Jean Paul Alto Sax Review Part. 1

This is a review of the Jean-Paul AS-400 alto saxophone. I've heard many good things about this sax so I bought one off of Amazon. Let's see what all the hype is about.
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[@andyan4698]

This channel is a hidden gem! What a honesty and detailed review! Thank you sir!

[@ManuelGonzalez-nc7mg]

In any mass equipment production there will always be a defective one. As I live near this company in Florida, after watching this video I went to visit it. There, I had the opportunity to meet the owner and he allowed me to try several saxophones. They all showed the same quality as the one Jay Mettcalf reviewed. The owner is a gentleman and he assured me that for 1 year the saxophone is guaranteed in parts and service. He told me to call him directly if I had problems since the saxophone I bought is to give it to a girl in Nigeria and that they would take care of the repair. I think you should communicate with them. They will give you a good deal. Regards

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for the tip.

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

I purchased an alto last week and received the horn two days ago. I am totally satisfied with the response and the craftmanship of this horn. I bought mine on Ebay and it was a factory refurbished horn. This horn looks brand new and there are no apparent blemishes. The case and accessories are brand new, the horn looks brand new and it plays great. I am not a pro by any means. As a retired band director, I needed a horn to use for demo purposes as I teach private lessons in the schools. This is the way to go without breaking the bank. $400 for a sax like this is a great deal for such a solid horn. I would totally recommend this horn for beginners and intermediate players as well.

[@maxtheSax8]

love your videos, straight talk and no BS....

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@pebblebeach8517]

Louis Balfour yes I second that ...smart man no bull sh*t

[@8upJoker]

This send to be one of the most honest reviews and unlike the others that had them sent directly to them from the company, you actually bought yours. Send to be a better review. I really like how it sounds, i like the low part of it. I have a Yamaha yas-23 coming in next week and I'm afraid it will sound to high.

[@mitchellwright8109]

My Jean Paul is excellent. And has been a great beginner instrument

[@overthetarget9401]

Good call on sending it back, a big online music store in Germany has their own line of Chinese saxophones, among them they have the exact same model that Jean Paul sell (it's basically a Chinese copy of a Yamaha 82z spec-wise). Last year around Christmas they had it on sale for a short period of time for 222 Euros, for that price I ordered it because I wanted to see what you can get for that amount of money. Like yours the sax sounded fine but had a lot of small leaks due to misaligned keys and pads, no major leaks but many smaller leaks that shouldn't be there in a new instrument. Since I service my own instruments I fixed all those small leaks and the horn played fairly well in tune except for the middle and high C# that were wildly out of tune. To be honest I was a little bit shocked because they normally sell these for around 400 Euros and claim, much like Jean Paul, that they inspect every instrument but clearly that wasn't true for the horn I received, I sent it back also.

[@Sirvalorsax]

That was a big reason that I want nothing to do with this thing. There is no way someone play tested this and if they did, there is no point in play testing this if this is how they leave the factory

[@overthetarget9401]

@@Sirvalorsax I compared this model and three other Chinese saxophones ranging from around 200 Euros to 450 Euros last year and they all had issues, some pretty major ones like lots of leaks, problems with the key-work, necks that didn't fit properly, all kinds of issues. If you are lucky you can get a decent one I guess but you better be able to double as your own sax tech because otherwise you will spend way too much on something that will never play and sound as good as a properly made sax. There are great Chinese saxophones out there but you'll pay quite a bit more for these. It all comes down to better manufacturing, better materials and quality control, all of these things don't come with bargain bin price-tags.

[@lukasalihein]

@@overthetarget9401 Isn't that true of almost all saxophones though, excepting perhaps Yamaha and Yanagisawa? Selmers are notoriously out of adjustment from the factory, for example. So IMO an imperfect adjustment is a standard part of buying brand new horns from anywhere other than shops with in-house repair techs (and even then...)

