I am also in Vancouver. For $2000, I think you can get something better than those. $2000 for a used YTS 475 sounds way too much to me. Which store do you see that? Do you need shiny horn? You can get a YTS-61 for $1450 from Brassandwoodwind, or a YTS-52 for $1250. I don't mean to recommend the YTS-61, but just to show you can get a next level up for a lot less. I am not a big fan of Yamaha. I prefer Yanagisawa over Yamaha.

http://brassandwoodwind.ca/saxophones.html

And I have a shiny vintage French Vito for sale for $830 I like it better than any of those. :twisted:

http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/msg/3474973713.html

 

That was in Long&Mcquade on Terminal in Vancouver. I don't think L&M lets you haggle do they?

After some suggestions on Phil Barone I checked them out and they seem to get pretty good reviews but I won't be able to test them anywhere and the resale value doesn't seem great if I don't like it so I'm not sure. I'll probably look around in the Marketplace here on SOTW. Thanks for all the help everyone!

 

All 3 sound overpriced to me but then I don't live in Vancouver. Since you don't mind buying online here is just one example of what $2000 can get you.

http://www.junkdude.com/mm5/merchant.mvc?Store_Code=JD&Screen=PROD&Product_Code=1201005

I've played this horn and it is super nice. I asked him how much he wanted for it and he said $2000. I wasn't in the market for a horn otherwise I would've bought it for sure. I was there to buy a mouthpiece. Of course, with international shipping you'd end up paying more than 2 grand but still. Not a recommendation, just one example of what $2000 can buy online. Also, you can get a brand new Phil Barone in either a classic or vintage model for less than $2000. I've played several of those horns and they are far superior IMHO than any of the 3 horns you mentioned. Beyond all that, have you scoured the horns for sale forum on SOTW? I'm always seeing good deals on horns there and there's usually plenty of people on here that can vouch for the seller.

 

Used Viking M40CB Honey Gold like new used on a few gigs owned by Rich Maraday is available for $2100.00. Plays great! 3 day trial.

 

That's a whole lot of horn for $2100.....I'd love someone to show me a better horn for that kind of money!

 

Used Selmer Series III, no brainer and you won't loose your shirt like buying an Asian copy.

 

Show me where to buy a used one for $2k.

 

+1 for the Phil Barone tenors <$2k. Fantastic horns at a great price.

$2k for used YTS-475 does sound a bit steep at least for mid-atlantic region. Can you negotiate the price?

I personally would at least audition a PB Classic first.

 

If you can find a The Martin tenor in good condition, I'd go for that before any of those other horns. But that's just me

 

I purchased my "The Martin" Committee III tenor for just over 2K with a Matt Stohrer overhaul on it. I would go in that direction and if you give up playing you will still have a lot of value in the horn.

 

If you buy used, always be prepared to spend another couple hundred (say $500) to get it tuned or replaced some pad. For example, if my budget is $2000, unless I buy from a store or from a tech, I will find something around $1500. All the horns I got required some re-pad and service, except one I bought it fresh overhauled from a tech. Also, you will need to prepared another $100-$200 to get a good mouthpiece, it really make a difference.

And there are a lot of good horns out there, it is a matter of taste on what sound you like. I personally like or like to try the following:

- Yanagisawa 8xx, 9xx. There was one T901 for sale on this forum and eBay for $1500. T880 the lowest I have seen on eBay is $1300.
- Conn 10M. Some newer model can be found around $1000 or less. Some older ones sell for more.
- Selmer Paris SA80. I think it is hard to find one for less than $2000. I am also trying to find one for that money... and not yet successful. They often go over $2000 in eBay, plus put aside several hundreds to tune up brings it to $2500-$3000.
- I have a Selmer TS100 / Omega 164 with serial number 82xxx-83xxx. People said the older the better. It can be found less than $1500. One sold on eBay not long ago for $1200. I think it has the tone I like. Build quality is said to be not as good as Selmer Paris, but it is a pro level horn to be compete with Selmer Paris in the 80's ... Given all Selmer Paris goes at least $2500, the TS100 to me is a good compromise until my skill level get up to that level. It is a greatly undervalued horn in my opinion.

 

I agree with MartinMan. The Martin @ under 2 grand is very appealing. Mine cost 1/10 that in '93

If it were my money, I'd go for the Viking. You said 2 grand, right Rich??

I think there's plenty of time for the OP to learn about vintage saxes. For now, he needs something without issues.

 

I need $2100.00 for it ..It's perfect no scratches. I played it on 3 jazz gigs and it's a good one. I sold the UL M58 last week so I started playing this one... It's like new. Thanks Robert

 

Alright so I think I've narrowed it down to either a Phil Barone or the Viking M40CB. Out of those 2, which would you guys recommend? The Vikings seem to get a lot of praise.

 

Alright so I think I've narrowed it down to either a Phil Barone or the Viking M40CB. Out of those 2, which would you guys recommend?

I've never played a Viking so I can't compare the 2. There's probably not a lot of difference anyway. All I can say is I've been regularly gigging my Barone for the last few years and it's held up really well. And I get compliments on its looks.

Edit: and you can call Phil and talk to him about his horns and the mouthpiece that comes with the horn. He has a return policy.

 

I've played both and there is really no bad choice... The Barones are awesome, especially the Vintage model that I've tried. The M40 has a more complex and focused core IMO. The intonation and ergos are great on both.

 

I forgot to say it comes with 2 different bore size 91% copper Viking M40 necks, flight case & mp .

