Forum of the Saxes

FastFingers · Joined: 19 Sep 2006 Posts: 1

Hi all,
First post on here so go easy on me will ya . Very Happy

This will probably be the same or similar to questions which you have seen on here before, but as i dont know anyone who plays to ask, i would be very grateful if you could take 5 minutes to help the needy out.

Anyway, im looking to get my first sax, but dont know what to get.
I dont know anyone that plays, so dont have anyone to ask even the most simple questions. Hopefully you guys and gals will be able to enlighten me.

I dont have much money to spend to start with, but as long as i stick with it i will upgrade when needed.

What would people recomend as a starter? (Alto)
I have see the following at reasonable prices, what are they like?
Chase - Elite series
McEvoy (Standard Eb model)
Lindo 2007 Alto
Maestro (dont know model i was looking at but it was Nickel plated)
Muso (cheapo or import i think)
Selmer Prelude AS700

All were Alto as thats what i think i will be getting.
I dont mind new or second hand (in fact theres a Vintage Grinell ive looked at which would need a full overhaul), but i cant afford (at the moment) a Yamaha which all beginners seem to get.
I will be playing for my own pleasure, so concert standard equipment is not really needed.
Also Does it make much of a difference to a beginner if it does or does not have the High F key?

Any way, any comments or suggestions are more than welcome.

Your time and assistance is much appreciated, Mark

JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

a. The only sax on there that will stay in one piece longer than 10 minutes would be the selmer. The rest are cheap import brands (see below). Stick with name brands like Yamaha and Selmer. I myself started on a Selmer Bundy II, you can pick those up on ebay for sub-$200.

b. Unless you get crazy good in a really short amount of time, a high F key will not matter to any beginner. Even without the high F key, if you do find yourself wanted to play that high, there are other ways to play a high F than just that key. I myself didn't have the strength to hit that note until I was playing for a few years.
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The problem with the cheap imports, besides sounding bad, when they break repair places will generally not fix them. I bought a cheap trumpet to throw around in jazz band and it a solder broke loose within a month. The repair tech told me that the solder used to repair a standard instrument would burn a hole right through the cheap metals in the imports. In the end, he eventually did fix the broken solder and he told me if it broke again, the metal would be way to thin to even hope for a repair on. Just my 2cents on the matter.