[@overthetarget9401]

@@lukasalihein Don't know about Selmers out of the factory, that kind of Sax you usually buy in a shop and they come set-up the way you like them by the in-house sax tech. Nobody I know buys a Selmer from some online seller that doesn't care about the setup of such an expensive instrument. The problem is not just the setup but the materials used, manufacturing techniques and the care that is given to all the details and finishing. It's a crapshoot what kind of mistery metal your super-cheap Chinese saxophone is made out of for example. Imagine how much work can go into a saxophone that can be sold by the shop I mentioned before for now about 300 bucks and they still make a profit. Labor in China is cheaper but it is not that cheap that these inexpensive saxophones can be comparable in materials or quality of manufacturing and labor to anything the established brands put out. Of course these "big" brands have an enourmous overhead, high wages, regulations that need to be met etc. so they produce merchandise that is on the other end of the spectrum price-wise. Still in terms of quality there is no comparison, also there is a waranty and compliance with health and safety standards etc., the cheap knock-offs don't really bother with all of that so much. Just as an example, I bought a Jupiter JAS-700 for a student about two years ago from a local shop, for less than 1000 Euros that's a saxophone that's on another level in terms of quality in every respect, there were and are no leaks, everything is tight and works perfectly, a great from-fitting case that comes with it, adjustable lower and upper stack screws, adjustable upper octave pip mechanism, adjustable palm keys, even sound from the lowest to the highest register, high-quality Pisoni pads, should I go on? Sirvalor is a pro player, no use to waste time with these "some play ok for a while" knock-off saxes (all of them are copies of the big brand models and they use their intellectual property without consent and compensation), he needs to get a quality instrument that will play great and consistently and can hold up to the "abuse" a working musician like himself will give it over time.

[@guillermobriggiler8388]

@@overthetarget9401 A question, what are the recommended Chinese saxophones, could you recommend some brands? Thank you.

[@gilbertoperezrodriguezgarc9988]

Excellent review! 5 stars!!!

[@Sirvalorsax]

😊 Thanks

[@ldever3]

What? No white gloves?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Lol

[@scottwood5098]

white gloves dont come for man hands .the ones that came with mine looked like they would fit an 8 year old

[@ldever3]

scott wood it’s a running joke. They put white gloves in the cheaper Chinese saxophones. Or maybe they put cheap saxophones in with orders of white gloves.

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@ldever3 it is actually supposed to come with white gloves according to the list on Amazon. It didn't come with the keys corked either.

[@ldever3]

Sirvalorsax Well, if they forget the white gloves, you must send it back. The keys have no cork? So when you press the high D palm key, as one example, you get metal on metal? I hope I am misunderstanding you on that.

[@vladimirlopez7840]

I have had one for a year now and mine is great. Jean Paul is based in Miami and they do stand behind the product. In fact I have their tenor as well.

[@alanprill5470]

Awesome review. Thanks for your organized honesty!

[@Cysubtor_8vb]

First negative review I've seen for it, though, with it being a mass produced instrument at a lower price point, I wouldn't be surprised there may be some lemons. I don't play sax yet and is actually a low brass player, so I've been debating if I want to go with the more affordable Jean Paul and not have a long term financial commitment if it doesn't work out or get an established brand name sax on a payment plan. As an absolute beginner on a reed instrument, I'm still leaning towards the Jean Paul, however, then upgrading later on. Plus, if I do pick up sax, I'd love to add a bari to sit right between my Bb trombone and BBb tuba, lol

[@Sirvalorsax]

The biggest problem with saxes at this price is that anything that needs to be done can easily cost the price of this sax or some significant percentage of its price. For example; the mouthpiece and/ or a repad.

[@DannyB-cs9vx]

Another option is buy a used sax on ebay that is listed as playable, and when you get it, if it doesn't work, sent it back at no cost to you. I just got a Buescher True Tone alto from the 1920's for under $300, and it is perfect. I see lots of newer saxes like Yamahas there as well.

[@Rambam613]

@@Sirvalorsax Thats not true, 1. Only if the repair store is a rip off, and have you seen other reviews? They have an awesome warranty.

[@OvertMysteryChannel]

@@Rambam613 Correct they will fix anything. There is no additional cost if there is an issue like the ones in this video.

[@deejay7339]

All the reviewers ive seen all have affiliate links..

