Comparing Alto Saxophones: Yamaha, Selmer, and China made

Comparing 7 ALTO SAXOPHONES in this video. China made: Jschmidt, Global, ADI, Premiere
USA: Selmer student Sax, and 2 Professional saxophones: Yamaha 82z (JAPAN) , and Selmer Mark VI (FRANCE).
As requested in my previous video review of the "GLOBAL" alto saxophone, here is a video comparison of 4 Known alto saxophone brands that are popular here in the Philippines (JSCHMIDT, GLOBAL, ADI, and PREMIERE) together with the SELMER BUNDY II, YAMAHA 82Z, and SELMER MARK VI alto saxophones.
This video is made to help those who are curious to know or listen to the sound of these saxophones side by side. I have added a little reverb (some simply say echo) to the sound, but used exactly the same mixing for all saxophones.
A short discussion and my opinions on my experience with these horns is available after I played them on the video.
Please click like and support me as I try to contribute in sharing my love for this instrument. God bless you all!

[@davidcostema9690]

great video, and nice playing, I would like to ad my thoughts to the great advise you give in this video. i am a brass and woodwind repair tech from the UK living in the Philippines. All the saxes sound ok, But we have to bear the following in mind when talking about lesser known China brands, , they are not made with quality materials and from experience i have seen many problems in my workshop caused by this alone. Keys bending due to soft metals, lacquer loss within the first year, rusting of key rods within a few months only. and distorted tone holes because the material is soft. Pads coming loose to poor build quality. Consistency of build just not there with the cheaper models. then the last thing it warranty and spare parts, many cheaper models spare parts not available at all, Warranty normally you return at your expense, if there is a warranty. But by no way am a saying China made are not good, there are some amazing instruments out there. I would suggest look for reviews on the brand before buying.

[@BenoitRicardspielben]

Hey David, thanks a lot for your additional thoughts on this comparaison. I am about to advise a school in Thailand and as they wish to buy cheap sax for their students, your observation is priceless.... cheers

[@edwardfields8029]

So glad you made this video. It shows you can get started with a less expensive horn. I liked the J Schmidt the best. Very informative 5 stars

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Tnx sir!

[@ank0559]

ive been watching you since the start, and you improve every video! great job and hello from the Philippines

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Much love and respect bro

[@albertviger8518]

Thanks for the demonstration.

[@cjsingh7396]

Amazing kyah mart! 🤙🤙🎷🎷

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Thanks CJ!! tudloe. Nya ko ninyo mga new techniques ba. Hehe

[@ChaplainAcosta]

Thanks for the unbiased comparison. In the USA, if it's Chinese, the pros scoff at it automatically.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

I Appreciate it sir. Thanks

[@sabnavis51]

Martin, your video is excellent. In fact I keep listening to your videos . They are quite informative. I understand that D Addario has adopted the RICO company. I also understood that there are so many domestic industries in China that are making Saxophones. You name any they will emboss that & will sell you. But for a student or learner these are good because they are cheap ,& also no fear of getting damaged by falling during marching bands & learning practice. But the choice depends on the taste & capability of the player himself. A bad player will always prefer the branded one where as players like Ted Nash of Lincoln Hollywood orchestra can create wonders through sny sax they take up. But what I personally feel the mouth piece that makes all the difference. Also in addition to it the combination of the mouth piece & reed also makes change in the quality of sound whether dark or bright. It's a myth that higher the reed better the tone. Finally it's the comfort level of the player which does all the magic. Hope you like my view.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Clap3x! Yes. Everything you mentioned is true. In fact the mouthpiece set up is really important that it dramatically has an effect on the sound. Again, reference.of the player. Also, the ligature affects the behavior of the reed on the mouthpiece. A mentor (Mario "tots" Tolentino - pls check his videos) told me once, "it is the Indian, that shoots the arrow, not the other way around."

