Question:
Need advice on new student alto sax purchase!
My fourth-grader has asked to take sax/band this year. I have found an Antigua Winds alto sax (8 years old) for $450 in very nice shape. Any comments on this? Is it a satisfactory instrument for a beginner? Is it a good value? What should I look out for? (I play piano so I'm not too savvy on this subject). Your help/suggestions are appreciated!

Answer:
Antigua , I believe, uses Yanagisawa stencils in making their saxophones. Yani makes a high quality sax and therefore, Antigua would as well. I have heard some good reviews about them and I believe you will be happy with the purchase. Any idea on what the model is?

Answer:
It might be. Do you have any family, friends, or teachers that might help you check it out? It be a bummer to buy the horn and then find out that it doesn't play because it needs a lot of money to fix problems. If you post the part of the US you live in (in your profile) there may be a teacher closer to you than you think :).
========
Fearlu, please only post a message in one folder. For further guidance on participating on this forum consider scanning here:

Answer:
Brian, it's a 520 I believe.
Gand, I have permission to take it to a woodwinds shop tomorrow before completing the deal.
Thanks for the input!

Answer:
Fearlu: Be aware that while the most recent Antigua issues (I'm talking soprano) are outstanding instruments, the older models may not be in the same league. Last year, I tried a new Antigua alto and walked away unimpressed. Oh, it was playable, but not what I was looking for. True, that was just one example and not a fair test of the whole line - some posters have praised the newest Antigua altos.
And, like Gandalfe posted, any horn may require substantial work to make it play well. That's a good thing that a woodwind shop can look at it before you buy. Let us know how it turns out. DAVE

Answer:
Dave -- Take into account that his daughter is only in the fourthgrade. She only needs something "basic" that will work. I think $450 on that instrument would be better then $450 on some Ebay garbage. Maybe he can find a YAS23 for $450.

Answer:
Hi Fearlu, I understand your delima. I started the alto in the 4th grade and the only problem I had was carrying it almost 1/2 mile back and forth to grade school, but loved it so much, I didn't care.
I have a new intermediate Solist and am well pleased with it. I've recentely taken up the sax after a long, long lay-off. You can get a brand new Student Solist AS-10 at Kessler Music (top of page ad) for $395 or an intermediate Solist AS-441 for $495. They are both copied from the Yanagisawa and would be appropriate for your daughter. I think the AS-10 Student model might be better since she is so very young and doesn't yet know how to handle a saxophone.
Her next sax, if she desides she likes playing, could be a Solist AS-422 or an Antigua 520 or and you can get an Antigua new for $895.00. At these prices I think new would be best. They come with a guarantee and are play-tested before being sent to you. Good luck with your decision!

Answer:
Brian: I TOTALLY disagree with you. Fourth-grade or senior citizen, a person starting out will do better on the best instrument one can find/afford. Something "basic" has probably stifled many a beginner. Also, nowhere in my post did I mention price.
Carole, however, was spot-on with her comments, especially about the Solist from Kessler. I don't know where I was in forgetting to mention that exellent choice. From memory, I compare the Antigua alto I played last year and the Kessler Solist I played earlier this year and there was no comparison. The Solist felt and sounded like a horn I would consider, if I were in the market for a cheap, well-playing alto. DAVE

Answer:
Dave and Carol,
Do I correctly understand that your opinion is that the Solist is far superior ("no comparison")? I was trying to buy "used" thinking that a used instrument with MSRP well over $1K would be better than an entry-level new one. More bang for the buck if you will.
I did e-mail Kessler for their opinion but no response just yet.

Answer:
fearlu, sorry I can't answer your question because I have no idea what condition the used antigua is in nor how much it would cost to have it fixed. The repairs can be high and really add to the cost of an instrument. Unless I were in the market for a vintage sax, I think I'd stay with the new ones that are good and that I can afford as my expertise is not such that I can play a used instrument and tell if the pads need redoing, if the felt needs replacing, if the keys are a tinsy bit out of line, if some keys need replaced or are leaking, etc. Remember, any instrument can be dropped and need lots of help that doesn't readily show on the outside.
I think you'll have better luck to call Dave Kessler toll free at 1-888-385-4559. Remember, they're in Las Vegas and are probably just thinking about rolling out of bed :D They don't open until 12:30 EDT
I have no connection with Kessler Music - just a satisfied customer.

