For that kind of money, you should play them before buying. Do you know what kind of money you are talkin’ for such a horn?

Bari Saxophones

Bari Saxophones Bari Saxophones are an awesome instrument! They are also an expensive instrument! Kessler & Sons Music carefully selects the bari

kesslerandsons.com

Another resource:

Baritone saxophone | Matthew's Music

www.matthewsmuziek.nl

 

I agree completely with G on this. If you're going to spend $10k+ on a brand new bari you really need to play them yourself. In 2005 when I bought my Yani B992 I also played a B901, YBS-62, and Selmer SA80 Series II at the same time.

 

It really is about what are you expecting to get and how much you want to spend. If budget is of no concern you should play all the candidates and pick the best one. My approach was a bit different. I was coming from a Taiwanese baritone where I struggled with the keywork. It had a Selmer like keywork that was kind of stretch for me especially the right hand as my pinkies are short. On Yamaha or Yanagisawa the key pearls are less down the instrument body and therefore less of a stretch than with a Selmer configuration. When I test played a Yanagisawa BWO1 I stopped right there and then. Its playability was a dream and it was several hundred € cheaper than a Yamaha YBS475 (YBS32 in your world). Sometimes I wonder what a Yamaha would be like but I am stuck with a superb BWO1 where I would hardly find a reason to replace it. Guess my situation could be worse 😅 More expensive doesn't necessarily mean better.

 

I will say that at one time I was looking for a tenor and this was in those halcyon days when a local store had on hand a Selmer, Yamaha Custom, Keilwerth SX90R, and Yanagisawa. I tried them all - all top notch instruments - and came away with rather different impressions than I had thought I would.

All three makers you list make great baritones. It's down to your personal preference. Gotta try them all.

At the prices you pay these days, it may well be worth a cheap airfare and cheap rental car (or Uber) to a distant music store that has them all in stock to try out.

 

What did you end up buying?

 

Not really a fan of selmer baris. I played my high school’s Mkvi (they had a low Bb and low A). I didn’t like the low a mkvi’s response.
I needed a Bari for some gigs, and tried to find a Keilwerth (couf), but ended up getting a YBS62 in mint condition for a super price. In fact, that’s why I joined SOTW back in 2007.

I highly recommend buying used.

 

Well IMHO it depends.
I've started playing baritone last year but I've been playing and teaching professionally for many years.
If I would be a specialist of baritone I would buy a mid 90's Series II, but, if baritone is not your main instrument, I prefer japanese horns, such as Yani bwo1 or Yamaha 62 (not the 480, i need F# key).

 

So.... which Bari did you end up buying?

 

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@Urdaddoobie How’s the horn quest progressing?