[altoQ]

G'day, I am not a Sax player myself; but am enquiring on behalf of my son. We are about to upgrade his sax. He's been playing for 5 years and is in 2 bands at school. One is a Jazz and the other a concert band here in Australia. He has tried about a dozen different sax's in all price ranges including high end Selmers. At the moment we are deciding between 2 (They fall into our price range)
They are the Cannonball Big bell series A5L and the Yamaha YAS-62S. He actually preferred the sound of the 62Silver to the 82Z. He loves the sound of both the YAS-62S and the A5L, ease of playing etc. I know that the quality of the YAS is great. My concern is with the ongoing quality, ease of maintenance etc. of the Cannonball. I have done a lot of reading on the internet and as usual there is comments both ways. This will be a sax he keeps for a long time. He loves playing and I want to get him an instrument that he won't need to upgrade for a long time and also one that will last a long time. I understand that there is much more to finding a good horn than build quality. You have to fall in love with the instrument, so to speak. I think we will probably go with the YAS-62S (the silver one does look cool)
Just after some comments from players that know a lot more than us.
Thanks in advance, Ted

 

[ChuBerry47]

If you want to sound better, I would go with the cannonball, that is, if you wan to stand out. I think Yamaha altos are great, but they do not have the expressive feel of the Cannonball, nor the sound. Others could say otherwise, but I have had better experience with the cannonball. If you want something that looks better than the silver Yamaha, I would go with the Black Nickel Cannonball. they have gold plated keys, and they look, and sound sweet!!!

 

[altoQ]

Thanks ChuBerry47 for the fast reply. My son was very impressed with the sound of the Cannonball when he first played it. I have read that the unlacquered Yamaha's do improve over time as the lack of lacquer allows the horn to breath etc. Is it the same with the Silver plated ones, as you have metal on metal and not the hard lacquer coating covering the brass?

 

[Clarinetdude108]

i thought cannonballs sounded great till i compared them to a mk Vi...
but on yamaha vs cannonball, i'd go with the yamaha. just be ready to spend time polishing it if you want to keep it looking nice and shiny.

 

[Dave Dolson]

altoQ: In MY opinion, the finish doesn't matter and the companies pushing their various finishes, or lack thereof, are merely marketing. Myths abound among saxophone players (and makers/distributors).

As far as brands go, if you can afford it, stick to the major brands like Yanagisawa, Yamaha, Selmer-Paris, and Julius Keilwerth. While Cannonball makes a nice enough saxophone, it is Taiwanese and not up to the level of the Big Four. I realize some will argue that statement, but that's the way I see it after 50+ years of playing.

Yes, I've played many examples of the two brands you mention. I own Taiwanese-made saxophones and they are surprisingly good. I'd take Yanagisawa over any of them. Years ago, I bought my daughter a new Selmer MKVII alto - she STILL plays it (at age 44). She also has my Yamaha soprano. I own/owned several examples of each. DAVE

 

[Reedsplinter]

This discussion will go back and forth for quite awhile, I predict. I'd say, though, that for a player who's been at it for 5 years, your son won't go wrong with either horn. My advice would be to let him decide based on his preference -- with the proviso that the Yamaha is likely (though not certain) to have a better resale value some years hence. I'd guess that one of two things will happen in the future: your son will stop playing and want to sell the horn, or he will keep playing and want to sell or trade the horn you buy him now for another of his choosing.

Yamahas have a generally (though not universally) better reputation than Cannonballs; they have a proven long-term track record (nobody knows how well a Cannonball will hold up over 20 years). From that angle, there's a slight advantage to the Yamaha. But if your son falls in love with the Cannonball, get him that. If he loves it, he's more apt to spend a lot of time with it.

You will hear many other points of view, I'm sure. Have fun!

 

[Finnerski]

I would just tell your kid that the decision to make should be his own. Yamaha has proven itself over the last 35 or so years as a leader in the market. They are great saxes. Cannonball, on the other hand is far behind Yamaha in quality assurance. If it were my choice between the two, I'd go with Yamaha. But I'm a Keilwerth guy so my opinion on the subject doesn't mean much. Let your boy choose. I wish I had a choice like that when I was a kid.

 

[Reedsplinter]

Me too!

