Question:
Selmer vs Yamaha
I am looking at purchasing an intermediate (or better) alto sax for my son who has outgrown the beginner models. I am looking at the Yamahas or Selmers. Are their any recommendations (pros and cons, models,approx price,etc) for either the Yamahas or the Selmers. (I'd like to stay under $1800) I do plan on having him tryout several before purchasing, but I want to have some background information on the models before I go into the store. (one store I called carries a Yamaha62 and Selmer Lavoix, just to name a few.)
Thanks

Answer:
Hi Alex !
I've tried both YAS62 and Lavoix ... my better bet would be the 62 ... it's a basic pro horn (used by pros like Dave Koz) and the Lavoix is an intermediate ... and a Selmer USA ... not Paris. I preferred the YAS62 for it's tone ... but tastes are personal ... Also the price is descent for this type of horn (62). But try them both ... and you will have YOUR own idea.
Do some research on the forum ... a lot of topics are talking about these horns.
Here's a post I started last year before trying the lavoix.

Answer:
The La Voix is an upgraded version of the Antigua Big Bell models.
The Yamaha is a pro horn.
Go with the Yamaha.

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The Selmer USA horns aren't even made in the USA anymore--they're manufactured in Taiwan or China (so I'm told by a person working at one of New York's most reputable shops, as he pulled one out of case; they'd ordered them for a school in the city). He said that, in the last batch they ordered, the pearls fell off the keys of one horn after a week due to shoddy construction. My guess is the Yamaha is the better bet...I had a 62 soprano years ago, and it was a fine instrument.

Answer:
At that $ level spend the money on a decent used PRO horn, not a brand new intermediate horn.
If hes serious about playing he will want a pro horn eventually anyway, and if he drops out of playing later in life, a pro horn will maintain its value better.
The hard part is finding a good range of used pro horns to play test at one time, so it will be less convenient, but better in the long term.
Dont discount other brands like Yanagisawa, Keilworth, or older (vintage) horns like the old Conns, Bueshers and the like. For $1800 my personal preference would be to look for a used Yangisawa pro horn like a 991, but personal preference will have to play a large part. In fact Dave Kessler has new Yani 901s on sale at $1800!!!...Oh and the no longer made Medusas too.
A lot depends on what style of music he wants to play too, some horns are better for classical, other jazz. I would consider the 62 a pro rather than intermediate horn., and it has a reputation as good for many styles, just as the more expensive Selmers do, but sometimes something just clicks about a horn, and thats the one to look for!
Of the two you mentions the Yamaha 62 has the better reputation, and will maintain its value better. Not all Selmers were created equal, and the Paris ones are considered the real deal, but probably out of your price range. Remember, if you buy away from a music store, then factor in a few hundred for a tech to get it in tip top shape to play. A good store should provide it in good to go condition, perhaps even with a warranty.
For $2k Ive seen a used Yamaha 875 from a reputable store.... and wwbw have NEW YAS 62ii s listed for $1961
On paper IMO the best value for a "new" horn is the german B&S made alloras /medusa/ Chicago Jass series. Beautiful horns for ~$1500. You have to be carefull though as produciton was apparantly switched to a different corner of Europe and the new new ones just are not the same I hear, but the old B&S made ones can still be tracked down.
Not really that helpfull, but there are a lot of choices out there, some very personal to the player, others depend on the style of music, other financial.
Sadly I have no money for a new sax...this thread has really got me drooling:( I hope he appreciates your generosity!

Answer:
AlexG: I agree with the other posters, especially about the inexpensive Selmers being made in Taiwan. While Yamaha makes nice products, I've never been a fan - and I've owned two of their better models (including a silver 62 soprano), plus played a bunch more.
If under $2K is your budget, may I suggest a new Unison 2000? Yes they are Taiwanese, but among the best Taiwanese saxophones I've played. Dave Kessler (a site sponsor) has them and I tested one while selecting an alto for my grandson. I was impressed, but I ended up buying a Kessler Custom alto at about half the price of the Unison.
Oh, you won't go wrong with a Yamaha of any model, I just think that for the money there may be more satisfying saxophones out there. DAVE

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You may want to try a Yanagisawa 901 which you can get from kesslers for 1,775 I believe, and is soposed to have an excellent tone.

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The 901 is very good, I prefer the sound of it to the 991, which is the pro version. Action on 991 is better, but all the Yani's have very good action anyway. For an intermediate horn it's very good.
If your son is into jazz, then the Mauriatt's are good value for money, not really a classical horn tho.

Answer:
David Blurton: What makes a good "jazz" horn vs. a good "classical" horn? This sort of thing is constantly mentioned on SOTW, mostly by newer posters. JAZZ saxophones, JAZZ mouthpieces, JAZZ reeds, etc.
In my opinion, a good-playing saxophone is suitable for any kind of music, and what kind of music the player wishes to push through it is solely determined by the player, not the saxophone.
I've heard jazz played on all makes, models, and sizes of saxophones. Those who were playing jazz made no issue out of whether they were playing Selmers, Bueschers, Kings, Mauriats, etc. Same for classical music. DAVE

Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave Dolson
In my opinion, a good-playing saxophone is suitable for any kind of music, and what kind of music the player wishes to push through it is solely determined by the player, not the saxophone.
I 100% agree.
I also believe that a used PRO horn is the best way forward, rather than settle for a La Voix, which will never be a pro horn. The Yamaha 62 is a superb pro horn. Dealers may well label it as intermediate, but it's a pro quality horn.