Answer:
Fearlu: One reason there are few if any comparison "road-tests" among saxophone brands is that "playability" may vary, even among examples of the same model. That's one reason why many of us try to play many examples of our favored choice before selecting the one to buy. For instance, I played four Ref 54 altos before buying one from Kessler. While they were all terrific players, the one I bought was the best of the bunch in my opinion.
But, while at Kessler's, I tried his new Solist alto. Unlike some other cheapies I'd tried, the Solist was really nice. And when comparing the price, it was head and shoulders above anything else I'd tried in that price range, and better than many more expensive models (I even liked it better than a new Serie III alto he had).
It really isn't accurate to say that all Solists will outplay all Antiguas (or whatever brand you care to substitute). To defend that comment, I recently tested a bunch of Yamaha altos (all the pro-line models) and walked away without buying. Then a fellow poster on SOTW showed me his new Custom Z. It was unlike any of the other Yamahas I tried. Later, he needed to change horns and I traded for his Z. While it still isn't comparable to my Ref 54, it is a VERY nice Yamaha, fully capable of satisfying any player.
My original comment about Antiguas was merely to point out that not all Antiguas carry the reputation of their latest soprano models. Earlier Antiguas were okay, but generally speaking, I wouldn't buy one based solely on that line's soprano reputation.
Are they decent horns? Probably, but just be aware of the earlier model's lower level of playing quality when compared to their latest versions (I know, a generalization that seems to conflict with what I've already stated). If you stumble across an earlier Antigua that plays well and satisfies your needs, then go for it.
But the Antigua alto I tested had a fairly high price tag - and when I consider the Solist I tried at Kessler's for half the price - no comparison.
Others may argue that youngsters should only be provided a cheap student-level instrument to test the waters. That subject has been cussed and discussed on SOTW. Of course there are budgetary considerations as well as assessments of the child's ability to care for things, as well as the reward issues. But all things considered, if you can afford it, buy the best you can. The one thing a beginner does not need is fighting the instrument while trying to learn it.
There is nothing wrong with buying "used", as long as you can ensure the horn plays and does not need extensive repairs. Some vintage saxophones (I own several) are top-notch players. But, if you don't figure in the cost of an overhaul, you may end up spending even more than you planned. If you don't know saxophones and must rely on someone else's advice, I'd trust Dave Kessler to steer you straight, and his Solist is hard to beat for the price. DAVE

Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave Dolson But, while at Kessler's, I tried his new Solist alto. Unlike some other cheapies I'd tried, the Solist was really nice. DAVE
Hey, Dave, you just called my brand new alto a cheapie and that's a BIG NO-NO! !
Sorry, couldn't help myself.

Answer:
Saxobell: No offense meant, but those horns are cheapies, even if good!! THAT is their charm. DAVE

Answer:
Hehehe, no offense taken. That was just my poor, pittiful attempt to be funny. :lol:

Answer:
I think you can find a decent Yamaha, or even a Selmer USA for around $350. I think that the Vitos are underrated and can be found cheap(ly). What ever you get, have someone (not a band director) try it or take it to a shop so you will know how much is needed. I bought a recent Conn for $75 and put about $50 in time on it and it is the kind of horn a beginner could get several years out of. Remember that a child will beat a horn up a little at the beginnig so it is still wise to find a good name brand used horn rather than a new cheapie. I agree on the poor quality of the things from asia (china) that are floating around as they look nice but play bad and the upkeep could cost you more than the horn in the first 3 years.

Answer:
I never did find any Selmers or Yamahas for this price-point, but...
I bought the Antiqua Winds 520, after the shop said it was in fine working order. He ran a small light bulb on a cord down the instrument as he checked the pads/clearances. Good tip I learned.
Thanks for all the free advice. For $450 I got the sax and case, a music stand, cork grease, an extra Meyer mouth-piece #7 and some sheet music. My daughter starts Monday and we're set... except for $20 more for reeds I guess!
(Did you know that here in California, I had to pay $350 to the school district to have her take band? She won't get discouraged and quit will she?) :oops:

Answer:
I surely hope she won't get discouraged and quit! You've certainly done all you can do. Tell her that the kids who play in the band with her will remain her best freinds throughout her life. I've recently celebrated my 50th h.s. reunion and guess what - the band people all sat together. It was so much fun seeing them all again. Hope your daughter will have as much fun as I had during my band years.
Let us know how you like the Antigua for your daughter. Sounds like you got a great deal! Congrats!

Answer:
Originally Posted by saxobell I surely hope she won't get discouraged and quit! You've certainly done all you can do. Tell her that the kids who play in the band with her will remain her best freinds throughout her life. I've recently celebrated my 50th h.s. reunion and guess what - the band people all sat together. It was so much fun seeing them all again. Hope your daughter will have as much fun as I had during my band years.
Let us know how you like the Antigua for your daughter. Sounds like you got a great deal! Congrats!
Agreed