 

[SaxyAcoustician]

He actually preferred the sound of the 62Silver to the 82Z. He loves the sound of both the YAS-62S and the A5L, ease of playing etc. I know that the quality of the YAS is great. My concern is with the ongoing quality, ease of maintenance etc. of the Cannonball. I have done a lot of reading on the internet and as usual there is comments both ways. This will be a sax he keeps for a long time. He loves playing and I want to get him an instrument that he won't need to upgrade for a long time and also one that will last a long time. I understand that there is much more to finding a good horn than build quality. You have to fall in love with the instrument, so to speak. I think we will probably go with the YAS-62S (the silver one does look cool)

altoQ: The 62 is a certified professional horn--it had been Yamaha's top-of-the-line for more than a decade prior to the Custom.

Please do not misunderstand. How an instrument sounds is wholly up to the player. Also, finish has nothing to do with how an instrument sounds. It does however have everything to do with how the instrument looks (and is perceived aurally apparently) so if your son prefers the look of silver and it can serve as an impetus for him to practice, then by all means get him a silver horn.

Among the Yamahas I've tried and played, I've settled on the 62. It is a fabulous horn in every respect.

In terms of quality, the Cannonball is a quality instrument. I don't know what people are feeding you regarding maintenance--don't listen to them. EVERY horn requires some maintenance as corks and felt compress over time and with use, so adjustments have to be made to seal the pads.

Resale value-wise, the Yamaha wins. But since this is for the long haul, it shouldn't matter. However, your son, if he chooses to continue playing, will inevitably want a horn from one of the Big 4. That's the way it is. So get the Yamaha and be done.

 

[altoQ]

Thanks to all above who have replied. I did expect opinions both ways. It would be great if everyone could have several horns, but in our case-not now. At the moment he has been playing a brand called Recital (not sure if they are available everywhere) It is just a student sax although it did cost around $1500 5 years ago.(I think prices here in Australia are somewhat higher than in the much larger market countries- the Cannonball is actually several hundred dollars more expensive than what we can get the YAS-62S for) He is beyond the Recital now, in his ability, and it is also starting to get out of tune more regularly? As I said before, he really did like the sound of the Cannonball as well as the Yamaha (probably the Cannonball a tiny bit more) I have read that most people think the Cannonball has great sound, it is the the concern for us if it will last as long as the Yamaha. Resale is not really a concern as he is extremely keen on his playing and will, I believe, play for a very long time, hopefully forever, as the playing of any instrument, in particular one as great as the sax, gives a person a great rounding in life. Any more comments, opinions are greatly appreciated. Ted
P.S. SaxyAcoustician, I notice you have a couple of Yamaha silvers; is cleaning a real issue? Thanks again.

 

[crazydaisydoo]

I had a tough time choosing between the Canonball Gerald Albright and my YAS62II in silver.

The silver is easy to keep, no tarnishing, I think it is laquered.

For me it came down to resale value, because I am a chopper-changer of all things musical.

The other thing I did not like was Canonball's pricing policy. I could not comparison shop, and I like to know I am getting good value. I know why they do this, to support the local dealer, but I got my Yamaha from the same dealer who was selling the cannonball, just with a little knocked off to match the big internet dealer. We were both happy.

Your son has a nice problem......

 

[SaxyAcoustician]

I did expect opinions both ways.

The fact is a great player will sound great on anything, even those $400US Chinese Selmer knockoffs (assuming all pads are sealing). A poor player will sound poor on even the most expensive instrument.

At the moment he has been playing a brand called Recital (not sure if they are available everywhere) It is just a student sax although it did cost around $1500 5 years ago. He is beyond the Recital now, in his ability, and it is also starting to get out of tune more regularly?

I'm guessing maybe your son's horn is in need of adjustment--are all the pads sealing? A leaky horn will not play optimally both in intonation and response.

I want to iterate that there is no such thing as a perfectly in-tune saxophone. Intonation is up to the player. There are horns that play more in-tune than others but modern horns are on a level playing field when it comes to intonation. A good player can play any of these horns in tune.

the Cannonball is actually several hundred dollars more expensive than what we can get the YAS-62S for

Then by all means get the Yamaha. Cannonball horns should not be selling for more than the professional horns from the Big 4.

I have read that most people think the Cannonball has great sound, it is the the concern for us if it will last as long as the Yamaha.

Any horn will last forever if taken care of properly. Regular maintenance is a requirement for even the most expensive horns. Like I said, cork and felt compress over time which leads to pads not sealing. Every horn has cork and felt.

Resale is not really a concern as he is extremely keen on his playing and will, I believe, play for a very long time, hopefully forever, as the playing of any instrument, in particular one as great as the sax, gives a person a great rounding in life.

Hear hear.

