[Sinne]

Dear people,
I've been enjoying this forum for quite a while now and I've decided that, although there's a degree of embarassment that almost stopped me from typing right now, I'm starting my first thread here. It's a wonderfully n00by thread and I hope everyone will enjoy it as much as I do. I'm the kid asking one of his three million parents for advice!

So here it goes: I'm a 23 year old student, and I'll be in financial turmoil for most of the next 12 months. However: my urge to start playing the saxophone soon is EXPLODING. I've been addicted to all sorts of jazz for months on end of intensive recordplaying hours and hours a day, and usually my musical moods don't last this long. I live in holland and it's an economically gloomy period here, as everywhere these days. 2nd hand saxophone market is dangerous for me, I really don't want to try my luck on anything used until i've had at least 5 years of intensive practice. So of course, i'm in the market for a new horn to start out on, specifically a tenor, preferably a Yamaha or Yanigasawa.

This is of course wonderful, and by all means a reason to start a very happy thread, but i'm aiming towards the main ISSUE.---> Invest all I have (and more) in a really wicked yani or just get that dang yts275? I want readers to know that I have no intention to own more than one saxophone, ever (because I want to focus extremely on my sole instrument). Also I have no intention of buying something I'll want to replace any time soon, because going through financial hassle is a b*tch now (pardon my french) and will be a b*tch in the future as well, I'm going for a career in health care and there's no money in that. To make the issue more juicy: Is a yamaha yts 275 enough for a truly dedicated student to make really serious music for many years to come? seen as there's people on this lovely forum who will tackle that a true professional will sound good on most horns?

I'll apologize for the long story, but I'm looking forward to any reply, be it fatherly advice, mindless ranting, questions about my (musical) background or vividly telling me to buzz off to my little corner of middle class luxery problems. Everything is welcome! Kind regards and blow 'em dead (until I join you)
-B

 

[Pete Thomas]

So of course, i'm in the market for a new horn to start out on, specifically a tenor, preferably a Yamaha or Yanigasawa.

Those are rather odd choices for someone in financial turmoil, but as you haven't actually started playing yet (I presume from what you say) I wonder how you can narrow your choice down like that?

Yes a Yanagisawa is a great horn, a YTS 275 is not bad, but more expensive than many horns out there that are better. - That is of course just my opinion so may only be worth what you've paid for it.

Good luck and welcome to SOTW

 

[saxmusicguy]

I would not advise to "start big." Do find a good quality second-hand instrument, though -- one that's a good value.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I would not advise to "start big." Do find a good quality second-hand instrument, though -- one that's a good value.

There are two sides to this argument:

2nd hand saxophone market is dangerous for me, I really don't want to try my luck on anything used until i've had at least 5 years of intensive practice.

Certainly second hand is a good idea if you can take an experienced player along to check that the instrument is OK, or if you are buying from a reputable dealer (in which case the used price will be much higher)

 

[Sinne]

Those are rather odd choices for someone in financial turmoil, but as you haven't actually started playing yet (I presume from what you say) I wonder how you can narrow your choice down like that?

thanks for your reply! six months of reading on forums like these and other websites like http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/index.htm led me to those two particular brands, I feel like I specifically want to have a new horn for a first. I can see myself buying some old american horn one day, but I want to know exactly how neat ergonomics, intonation and overall stability feel (as opposed to a vintage horn with more 'life', but also more moodiness). That said, I want to have a first horn that will last me for about 5 years of really intensive practice and about ten gigs a year, and both yamaha and yani have been hailed for being comfortable, stable and decent horns (some say they sound a little thin, but a good player can make them sound like 'themselves'). I just want to know for sure that when I sound bad, it's me that does something wrong.

And you're right, I haven't played any saxophone yet, and my first horn has already been a very long term decision. Note that getting decent used vintage horns in the Netherlands is nigh impossible whilst evading the professional dealers. I want to make my purchase at one of those dealers because horns they sell will be fine, i'll have warranty ánd i'll sustain contacts that will help me out when i'm in trouble.

I hope i'm making sense

 

[milandro]

Hello Sinne, welcome to the forum. Perhaps I can help you, send me a PM or an e-mail.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I'll vouch for milandro above, he is very trustworthy and a very useful local point of contact for great value new or used.

As you have also researched via Stephen Howard's site, you'll also see some recommendations from him for some of the less expensive new brands, e.g. bauhaus walstein. I have a couple of those (soprano and baritone) which I sue professionally, they compare favourably with any Yamaha.

