Saxophones
Buying a saxophone  is a major investment, one that will require constant decision making over small details. Deciding between the different types of saxophones is a daunting enough task, but you'll also have to consider whether you'll buy new or used, knowing when a saxophone is in good/bad condition, and where and where not to buy your instrument.
Different types of saxophones
| Bb Soprano |
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- Straight - designed similarly to a clarinet.
- Curved - curved like an Eb Alto, but thinner body.
- Produces a mellower sound than the straight variety.
- Generally not recommended for the beginner.
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| Eb Alto |
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- One of the most popular models, especially among younger students.
- Because it's smaller than the tenor and bari, Alto saxes tend to be cheaper.
- Commonly used in jazz and symphonic bands.
- Unique in design with a straight neck, which is slightly bent upwards.
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| Bb Tenor |
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- Similar uses as the alto. Commonly found in jazz and symphonic bands.
- Neck is slightly lower than the alto, and almost creates a right angle.
- Has a beautiful, rich sound.
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| Eb Baritone |
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- Considered the tuba of saxophones, even though it's not the lowest one made.
- Neck makes a loop shape, and uses include jazz and symphonic bands.
- Large size limits some students from playing it.
- It is often very flat in the high register and sharp in the lower.
- One of the more expensive saxophones.
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Brands to consider
Here are a few popular brands that you should consider when shopping for a sax.
Buying tips
You, as a shopper, have more options than you might have thought. Here are ways to approach all of your options and find the best horn for your buck.
Some of the best deals on used saxophones can be found in classified ad listings. However, you won't be the only one who knows this, so it's a good idea to get in contact with the seller(s) before falling in love with a saxophone and/or taking time out of your day to check it out, only to find that it's been sold or that it's not in the condition in which it was described. Also, there will be sellers who have very little experience with the instrument in question, or with saxophones in general, so it's up to you to get the information out of him/her. Saxophone.org gives you a sample of how to handle a phone conversation with a seller who knows very little about their instrument.
Aside from the occasional pushiness of sales people, music stores can be the friendliest places to shop for a saxophone. They also serve as one of the only ways you can get your hands on a sax and play it before you commit to buying it, even if it's not at the store. These can be dangerous for uninformed buyers, though, as the inner sales person in the friend that you think you've made will naturally try to take advantage of you. Bringing along an expert or your teacher when you shop will prevent you from making a poor choice, as well as paying too much.
The internet presents shoppers with a well organized, streamlined way of seeing hundreds of saxophones without leaving home. Specialty stores are geared at giving you a reliable source to buy a quality instrument, but these stores tend to be a bit pricey. There are other ways of buying a horn online. However, these tend to be a little tougher to gauge. Being that you can't get your hands on the actual item on hand until you've paid for it and it finally shows up on your doorstep, it's easy to be taken advantage of online. Independent online sellers and auction houses can be the hardest places to buy a sax, but if you've convinced yourself that these are the ways to go, don't be afraid to ask questions. It's your money, and it's up to you to decide how you want to spend it, so make the seller tell you everything about the instrument that you want to know. When it comes to this kind of sale, no amount of questions is too large. The bottom line? Be careful!
New or used - The never ending debate
New
There will never be a clear cut answer as to whether to buy your saxophone new or used. Obviously, there are benefits and downfalls to both sides. Buying a new sax guarantees that it's ready to play and has no previous wear and tear. All the pads will be brand new, and overall, a new sax can be played right out of the case. However, with mass production, faulty saxes are more likely to leave the factories than ever, meaning that you should still be careful when shopping.
Used
Older used saxes are usually laden with lots of engraving and other frills that cannot be found on new saxes. They are also more likely to be plated (instead of lacquered) and have much stiffer brass. Used saxes are also easier to find, whether it's through eBay or other independent sellers.
A certain mystique surrounds used saxes. Your lacquer may have worn off years ago through constant performances in a swing band in the 40s. Or your sax may have a dent or two from knocking into a stand at the Birdland. More often than not, the history behind saxes is lost, but it doesn't mean that they aren't fascinating specimins, of whose history we can daydream about for the rest of our lives.
Buying a used sax presents a few problems, though. For one, dealers (especially those on eBay or other online auction sites) may keep information from potential buyers about defects that keep the sax from playing. Unfortunately, there are also dealers who sell stolen saxes. You can usually tell when a sax is stolen when the serial number has been filed off, the case has the name of a school spray painted onto it.
Here are a few more warning signs (from saxophones.org): - Unrealistically low price for condition and model (especially Selmer!!).
- Strange behavior by the selling party.
- Someone who is not a sax player selling a pro horn that looks recently played.
- Someone who knows nothing about saxophones or the sax they have.
- Someone who will only show the sax outside their home or business.
- Someone who is too anxious to sell the horn.
If you come across a Selmer Mark VI tenor (typically $5000 for used) for $50, please resist the urge. You'll only get yourself into trouble.
Accessories
Here are a few other things you'll need.
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