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Position:Home>Performing Arts> LA, Yamaha, Selmer, or Cannonball Tenor Sax?Question: LA, Yamaha, Selmer, or Cannonball Tenor Sax!? I was wondering if anyone out there has been playing on these instruments!. I'm a college saxophonist/bassoonist, but I've never purchased a tenor since I always borrowed it from the school!. However, since coming to college, the tenor here is really bad, and I want to possibly buy one!. So!.!.!. I would really appreciate it if everyone could tell me which of these plays the best and why!. Thanks!Www@QuestionHome@Com
Best Answer - Chosen by Asker: Haha!.!.!. it must be in the fine print somewhere that any tenor owned by a college has to be utterly craptastic!. ANYWAYS, I haven't played on an LA, but here's the scoop on the others: Everybody raves about Yamaha!.!.!. their student models are about what you'd expect from a beginner instrument, but I have to say that their pro models are really competitive!. Their key action is usually pretty smooth, and the tone is above average!.!.!. and in the last decade or so they have become a major competitor with Selmer!. The problem is that their price has also followed Selmer's lead (which is not a good thing)! Selmer has always been known as a great pro line, and their student models are really popular too! Personally, I love Selmer horns!.!.!. I am also a clarinet player, and generally, the adjustments made to Selmer saxes are the same type of adjustments I have to make on my clarinet (both "D" and "A" are excessively sharp, for example)!. I have heard very few complaints about Selmers over the years (although lately I have heard a few about inferior lacquering jobs that peel within a year)!.!.!. however, I generally trust the quality of their older horns!. It is also no secret that Selmer hit their peek with the Mark VI (in the 50's through the 70's), and enjoyed a smaller success with their Super Action 80 Series (in the 80's)!.!.!. these are GREAT horns! Definitely give them a try if you can find one- I think they are far superior to their new lines!. Their prices are a little high for my taste though, so that's the other reason I would recommend finding an older model instrument- great quality at half the price!. Now, there are a couple brands you didn't mention that are decent too: Yanagisawa and Kielwerth!. Yanagisawa is a pretty upscale brand, and they have made a few innovations as far as key play, rollers, etc!.!.!. they have a GREAT playability, but personally I don't care much for their tone!.!.!. almost too bright for me!. Kielwerth is a great quality brand and generally has a very lush tone!.!.!. the problem I find with them is that playing one feels "heavy"!. I don't really know how else to explain it!. The key action isn't bad, not at all- but to me, it feels heavy or thick!. As far as Cannonball!.!.!. oh man- sexiest instrument on the planet! :) My best friend in college bought one of the Big Bell Series- and it is amazing! Smooth key action, great tone!.!.!. everything that Selmer offered!.!.!. but about HALF the price!. Yes, these saxes are high end, but they don't price like it!. I myself have fallen head over heels for the Raven (the black nickel bari) and that will surely be my next purchase- it costs $5600, as compared to my previous favorite Selmer that costs almost $10K for a comparable model!. BUT- each person has their own idea about what sound they are going for, preferences on key action, etc!.!.!. I would suggest that you go ahead and spend a day with your mouthpiece in a music store and just play around with their different horns!. See what you like, what you don't!. also, take your tuner and play full range scales to make sure you're not getting something you can't live with!. also, take a tape recorder so you can listen a couple days later!.!.!. make sure one of them is capable of giving you the sound you're looking for!. (also, not all stores carry Cannonball!.!.!. go to their website and they'll email you a list of authorized dealers- http://www!.cannonballmusic!.com )!. Good luck, and have fun trying some new horns! :)Www@QuestionHome@Com The yamaha and selmer stuff is more affordable, but the LA, cannonball, and yanagasawa are premium quality!. If you have the money, go play through all of them and see which you prefer!. edit; lady prism said it best, pretty concise and informative!. i bow to her superior wisdom, take her advice!Www@QuestionHome@Com If you were just starting out on Sax I would say Yamaha!. If you don't mind paying more money, get Cannonball because it's really good!. But the best one for the price would have to be Selmer!.Www@QuestionHome@Com yamaha is what i use selmer is ok also, i use selmer for my oboe by the way!.!.rock on double reed players!Www@QuestionHome@Com yahammmaaahhaaa isss tthhhee besstttt Www@QuestionHome@Com |