Forum of the Saxes

Prophetic_Sax · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Elkridge, MD

Good morning all

I am looking to buy a soprano sax within the next week or so, and I'm trying to figure out which brand to get.

Does anyone know how good the Antigua Winds are? I am not sure if I will be leaning more towards the Yamaha, but I am used to Yamaha, and I'm a die hard fan. Any suggestions of what could be better, without killing my pockets?!?!....LOL...I'm looking in the range of $0-2100....

Any help would be appreciated....

_________________
I am music, and music is me....

Equipment I own
1964 Borgani Soprano Saxophone
1970 Bueschler 400 Tenor Saxophone
GEM SK880 Work Station
Bradley Guitar

JPSaxMan · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 5:02 pm Post subject:

For $2,100 you can get an intermediate Yamaha; the YSS 475. You can also find a good vintage Conn or Buescher for that much but if you can, get the former instead of an Antigua. Nothing wrong with them, but you'll get more bang for your buck if you stick with Yamaha, a used Selmer or Keilwerth even, and good vintage horns (Conn, Buescher, The Martin, Selmer, Couf).
_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Gandalfe · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Seattle, WA

If this soprano isn't going to be your primary instrument and cost is important to you, I'd go with the Antigua Winds. As a matter of fact, I bought an Antigua Winds 590BC last year and I'm luvin' it to death.

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Sop, alto, tenor, and bari sax
Community Band Geek
SOTW Admin

Prophetic_Sax · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Elkridge, MD

See, that's the thing....I'm playing my Soprano until I can get my tenor fixed, so I have been playing that lately....

But I will probably split time on both the instruments....

I want the Keilwerth "Shadow", but I heard there is a 5-6 month wait for them now Crying or Very sad

....

My prefernce is between a Keilwerth or Yamaha....I did ask about the Antigua Winds, and most shops around here don't carry it...so I may go for a Selmer or Yamaha....I will probably check on eBay....

Thanks you 2 for the advice...
_________________
I am music, and music is me....

Equipment I own
1964 Borgani Soprano Saxophone
1970 Bueschler 400 Tenor Saxophone
GEM SK880 Work Station
Bradley Guitar

JPSaxMan · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:11 pm Post subject:

Gandalfe, are you happy with your 590BC? Do you gig with it etc? Would you ever want to get another horn?
_________________
JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Prophetic_Sax · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Elkridge, MD

Well guys, I think I have made my final decision regarding a soprano....

I tried out a Musica Soprano Saxophone last Saturday....it was ok, but I have NEVER heard of them, and it seems no one else has either....

I tried out a Cannonball Black Nickel Saxophone today, at the advice of someone, and I have to admit, it plays very nice....I would have to get used to the way the right hand pinkie spatula is, and they are going to adjust the left hand pinkie spatula for me...

So it's going to be between a Yamaha 475 and the Cannonball....

I'm leaning more towards the Cannonball, since it is a pro horn, and it has a dark mellow sound that I look for, which is part of my personality and playing style....I don't like the horn to be too bright....

I will admit, it can get loud when needed, which was cool....

Anybody got any input they want to add? Cool

_________________
I am music, and music is me....

Equipment I own
1964 Borgani Soprano Saxophone
1970 Bueschler 400 Tenor Saxophone
GEM SK880 Work Station
Bradley Guitar

Gandalfe · Joined: 19 Sep 2005 Posts: 33 Location: Seattle, WA

I only play my soprano as part of a quartet or quintet. I've toyed with covering oboe parts in our concert band when there is no oboe, but usually we let a flute player to it. I got mine from Kessler Music (they're online, look em up) and the shipping was free.
_________________
Sop, alto, tenor, and bari sax
Community Band Geek
SOTW Admin

Louis Scuderi · Posted: Sat Oct 08, 2005 5:13 pm Post subject:

Neither have I tried or seen a Cannonball horn but,

I'm planning on getting a sop very soon and I am torn beween the YSS-475 and the Antigua 586BC or 590BC from Kessler. I've heard great things about all three of these horns, and am VERY anxious to get one myself.
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Louis Scuderi
Forum Moderator

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

I'd probably go with Yanagisawa or a vintage one.

Prophetic_Sax · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Elkridge, MD

Altosaxophonerules · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 130 Location: Canada

I'm assuming you have tried the Yamaha YSS 475 soprano saxophone already Question

Prophetic_Sax · Joined: 22 Sep 2005 Posts: 28 Location: Elkridge, MD

Altosaxophonerules · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 130 Location: Canada

Cool, post pics of ur new sax, can't w8 to see the shiny laquer. Very Happy