I've been playing clarinet for 6 years and I want to branch out to alto sax. I'm in high school and will need it for concert and marching band, and possibly jazz. Unfortunately, I can't be spending much more than $500, unless it's an incredible deal. I'm fine with a used sax if you know of a trustworthy seller. However, I'd rather not use eBay. Any help is appreciated.
2006-12-26 08:19:53 · 10 answers · asked by cournfields 2 in Arts & Humanities ➔ Performing Arts
There are three places that you should try first:
1) Local music store - they will have a normal assortment of new and used and might have the possibility of renting.
2) Check with your director(s), they typically know people in the area who might be selling or they might have something in their inventory.
3) If those didn't work, then resort to on-line...on-line should really only be used if you are looking for NEW instruments, used instruments in good quality are a rarity on-line...heck, "New" instruments on-line are iffy also. You could try Wood-wind and Brass-wind (which might be a good choice, since they are actually going out of business - www.wwbw.com) and Prowinds (www.prowinds)...Musician's Friend might have some good deals too (www.musiciansfriend.com).
As for brands that might be good, you will find several brands that might have "cheap" saxes...and I do mean cheap. Stay away from First Act or Band Now instruments...they are not worth your time or money...Conn-Selmer, Yamaha, Accent, Keilwerth, Cannonball, Yanagisawa are good brands, but might not be in your price range.
Hope this helps even the slightest and Good Luck!
2006-12-27 06:12:29 · answer #1 · answered by musicalkyle 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the local music stores and see what they have. Try out the saxes so you can see what fits you best. Ask your band director for help. Oh, and make sure you have a salesman at the music store that actually knows about band instruments so he/she can be helpful. If you get a guitar salesman, for example, he's not going to be able answer any questions or give any good suggestions.
Keep in mind that if you are going to use the same horn for marching, concert, and jazz, you need something that isn't going to fall apart easily. How is your clarinet? Look into trading that in. DO NOT go with eBay or anywhere online where you can't try out the instrument first (some places might be willing to send you or your band teacher the instrument to try out, so ask about that). Also, DO NOT buy your instrument anywhere that also sells food or housewares and the like. Those instruments are not worth anything, they break easily, and most repair shops refuse to even try to fix them.
Yamaha is always a good brand to look at. Contact the Woodwind and the Brasswind store for a catalogue. Good luck!!
2006-12-26 10:18:42 · answer #2 · answered by sleepyfrog76 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Selmer Paris (NOT Selmer USA) is probably the best, with Yamaha and Conn following closely behind.
Try www.wwbw.com and www.interstatemusic.com for good deals. Be careful with ebay - a lot of people like to say that the instrument is "like the Yamaha xxxx," when it's some knock-off brand that's a piece of crap.
You can also look at pawn shops. Some of my students have got some really great horns there. You just have to know what you are looking for and make sure nothing is wrong with it. Check the keys, pads, springs, etc. You know what to look for as a clarinet player, it's not that different.
2006-12-27 14:21:19 · answer #3 · answered by stuckeymusic 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try to avoid renting one from school. Most instrument stores will have a rent-to-buy option and that works really well.
Selmer horns are very good for beginners thru professionals. Plus, they still work great after getting caught in the rain at marching band practice!
2006-12-27 14:14:36 · answer #4 · answered by disgruntledPOV 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yes, rent first to make sure you can play it (which you should be able to) and that you enjoy playing it. Then buy from a music store. DO NOT buy from a website as you have no idea what you are looking at. I've been playing saxophone for 17 years and I still take a lot of risks when I buy from a website, but at least I know what I am looking at.
2006-12-27 02:11:57 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Always be careful when buying any type of instrument, you know by being a clarinet player, that you need to check all the corks and the ligature for damage, and check the keys for any bends or dings. If you're going for just a student model, Yamaha has the best overall musical quality for beginners... check them out ;) Also, check with your director... he/she should know a thing or two as well. You can also try woodwind brasswind (www.wwbw.com or prowinds.com
2006-12-26 08:29:11 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 1⤋
He comprado muchas cosas en los sitios web y sabia que son de calidad pero cuando le compre el teclado de juguetes Simba para mi niña estaba muy pequeña y no sabía si lo va a gustar, pero me equivoque, nada más llegar le ha gustado mucho, tiene buenas canciones y sonidos de animales, que le encanta mucho y es uno de los mas increíblemente resistente cosa que he tenido, ha sufrido muchos golpes, se ha subido con los pies y aun canta, sin duda es la mejor compra que he hecho.
2014-12-13 11:43:31 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Usually the music stores will let you rent to buy. That might be an option.
Saxes are awesome. Have fun!
2006-12-26 08:23:02 · answer #8 · answered by liddabet 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Definitely check the "musical Instruments" section of www.lagerstone.com - still some good holiday deals going on.
2006-12-26 08:21:32 · answer #9 · answered by interesting 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I bought one off of eBay. Try researching there.
2006-12-26 08:24:11 · answer #10 · answered by JASON TAYLOR 2 · 0⤊ 1⤋