand instruments are more expensive here.
Was a lot closer back in may.

If it improves , might stop all the guys in the US from buying up the good second hand ones here.

 

[BeyondSax]

Hopefully, the sooner the better. second hand instruments are more expensive here.
Was a lot closer back in may.

If it improves , might stop all the guys in the US from buying up the good second hand ones here.

I'm not sure that many horns are going from here to the US. Most of the horns I have purchased have come from the US, even though I constantly monitor what is for sale here.

 

[al9672]

I know a couple of sotw people have brought clarinets and a few saxes.

Someone picked up a matched pair of clarinets from ebay au

 

[paulio]

It has been interesting to see the number of good vinatge horns on Aus ebay, must have trebled since the good ol' AUD went from 1 = 1 down to 0.65 = 1.

I was happy enough to take advantage of the strong Aussie dollar to buy from the US; now I'm thinking of off loading my at least my '37 mk1 'crat alto while the balance has shifted the other way.

 

[Rocky Gordon]

Your $300 sax is competitive with better horns until you become a competitive player, at which point its weaknesses will become manifest. There's a reason why some horns cost more than others. That said, the Largo should work for a while, and you can't beat the price. Also, lessons really aren't a bad thing, especially when playing a tricky instrument like soprano. Of course, it all depends on what your goals are...

I think this was all said a long time ago about those Japanese products......like....oh...say...YAMAHA!

The truth is this, the chinese horns may need a few tweaks per each horn that comes out of a factory over there, but they are as in tune as the old Selmers, especially in the soprano catagory. I owned a few of the "heritage" horns, and can say that the new ergonomics of the Taiwanese and Chinese horns are blowing the "old guard" away. Sure, those vintage Selmers are great to have, but outside of a a few vintage Balanced Action altos and sopranos, I wouldn't throw the foreign horns under the table in favor of those classics anymore.

And yes, there are crappy horns from everywhere, and that includes some of the Chinese Taiwanese horns. The answer? Know your product. Research as I have who "the players" are in the industry.

NO MUSICIAN IN THIS ECONOMY CAN AFFORD TO PAY 3 AND 4 THOUSAND DOLLARS...AND UP, ESPECIALLY WHEN THEY ARE PAYING RENT PLAYING MUSIC FULL TIME. AND LET'S FACE IT. THOSE ARE THE CATS WHO DESERVE TO HAVE THE BEST INSTRUMENTS, NOT THE NOVICES!