SaxyAcoustician, I notice you have a couple of Yamaha silvers; is cleaning a real issue?

crazydaisydoo states that the silverplating is lacquered. This is not true. The silver does tarnish but not much. Don't worry, the silver will always look silver. I tend to concentrate more on my playing than the look of the horn so I may be the wrong person to ask regarding maintenance but my silver horns look rather spectacular even now after years of not "maintaining" the silver.

Hope this helps, Ted. And, as crazydasiydoo says, your son has a very nice problem.

 

[Alexk]

G'day altoQ;
I have over 30 years experience playing and owning saxes. I own Selmer, Buescher and Yamaha horns.

In my opinion, the Yamaha will be ultimately the better purchase.

 

[JSaxMiller]

I vote for the Cannonball. I own a YAS 62, a Selmer Balanaced Action and a Cannonball Stone series Alton. I prefer playing the Cannonball. I've been playing professionally since 1967. Your milage may vary.

Jsax

 

[playitfunky]

yas62 is a better horn then any cannonball IMO.

 

[altoQ]

We are going again this weekend for a final play of the mentioned horns and maybe a look at another couple? Might as well take the opportunity to play as many as possible. He has read all your comments and also done his own research, and yes it will ultimately be his decision along with some guidance from the old man (by the way my son is 15); after all he is the sax player and I am not. I told him to pick the sax that he falls in love with - so to speak; after all he will be playing it for a long time. Thank you again gentlemen for all your good advise.
Perhaps this should be a new thread but I have one more question. I didn't realize until recently that a lot of players discard the original mouthpieces, even on quality horns. I was thinking that for a while at least we will stay with the mouth piece the sax comes with and then get another later. I have been told that we should get a better mouth piece straight away. I'm not necessarily asking for advise on which after market one to get as I think that that comes down to personal choice again; but is it worth upgrading the mouth piece on the YAS-62S (I think that will be his final choice) straight away?
Love the you tube link above.

 

[davevillajr]

You might try to "haggle" a new mouthpiece as part of the purchase straight away if you are paying full list (or so) for the instrument, in full at the time of purchase.

Selmer C*'s, Rousseau's, Vandoren's are all good "replacement" mouthpieces for the stock ones.

Good luck with your purchase.

dv

 

[BYOB]

Personally, I don't care what brand it is. Just ask your son which one he finds more comfortable, more "calling".

When I was buying my sax, a Yamaha was the last thing I had on my mind. The Selmer and Cannonball were both amazing horns - I would've been happy with either the Ref or the Cannonball. But to me, something just clicked between me and the Yamaha, and it was solely because of that I ended purchasing the Yamaha.

 

[altoQ]

Thanks! to all.

Well, we bought my son a sax today and I thought I'd let you know which one he decided on.
YANAGISAWA A901
His music teacher suggested that he should also try a Yanagiswa before making a decision. Today we went back and forth between two music shops-TWICE. (the first doesn't normally stock Yanagisawas and the second doesn't stock Cannonballs and will only get the silver Yamahas in on special order.) At the second shop he tried a Yas-62 a Yan A901 and Yan A991. He was quite confused by this stage and the saleslady at the 2nd store suggested he close his eyes; she then handed him the Yas and 2 Yan's without him knowing which one he had, and got him to play them.
He just loved the Yan A901. He found the Yan A991 a bit harder to play and wasn't as comfortable with it. Perhaps this is due to the level he's at or his style-not sure? The saleslady ( a sax player) and his mum (she's got much a much better ear for music than me) also thought that the sound he produced from the A901 was better than the others.
He COULD have had ANY of them but the Yan A901 was the one he chose; it was meant for him, at this time. He loves it and has been playing it all afternoon.
Just for everyone's info I will let you know what the prices of the saxophones we tried cost here in Australia. I did say I think costs are more expensive here.
The prices are discounted prices and not full retail. They are very competitive prices and although we may have been able to save a $100 or so elsewhere, we went with fairly local shops that had the sax's in stock. The Cannonball is however normal retail. We could have got some discount but apparently Cannonball won't allow too much cost cutting. I think someone else mentioned it was the same in the US. I have converted prices to US dollars to save everyone the effort.
Cannonball big bell A5L - $3651 (full retail)
YAS-62 - $2493
YAS-62S - $3027
A991 - $3205
A901 - $2448
Thanks again for all your good advise. We will continue to read this forum and I'm sure will have many more questions in the future.
Ted

 

[ZephyrSax]

Ouch...those Cannonballs are through the roof!

Congrats on the purchase! That's a good choice! May your son become a fine musician!