I have the opportunity to purchase an Aristocrat 654XXX for $400 CDN/$315 USD which (according to the serial lists I've seen) seems to be c.1975-6. It is in excellent condition, a closet queen, and comes with a Brilhart MP. I haven't played it yet because some of the corks between the keys and body are missing and the repair shop (where it's on consignment) are replacing them over the next week before I try it out. However, it isn't being overhauled and will likely need future work. I should add, it is the design where the B flat is on the back/left of the bell and I think the whole thing is brass (not nickel) keys. The engraving is just Buescher, Aristocrat - nothing else.
I don't know a whole lot about saxophones, although I own a YAS-23 w/Selmer D MP, which I find a bit too bright for my taste. I don't really have a budget as my son has "stolen" the alto for Grade 7 band and have just started looking for a tenor to fill the gap. I have reviewed several YT videos of Aristocrats of various vintages including the post-selmer era which this is from, and am impressed with the sound from a similar serial Aristocrat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_Qp61GCzA 660,XXX).
Question: Is this a fair price / wise purchase for someone on a limited budget, who might play in community band (but not professionally), looking for a sax with a bit of "character" and less brightness? I've had lots of recommendations to get into a YTS-23 (there is one for $800CDN with plenty of scratches and a small ding - I think it is overpriced) but to be honest I've never really liked what I get out of the YAS-23 w/Selmer D mouthpiece and I suspect the YTS-23 will exhibit the same brightness.
I don't know a whole lot about saxophones, although I own a YAS-23 w/Selmer D MP, which I find a bit too bright for my taste. I don't really have a budget as my son has "stolen" the alto for Grade 7 band and have just started looking for a tenor to fill the gap. I have reviewed several YT videos of Aristocrats of various vintages including the post-selmer era which this is from, and am impressed with the sound from a similar serial Aristocrat (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ve_Qp61GCzA 660,XXX).
Question: Is this a fair price / wise purchase for someone on a limited budget, who might play in community band (but not professionally), looking for a sax with a bit of "character" and less brightness? I've had lots of recommendations to get into a YTS-23 (there is one for $800CDN with plenty of scratches and a small ding - I think it is overpriced) but to be honest I've never really liked what I get out of the YAS-23 w/Selmer D mouthpiece and I suspect the YTS-23 will exhibit the same brightness.