UPDATE FOR NEW BAND PARENTS!
If you are looking for a saxophone for your new band student, or you feel like you are being railroaded into getting one from a music store, then call me or send me an email. Contact me before you buy or rent a horn. I can sell you a better-playing saxophone and save you hundreds of dollars!
Saxophone Buying Guide For New Band Parents
Congratulations to the parents of a future saxophonist! Now, you need to get your child a saxophone. You may find this to be a very confusing and expensive process, but Collins Hornworks can help. From my experience as an expert repairman, professional player, former band student, and parent I can make this process very easy and affordable. In the end, you will be confident you are getting your child started in the best way possible.
First, I will present the choices facing you in getting a saxophone for your child. Next, we’ll go over the different places you can find a saxophone. After that, I’ll tell you which saxophones are the best choices. And last, I hope you’ll see why you should choose Collins Hornworks to get your saxophone.
The choices for you are these:
1) Do I buy or rent an instrument?
2) Should I get a new or used instrument?
3) Should I get a student model or a professional horn?
4) Which makes and models are the best?
5) What about a case and accessories?
6) Which mouthpiece should I get?
I’ll address 1, 3, and 6 and answer the others as we go.
Saxophones are manufactured with the designation of student, intermediate, or pro models based on the design of the horn and the materials that go into it. There are no clear-cut distinctions, so the prices vary tremendously, and so does the quality. Student horns range in price from $300 to $1,800 for a new saxophone. Pro horns are $1,000 to $6,000 or more. Pro saxophones have a richer, more beautiful sound and are ergonomically easier to play. Student horns can still have a good sound, and are great for marching band.
In the choice of buying or renting, there are two reasons to rent an instrument. Either you are unsure that your child will stick with the band and you don’t want to waste your money, or you want to make affordable payments on an expensive instrument. There is an interest charge with renting, which adds to the total price of the horn.
As for mouthpieces, the mouthpiece and reed are where the sound starts on the saxophone. There are several materials which are used and countless variations. There are many manufacturers and prices range from $20 to over $1,000. I’ll talk about this more in the end.
Now, where do you get a saxophone? The easiest place is at a music store. Often, one will set up a meeting at the school where you can immediately buy or rent a horn. You can also buy on-line or from a catalogue from a large national company. You can go to ebay or craigslist as well. Sometimes you can find one for sale in the newspaper or other print publication. Pawn shops and garage sales are also places to find an instrument. Finally, you may be able to get a saxophone from a family member or a friend.
Now that you know about your choices, let’s start putting it together. The reason I know so much about horns is that I’ve seen thousands of saxophones over the years. I’ve taken them apart, repaired them, and played them. I’ve worked on new horns and used horns, both professional and student models of many manufacturers. After all this work I have determined that at this point in time there are seven models of alto saxophones that stand out above the rest. These are my favorites:
· Yamaha YAS-23
· Yamaha YAS-200AD
· Yamaha YAS-21
· Vito (Japan) same as YAS-23
· Vito (Japan) Same as YAS-21
· Selmer AS300
· Bundy or Bundy II (Not current production)
The Vito horns were made by Yamaha, so they are essentially the same. The Bundy is listed because it is the best playing low-priced horn I know. There are many saxophone brands and models that I didn’t mention. Some are very bad and should be avoided altogether. Some are good-playing horns by other reputable manufacturers, but are not as desirable as the ones on my list. I’m trying to keep this simple, and my favorites are plentiful, so I did not mention any others.
These are my favorite horns, but it is not enough to have a good saxophone. It needs to be a good horn in great playing shape. The saxophone will not play well unless everything fits together well, all the pads seal properly, all the keys work smoothly together, and all the corks and felts are functional. Even new horns have flaws due to mass production that affect their playability. For example, the Selmer AS300 rarely plays well as a new horn, but plays very well after I correct the manufacturer problems. And, almost all used horns need a little or a lot of work.
With all this in mind, the best horn for your new band student is a used saxophone. One that is completely cleaned and refurbished into excellent playing condition, and that is exactly what Collins Hornworks is all about!