 

[dogbert]

I would second the "buy used from a dealer" opinion (or take an experienced player with you if you want to buy privately). You will pay (a little?) more, but the dealer will have checked the horn and will have to give a basic warranty - also on used items, at least here in germany.

From my personal point of view I would start with a good quality but basic horn (like e.g. YTS-275 or -475, in Yamaha terms). I own a YTS-61 and a YAS-62, which are (semi)-pro horns. I play for 3/5 years now and I must admit that I have the impression that I still don't "outplay" the cheaper (student) horns.

 

[milandro]

thanks Pete! I could sell him the YTS 23 that you have played when you came to the Netherlands. The horn is very solid and working well.

 

[Pete Thomas]

thanks Pete! I could sell him the YTS 23 that you have played when you came to the Netherlands. The horn is very solid and working well.

Well, I can certainly recommend that one.

 

[Stephen Howard]

This is of course wonderful, and by all means a reason to start a very happy thread, but i'm aiming towards the main ISSUE.---> Invest all I have (and more) in a really wicked yani or just get that dang yts275? I want readers to know that I have no intention to own more than one saxophone, ever (because I want to focus extremely on my sole instrument). Also I have no intention of buying something I'll want to replace any time soon, because going through financial hassle is a b*tch now (pardon my french) and will be a b*tch in the future as well, I'm going for a career in health care and there's no money in that. To make the issue more juicy: Is a yamaha yts 275 enough for a truly dedicated student to make really serious music for many years to come? seen as there's people on this lovely forum who will tackle that a true professional will sound good on most horns?

What you want now may be very different from what you want in the future (young Jedi).

The problem with getting a 'wicked' horn from the off is, strangely enough, that you might not like it a few years down the line.
You'll certainly be guaranteed a good-quality horn, but that's only half the battle...and some would say even less than half the battle. Your tastes may change, and your needs probably will.

Getting a capable starter instrument for the time being is a safe bet - and if you buy used you'll be able to sell it on at a later date without losing too much, if any, money.

The basic Yamaha is more than capable of seeing you through the early years - and beyond. All you need to do is find a decent example from a trusted selller...and it sounds to me like the 23 on offer from Milandro fits the bill perfectly - and you'll be able to say "Pete Thomas played disco on it"...

Regards,

 

[Pete Thomas]

- and you'll be able to say "Pete Thomas played disco on it"...

But I didn't play disco, honest guv

 

[RootyTootoot]

Dear people, I'm the kid asking one of his three million parents for advice!

It's more like the kid asking one of his three million slightly raddled uncles who drink a bit too much advice..

But I agree with the solid SH Yamaha option.

 

[milandro]

Pete it would be nice to see if someone has put up a video on you tube of your show in A'dam!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Pete it would be nice to see if someone has put up a video on you tube of your show in A'dam!

I know the management of Planetary Assault System tried to video, but it didn't turn out due to lighting.

Someone from the audience might have done though.

 

[Sinne]

What you want now may be very different from what you want in the future (young Jedi).

The problem with getting a 'wicked' horn from the off is, strangely enough, that you might not like it a few years down the line.
You'll certainly be guaranteed a good-quality horn, but that's only half the battle...and some would say even less than half the battle. Your tastes may change, and your needs probably will.

Getting a capable starter instrument for the time being is a safe bet - and if you buy used you'll be able to sell it on at a later date without losing too much, if any, money.

The basic Yamaha is more than capable of seeing you through the early years - and beyond. All you need to do is find a decent example from a trusted selller...and it sounds to me like the 23 on offer from Milandro fits the bill perfectly - and you'll be able to say "Pete Thomas played disco on it"...

Regards,

Thanks Stephen (ol' Ben K.)! I hear what you're saying and although I've always wanted to be changed by my saxophone-playing-process, a student yamaha horn might just be the right thing to change along with me until I really need an upgrade. Having said this, I'd like a horn that brings out the best (and worst) in the player, and not a charteristic legend that needs the right player to be put to life, if you catch my drift. This is of course also changeble, I could just realise at some point that I really need that old vintage-'soul'-of-an-instrument-kind of thing, but I think i would like to 'plan' those revelations as far ahead of me as possible. If you, dogbert, milandro and pete all feel that the yts-23 will be just the thing for me, I'd be happy to consider the possibilities!