I couldn`t agree more....I`ve seen MANY "off brands" come into the shop here. I have come to the point where instead of trying to repair them, it is necessary to tell people to send them back to where they got them. (Unfortunately, mail order folks don`t always take them back)

In the industry there is a term for these cheap, import instruments.....ISO (Instrument-Shaped-Object)

Even when I am able to get them adjusted properly, the metal in the keys is so soft that through regular playing (no abuse or rough handling), the sax will probably lose its seal in a few weeks. As a technician, I had to decide if I wanted to put MY reputation on the line by taking in cheap instruments and repairing them only to have the player come back to say--"I had this repaired a few weeks ago. It played well for a little while but now it`s tough to play again." They don`t want to hear they could have made a better choice.

Do yourself a favor. Purchase a good solid name brand which can be serviced AND/OR make sure you have a technician check out the instrument before you buy it.

I must say you guys are really one sided here. My post suggested playing any instrument before buying it...INCLUDING A SELMER MARK VI or Balance action, Reference or anything else. If you like it buy it. It is that simple. Do not let everyone else totally influence you opinion. A solid player can get a good sound from a medium level instrument. As for the instrument holding up and the ability to get it serviced. Take some time to get to know you instrument and treat it with some level of reasonable care. You can break anything if you desire to do so. The repair guys hate those that can take care of their own instruments. I have never had to have an instrument repaired by anyone else....Including my Artist Series Jupiter. It has not given me any trouble. Play what you like. It doesn`t have to be a big name to play well. Save yourself some money in the early going and when you decide you really wish to pursue a more professional instrument, still it doesn`t have to be an expensive instrument. I play a $30 pawn shop find Buescher Aristocrat Alto from 1929 vintage. Great horn with a great sound. But some players couldn`t get a good sound from even a more superior instrument. Give yourself some credit and do what you feel is best. If you make a mistake you have learned something from it. I promise it will not be your last one.

And by the way I have hugh hands and really give the horn a work out. I am a huge guy and very heavy handed. Haven`t broken or bent any keys yet.

yeh i have heard of bently because of a link on ebay but I have searced for it many times on google and never found it again which is a shame as although I know nothing of the quality the laquered soprano sax`x and pocket trumpets were very grrooveh looking!!!

At the mo I think I will be getting a helmke sax. PLease email me if anyone finds te link to the Bently site please

Hi. Someone is selling a 1975 Selmer Bundy Alto Sax. It`s still in the packaging, never been used. He`s asking $600. Is there any point to buying this or would it be better to get something brand new?

Thanks.

Ask Rodney Marsh of Marsh Woodwinds in Raleigh, NC. Believe it or not he plays a bundy alto and could play anything he wants to, but the mouthpiece he uses would cost more than the horn you are talking about here. You can ask him via email at Marsh Woodwinds. I think it would be as good a horn for you to learn on as you can get, but just my opinion. Good Luck.

AW.

wooo I found the bently site again, dunno why i found t so ard before

I`ve been playing the alto saxophone for 4 years now and I`ve been playing the Yamaha beginer horn, but now I`m in high school and everyone tells me it is time for me to get a better one. I`ve been looking into some of them and several of my friends have the Professional line yamaha but I don`t like it because it is always sharp, plus it is terrible to try and tune. I`ve looked at a band called Victory and I was wondering if it is any good?

never heard of it. personly, i`d stick with the known brands.

Dear Kathleen,
You should be old enough and a good enough player to realize that a shiny sax does not mean that it is a great sounding sax.
Your best choice is to purchase a used sax. For between $ 1000 and $ 2000 you could purchase one of the following alto saxes:
A Buscher 400 (Must be made before 1965)
A Buscher Aristocrat (Made from 1930-1950)
A Selmer Mark VII or SA-80-II
A Yamaha Custom 875
A Yamaha YAS-62
A Conn 6M (Made before 1955)
You should, naturally, play the sax first or be sure that it is from a reputable dealer.
The construction and sound quality of these saxes in good condition cannot be matched by anything made today for less than $ 3000, and- in my opinion- there are few saxes that can match a Buescher 400 sound when playing jazz (listen to Johnny Hodges with the Ellington Orchestra).

speaking of brands, i wonder if Hermes is a good one..it`s the one i`m using ever since i began playing

JUPITER

Hello... I have been reading through these postings and I see that alot of people have posted things about Monique Saxophones. My mother and I just bought my son (he is 9 and a brilliant sax player...) an Monique Alto Sax from a dealer in Champion, Ohio for $1100. It`s a beautiful horn. But now I am wondering if we got ripped off because I am finding the same sax for a MUCH cheaper price now. Someone please help. I called me music shop and they won`t take the instrument back. My son`s music director has never heard of the instrument brand.... did we get the wrong brand? Is the Monique an inferior instrument?

I own a monique pro series satin silver alto and purchased it used, but in like new condition on ebay. I paid only $250 for it. Most of these horns that I see that are not pro series instruments are going for about $299 to $399. I hate to say it, but $1100 for a monique student instrument is a bit high based on the market, but it is still probably about list price, which is perfectly legal to charge you. I have owned selmer horns and currently play a Jupiter Artist Series Tenor and a vintage Buescher Alto. The monique instrument is not up to par with either of these horns, but again ok. If he likes it, I would say he doesn`t care what it cost you. I would recommend you get him a good mouthpiece...maybe a meyer or otto link in about a 5 opening. Good luck.

What is a 5 opening? I have no clue what that means. I played a clarinet in school but only for maybe 2 years. So this is all new to me. I feel like I am going to loose my mind. And so does my mother. We have both been through the "wringer" with this whole mess. I don`t think that this is the "student" model of saxophone. The music store owner stated that it`s an intermediate level sax. But of course, at this point in the game, I am not sure what to believe. How can you tell if it is a student level or an intermediate level? I know that the pads are leather covering felt. Does that make any difference? URGH I feel like such an idiot.