I will probably be purchasing a saxophone this year, and I have found an online resource that has helped me to figure out what I should be looking for.
<a href="http://www.saxophone.org/buyersguide/bu ... rs.html</a>
I haven't decided on alto or tenor, but I am planning on buying mouthpieces for both, and going with whatever I find that's a good deal for a good instrument.
I thought I would share this link, in case anyone else is considering a saxophone purchase. Maybe you even have additional information that could help me.
Frankie?
ROCK!
Glenn Case
Purchasing a Saxophone
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Something that article fails to mention on a cursory glance:
Schools. Call every school in the area and see what their current stock is. Schools often cycle their inventory in phases, much like senators, so they're always tossing old instruments and getting new ones.
You can be confident in a school horn because it will be of good quality to begin with - teachers don't let their students play crap internet horns in band. Also, school horns are well-serviced and usually very well maintained by the students. School horns are great if you don't mind a beat-up looking instrument, which I know you don't (wanted to link a pic of your guitar, but can't find one).
If you can find a way to connect with band parents directly, that's another good way to get a great deal. Kids quit, upgrade, and change instruments all the time, so there are leads there.
Beyond that, I'd say Craigslist is your friend here. Just keep your eye out, and maybe post your own want ads, and you'll get a deal soon enough.
Don't buy used from a music store. The deals are horrible. For you at least. They were great to me when I was selling them. New horns from stores are genuinely great deals for the "standard" horns (super action 80, etc.). Off or semi-off brand horns are again terrible deals new (Yamaha Allegro series - almost $1500 profit on a <$3000 horn, these were the fuckin BOMB).
Good luck.
*Edit: Oh, and I'd say go tenor, it's a much more versatile instrument (section and solo work). And it's way cooler.
Schools. Call every school in the area and see what their current stock is. Schools often cycle their inventory in phases, much like senators, so they're always tossing old instruments and getting new ones.
You can be confident in a school horn because it will be of good quality to begin with - teachers don't let their students play crap internet horns in band. Also, school horns are well-serviced and usually very well maintained by the students. School horns are great if you don't mind a beat-up looking instrument, which I know you don't (wanted to link a pic of your guitar, but can't find one).
If you can find a way to connect with band parents directly, that's another good way to get a great deal. Kids quit, upgrade, and change instruments all the time, so there are leads there.
Beyond that, I'd say Craigslist is your friend here. Just keep your eye out, and maybe post your own want ads, and you'll get a deal soon enough.
Don't buy used from a music store. The deals are horrible. For you at least. They were great to me when I was selling them. New horns from stores are genuinely great deals for the "standard" horns (super action 80, etc.). Off or semi-off brand horns are again terrible deals new (Yamaha Allegro series - almost $1500 profit on a <$3000 horn, these were the fuckin BOMB).
Good luck.
*Edit: Oh, and I'd say go tenor, it's a much more versatile instrument (section and solo work). And it's way cooler.
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Steve Durand
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That's interesting.
I just ordered one of these.
http://www.saxophone.com/index.asp?Page ... D&ProdID=6
I'll let you know how it works out.
SWING!
Steve
I just ordered one of these.
http://www.saxophone.com/index.asp?Page ... D&ProdID=6
I'll let you know how it works out.
SWING!
Steve
"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" -Unknown
"Seems to me this is the point of Songfight" - Max The Cat
"Seems to me this is the point of Songfight" - Max The Cat
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Billy's Little Trip
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Steve Durand
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- Instruments: trumpet, trombone, sax, clarinet, flute, keyboards, banjo, guitar, bass, ukulele
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Yeah. Ever since I started Songfight I have been picking up and learning new instruments. I really need some sax to fill out my band.
The sig is in reponse to Glenn Case's
SWING!
Steve
The sig is in reponse to Glenn Case's
SWING!
Steve
"Writing about music is like dancing about architecture" -Unknown
"Seems to me this is the point of Songfight" - Max The Cat
"Seems to me this is the point of Songfight" - Max The Cat
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Billy's Little Trip
- Odie
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frankie big face
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Re: Purchasing a Saxophone
Glenn, I'm sorry I didn't respond when you PM'd me. I wasn't sure what to say, exactly. I know it seems like I should know something about this, but I really don't. I play a 1973 Selmer Mark VI and a 1920s Silver Conn "Naked Lady" Tenor, and I haven't really ever looked into buying a new horn. At school, I work primarily with string players. But I'll ask a colleague of mine and get back to you.GlennCase wrote: Frankie?