[@FunkOsax]

You are doing the right thing in sending it back. Jay must have got lucky with his (and he used to be a sax tech anyway). You're a phenomenal player, so I hope you get the right gig

[@michaelrowe1907]

Thanks for telling and showing the truth. I trusted the other reviewer's and don't believe you got the only defective sax. Thank you

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yeh, me neither especially since I was sent another one by Amazon that had issues also

[@PhinAI]

Alto...; yay!!! That's what I've started with because a friend gave me a quite functional antique alto Martin Elkhart (low pitch), and I've been looking all over the web for someone who presents information on the alto and it's equipment like you do for the tenor. I haven't found anybody like you. Please keep sharing. I'm watching, and I appreciate your honesty, proficiency, thoroughness, and verbal articulation. I've become a fan, and look forward to your book(s)!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks. I'll keep it coming

[@MrChazzpratt]

I bought a Jean-Paul USA AS-400SP back in 2018 as an Alto I could travel with and practice with while on the road. I've been pleased with this Sax for a couple of reasons: I bought it directly from their US-based office, they offered any available discounts, and I was able to talk to Josh who is their VP. He was able to answer any questions, QAd the Sax before it left and made himself available every step of the way - to include tracking the shipment via email alerts and follow up emails.I use an AM Mouthpieces HR Aras 7 by Arnold Montgomery along with a Bois ring ligature. It plays very well! Not a Selmer, Yamaha, Cannonball, or Conn, but good horn for the money. I've paid more for "quality" horns that did not sound as good as this one. The case is not the best, but I did get fancy set of white gloves which - believe it or not - actually comes in handy since it is a silver horn, LOL! I keep a piece of 3M anti-tarnish paper tabs in the case so it limits the patina. Overall, good backup horn and nicely priced if you wanted a horn to practice on or play on, IF you buy it directly from the Miami-area office who will more closely manage the shipping and quality of the Sax IMHO. As far as the Lyre screw, yep! It appears as though it fits, but they stored it next to the neck screw, which was odd to me too! Nice review SirValorSax!

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks. I noticed that the price on their website is cheaper than the Amazon price. They were offering it at $450 but now its back to $500. The website has it at $489.

[@MrChazzpratt]

@@Sirvalorsax You might call Josh and maybe he can make good on the repairs or replace the horn, and the price.

[@frankgreen8137]

I got my horn and it was perfect...but I ordered direct from JP. I think it's a great horn but the neck needs to be redesigned to allow for better note clarity.... on the other hand, I play on a rubber link, so the sound is very encompassing.

[@jdbarrera]

If they can't get the seam on the neck right who knows what other issues are lurking. I'd check the body/bow and bow/bell brace for leaks. The tone holes are probably not level, that's why the pads are crooked.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Good point. I'll look into more while I still have it.

[@SteveDew]

It also seems to me that you got a bad example. A buddy of mine in one of the community groups I'm in got one. He sounded a whole lot better on & when he let me try it I was blown away. The darn thing plays! I needed a tenor so I got one & it plays great too. I've checked up on it yearly & it's holding up ok so far. I've heard that they are in fact Chinese made, but I heard they're adjusted over here. If that's true your example doesn't speak well to their QA department. I've heard they have a good customer service reputation though. Might be worth reaching out to them. I like your alto sound.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks for the info

[@amospulley3442]

Sounds good despite the issues. I would have just sanded the cork. I've had cannonball saxes that, brand new, needed the corks sanded, you could tell no one actually tried putting the mouthpiece on the neck before sending it out, whereas my JP sax the mouthpiece fit the neck perfectly even without cork grease. For someone on a budget, even with the issues you noted, it's an awesome sax and could easily serve a new musician for years. I do personally believe they've gotten better at quality control since you got this one.

[@theleftymonster]

I’m very surprised. I have one of these which I got it really cheap ($318 Canadian dollar!) brand new from whole seller of audio equipment. It’s an early production with no logo on neck. I believe it was promotional price and they only had very few of them. I was extremely pleased with it I didn’t do any tuneup except adjusting the octave key by myself. I’m just wondering if they pay more attention to details in earlier production. I was so happy with it that I got a Tenor version of that when became available from a guy who only played it for few months and gave up for $400 CAD which was really a good deal. My only complain is the location of neck strap ring which is too close an arm that open the key in the back of saxophone so if you are using thick plastic hook sometime the hook pushes the arm and open the key unintentionally. Not sure if that was the defect on mine or they are all like that but I easily solved the problem with adding a extension ring which keep the bulk of plastic hook away from the body of saxophone. I guess I could have bought a strap with narrower metal hook too but as you may have noticed by now I’m cheap and not professional like yourself so I’m not making any money off these things. I have also Yamaha YTS-23 made in Japan but Jean Paul Tenor sounds and feel way better than that.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'm glad that you had a successful buying experience. I have had two now with serious defects. I'll be posting a follow up video soon.

