I`ve been looking for a professional Alto Sax, but I don`t know what brands are best.

Is the Amati AAS62 Professional Model Alto Saxophone a good sax? Does it have a good sound?

I keep hearing things about Monique and Martini, but I`ve never even heard of those brands! Are they good? Do those saxes have nice sounds? Are they durable?

I also am wondering about all of this color. They have purple, pink, red, gold, silver, black, ect... There are so many weird colors! Do they make a difference in how the sax plays?

I`m really stuck on decisions because there are so many factors to think about!

Any help would be needed.

None you mentined are true professional sax`s in my opinion. If you want to see a nice vintage professional go to http://www.charlesfail.com/ and look at the King Zephyr or the Buscher Big B both of these are great horns and good deals.

the finish does make a difference to the sound, but usually `different` finishes cost more. i just have plain gold lacquer and its fine for me

I have played for 24 years and I like the EM Winston just fine. http://www.saxophones.ws is a link to my Ebay Store. I`d appreciate your feedback on my store.

I just bought an Amati AAS 32 intermediate model (black and gold keys!). It plays okay and better compared to other brands like Vitos and (most of the time) Yamahas. But every saxophone member in my band class says that my horn isn`t good at all even though it looks nice. And sometimes I feel like I regret buying this horn and should have bought an another brand. But I can`t buy a horn really expensive like the Keilworths or Yanagisawas. Should I keep my current one or just buy a really cheap ones with the F# keys? I am not a bad player at all, it just that I sometimes regret buying this horn because they tell me it`s not good at all because nobody ever heard of it. Please help me!! Thanks for the feedback!!!

Just to give my $0.02, I recomend the Antigua Winds line. I own and play one. For under $1000 you can get the A520-LQ, which is the gold lacquer, and for 100 more, the A520-LQ which is silver plated. They all have range up to F#, and exceptional intonation. I would compare them very closely with Yamaha, Yanasigawa, and maybe even Selmer.

Mason,
The link only takes me to an advertisement. No mention of saxophones

The three brands of sax that I have tried, and which I like best, are Selmer, Yamaha, and Keilwerth.

http://www.saxophones.co.uk/index2.html

This website has information on these three brands that I have listed above, as well as many more. They offer a 30-day free trial period, so if you don`t like your sax, you can return it for a full refund.

Happy playing!

This web site is ok for asking about saxophones but it has no sheet music on it for the saxophone players

There are four major profesional sax companies, though there are of course custum lines and the such that have limited pruduction and are pricey. The four major brands are Selmer, Keilwerth, Yangisawa, and Yamaha. I am actaully about to buy a nwe pro horn and have my pics narrowed down to teh Selmer reference 54 or teh keilwerth shadow. Both cost roughly $4000 + or - a few hundered.

Selmers have been making saxes forever and are my personal favorites, I absulutly love the mark VI and reference 54. These horns have teh vintage sax tone that I personly love. They are a bit expensive.

Keilwerths are also apperently excellent horns. While I have never played thier horns, one of the advertisements they run is that they actaully didn`t copy selmer like every1 else does *gasp*! The horns look beutiful and have rave reviews. They are pricy as well but a bit cheaper then selmer


Yangasawas... I`ve never seen or played one. I guess they`re good.

There are a few things you can love yamahas for. Firstly, they are extremly cheap as compared to the other top saxes. If your short on teh cash area go for em. They don`t have that vintage old sound, which is why I don`t like them, but that means other ppl like them more! They are typicly good looking horns; the 875ex blach laquer is great.

All of these horns have other feautures that appeal to different sax players. Just play around and find what you like.


The only other horn up there besides the mention of teh vintage king and beaucher is the moniques. According to my research, the saxes are made in china and taiwan. China saxes suk and taiwan saxes rock in general. so... make sure you can send it back.

Other than that there are many vintage horns around that are great and not to expensive. Well, excluding the marks. You just have to show these horns a little loven. Some1 once said not to let a student get his hands on a vintage horn. Thats retarded. I am only a student as well, and all 3 of my saxes are vintage. My crappy bundy, my 1920`s C-melody, and my 1940`s soprano. And of course my directors mark Vi I use.

Another thing. I love mark Vi`s. they`re great horns. But the reason i`m not getting one now is because I feel the new horns have some features that will help me in my competetion with the other students. Example, high F# (altissimo is always a option but this makes it safer) and more free blowing low notes. Later i`ll probably get one. who knows.

In conclusion, I only have one thing to say. Rememeber; Charlie Parker could own us ALL with a bundy. haha. It`s true.

Thanks everyone for your advice. I ended up buying a Selmer Reference 54 and I LOVE it! It`s so sweet and fluid. It sounds awesome. I highly recommend them. I must also mention the gorgeous engraving on the bell. It`s SO much better than any Yamaha`s engravings.

glad to help. good pic. Like I said it`s between that and a shadow for me. Havn`t decided yet though.