Sax on the Web Forum banner

What is the Best Taiwanese Sopranino Selmer Clone around $1000?

3K views 9 replies 6 participants last post by  Jorns Bergenson 
#1 ·
I've become interested in buying a sopranino sax, and want to purchase a Selmer clone. I know both Kessler and Allora have discontinued their sopraninos. The only sopranino I've heard much about is the R&H Sax Sopranino, the SNS-730L at http://www.raresaxs.com/, but that appears to be a yani clone. I'd prefer to keep my budget under $1000, but I will also look at options a little higher.

What suggestions do you have?
 
#2 ·
The Berkeley sopranino, which is the same as the Kessler, is an excellent, fully keyed (to high F#) instrument. I have several and have used them professionally with great success. It compared well to my main performance sopranino, which is a high F# Selmer Mark VI.
Worth checking out.
Paul Cohen
 
#3 ·
Thanks Paul.

I found the RS Berkeley SOPR500 and it's exactly what I'm looking for, except the only price I can find on one is $2,800 on amazon.com, which is way out of my price range.
Is this just an abnormal price for one and if I call I store they'll sell one cheaper? Or am I looking in the wrong place?
 
#5 ·
John Packer is a Chinese ( not Taiwanese ) copy of a Yanagisawa (only to Eb) and THAT’S WHY the price is so low, different kettle of fish.

I am afraid that a NEW Taiwanese Sopranino will HAVE TO cost more that $1000. I have worked for a Taiwanese company and that is close to the cost price of a basic version.

Chinese saxophones are of course, considerably cheaper.
 
#9 ·
Found the RS Berkeley on Ebay, and a few years before that, found an Allora on here.

Kinda surprised Kessler and WWBW are no longer selling a sopranino sax, but based on the retail price from RS Berkeley, looks like it became more expensive to make (since they were all likely produced at the same Taiwanese factory)? I am holding on to mine!
 
#10 ·
Here's a detailed review of the Allora sopranino that is also branded as the P. Mauriat, International Woodwinds, RS Berkeley, Howarth Chiltern and the Kessler Custom. Probably the best bang for the buck when it comes to the Selmer-clone sopraninos.
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?222433-Review-of-an-Allora-Vienna-Sopranino

And here's a review of one of the Yanagisawa clones. I much prefer the Selmer-clone above.

https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?190053-Review-of-unbranded-Sopranino-from-top_eseller

[Edit] I looked around and found that the 'nino is no longer being offered by Allora. You would have to look at the other brands that are still being offered. Kessler Music doesn't list a house-brand either.
 
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Top