[@gosneygosney]

If you need an Alto to mess with I have a 2015 RS Berkely Virtuoso Matt finish for sale. This horn I believe lists for approx $2700.00 new. I will take $1600.00 plus shipping,

[@brothermanv]

Great review! I got a JP tenor Christmas of 2018. Didn't take it to the shop to get looked at. It played good enough for me and I didn't have anything else to compare it to. But after spending time with it, testing pro horns and watching this video, I definitely wish I had done so when I had the warranty. I suspect it may have a leak and/or pad issues. Now I have to decide if I should take it to get looked and and repaired, or just finance my dream horn (Cannonball Big Bell Brute) since I'm doing a lot more with music now and need a better horn.

[@lucassstache8069]

Vernon Jones Music that’s a good dream horn to have. I play the exact same thing and I assure you it will last you many years

[@brothermanv]

@@lucassstache8069 Nice!

[@dreamlover122769]

Sorry you didnt get a better horn and all the trouble you went through but a fantastic and helpful review of this horn and most useful.thanks again for a brilliant video ..you never made a bad one yet and I am a big fan here in the UK

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks. I'll keep them coming

[@JosephAraza]

My favorite part was to learn that you’re using Cannonball MPC. I came across HR Cannonball and became my favorite of all time. Prior I’ve tried anything from scroll shank to Otto, Jody Jazz to Berg Larsen.

[@Sirvalorsax]

It is an extremely versatile mouthpiece

[@joeblankenship377]

I think, if I remember Jay Metcalf's video about them, that one of the Jean Paul selling points is they have good customer service that's based here in the US. I imagine if you called them, they might send you a replacement horn. There's no telling what a horn from Amazon goes through before it gets to your door.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Good point. I need it for gigs before I can send it anywhere though. I'm ultimately looking for a pro horn so I'm not going to keep it. I bought this mainly based on his review of it but the are other more pressing issues with this sax. Even in its best condition, it is still a low level student model sax.

[@Njderig]

Smart decision sending it back. These lower tier horns will have various problems so if you get a different one that has good key pads it might have intonation problems. Nice bari sax sound at the end.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@gilsontopfstedt3554]

Great Review...thank you for discovering this issue.

[@Sirvalorsax]

No problem!

[@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?

[@carlosaarango]

I'm been a professional woodwind player and music educator for about 30 years. I have two of these saxophones and had have a very pleasant experience with them since I bought them, they have a very good intonation and sound, they are very well constructed, beautiful engraving and confortable key layout. This guy is comparing a $600.00 saxophone with a $7000 Yanagisawa ! or at least, this is what he is expecting from the Jean Paul horn.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I show you exactly what was defective with the 2 saxes that I bought. I'm not expecting them to be pro saxes, I'm expecting them to be as good as my first student model Conn. They are not

[@voltagestorm1787]

1:58 you aren't missing a lyre screw, you just have the yamaha yas 26 style lyre placement

[@johnathanwroe2148]

I've thought about buying their pro model for $1300. This is the first review of the 400 that passes the sniff test. Could we hope for a possible 860 review in the near future?

[@Sirvalorsax]

We can't get the Yamaha 280 in the US for some reason, but I just saw one on Amazon for $1200. I think it's better than the YAS-26 and at half the price. Here is the link: amzn.to/3Ht3HuC **Disclosure** I have an affiliate link with Amazon

[@johnathanwroe2148]

@@Sirvalorsax i was talking about the Jean Paul "pro" model for $1300. The only reviews I can find for it seem overly flattering and likely affiliated.

[@marcoseesmarcoshares]

Your videos are top quality my man. 👏👏

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@jamesspencer9472]

Thanks for saving us some money. I would send it back.