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The Yamaha 62 was Yamaha's top-of-the-line professional saxophone for a decade before the Custom line was introduced. The 62 is not worse nor better than the Custom saxophones. It's simply another option for the consumer, albeit a much less expensive option. :D
Personally I think the 62 is the best in Yamaha's lineup, having played the Custom horns for at least a decade.
And let me say also that the Yanagisawa 901 is a darn good horn, among the best horns on the market.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave Dolson In my opinion, a good-playing saxophone is suitable for any kind of music, and what kind of music the player wishes to push through it is solely determined by the player, not the saxophone. Hear, hear. :)

Answer:
I pretty much agree with the above comments with this caveat: while, in theory, any excellent sax can be used to perform "classical" music, IMO depending on exactly what kind of "classical" sound you are going for, some saxes will get you there quicker than some others.
In any case, I would recommend a used pro horn and the Yamaha 62 would be the best bang-for-the-buck for your son.

Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave Dolson David Blurton: What makes a good "jazz" horn vs. a good "classical" horn? This sort of thing is constantly mentioned on SOTW, mostly by newer posters. JAZZ saxophones, JAZZ mouthpieces, JAZZ reeds, etc.
In my opinion, a good-playing saxophone is suitable for any kind of music, and what kind of music the player wishes to push through it is solely determined by the player, not the saxophone.
I've heard jazz played on all makes, models, and sizes of saxophones. Those who were playing jazz made no issue out of whether they were playing Selmers, Bueschers, Kings, Mauriats, etc. Same for classical music. DAVE
Agreed, but remember...he's buying for his son. If his son buys a La Voix, I guarantee that his college professor wil want him to upgrade. With the Yamaha, probably not.

Answer:
Being a Yamaha fan, I'll echo most of the comments here about them. IMO, you simply can't go wrong with a Yamaha. I would highly recommend a used horn over a new one though. I've had nothing but success with good quality used horns, and they usually sell for hundreds less than new. For example, a new 62II sells for just under $2K, whereas you can find a used one in excellent condition for $1,200-1,400. In your price range, you can find a used 82Z or 875 in excellent condition, for $800-900 lower than the new models. I recently bought a 2 year old YAS-875 Custom for $1,825 in virtually new condition. The new 875EX sells for almost $2,700, and some people will say that the older 875 is a better horn in some ways.

In any case, regardless of manufacturer, a good quality used pro horn is the way to go; it will be a vast improvement over the student or intermediate horns in tone, quality, ergonomics, and resale value.

Good luck,

Frank

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Its all very well to preach that any good horn can be used for any style of music, but if you show up at a classical conservertory with say, a Zephyr or a Super 20, you are going to get a few funny looks, and perhaps some teachers are going to suggest you find a Selmer to play.
On the other hand if you show up at a blues gig with said monster horn, no one will bat an eye at it. Some good pro horns are only good for certain types of pro. The type of music should definitely be a consideration IMO. It may very well not be a real difference, but its there in some peoples minds, so why not avoid that whole problem by making an informed choice now.

Answer:
Canadian: I would NEVER make a horn-decision based on what others may think of the instrument, but that's just me.
A comment about Yamahas "right out of the box." I was at a marching band competition the other night and a local retailer had a display booth. Among the saxophones being displayed was a new Yamaha YSS-675S. I looked at it and noticed that the forked Bb was not working correctly (L1/R1-R2). The bisBb pad was not closing.
Plus, the R2 touch was missing a pearl. I commented to the guy in the booth and he said yeah, the horn just came out of the carton and they hadn't had a chance to check it out. The pearl had fallen off in the shop. I guess that can happen to any saxophone but it points out the necessity of a dealer making corrections before sending out a saxophone, even the vaunted yamahas. DAVE

Answer:
Originally Posted by Dave Dolson Canadian: I would NEVER make a horn-decision based on what others may think of the instrument, but that's just me.
LOL, as a large part of this whole forum is people asking / giving opinions on what they think of different instruments:) there must be some irony then that people may be influenced in what to buy based on your opinion here:)
I agree though, I would rather play and decide what I wanted if possible, but if you are at a point of heading to college, then what prospective teachers are going to make of your choice, or at least its suitability for use in that sort of teaching program would be a sensible consideration to throw into the mix.
Makes sense to at least try and narrow your choices down a bit at first though, unless you have access to a wide selection of horns to try. If I want to try horns, I have a couple of hours drive to reach a serious selection, and some planing would be required to try all the likely candidates as no one store in Toronto carries them all, so other peoples opinions can at least help to thin the herd.