i need to buy my son a saxophone

[daveywavy]

any help? he has already told me that he is probly not going to go on to marching band, so, i really dont want to invest a lot of $$. i have already tried ebay, and been outbid on every one. the instructor told me to look for a yamaha, but if there are other good names, that would be helpful. thanks

[1phish2phish]

Has he ever played before? Is this a beginner student horn, intermediate, or a more professional model you're looking for. Once we know this, I'm sure people here can be of more help.

[whiteysax]

if he doesn't plan on going on and is just going to learn, i wouldn't spend more than $300 on a horn. Yamaha is a good suggestion... look for a Yamaha Y-23 model. Also, take a look at Amati. They make good student model horns. If he plans on going on in music, I wouldn't suggest Amati. But for the purpose of learning alone, they aren't too bad.

[antz_marchin]

I agree with the YAS-23 by Yahama. Spend a little extra $$ to be sure that the pads are good, but I'd look to spend about $350ish on it. I'm going to be picking one up in the next few weeks too.

[daveywavy]

he's a 5th grade student who has never played before. he tried all the horns at school and said that he did the best on the sax. thanks for all the help:)

[saxman1083]

i agree with whitey....i started on a yas-23 and it lasted me a very long time. it is durable...and a very good sounding...stable beginner horn. i believe the yamahas are the safest best when it comes to beginners. MUCH better than bundy's and such!

[whiteysax]

i agree with whitey....i started on a yas-23 and it lasted me a very long time. it is durable...and a very good sounding...stable beginner horn. i believe the yamahas are the safest best when it comes to beginners. MUCH better than bundy's and such!yeah... i still play a yamaha tenor... the 52 model, however. (could probably go for an upgrade now). but steer clear of bundy. I almost suggested a Conn because you would spend very LITTLE money... but with modern day Conn's, you also pay for what you get... crap. i played a 1970s Conn up til a few years ago... piece of crap... if you go with Conn, make sure it's a model that dates earlier than 1955... of course you'll also pay a bit more then, as well...

[PilotC150]

If he ISN'T going on to marching band, that would be a reason to spend a little more, since horns regularly get beat up during marching band.

Although, just for a beginning, don't spend too much. Check the classfieds since people sell used horns quite often.

Don't spend too much money right off the bat. Once he gets into 8th-9th grade, if he decides he wants to keep playing, and he wants a new/better horn, that's when you will want to talk to him about spending the big bucks for the horn.

Don't get something to crappy, though. The quality of a horn will directly affect his learning ability. It's much easier to learn on a good sax than a bad one.

[daveywavy]

thanks for all your advice. i won a sax YAS-23 on ebay. spending $438. i guess if it dsnt work out and he quits, i can just put it back on there and if anything, get some of that $ back. :)

[saxman1083]

thanks for all your advice. i won a sax YAS-23 on ebay. spending $438. i guess if it dsnt work out and he quits, i can just put it back on there and if anything, get some of that $ back. :)

sounds like a good deal. i hope it works out great and your son gets many years of enjoyment playing!

[whiteysax]

thanks for all your advice. i won a sax YAS-23 on ebay. spending $438. i guess if it dsnt work out and he quits, i can just put it back on there and if anything, get some of that $ back. :)good choice assuming it's a new horn with no flaws :thumbsup