[@Erik-jk8zx]

Thank you, my friend. That was an excellent evaluation, and seems to be somewhat typical of that brand. It seems that every customer discovers at least one defect in the Jean Paul, and some are smaller issues than others.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I hope they are better made in the future

[@marktyler3381]

Alto? If money is tight, get an 80s- 90s Yas25 in my opinion. Or a Yas31/32 if you have a bit more money.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'd like to get a used super action 80 series II

[@marktyler3381]

@@Sirvalorsax That's a lovely sax if you can afford it. That'd be my choice in that budget range. Maybe a Mark 1 (80s again) Yas62 if you went a bit cheaper.

[@maxtheSax8]

I opted for Yas25, it's like new old stock, hardly played, I borrowed a 23c to test the water to see if it was for me, quite bright compared to the 25, I'm glad I followed my teachers advice and went for something made from proper metal and not recycled Chinese..

[@marktyler3381]

@@maxtheSax8 Good for you! The 23 tenor is a nice instrument at the price, but the 23 alto is too bright IMO. The 25 is often overlooked, but it's Japanese quality and has the same feature set as the 62.

[@patrickmarino8110]

Thanks for your time researching this company. I'm not going to buy one of these horns. You did a great service for a lot of us sax players out there. Thankyou patrick

[@Sirvalorsax]

If you do get one, make sure you understand the return policy

[@OvertMysteryChannel]

I got one and it's perfect, i don't know what happened in your situation. The customer support is fantastic as well and they will fix any issue for free. There was really no need to take it to 'Your guy"...unless he is doing it for free.

[@Sirvalorsax]

If I'm going to do a review on products like these I want to make sure its in optimal condition when I do it. There could have been issues that happened during shipping as well. I did get another JP alto that was also defective. I review that one in the part 2 of this video. Im happy that you got a really good 🎷 sax. Did you buy it direct or through Amazon?

[@montiraruba2831]

I am new and looking for a Alto Sax. What is a liar screw?

[@vladimirlopez7840]

If you call Jean Paul they will send you to a tech in your area to resolve any issues. They really do stand behind their product. I have two of their saxophones and I also have a Yanagisawa tenor.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I'll look to see if there is a nearby tech place. That would be super convenient but I still will want a pro sax sometime in the near future

[@jasonthatcher3611]

@@Sirvalorsax If you contact them they will respond very fast. I just got one that needed some work they sent me a fed ex label and said as soon as i dropped it off they would send me a new one and he said he would personally make sure a tech went over it before it was shipped. Now im just waiting for it to arrive to see if they really care about what they send out.

[@alexitogr4323]

Que es mejor ,un jean Paul usa , o un ,apollo Saxofón , Forfavor ayudenmeee ,no tengo. Mucho presupuesto

[@theslimemolds5099]

What's the best place to purchase the reed you used? Thanks love your vid. Just subd

[@Sirvalorsax]

I buy most music stuff from musiciansfriend.com

[@lafayettegunterjr2967]

It still sounds like your playing tenor on alto🤣🎷🔥

[@Sirvalorsax]

Lol. I just bought a new neck for this

[@lafayettegunterjr2967]

@@Sirvalorsax sweet can't wait to hear it 🎷🎶

[@frankgreen8137]

Hey man, what did you think of the sound quality say versus a yamaha 62? What about the response of the horn?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I think a lot of people think this is modeled after that horn. I can't verify if it is or not. I think it has a good sound but I also had a student model Jupiter from around 2002 that I used professionally that I think was better than this one.

[@frankgreen8137]

@@Sirvalorsax thanks man. I'm looking for another sax. Maybe I'll just save my pennies and buy a cannonball raven...now that's a horn!

