 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Trevor C
Date: 2010-11-27 15:13
hey guys, im the new one here. since i joined high school, i've been playing sax a lot and i was thinking it would be best for me to get one of my own. I use it for pep band is pit orchestra. what are some good alto sax's that dont really cost tht much?
thanks,
Trevor
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Author: pewd
Date: 2010-11-27 15:21
Yamaha YAS-23
search www.wwbw.com
www.prowinds.com
www.weinermusic.com
Talk to the private sax teachers at your school?
Ask your band director - do they have recommended equipment lists?
- Paul Dods
Dallas, Texas
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Author: clarinetguy ★2017
Date: 2010-11-27 16:30
I would agree with the Yamaha YAS-23 recommendation. You might be able to get a fairly good used one from the auction site for around $450. I haven't priced them lately, but a couple years ago, I was outbid on several.
I ended up buying a used King 613 locally for about $325. The intonation is great, and it really plays nicely. I think it would be a great choice for pep band, marching band, and for doublers. The only drawback (for my purposes it's not a major issue) is that it doesn't have a high F-sharp key.
I've also played some older Bundy II altos, and they're decent instruments, although most (or all?) of them lack the high F-sharp key.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2010-11-27 16:41
What disadvantages are you at if you don't have a high F# key?
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: Jack Kissinger
Date: 2010-11-27 20:22
If you decide to go the used route and can afford it, you might want to consider stepping up from the student YAS-23 to the intermediate YAS-52. A number of those have sold on eBay recently in the $750 - $850 range.
Another option you might want to check out (there are numerous reviews on the internet as a starting point) is the Cannonball line of saxes.
Best regards,
jnk
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Author: Bob Phillips
Date: 2010-11-27 22:30
Please be careful. There are some really terrible slightly older (still in the school rental fleet) saxes that just plain suck. Their keywork will NOT stay functional; and they are so uncooperative that they will inhibit your progress.
One example is a Jupiter of a couple generations ago.
Bob Phillips
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2010-11-29 17:33
Don't do it! Once you've got your own sax you'll play it frequently, and before you know it, people will actually start calling you for PAID GIGS!! Yes, that's right, you'll actually get PAID to play! Then you'll find yourself playing more and more sax, until it starts cutting into your precious clarinet practice time and soon you'll have forgotten some of the notes to the Mozart Concerto, OMG!!!!!! ![[whoa]](http://test.woodwind.org/clarinet/BBoard/smileys/smilie10.gif)
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Author: tictactux ★2017
Date: 2010-11-29 17:43
...I got gigs because of my clarinetistry.
(I still wait for an Alto gig, tho')
--
Ben
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Author: Reedirect
Date: 2010-11-29 18:16
Yes, David, yes! And eventually you hardly remember the name of this peculiar black instrument with silver keys stored in the cellar somewhere....
Back to topic. Trevor, I would recommend to go to a decent shop with a broad range of products and ask for an intermediate level Yamaha or Yanagisawa, or perhaps a Jupiter or Expression. Cannonball might do, but those I havn't played.
You get a guarantee and even more so an adjustment, if necessary. By buying something straight from ebay you may end up with an unplayable horn requiring an overhaul, which will cost you probably around 400$.
If you have an experienced player at hand you may dare buying a used instrument, but only after a thorough test.
It is not so easy as saxes have complicated and delicate keywork susceptible to even minor i.e. unnoticed hits and also wear. They may then still look nice but play like sh...
Best
Jo
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Author: Gandalfe
Date: 2010-11-29 18:41
I recommend the Kessler Custom saxes to my students and adult friends returning to performance music. To date, none of them have regretted their choice. But it is nice to try an instrument before you play it because we all have our idiosyncrasies.
http://www.kesslermusic.com/KesslerCustomSax/kesslercustomAltos.htm
Jim and Suzy
Pacifica Big Band
Seattle, Washington
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Author: hans
Date: 2010-11-29 19:34
Trevor,
Based on my experience, FWIW, you probably don't need to exclude a sax because it lacks the F# key mentioned above; id est, I bought a new Selmer alto 15 years ago and have never needed to use its high F# key; my tenor (a Selmer MK VI) has no high F# key and it has never been a problem. There are ways to finger the notes above high F without the key if necessary.
