[jojocat]

Hi guys,

I plan to upgrade my soprano sax. I own a Eastern Music one piece soprano who honestly is a very nice little sop for the price paid. It's actually a very good quality copy of the Yanagisawa 901. But it has 2 couple minor issues that begins to bother me.

I just rented a P Mauriat Le Bravo 200 soprano for 2 weeks to have the opportunity to try and test it from top to bottom. I hate to do a 20 min. trial in the ''wardrobe''' of my local shop. Too many clients, employees and general distractions. I'm impressed by the P Mauriat! The build quality is very high, the rose brass body is super sexy, the horn has a very lush and warm tone that I love. It projects less than mine but not that much. The ergonomics are excellent. Well considering I'm a pure amateur and won't give 5K for a Selmer or a pro Yamaha I'm very tempted to buy it.

But there's also a used, almost like new Yamaha 475 II that unfortunately I can't try. It cost about the same as a brand new Le Bravo

Did any of you try and can compare the Le Bravo vs the 475? Both are in my price range and I'd like to get a couple opinions before to buy the P Mauriat or wait to try the Yamaha.

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[jojocat]

No opinion or comment at all?

 

[buddy lee]

No opinion or comment at all?

The Yamaha is the superior instrument. You're also going to lose half your re-sale value on the Mauriat as soon as you buy it.

 

[lydian]

I know absolutely nothing about the Mauriat, but my YSS 475 is one fine horn. Solidly built, great tone, great ergos. Picked mine up used (but minty) several years ago for about a grand (US). A quick Google search shows a new Mauriat going for twice that.

 

[Jerry K.]

My YSS-475 had the most locked in intonation of any soprano I’ve ever played. Unfortunately my teacher at the time got me to sell it to him or I might still play a little soprano now and then. Find a really clean used one and you won’t be disappointed. Mine was made around 2005. What is the asking price for the Yamaha?

 

[jojocat]

My YSS-475 had the most locked in intonation of any soprano I've ever played. Unfortunately my teacher at the time got me to sell it to him or I might still play a little soprano now and then. Find a really clean used one and you won't be disappointed. Mine was made around 2005. What is the asking price for the Yamaha?

CAD $2195 plus canadian taxes ( about USD $1935 ) . It's from Long & McQuade, so the horn is garanteed to be fully functionnal. But if I choose a Yamy 475 I can get one for much less.

 

[jojocat]

Buddy lee, can you please develop your opinion? What is superior in the 475 regarding the Mauriat? I tried a 475 some years ago and I've not been impressed as much as I am with the Mauriat. The tone is gorgeous and IMHO that's the main reason to buy a horn.

 

[HeavyWeather77]

I can't speak for the Mauriat, I've heard they're decent horns. I can, however, say that the Yamaha 475 I used to own was a professional-grade instrument and I also regret selling mine. If you can find a used one in good condition, it'll probably be the best value for a good soprano that you'll find anywhere.

Older Yanagisawa sopranos can occasionally be found for around $1500 USD, as well, and those are great. Your money will go much further with a used Yamaha or Yanagisawa than with a new Mauriat, in my opinion.

 

[jojocat]

How many of you tried the Le Bravo? of course it would be a logical choice to get a Yamaha but the bronze body with the maillechort neck gives it really a sweet sound. Actually it has the sweetest sound of all the sopranos I had the opportunuty to try. No need of a long and bothering search of mouthpiece/reed combination, it sounds sweet with about anything. The ergonomics are very good and last but not least the price is really nice. The only con IMO is the projection who could be better.

 

[Reet McVouty]

How many of you tried the Le Bravo? of course it would be a logical choice to get a Yamaha but the bronze body with the maillechort neck gives it really a sweet sound. Actually it has the sweetest sound of all the sopranos I had the opportunuty to try. No need of a long and bothering search of mouthpiece/reed combination, it sounds sweet with about anything. The ergonomics are very good and last but not least the price is really nice. The only con IMO is the projection who could be better.

Sounds to me like you have your mind made up but you just want someone to qualify it for you. However, you're not getting that are you? I've tried all the Mauriat sopranos back before I purchased my YSS-82ZR and I came away unimpressed. That's not to say they weren't good horns, they just were not impressive enough for me to want one. Anyway, sounds like you really want the Le Bravo, so buy it.

 

[buddy lee]

How many of you tried the Le Bravo?

Not me, and I'm guessing very few have. I have seen one and it was a tenor, it was just OK. The Le Bravo is Mauriat's intermediate line, the Yamaha is a pro horn. But it sounds like you want the Mauriat so who cares?

 

[jojocat]

Sounds to me like you have your mind made up but you just want someone to qualify it for you. However, you're not getting that are you? I've tried all the Mauriat sopranos back before I purchased my YSS-82ZR and I came away unimpressed. That's not to say they weren't good horns, they just were not impressive enough for me to want one. Anyway, sounds like you really want the Le Bravo, so buy it.

Well, yes and no. I don't have the budget to go for a high end sop like the 82Z but I think I really want to try a 475 before to make a final choice. I 'm a comeback player and once had a red brass body soprano but I don't remember if it made a big difference in the tone.

I'm not concerned at all by the resale value cause I don't think I have enough time towards to change another time.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Well, yes and no. I don't have the budget to go for a high end sop like the 82Z but I think I really want to try a 475 before to make a final choice. I 'm a comeback player and once had a red brass body soprano but I don't remember if it made a big difference in the tone.

I'm not concerned at all by the resale value cause I don't think I have enough time towards to change another time.

I don't believe that finishes, ligatures or reeds make a whole lot of difference when it comes down to the sound. Basically you shape your sound around the horn and mouthpiece your using. Some of us like horns with different finishes because they look cool, and there's nothing wrong with that, providing you're getting quality as well. P. Mauriat makes quality horns. But in my mind the focus should be on three things, sound, quality and price. Forget about re-sale because unless they're antiques saxophones are not an investment. I bought the 82Z because it's a great horn and I had the money at the time. I couldn't afford one today. Also, it's a silver-plate, and it looks cool ...

 

[dzve]

The 475 would be my choice, it will also be great in 20 years hence..

 

[GCinCT]

I've never played a Mauriat, but I have a 475. It's a great horn. As others have said, it is amazingly easy to play in tune, not just for a soprano, but for any saxophone I've ever played. Solid construction, comfortable ergonomics and I can get the sound I want from it. You should at least wait to try the 475 before you decide.

 

[jojocat]

I've never played a Mauriat, but I have a 475. It's a great horn. As others have said, it is amazingly easy to play in tune, not just for a soprano, but for any saxophone I've ever played. Solid construction, comfortable ergonomics and I can get the sound I want from it. You should at least wait to try the 475 before you decide.

Wise decision, that's what I will do. There's a demo 475 at Long& McQuade Toronto who is for sale at the exact same price than a new Le Bravo. But I need to try one first and I live far from Toronto!!