Klarinet Archive - Posting 000396.txt from 2000/05

From: "Kevin Fay (LCA)" <kevinfay@-----.com>
Subj: RE: [kl] Yamaha Saxophones
Date: Sun, 7 May 2000 13:41:51 -0400

MaryWBalch asked:

<<<I just had a student who has recently purchased a new Yamaha Allegro
saxophone. Has anyone ever heard of this model before?>>>

Yes. It is *definitely* a Yamaha intermediate saxophone. It is probably
cosmetically different from a YAS-52, but functionally quite similar. In
the end, a good horn for the money.

The Allegro line is one set up to keep the local music store in business --
it can't be sold through a catalog or lower than a stated minimum prices
pursuant to the company's dealer agreement. You won't find them for sale at
the Woodwind, for example.

This is not a marketing phenomenon unique to Yamaha -- the Selmer "Omega"
line is similar, I believe. The Buffet Festival can't be purchased through
discount houses either. Is it the same horn as the Prestige R-13? I played
one of each, side by side, and couldn't see/hear much of a difference at
all; certainly not one worth the $1,000+ list price difference. Is it an
accident that the "street price" of a Festival from you local dealer is
about the same as the "discount price" of a R-13 Prestige from the mail
order companies? Perhaps not.

Because of Yamaha's minimum-price restriction, your student didn't get the
best screamin; deal of all time for his new saxophone. But I'd bet he now
has a quality instrument bought at a fair price.

kjf

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