[@sabnavis51]

@@MartinUtzurrum my friend. Ha ha ha . Am an Indian . I dint shoot arrow . I mentioned my view only. Ha ha ha . By the way where are you located. I am now in Las Vegas US at my son's place . I visit almost every year & stay here for six months. Your way of playing the sax & explaining every aspect is so CLEAR & so nice. It clearly shows your a Practical person with a very beautiful artistic heart. We are now good friends Martin. By the way you can call me as Sabnavis.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

@@sabnavis51 hahaha.. well, i know i understand tge metaphor. I'm in the Philippines my friend

[@nef003]

You play very well. I have own many wind and brass instruments; I sell used instruments at cost. I have a few Selmer Bundy 2 and Yamahas and many other brands. I sell for 200-300$ trumpets starting at 125$ for name brand trumpets :)

[@MartinUtzurrum]

thanks! maybe people will buy!

[@saxoTuấnĐặng]

Bạn có saxophone atto ko

[@davepierremusic3974]

Excellent review as always and really love your channel. I was wondering what you thought about the pmauriat horns especially the system 76 dark lacquer alto?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

thanks sir. P. mauriat horns are excellent! I've tried a few - system 76, 67R ul, and le bravo. quite accurate saxes! honestly, i prefer the 67R UL. the 76 had a darker sound for me, but it is a pro horn that is soo versatile! can play bright too! comfortable ergonomics and that sound is amazing. P. mauriats seem quite heavy, maybe because they feel loke they have thicker material. These are taiwan made instruments and have high resell value if you wanna sell them later. le bravo was alright too! bit 67 and 76 were more comfortable with enough resistance. try them first to know if they are for you or not. but nothing goes wrong with p. mauriat. It boils down to reference.

[@davepierremusic3974]

@@MartinUtzurrum thanks soo much your response. Really helpful.

[@primitivesax]

This really good explaination. Simple n useful, especialy I wanna learn n buy a saxophone with a low budget for fun.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Thanks friend!

[@primitivesax]

@@MartinUtzurrum you very welcome n nice to meet u here new buddy 😊👍

[@inspecttagroup3441]

Are Global and ADI discontinued. No where we find these brands.

[@romiedelacosta4288]

Adi Ang gusto ko mgnda ung low at high

[@rohannvidia8683]

Great comparison man.... Can you tell me which song is it??

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Let it be by beatles

[@carmieclavecillas7012]

Nice one

[@shanxigaming3157]

Bro what mouthpiece you used in jschmidt sax?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Beechler bellite bro

[@demetricelyles5317]

ADI was very good; what’s the price of that sax?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Its about 450 usd sir

[@frankgreen8137]

I like the premier

[@segundoreynoso4428]

Beautifull sound that my prefers Beatles song you do very good interpretation

[@MartinUtzurrum]

thanks

[@gil2864]

j smidth in lower register sounded the best to me

[@demetricelyles5317]

The AGt has the fullest sound and better intonation in the upper register!

[@rodrigomartingomez8857]

esta buenisima la comparacion, pero deberias probas los saxos sin ningun microfono ni musica, para poder apreciar bien su timbre. muchas gracias!

[@MartinUtzurrum]

grasias! I will try without sounds maybe next time.

[@mitziacordon365]

Ano po code nung global alto saxophone?

[@vidokdjjfj]

good review, budget player need cheap sax

[@shanxigaming3157]

My jschmidt alto sax is not compatible with the yamaha mouthpiece I bought 😥

[@eciousvlogs4837]

Global, premier or muslady po? Ano po kayang maganda sa tatlo?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Premiere

[@ricardojose5730]

Hello idol do you have an alto sax with similar sound and pitch of Careless whisper song?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

hi sir! I would say a sax with a bright modern sound would do! This means the mouthpiece would play a big role for the sound that you want as well as your embouchure. Go for a mouthpiece with a higher baffle and you'll be fine for this sound! :) Also, blow hard for this sound quality. Cheers!

[@ricardojose5730]

Thanx idol,if you have or recommend cheap alto sax that I'm looking for just let me know.I'm playing high pitch voice like Whitney Houston,Celine Dion,Air supply etc.