 

Actually, I am also quite interested in the Viking saxophones, but how does it work if someone wants to try it out first? Is that someone have to pay in full, and if he doesn't like it, then he can return it? Is it possible to post some A/B test sound clip? Especially comparing the Viking and the Selmer BA and SBA?

 

When a customer orders a horn they pay for it CC , check, cash or PayPal including the shipping. I have it set up and send it out priority postal with full insurance. I track it and the customer gets the tracking through an email. When the customer receives the instrument the trial period begins. If they need an extra day that's okay. If they like the horn great! If not it's ok too. All I ask is they can send it back with full insurance in the original packing and they will get a fast refund on the price of the horn less 3%. I think trying a horn and having your teacher or tech check it out is a smart move. I also talk with each customer to make sure the horn is right for them. Why waste some ones time? I think it is best to to talk about their expectations and also talk about the instrument they are used to playing on. I learned all this while selling VI's BA's, Supers, Conns ,Martins,Bueschers and Kings plus every new horn out there a the time to players at USA HORN for a 7 year period 5 days a week 8hrs a day in a tomb/store full of at the time 100-300 plus pro saxophones. There are many videos on Youtube.com under Viking saxophone

 

Hmm this seems to be getting harder to choose rather than easier . Thanks for all the help, keep the opinions coming!

 

I have seen good comments on Phil Barone but it never caught my interest, and I think I know why now. I think there is no way to test locally, and I just tried to search for some sound clips and I can only find ONE! Does any of you know where I can find more? You know, even it has good return policy, it is still quite a hassle to buy and return. And still need to pay for the shipping just to try it out.

 

really good martin and really good aristocrats can be had for less. later model conns and buescher 400's as well. non-closet "player" naked ladies, and top hat and canes for around 2 grand. but i guess there are beginners who are young enough to (and probably should) transition through something new and safe, and beginners who want to dive into something potentially permanent right from the get go.

 

I think I'm leaning towards the Viking, they seem to have a lot of care put into them. Also the Phil Barones are very scared of the fact that they're made in taiwan and stamp new york on their horns. It doesn't affect the horn in any way but seems like a little dishonest business practice. Still not sure though.

 

Just so you know, the Vikings are also Taiwanese. The link I posted is a Viking M58. Great horn.

 

And part USA and soon parts from UK and Netherlands. And well regulated...

 

I am an adult beginner and I decided to buy a used horn for 500-700 dollars and have 200-300 for regulation and pad changes, etc. The reason for doing this was that, like you, I did not know which brand to buy and how I would really sound on it. I decided that after I had learnt on the horn for a few years, I would have more knowledge and experience and would be in a much better position to select a horn.

You should be able to get a pretty good horn from one of the SOTW members who will also have a return policy so that you can let your teacher test play it for you. Frankly, unless you are a musician (play other instruments), at the beginner stage, I do not believe it matters which horn you play. What is far more important is that the horn should be well-regulated and that you should take lessons from a teacher, right from the start.

Good Luck

 

Saxophony, I think you would benefit from doing some more research.

What is far more important is that the horn should be well-regulated

I think even the 2nd Amendment to the US Constitution says something about a well-regulated horn being necessary ... or was that something else?

 

Oh and 1 thing, if anyone has played a Cannonball big bell stone series could you comment about the quality? thanks

 

BTW, you can go to Kennelly Keys in the States to try it out. I tried it out in the Bellevue store.

 

A $2g budget for a Tenor is a "world-is-your-oyster" sorta budget.

For $2g you can get a variety of top-of-line used Yanigasawas, a YAS 62, an older JK SX90, a newer JK EX90, a Couf Superba, you can even once in a while find a MK VII in playable shape for that.... not to mention a plethora of other old-but-not-too-old top-shelf, highly reputed pro models (Super 20's are easily in the $2000 range these days).

I would strongly echo MMM's suggestion: "you would benefit from doing more research".

Take your time, try to play as many horns as you can (you seem to be in a good town to do so).

Don't succumb to any sales pitches.....

 

...highly reputed pro models (Super 20's are easily in the $2000 range these days)...

It's a good bet a Super 20 tenor, which are excellent horns by the way, obtained at $2k will probably need additional work. But this was identified earlier in this thread.
My recommendation is based on personal experience as I don't know Mr. Barone from the man on the moon. But I do have one of his tenors (bought new) and have plans to keep it well into the future simply because I enjoy it.

Best wishes on your search....

 

Not so much in Yanagisawa on Ebay right now and I didn't look at Keilwerth prices but this seller has 3 very nice looking Yamaha 62s.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Yamaha-teno...hone-YTS-62-purple-logo-/300816301203?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item460a0c7c93

Serious competition for the Viking. I amend my comment....I'd be giving serious thought to the Yamaha, If only one could do a competitive play test.

I would say this - in comparison to the Viking or the Yamaha, anything else better be in primo condition.

 

http://www.nationofmusic.com/index.cfm?action=product_info&item=193&SiteCode=sgoods

I recommend the Voodoo Master if you like a little bling and want to go new. They sell new for $2k, right at your budget and are unique horns. There are several sound clips on youtube. Build quality is very good. Sound and playability are incredible. And some of the best looking horns made.

I was playing Saxgourmet horns long before I became an endorsing artist.

 

There is a like new Selmer Series 3 for $2200 on EBAY right now, no bids, 33m to go.

 

Yikes. Maybe by the end of next year Mark VI's will be on ebay for that much, if this keeps up.

 

WOW now that's depreciation!! They sell for
$6,300.00 at retail stores.