Here is what makes my horns special. Each Collins Hornworks saxophone is given a professional overhaul. It is not just “checked over” or “run through the shop,” before it is sold. Every horn is completely disassembled and thoroughly cleaned. Before the instrument is reassembled, all dents are removed, all tone holes are made smooth and flat, all key cups are made level, and every key shaft, post, and rod is refitted for tight, precise action. High quality pads are installed, individually fit to each key for correct size and height. The key corks and felts are replaced, and all keys adjusted to optimal heights. The saxophone neck is painstakingly fit to the body, and all soldered or epoxied joints are inspected or resealed.
All of this is not “doing too much “ to a saxophone. It’s what the manufacturer wanted to do in the first place, but due to mass production, the instrument comes up short. In a sense, I hand finish their horn to make it play well. Then, I play test it and adjust the keys. When it plays great, It’s done!
A benefit to a Collins Hornworks overhaul is that the saxophone will play great for a long time. After a lot of playing, most saxophones will eventually need some adjustments to keep it playing well. Because the horn has been set up by me, using my procedures, my pads and materials, and my glue, the adjustments are much quicker and easier (and cheaper!) So there will be fewer future problems.
Collins Hornworks can get you set up with:
· A clean, quality, great-playing saxophone.
· A clean or new, sturdy, protective case.
· A new mouthpiece, cap, ligature and neck strap.
· All necessary accessories: cork grease, end plug, polishing cloth, reed holder, and starter reeds.
I have a limited supply of these alto saxophone packages for sale. It is $950 for my preferred saxophones, and $650 for the Bundy. Because many people want a saxophone that looks almost new, I'm adding some of these to my stock, but they will cost more. If you bring me a saxophone to refurbish, I can do the same work on it for about $400, depending on the condition, and can add in the accessories if you want them. I can also talk to you about a tenor saxophone or other horns. I hope you find this information helpful, and invite you to call me if I can help you!
Other items you’ll need with your saxophone
Case
The case should be well-constructed to protect the saxophone, with functioning latches, hinges, and handle. The saxophone should fit snugly inside, without jostling when the case is closed. There should be room for accessories inside. The manufacturer’s original case is usually a good choice.
Neck Strap
The neck strap should be durable and easy to adjust. The hook should be plastic or coated metal, and designed so it doesn’t easily slip off the saxophone while playing.
Mouthpiece, ligature, and mouthpiece cap
The mouthpiece and reed are where the sound starts, and they are critical. The mouthpiece should be new because you have no idea what a used one has been through. It could have been dropped, scratched, or even abused by a pet. Sometimes people boil a mouthpiece to sanitize it, and that destroys it! If your band director recommends a specific mouthpiece, then you should go with that one. Otherwise, a manufacturer’s mouthpiece is a good, inexpensive choice. They have a good design and are consistent in performance. A poor mouthpiece can make the horn difficult to play. The mouthpiece should have a good quality ligature, which holds the reed on the mouthpiece, and a protective cap.
Reeds and reed holder
The reed is what vibrates to produce sound. Reeds come in different strengths and varieties. It’s largely through experience that you find the kind you like. It should be soft enough to allow for easy playing and hard enough to allow good control. I’d start with a #2 strength and move up after that. Reeds should be kept in a protective holder after they are taken out of the box.
Reeds are sold in boxes of 5 or 10. Since they are a natural cane product they vary in consistency, even within the same box. Also, the life of a reed is not long. Your child will need several boxes each year because when the reed wears out, it doesn’t play well anymore.
End plug
The end plug protects the top of the saxophone when it is in the case. If the saxophone receiver becomes out-of-round it can greatly affect the playability of the saxophone.
Cork grease
Cork grease should be used to allow the mouthpiece to fit on the neck without destroying the cork. It should be the waxy kind, as liquid lubricants break down the glue that holds on the cork. After the cork is “seasoned” you don’t have to grease it every time.
Cloth
A cloth to wipe off water and finger oil is a good idea. It helps keep the horn clean, protects the finish, helps keep the case fresh, and teaches your child to care for their instrument. You can also use a small paintbrush to get accumulated dust and lint from under the keys.