[@ricardojose5730]

@@MartinUtzurrum Hello Idol may I ask your comment because I trust in you?On you tube does it the sound of Smiger alto sax?Thank you

[@pauldance7387]

Where did you get all the saxophones ?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

hi! Friends were kind enough to lend me the ADI, Premiere, and Global. The rest are Personal! Cheers!

[@jeanlylabrador-doctor9341]

can I ask for the prices of each brand :) thank you

[@MartinUtzurrum]

hi. in usd. China Made saxes range from $ 300 - $ 400 depending on store dealership. Yamaha 82Zii around $4,000 Selmer Mark VI range $4,000 - 7000

[@Jarrettfan]

very nice! can you review jean paul alto 400 too?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

if I can find one sir i will.. :)

[@soupstar_humpz]

I happen to be in the same city as you are, and im looking for a beginner alto sax, hopefully you could help me find some 2nd hand?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Hmm... Yes i will definitely help you with this. Just pm me on messenger. Maybe some friends can also help you.

[@soupstar_humpz]

@@MartinUtzurrum i dont know your messenger

[@soupstar_humpz]

Please pm me. My messenger is same as my name here.

[@jamesstv5699]

I have question po about what is the best. I am considering the quality as well as the price. From these three Selmer Bundy II or China made sax (Global and Premier)??? I don't have any experience on saxophone I am looking for the best beginner saxophone. Thank you, your new subscriber 😊

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Thanks for Subscribing bro. I would suggest premiere. Or the older version of global which looks like a Selmer series II.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

The bundy II is an awesome beginner sax and really sturdy, but its key placement or ergonomics feels awkward to me. Also invest on a good mouthpiece

[@drpresentacion]

Global or premier? I can't decide what to buy. It is my first sax. Salamat po.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

very similar. kaso premiere is more expensive. Get the Global then save money for a Pro Yamaha, Selmer, Yanagisawa, weissenberg, etc. after a few years

[@drpresentacion]

Last time i check almost the same na sila ng price. So what do u think po? :)

[@MartinUtzurrum]

@@drpresentacion I love the consistency of global po. I use Premiere on tenor but it is hard to play low notes on it unlike the Global Tenor.

[@marsontorrejos1132]

Hello, your video is very informative po! Learned a lot. Question lang po and advice nalang din po. I’ve been wanting to buy this selmer bundy 1 but I don’t know if ano po yung difference from the selmer bundy 2. Is it okay po for beginner like me. The price po is 15.5k pesos. Is it reasonable po? Thanks Sana po masagot.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Hi. They say the bundy is one of the best beginner sax at par with yas 23. And i agree. Bundy 1 has a more old design. Even the protecting rails are old style, but sound wise, both are good. Dapat lang walang leaks yung sax. Meaning, test before buying. It may be a USA sax, but if it has bad pads and alingnment, nevermind. Consider if may repairman na malapit at available sa inyo. You mostlikely will need him. Bundy's are old saxes. Some sell for 12-25k. Depending on condition. Like i said dapat test first. Baka may deperensya. Even if the seller says its in good condition. Check otherwise. At that price you might consider getting a global or premiere sax new. No leaks pa. Anyway, you'll grow over that bundy. Ergonomics and key placements are a far from a pro sax with bundy too.

[@marsontorrejos1132]

@@MartinUtzurrum thank you so much sir for answering my question. I’ll definitely consider the premier and global brand. God bless po.

[@aironvalenzuela6693]

Where to buy po yung jschmidt saxophone here in metro manila? Beginner here😊

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Most of the time sa JB music. Or Minsan sa Quiapo music area (but not consistent)

[@racestacsuan9232]

Where can I buy alto sax in Philippines sir? Adi or jschmid And how much the price range? Thank you in advance po.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

I think ADI can be bought in local music stores in Manila, same as JSCMIDT. around 15k to 18k. Test before buying. Some have misaligned keys.