[@TedMaciag]

The real issue are those folks that know nothing about horns and can't make a decision about quality get taken. Good job.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks

[@Timelesshero1711]

Jay metcalf from better sax got a great fitting case and almost perfect sax. Maybe you got a faulty one. But their costumer service is supossedly to be reallt great. Maybe you can get a great sax if you send it to jean paul

[@Sirvalorsax]

Maybe but I really need a professional horn. I do have an alternate neck on the way which was cheaper than getting this one fixed

[@maxtheSax8]

way to much product placement on his channel and paid for reviews , used to be good, since unsubscribed..this my now favourite go to Sax info site..Subscribed Sirvalor 👍👍

[@Timelesshero1711]

@@maxtheSax8 I don't think so. He does say if something arrives unusable or if there are technical problems, he examines the stuff with an extreme close up lol. And of course there is product placement, he reviews them for crying out loud. That said Sirvalorsax is excellent, I recently discovered hin and I love his approach

[@richardcasey7521]

A used Yamaha yas23 is probably the best deal in inexpensive alto saxes.

[@mjfreespirit]

Can you do a review on a Lazaro Chinese saxophone?

[@stephengent9974]

Seems like too much wrong. I would send it back. Jay Metcalf tried one, and really liked it. I guess quality at this price point is a bit hit and miss. Why I went for a used alto. Managed to get a nice A901 Yanigasawa for 1300.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Amazon sent me a new one. I'm in the process of doing a follow up review.

[@akurdov08]

Hi! What sax would you recommend to beginner start with?

[@Sirvalorsax]

If it's for a child, I would recommend alto. If it's for an adult, I would recommend tenor.

[@akurdov08]

Sirvalorsax that is for me) I like alto so far. What brand and model would you recommend. Almost ordered Jean Paul but after watching your video decided to ask for an advice

[@lucassstache8069]

I have an idea for a budget alto sax! I’m think of picking up a cannonball alcazar alto used and pimping it out with the stones and the other neck. It’d probably be under 1000 dollars and it’d be a nice pairing with my brute tenor

[@tomswift6198]

The Chinese-made instruments are indeed hit-or-miss, and that's where Amazon shines - it didn't cost me a dime extra to send a cheapo alto (not a Jean Paul; another brand I bought for its looks - and it is gorgeous in black & gold - but I'd still like it to play passably) back and get another. The second was much better; the first just couldn't get low B or Bb out no matter how I huffed & puffed. Were I a better player I'm sure I'd still notice some leaks on the "good" one, but as is I think I ended up with my $235 worth.

[@puravida1949]

You get a nice alto sound out of the horn in spite of its drawbacks.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Thanks.

[@jorgeluisgeronimopaulino7691]

Can you test Vandoren A45 for alto sax please?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I have on in my cart... it will most likely happen next month

[@SkylersRants]

On a lark, I made the mistake of buying a chinesium soprano and it is a disaster. On the other hand, I sent my 42 year old, single owner Selmer MkVII alto to Mark Aronson to get overhauled and it plays better than it ever did. I don't think I could be happy with anything less anymore. I never knew what I was missing. So many defects on it, combined with aging, all corrected to make it a master piece. It's just not worth it to get the cheap stuff.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Chinesium. I'll look that up on the periodic table of elements. LOL!!

[@DynamixWarePro]

I would have sent that back if I had it, I have seen some good reviews of it, but with the issues that has, good thing you are returning it. When I was looking for my first saxophone I bought a Gear4Music alto and it was cheap (£250 or so) and while OK, it had air leaks in the low notes within 3 months and a key movement in some keys. I think then the one I had wasd a copy of a Yanagisawa (same as the one on their video of it on their KZbin Channel), but they offered me a replacement, so I sent it back and got a replacement. The replacement was 100% worse and a seemed they just paid some Chinese company to slap their logo on the bell without any quality control as it was a different alto that was sent to me. Burn mark on the inside of the neck, palm keys opened way too far, sticking pads, sharp bits here and there, low notes did not come out and it smelled funny. I wondered then what was in the metal it was made of as it felt disgusting to play and touch and had that chunky feel some Chinese saxophones have. Got a second replacement after complaining, but just got a second crappy same alto sax but in a different case. I ended up playing safe and sent it back, got a Yamaha YAS-280 instead. I had the Yamaha checked over by a repair tech and had the key action lightened slightly, had custom finger pearls put in, and ended up getting new pads as in mine they wouldn't stop sticking. 2 years later it has been great, I just need to send it to a repairer to get checked over and have fixed some play (movement) that has appeared in some of keys. It is freeblowing, easy to play, even response and very good intonation with the exception that my low D is always a bit flat. It is built like a professional sax and sounds good with quite good projection if you don't mind that it is on the brighter end and lacks the depth of tone the higher end Yamahas have, but they do retain their value if you want to sell it in the future.

