 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-07-11 23:31
I'm looking for a decent alto sax to learn on for when the alto part is more interesting than the clarinet part. The market is awash with Yamaha YAS-23's, and I imagine that is a decent beginner's sax. Does anyone know anything about an H.N. White Cleveland? Saw one in very nice condition that I could probably get at a good price. It feels much more "substantial" than the Yamaha, but I don't know about its reputation. Being spoiled on good clarinets, I don't want a piece of junk . . . but don't need a Mk VI either. Any thoughts?
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-07-11 23:49
Fred,
The H.N. White is an old King saxophone. It may be all right if in good condition, but you are looking at a VINTAGE instrument to say the least. I like the Yamaha 23's and I also like the Jupiter 767GL for a beginning saxophone in the <i>new</i> catagory. Good luck on your search.
<a href="http://www.cork-and-pad.woodwind.org">jbutler</a>
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Author: DougR
Date: 2002-07-12 01:21
Actually, what you have there is the bottom-rung student model King alto. You really ought to play-test a lot of different instruments at that price point--Bundys, cheap Yamahas, whathaveyou--and then maybe go upmarket a little--vintage King Zephyrs (at one time their pro-model horn) or Buescher 400s (ditto) and see how you like THEM.
BTW, the Cleveland may feel substantial simply because it's an older horn--but that doesn't mean the sound or intonation are all that good. That's why I suggest playing a lot of instruments in the price range.
Good luck!
DougR
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-07-12 02:49
I think I got the answer I was looking for. Thanks, guys.
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Author: Mike Harrelson
Date: 2002-07-12 04:56
For price and performance the YAS-23 is hard to beat. It playes in tune with modern mouthpieces (as opposed to some vintage saxes) and easy to get parts should it ever need repair. For a clarinet player wanting to learn alto, and have a good instrument to double on, I think its an excellent choice.
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Author: Dan Borlawsky
Date: 2002-07-12 11:58
Ditto the Yamaha (I play one, although it's a 62). In addition, repair techs have told me they find the Yamaha easiest to adjust and repair.
Also, my experience with Jupiter (as a teacher who has had several come thru my program) is that they look good, but I have some doubts about durability and reliability.
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-07-12 12:35
Dan,
I disagree with your teacher. Jupiter <b>did</b> have some quality problems when they first started, but have made great strides in quality, warranty, and parts availability. I think the company is currently the most customer friendly company in the business.
<a href="http://www.cork-and-pad.woodwind.org">jbutler</a>
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Author: jbutler
Date: 2002-07-12 12:39
Dan,
Sorry, read your post again....you <b>are</b> the teacher. You state you have your "doubts" about reliabilty, but do you have any actual evidence?
<a href="http://www.cork-and-pad.woodwind.org">jbutler</a>
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2002-07-12 14:07
When I need an alto sax, my Selmer Mark VI is of course first choice for in-tuneness and ease of playing, prob. rivalled by later Sels, maybe by a "very good" Bundy II. The older pro Conns and a friend's pro King are still goodies. My LeBlanc Model 100 ["Buck Rogers"] and its Vito rendition have extra keying and are good, but a bit different!! Go to www.cybersax.com to view [with discussion] the Bear's fine oldies etc. Don
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Author: E. Michael Blake
Date: 2002-07-12 16:03
Poor Fred, he already considers the thread to be complete, but here we are still yammering. I, of course, never pass up a yammer opportunity. When I went shopping for a used alto to re-learn on, I got a decent sound out of a YAS-23, but the one I tried was just barely used and too pricey. I wound up paying $500 for a Vito that I estimate to be 10-20 years old (Leblanc has not responded to my request to put a year on the serial number), and it has served me very well. That said, an exhaustive search of what's out there would probably turn up mainly YAS-23s and Bundy IIs in slightly used condition. There figure to be more slightly used altos than other saxes, because the alto is the starter sax in school programs, at the stage when kids are most likely to quit early. By the time a kid moves on to tenor or bari, he or she is probably more motivated, and is as likely to part with the sax for trading up as for giving up (and so would have put more wear on the student sax).
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Author: Fred
Date: 2002-07-12 16:26
Let the yammering continue . . .
I learn something on this bb EVERY DAY!
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Author: tim k
Date: 2002-07-12 20:29
If you are accustomed to playing good instruments you may not be happy with a student sax (although the Yamaha models have good reputations). The Yanigisawa A901 is worth a try, if your budget extends to $1700 or so. The Yani's tend to have very good intonation, keywork and tone. It's a basic pro horn.
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Author: Mark Pinner
Date: 2002-07-13 10:04
Try Yanigasawa 990 or higher or get an old Selmer and have it reconditioned. 23's are very mediocre horns to say the least tinny nasal sounding and unreliable mechanically.
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Author: Kat
Date: 2002-07-13 15:42
Let me state outright at first...I am NOT a sax doubler. I DID rent a Yamaha 23 for a few months a while ago, because I had never even held or blown on a sax at all. I will say that what I did NOT like about the horn was how stiff the key work was. Can anyone clarify whether this is a general thing in the Yamaha saxes, or is it just because this was a brand, spanking-new horn?
Katrina
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Author: mike
Date: 2002-07-15 18:59
New horns usually do play a little stiff, and the sax will wear in somewhat with use.
More generally, spring tension depends on how the sax was set-up, and can be adjusted by your repairman. However, you can't get it set as light as the action on a clarinet because the mass of the keywork on a sax means you need stiffer springs to move the keys.
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