[@thomaskipfer1008]

The sax which lasts, holds up, don't break keys, that is the one people must consider. Asian Saxophones with soft metal- sound okay but won't last over time. The musician enjoyed playing the last two Saxophones best. Tone improved!

[@MartinUtzurrum]

True sir

[@bienvensr]

Sir ano po recommend niyo for a beginner?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Jschmidt, global, fernando, Premiere, adi.. eto po sila maganda for beginners.. :)

[@bienvensr]

@@MartinUtzurrum Pero sir im looking to buy at amazon for Lude,Mendini by Cecilio. Do you think its best parin sa music store or kahit sa amazon nalang?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

cguro ok naman sila kaso its best to test before buying. Are you working abroad? why amazon?

[@bienvensr]

@@MartinUtzurrum nirecommend po kasi ako sa bestseller this year para po sure na high quality yung tunog

[@MartinUtzurrum]

@@bienvensr if high quality talaga hanap, try yamaha, selmer, weissenberg, Antigua, p.mauriat, conn, King, Beuscher. Otherwise, saxes made in china are really similar. Taiwan saxes are also good!

[@montesax5172]

what microphone do you have? where can i purchase this

[@MartinUtzurrum]

This is the rhode nt1. Got mine from Amazon.

[@thickschmeat7560]

sir would the global brand be a good brand for a alto sax beginner/student like me? where could I buy one ear metro manila?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

yes. excellent sax to start with

[@senru]

May for sale ka pa rin ba na sax?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Meron po. Kaso sold na yung last Last week. Waiting for new stocks.

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Pm me lang sa messenger. SmoothSaxDGT

[@yaoren05]

Can u try the Jean Paul as400 altho saxophone?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Is love to, but I can't find my hands on one.

[@yaoren05]

Then mendini 😕

[@MartinUtzurrum]

If mendini and Jean Paul sends me one, I will make a review of it bro. Hehe

[@apollopublico9755]

may for sale ka po ba sir na alto sax?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Meron po. Pm sa fb

[@apollopublico9755]

@@MartinUtzurrum okay po Apollo Publico po

[@jazzsax1062]

Sir pm kita sa fb

[@apollopublico9755]

@@jazzsax1062 go po

[@apollopublico9755]

@@jazzsax1062 sir? Apollo Publico po pala name ko sa fb

[@Passion613]

This guy sounds the same on every horn because he is years from developing a decent tone and understanding the horns resonation capability which only someone that has focused on tone development would understand. From this video, I cannot distinguish what horn is the best horn due to sound alone. Of course, the mark 6 would be one of the best horns on reputation alone, but there is no way one can determine sound quality from this video. I am in search of a true, professional, quality Chinese horn. I've yet to find one. I guess I'll stick to name brand.

[@emannregondola2836]

Jschmidt= Pantay mga tunog. Global= Maganda lang pag lower notes. ADI=tuyot tunog Premiere=maganda tunog kaso. Bundy=ok sya branded tunog. CostumZ= wow Selmer= Edi wow. Pero sakin kung budget saxophone sa Jschmidt ako pag highnotes hindi tunog bakal gaya ng Global at ADI. Prmiere ok rin. Ung Yamaha at Selmer sakit sa bulsa haha!! 😅😅😅

[@MartinUtzurrum]

Thank you Salamat Muchos bro Emann! Lahat masarap basta maka play lang! hehe

[@emannregondola2836]

Sir. Tanong ko lng kung anong serial ng schmidt?

[@MartinUtzurrum]

544 ata sir. or 522.. anyway its a yamaha stencil. Pangit ang tunog when I bought it from JB music Cebu but eventually maganda na.

[@emannregondola2836]

Sir. Sana mgreview p kau ng ibang brand! Malaki na tutulong nio sir. Atlis nalalaman nmin kung anong klaseng sound quality ang isang brand. Lalo na katulad ko nag iisip kung ano bbilhin ko na budget alto sax.