[@landismaitland-whitelaw5040]

I bought this horn and love it...you got a lemon...contact J.P. And test out their customer service.

[@Sirvalorsax]

How are the tone holes? I get the impression that even if I get good pads, they will deform rather quickly.

[@c.syde65]

The alto's highest notes are a bit too high for me, but I still prefer the alto saxophone over the tenor saxophone.

[@Sirvalorsax]

There are alternate fingerings for the palm key notes that offer stronger lows in the sound. Check out the alternate fingerings I use for tenor that also work on alto in this video. Let me know what you think about how it rolls off the high end: kzbin.info/www/bejne/fJi9cn2Ejr2GldU

[@juanangelcardonalopez2479]

Send it back friend. I have one and i also sell this brand of sax. and it's the first time i see that issue with the tudel neck.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I have about two more weeks and its gone.

[@kevindeibert3369]

Send it back !

[@japhroaigmcperson3814]

Hold up a sec, even though this is an old vid. Replace the neck. No ifs ands or buts. Absolutely do not have it resoldered (that brace is soldered, not welded. Source, I am a saxophone repair tech) If that is leaking, the horn is structurally unsound. All the others issues can be fixed. And the neck *can* be fixed, but only approach that is the horn is an axe you have to have. Also, if the neck is compromised that way, that flaw on the bottom part of the neck will collect more than average moisture and will fail again in ten years. Going with a patch will work, but its kinda like using bondo to repair a drivers side window. Just. don't. Its warranty time :) Oh, and great tone brotha. Bird and trane are my muses (im so basic :D), but you absolutely have some cannonball in ya. Lastly, the dollar bill trick works, the downside is the oils that get transferred from the bill to the pad will eventually make the pad stickier. If you can find some dry graphite lube, looks like black dust, a little bit of that on a piece of clean paper under the pad should do the trick. The neck didnt really need a brand new Cork, the original could be sanded down. But new corks are both good looking, and I always loved recorking instruments . It is a very Zen process. Stuffiness = check for open key venting, or alternatively do a bore peturbation test, and apply bee wax to appropriate parts of the bore. You can adjust spring tension by popping the key off, and very very carefully distort the long spring. Or grab new springs. But all in all... I may have to pick one up. Been twenty years, but I have my Jamie abersold records somewhere :D Cheers and thanks!

[@Sirvalorsax]

I made a part two of this video where I sent this one back and got another one from Amazon. That one was also defective. I sent them both back for a full refund.

[@japhroaigmcperson3814]

@@Sirvalorsax right on. I enjoyed your vid and your style

[@johnrogers7411]

V16 mouthpieces play pretty sharp. Most Chinese saxophones play flat.

[@Sirvalorsax]

Let's get these two lovers to meet in the middle. Lol

[@stickyvalve1032]

There is not a screw supposed to be there

[@jasjuninho2103]

About Drake mouthpiece? When Will you Review?

[@Sirvalorsax]

It may be a while until I can fund that project.

[@gosneygosney]

A little alcohol in water will clean the sticky pad.

[@javierquesada798]

when it sticks I use fine sandpaper

[@marktyler3381]

From a repairer's perspective, cheap horns are a nightmare. The quality of the rods, springs etc , makes it 10 times harder to repair.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I've worked with quite a few repair folks who say exactly that. This is a USA company and I think they stock a lot of their own parts but it does have a Chinese manufacturing cheapness to it.

[@marktyler3381]

@@Sirvalorsax Some manufacturers are doing better nowadays at the cheap end. Stainless steel through-point screws make a huge difference, and proper spring steel it blued steel springs. I've seen that leak under the rib of the neck before, but that should have been checked. It's cost cutting, and ineffective. Instead of brazing the rib onto the neck tube, they bend the brass around a former and add the heavier section on to make a tube. The whole point it to add strength, and it just looks stronger.

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@marktyler3381 interesting. Thanks for the information.

