i bought one for $380 and people told me that they are not a good brand, so does that mean they made me pay more for the instrument than what it is really worth? i also looked it up in e bay and there was one for just $185. There really isn't a 'crappy' saxophone, unless it doesn't play in tune or is constantly falling apart. Basically, if you have a horn that is comfortable for you, plays in tune and you don't have to fight with it to hit notes, it is a plenty good horn (horn of good plenty? Sorry for the pun!). After all, if the horn plays well, the rest of the responsibility is on the mouthpiece, reed and the mouth and body behind it all. I guarantee you that I can play an Alpine saxophone with my mouthpiece and reed and it will sound just like the horn I play.
As far as the $185 price goes, that is probably an opening bid for that horn and it is probably being offered by someone who lives in Asia. You must beware of buying items on eBay from that part of the world. Trade agreements are not going to guarantee a good quality item or that it will even be shipped after they get your money. Paying $380 for a beginner instrument is a good price. You can decide later on as you progress if you want to buy a more professional quality instrument. The people who have told you it is not a good brand probably bought over-priced and over-rated Yamaha or other popular brands because of the name. Personally, I do not like Yamahas and I would play a Taiwanese horn over one any day.
I have been playing since I was 12, over 40 years ago and I have owned Selmer Mark VIs and Mark VIIs at times in my career, which are much better than Yamahas. I currently play a Monique Alto, Jupiter Tenor and Soprano, customized Mason Baritone and Sopranino saxophones. They are all made in Taiwan and people tell me they love the sound of all of them - people who own Selmers and Yamahas.
Don't listen to the 'snobs' - play your horn, play it well and prove them wrong! Best of luck to you! It really is the player and not the horn. That being said, there is a chance that it is a crappy horn. The horn is probably a Chinese or Taiwanese import. I am not saying that all imports from Asia are bad, but from what i have seen they are often made from softer metals and cheaper materials that tend to not last as long. I have even seen some of them use plastic screws in places I would never expect to see one. There are a lot of repair techs who have given up working on these instruments and won't do repairs on them because they know that they'll just see them again in a couple of months with the same problems. On the other hand, I have known guys to by a inexpensive import, have a good repair tech adjust and replace some of the materials, like pads, and have it play great with a nice sound. My only suggestion is to take it to a good player if you know any, preferably above high school level, and ask them what they think about it. Also take it to a good repair guy, ask around, and see what they think. I play a Professional level Yamaha Custom alto sax and have played "cheap" saxes that sound almost as good, and I have played other "Pro" level horns that play worse than some of the cheap horns I have played. I don't think you overpaid. A new student level Yamaha or other name brand is usually over $1000. I teach private lessons and I usually have a student search for a name brand used sax and I'll try it out for them or any new inexpensive they find and give them my suggestions on what to buy. The only way to know for sure is to play it. When all is said and done, the name really means nothing. It's more of a guide. |
