Could any saxophone expert help me choose a sax?

Could any saxophone expert help me choose a sax?

• I'm gonna study in music, saxophone major. I got myself a starter sax (rather cheap one), and now since I'm planning to get really serious on this, I'm looking for a new ...show more

• Answer:

  As a teacher and player of saxophones I'm exposed to a wide range of new and vintage horns alike. Of all the late-model stuff I've played the one that knocked me out the most were models made by P. Mauriat. Unless Steinway Brands makes some changes, in my humble opinion those who drink the Selmer Kool-Aid® haven't been around enough to know what's out there and are simply placing way too much brand loyalty behind a product that hasn't changed in a market in which superior cheaper alternatives exist. A friend of mine actually enjoys playing my Antigua Winds student tenor just as much as the Reference 54 he dumped while he could still recoup a reasonably substantial amount of the overinflated price he paid for that horn. While not as well-known as Selmer, Keilwerth, Yamaha, or Yanagisawa, the Antigua horns are Taiwanese built and a very clever Selmer knock off that is as good as the name brand at a substantial savings. I do have to give props to vintage (pre 1980) Selmer and pre-Selmer Yanagisawa (I haven't tried any of their recent models, but the old 990 and 991 models were fine in their day- a distinct tone because of the phosphor bronze alloy that was distinct from the popular zinc based alloys). Ultimately you need to go out and experience as many different makes and models as possible with your setup and a digital tuner if possible (but playing arpeggios throughout the horn's range would certainly spotlight any quirky intonation); make this decision based on your own experience as a player. I do hope I've given you reasonable food for thought and a couple of good leads to follow; the rest is up to you. Best wishes in your quest for an upgrade that isn't exorbitantly priced.