[@scottwood5098]

china horns are not a robust design . the 1950 king i have seals awesome still with original pads .

[@marktyler3381]

@@scottwood5098 That's great, but any saxophone is basically a tube full of holes. If the pads sit tight, then it will play well.

[@stevejohnson174]

Was anyone else relieved there were no white gloves?

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL!!

[@Amanet13]

I think it’s just too much to deal with,for a $50 discount and $300 repair lol.I would take that back

[@Sirvalorsax]

I agree.

[@pebblebeach8517]

Get a Yamaha student horn their great and priced right ....I also have the Jean-Paul and not satisfied with it ....I am brass player so no big deal I’ll sell the sax on eBay and take the loss. I purchased mine from Costco and there’s no return. Smart move on your part send that junk back to amazon.

[@Sirvalorsax]

WOW, I didn't know they sold saxes at Costco.

[@pebblebeach8517]

Sirvalorsax I took mine back to Costco got a full refund, actually thanks to you brining this to my attention it was just sitting in my closet. When you mentioned Amazon will take it back I got to thinking that Costco may do the same. Glad I got rid of it, I am a brass player anyway I didn’t need this cheap piece of junk. I owe you one. You’re a great player you could make a water hose sound great ....love your channel.

[@Sirvalorsax]

@@pebblebeach8517 sweet I'm glad you got a refund

[@wiledmanrandall]

Wow, sorry to hear about that sax being so poorly built. I've got a student Taiwan 90's Vito alto on standby for a backup instrument but I had to take it back to the repair technicians four times because they just didn't care about fixing it right as it was a student model. I felt like it wasn't worth the $450.00 I put into it for repairs but seeing this video changes my mind and it's a good working sax now. For many years I hated the nickel keys so much, but now I don't mind that much anymore and wish I could get a Martin Committee II Alto.

[@rudeway]

Bro your to funny you used the installment plan :))

[@joeblankenship377]

Installment plan all the way! The WoodwindBrasswind site gives you 3 years, no interest to pay off a horn. I'm paying off my P. Mauriat alto at 42 bucks a month.

[@Sirvalorsax]

WOW!! $42 a month is fantastic!!!

[@rudeway]

Ok that that work and even better since it needs to be returned

[@javierquesada798]

the first cane was very dark

[@jazzforever7433]

Where really this sax has been made????

[@Sirvalorsax]

I cannot find out where it is made from their website but they do promote that their company is in the USA. This aversion to giving the consumer this information is infuriating to me and also a good indicater that this is a Chinese made sax.

[@ojaiallen8004]

You got a bad sax. Jay from bettersax got a good one and his was banging...gives yamaha a good run.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I saw that video. I'll wait to see if he does a follow up on his or not.

[@marcogue_]

You on alto😍

[@davidclaro152]

Just send it back.

[@Sirvalorsax]

I did. I got another one from Amazon and that one was defective too

[@javierquesada798]

the cork of the tude just sand it until it is correct and a lot of fat

[@beeftheheat]

Superior level review.

[@itchybrother3476]

You get what you pay for

[@Sirvalorsax]

LOL

[@josedecarvalho5459]

Cheaper Chinese saxophone sounds better than that

[@Sirvalorsax]

That neck leak is causing some serious issues with this sax.

[@juanterros467]

Dude, go spend $3,000 on a Yamaha, so far you have not said anything that is truly not worth it. You are speaking on things that even a YAS 23 would have yet it it two times the price of this sax. Is yamaha paying you?

[@Sirvalorsax]

I am not paid, sponsored, or endorsed by anyone. My expectations for a saxophone in this price range are consistent with low cost saxes I've played over 35 years of playing saxophone. I owned a Jupiter student model that I played professionally for years and I've had on loan the Yamaha 23. They were both much better quality instruments that will cost you less money in the time it will take you to get good at playing saxophone. If you have your heart set on buying on of these, I would suggest that you buy one directly from Jean Paul USA. Their customers service seems to be really good however no amount of customer service can fix cheap manufacturing defects. Jean Paul USA has reached out to me since I've posted the 2 videos on 2 separate saxes that I received from Amazon.

[@edovonvelde3194]

Made in china ?

[@Sirvalorsax]

Yes