Yamahas seem like decent instruments at a reasonable price (I used to have one) and I've played Bundys that felt good. My backup alto is a King and it's OK too. The fellow who sits next to me in the band plays a Cannonball alto and has difficulty playing it in tune with a good tone. The Cannonball's finish is terrible. Maybe they've improved......
Try several brands - with the same mouthpiece and a Legere reed for consistency - and bring along an experienced musician to tell you what it sounds like.
Hans
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Author: DixieSax
Date: 2010-11-29 20:21
I also recommend the Kessler Custom saxes to students looking for a solid instrument at a reasonable price. CE Winds is making some nice horns right now, and if you are looking for something at a higher level, but priced very well, you might also check out Phil Barone.
Lots of options out there right now. For a long time, the YAS-23 was the only real choice here, but I own a Kessler Custom alto and tenor, and I use them regularly when I don't want to take out my "good" horns, and they are ordinarily out on their stands in my music room where I can get to them quickly if I want to play and don't want to take the time unpacking and assembling an instrument. I don't hesitate for a moment to play them on gigs, and certainly the others I have mentioned are more than adequate for any performance situation as well.
It's a good time to be looking.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2010-11-29 20:29
I loath alto sax, but unfortunately have to play one for musicals. I spent $150 on a used student Alto Bundy II on Ebay - got a few pads changed by my tech for $90.
What I can say about the Bundy horn - the thing is built like a tank. It's loud and in tune enough. Suits my needs.
If you really love sax, spend the money on a good horn...but if it's only for occasional use and you have limited resources, a used Bundy & a good tech may be good for the short term.
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Author: justme
Date: 2010-11-29 20:35
Kessler will also work with you.
They sell different saxes in different price ranges and they set up all that they sell before it leaves the shop (for free.)
You could just call them up and tell them what you're looking for and in what price range.
They are very honest and straightforward from all reports...
Justme
"A critic is like a eunuch: he knows exactly how it ought to be done."
CLARINET, n.
An instrument of torture operated by a person with cotton in his ears. There are two instruments that are worse than a clarinet -- two clarinets
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Author: bullittcar
Date: 2010-11-29 20:53
I have been playing clarinet and sax professionally for about 10 years and have played both since 8th grade. I have taken lessons with many great clarinetist including Greg Raden, Burt Hara, and Robert Spring to name a few. Mr. Raden was the only one who knows that I play sax also and none of them ever gave me any crap about sax hurting my clarinet in any way!!!!!! If the embouchures are sound there is no problem. I don't mean to be rude but I have heard this stuff for years and it gets on my nerves. FWIW Larry Combs and Eddie Daniels play both and noone gives their playing any crap!
As for the sax question i recommend looking into the Phil Barone saxes. I currently have a tenor and it is great. Plays like a BA selmer I used in college. Plus he is a great guy!!!!!!!! Altos start at around $1400 and come in many finishes. I hpoe this helps.
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Author: grifffinity
Date: 2010-11-30 20:04
Quote:
I play sax also and none of them ever gave me any crap about sax hurting my clarinet in any way!!!!!!
I read through this thread...where did this subject even come up?
ISSUES
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Author: gsurosey
Date: 2010-12-02 15:14
My alto sax is a Bundy II. It sounds decent, but it needs adjustments to really play well (I'm waiting for a pile of money to fall in my lap to adjust that and my bass clarinet; I was hoping that Rochester freezing over would somehow be mistaken for hell freezing over, but that's too common for that mistake to be made).
Speaking of frozen over, the sidewalks in my apartment complex were all iced over and I had to walk in the snow so I didn't wipe out carrying 4 clarinets home from rehearsal. I haven't been outside today, but it doesn't look any better. I wasn't here when there was snow last year, so I assumed maintenance would throw some salt down.
Rachel
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