keller747
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Adult Beginnner Make/Model QuestionsGreetings and thanks for taking a moment to help me out! I'll try to keep this as painless as possible. I have been looking at getting started in a sax for awhile now and finally decided to make the jump in the next 2-3 weeks and have some questions as most people would. My musical background begins back at the age of about 3 with piano, clarinet, guitar but mostly voice. I have been in the Navy for several years so instruments in general were pretty much out of the question simply based on the ability to carry them.
I've read some reviews and am looking at the following horns but would like you opinions. I've stated issues I foresee or am considering with each one below. Again... Thanks to anyone willing to help me out!
Yamaha YAS-23
I know this is an entry level horn and I'm worried about some tight fingering after holding one. However my buddy has offered one to me in great shape (checked out by dealer) for 450$
Do I need to worry about the lack of the high F#
Yamaha YAS-475
I have read on other forums and from players that if I can afford this horn it might be my best bet.... Thoughts?
Cannonball Excalibur/ Big Bell series
Made for Student/Intermediate or so they say, I've read some reviews that seem to say Cannonball has made strides in the Big Bell series but haven't found anything on the Excalibur series
I suppose one of my biggest fears as a music freak is that I'm going to drop cash on a horn that I will despise in 6months. Thanks in advance.
Cheers,
Mark
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JPSaxMan
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My thoughts:
YAS-23: A great student horn for the money. The lack of the F# can be a pain in my case as a semi-pro (I use one or two altissimo fingerings that use an F# key, or use it instead of the alternate fingering for F#), but for a student it shouldn't matter.
YAS-475: This is the intermediate Yamaha alto. A step up from the 23 with an F# key and I believe a better constructed metal. A somewhat better horn overall, and if you can't afford it, don't worry. The 23 will do you fine for a couple of years then you might wanna look at either this model, or the Yamaha pro models like the 62II, 82z, and 875ex.
Cannonball: The Excalibur series I've never heard of nor looked into. Can't help ya there. The Big Bell series from what I know is a pro model. Gerald Albright plays on these horns exclusively (switched from Selmer Paris horns  ). So if ya can't afford it, that's why  .
I believe that clears up some questions. If you have anymore, please feel free to ask. 
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keller747
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Thanks for the infoI actually neglected to mention the 62II as one of the options. I guess I had been runnin on caffeine and sugar for tooooooo long yesterday cause it's actually on my list of options for only a few hundred more than the 475.
Thanks again!
Cheers, Mark
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altosaxgeek5
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The 62II is basically the top-of-the-line Yamaha pro horn. It's an updated version of the 62, with silicon-treated waterproof pads and High F#. Very good horn for a more advanced player.
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reisio
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Re: Adult Beginnner Make/Model Questions | keller747 wrote: | | Do I need to worry about the lack of the high F# |
Most saxophones do not have one, most music pieces do not include the note, and there are alternative fingerings for it that don't require the key. There is also a fair amount of notes above high F# that you can play on a sax (just fyi if you didn't know).
I'd probably take a Yamaha over a Cannonball, but the best way to decide is to play both and just pick the one you prefer (by its sound or feel, whatever).
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JPSaxMan
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ASG5,
The 62 is the lower end of the pro model horns by Yamaha, fyi. The 82z and 875ex are better than the 62 in their own ways 
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Bariman
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Ditto to JP's last post.
I would take the 62 II for the money. Do not bother with the 475, it would be a waste of money, plus resale is nothing. Not that the 475 is a bad horn, you can just get another for almost the same money, but one that will take you mcuh farther.
Bariman
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acdcgraphics
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Good for you!!!I have consulted a few people starting out, some young some adult-- I am 34 and have my original 1986 YAS-23. I would not spend a lot of money on your first horn, you might find that you adore the 23 as much as I still do mine, and heck, then you'd have lotsa money left over for lessons, mouthpieces or a step up, if you so choose.
If you are planning on going pro, and believe me, that is quite a step up and difficult to do at any age, THEN and only then would I worry about the extra keys. Vintage horns are very good, and many of them do not have the extra keys, I certainly don't miss the high F# on either of my horns.
And the YAS-23 is a versatile horn, you can be bright and contemporary, or you can be sultry and deep, just practice and LISTEN to lots of artists - today's and yesterday's. The horn will become part of YOU, taking on your moods and tones.
Sorry this is so long, but if you have the oppty to get the same horn I've loved for 20 (wow, has it been that long?) years, I say what the heck, DO IT!
All the best,
Ava
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JPSaxMan
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Re: Adult Beginnner Make/Model Questions | reisio wrote: | | keller747 wrote: | | Do I need to worry about the lack of the high F# |
Most saxophones do not have one, most music pieces do not include the note, and there are alternative fingerings for it that don't require the key. There is also a fair amount of notes above high F# that you can play on a sax (just fyi if you didn't know). |
Reisio,
On most all modern saxophones (obviously with the exception of the student horns) a high F# key is provided. Only on the vintage horns and the standard Mark VI's were there no F# keys. 
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reisio
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Re: Adult Beginnner Make/Model Questions | JPSaxMan wrote: | | reisio wrote: | | keller747 wrote: | | Do I need to worry about the lack of the high F# |
Most saxophones do not have one |
Reisio,
On most all modern saxophones (obviously with the exception of the student horns) a high F# key is provided. Only on the vintage horns and the standard Mark VI's were there no F# keys. |
Good thing I didn't say "Most modern saxophones that aren't student models do not have one", then, huh? 
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keller747
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ThanksThanks to those who have posted over the last several days that has helped quite a bit. I ventured out and got some demo's on several horns at some local dealers and think I'm just going to start with the 23 for now. The price from my buddy is good and I've already got 2 dealers that said they would buy that horn from me for the price I'm going to pay if I decide to upgrade so I won't loose any money and I can actually test some out on my own 6-12 months when I have more of an Idea of what I want.
Cheers,
Mark
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acdcgraphics
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YaySounds like a great plan. It's a great little horn, you might just fall in love
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