[SMHSsaxplayer]

Hi guys,
First post here, look forward to posting more. I have been playing sax for about 5 to 6 years now and am wanting to play soprano sax for my high school jazz band. I am unsure if I want to rent or buy, but if I was to buy could you give me an opinion on this soprano?
http://www.saxophone.com/index.asp?PageAction=VIEWPROD&ProdID=29
Thanks,
Chris

 

[SOTSDO]

I'm a bit out of touch regarding the high school "jazz band" scene, not having had much contact with one for the last six years or so. However, the impression that I get from the charts for that level that I have reviewed leads me to believe that soprano sax opportunities are relatively thin on the ground.

Regardless of that, soprano saxophone playing is a different kettle of fish from what you've been doing up to this point. In general, the higher the saxophone, the greater the potential problems with intonation. To "do it right", you will really need to develop soprano sax embouchure, which in turn will require quite a bit of both playing time on the horn with others and solo practice on your own.

I've always viewed soprano playing as a nice talent to pick up once you are comfortable on your "primary horns", but not all that essential until then. I started playing in my first year of college, owned my first horn when I got out of the service, and then sold it when I found that there just wasn't that much need for owning one.

But, as I've said up top, there may be more call for soprano these days. Lord knows that we hear enough of it in the smooth jazz category...

 

[The Saxist]

Be Pro-active

My son went to his H.S. band director and asked if he could do a Sop feature. The director said if he found something, he would do it. So, I surfed around and found an Oliver Nelson tune that he liked. They ended up playing it for contest. Give it a shot. Band directors love it when someone else spends money on their program.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Chris: Welcome to SOTW. I looked at the link you provided. The products from saxophone.com have enjoyed a good reputation here on SOTW over the past years. I haven't read much about them lately and I have never seen one of their instruments.

However, their ad claims that particular soprano is a mainland China product. That turns me off. It isn't that there aren't any decent saxophones coming from China these days as much as there are probably better sopranos coming from Taiwan. And I suspect that the more expensive sopranos on that site are most likely from Taiwan (although I don't know that for sure).

The last thing you should do is to buy a soprano based on price. MY advice would be to pay more - and have more in a soprano. Could that cheap Chinese soprano be decent? Yes. Would you be MORE likely to end up with a good soprano by buying a more expensive soprano? Yes. You do not need a poor-playing soprano to begin your soprano-playing career.

You don't say where you live, but if in the U.S., give Dave Kessler (see advertisement at top of page) a call and buy one of his house-brand sopranos OR even an Antigua. That will almost gaurantee a successful soprano. DAVE

 

[stu the sax player]

I have a used antigua dual neck with high G key. black with gold plated keys. email at [email protected] if you are interested

 

[SMHSsaxplayer]

Thanks for all the respnses guys. Also looking on saxophone.com, I found one of there brand saxophones in a silver scheme for $599. However, the only thing I was worried about was that it was a professional soprano. I talked to my director and he said that he would love to have someone play soprano. He also said that they might have one, so I'll have to wait and see.
Till then,
Chris

 

[dalem214]

saxophone.com

SMHS, I recently purchased a gold lacquered soprano from Saxophone.com. I am pleased with it. It is a saxophone.com brand and was $599. I emailed Garret about where they were manufactured and he told me Taiwan. I believe the Gulf brand saxes they sell are made in main land China. My other horns are Selmer SA80 models. I would suggest that if you are thinking of purchasing from saxophone.com you give Garrett a call or email him with any questions.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Gulf is not a bad saxophone, but I believe there are better ones now from China. I have a Walstein which is great, I use it professionally (TV recording sessions), you can see a review for the tenor version here (edited - it should work now)

 

[betelsax]

Pete, somehow you got the url of the review wrong. Here it is.

 

[dalem214]

SMHS, if you are looking at the Black Nickel sax for $599 on saxophone.com I would say it is a good deal. I quoted you a wrong price for what I paid for my curved lacquered soprano from them, it was $699 not $599 and it was still a good deal for me. I've owned mostly Selmer and would compare my saxophone.com soprano to Selmer’s old Signet line. That was billed as an intermediate model. If you haven't made up your mind yet give Garrett a call. Tell him what you are considering and see what he says. The $599 price for the black nickel is very reasonable.

 

[JazzItUp]

It looks sweet! I love the Saxophone so much!

 

[FighterForJC]

A little over two weeks ago I bought a Jean Baptiste curved soprano from Sam Ash, it's a 480 something model. It cost me around $650 and I am absolutely loving it. I've owned an L.A. Sax and a Yanagisawa straight sopranos in the past and I currently own another $600 straight Buescher soprano sax, also from Sam Ash, which I'm content with. But to me, the Jean Baptiste curved plays great. After trying it out at Sam Ash, I tried their Cannonball curved which cost around $2100. The difference was noticeable, especially with the immediate playability of the Cannonball. But after I got used to the Jean Baptiste, it plays absolutely wonderful and sounds great, for 1/3 of the price of the Cannonball. Since I've had it for just two weeks I can't tell you anything about its longevity and such, but all I know TODAY is that no one will suspect that you're playing a $600 horn.