Intermediate Level Saxophones - Are they any good?

[@ngtamphuong]

2:35 Conn-Selmer PAS-380V 3:03 Yamaha YAS-480 3:38 Buffet 400 Series 4:13 P. Mauriat Le Bravo 4:45 Trevor James SR

[@samurai_sax]

Jim's playing skill alone can make anything sound amazing! I can listen to him improvise all day!

[@androidboy7]

High value video as always. I've found that a good, quality mouthpiece can forgive many intonation sins.

[@dannyschepers4625]

I like this, because it gives you a really good indication off how well these instruments are. Especially with the tuner, it maybe boring but i wish that he makes more videos on that with the more pro alto saxophones to

[@brianmellors5080]

Hi Jim on the Yamaha YAS-480 you said you did not like the plastic thumb hook, but you could live with it, If you look into Yamaha Catalogue you can buy a Metal thumb hook to replace the plastic one, and both plastic and metal are adjustable !

[@nickpilgrim1966]

These videos are fantastic. Full of insight. Straight to the chase. Thx Jim.

[@TownHouseFilms]

Outstanding, honest review. You never disappoint.

[@keithsnowdon3968]

My TJ SR. 3 cases in the first year as the zips fell apart. Thankfully TJ replaced them. Used 1 hour per day. Oiled every 2 months just about everything that can be swedged has been. Oiled with the oil recommended by SH woodwind.

[@Greebstreebling]

I found this to be a really useful balanced and measured critique. Thanks for doing it. :)

[@noahtruth6554]

Seems to me that there. are basically two levels of saxophones. There's the student model and then there's the Pro model. Everything in between the two price points is basically a marketing pitch. As many have already said Jim sounds good on whatever horn he plays. We all sound just as good or not so good on any horn we play. A pro horn for most is similar to the player that wears all the pro sports gear - it might make you feel and look better but you still have to have the skills to play well.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

My old teacher once said :" You can all play behind a curtain and I will tell you who is playing now. But I won't be able to tell if you swifted instruments." He was right ! The sound depends on the person who plays.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

My old teacher once said :" You can all be playing behind a curtain and I:ll tell who is playing. But I won't be able to tell if you have switched instruments." He was right ! The sound depends on the one who plays.

[@hansmathiasthjomoe4817]

I’m a professor of Marketing and a tenor saxophone player. I wonder if the producers are selling the same saxophone for different prices, where the differences are some engravings. I have a 1962 Mark VI almost unused (!). It’s a great saxophone, but that is my four years old Conn Selmer Prelude 711 as well, at 1500 pounds. The sound is exactly the same. The feeling is the same. What will I get by putting another 1500 pound on the top, or another 1500 or another 1500? From my profession i know that humans are very bad In evaluations. That’s how it’s possible to sell a bottle of wine for 1000 pounds. Your videos are great to watch.

[@JaphethAwah]

As a complete noob who hasn't even bought a sax yet, but looking forward to in the next couple of weeks, I can absolutely tell u with all confidence that I have no idea what the difference is between all this intruments he just played. I mean in the sound of course, they all sound absolutely amazing to me 😆

[@papaxxbear]

Thats cause he plays along time... As a beginner you can look for an almost new yamaha beginner model for a good price , and after sometime if you still play you get a pro sax

[@zvonimirtosic6171]

Put a new mouthpiece + reed, and the pitch will change. The essential parts of the sax are the bow and the bell - the consistency, clarity & transition of notes below the low E matters the most. (regardless if they are slightly off pitch on the mouthpiece). Choose the instrument that has the best sounding bow and bell notes, and the clearest transition between them.

[@EvanTateMusic]

The Buffet is "chunky" like a Keilwerth because Keilwerth makes (had made) them for Buffet.

[@stevepovey2489]

I would like to see a similar video on Sopranos. I've never blown one but am considering adding one to my collection. I recently bought an 875EXB Tenor and feel really spoilt now in that regard. I know Soprano will never been my main instrument though so can't justify spending too much. On the other hand, I think intonation may be a higher priority for Soprano. I wonder whether to look for something in this kind of price range or look for a used Yani.

[@craighoward6243]

I agree I play through my cell phone. It's very hard to capture the. Highs & lows of a pro Tenor. I mention 2 views " sounds great on this side of the 📷!

[@DynamixWarePro]

Informative video as always. Its good to know about the build quality, sound, resistance, feel and ergonomics but its great you also included the intonation as that is an important factor that you don't always know about until you actually play the saxophone and not everyone can do that prior to buying one. With the Yamaha YAS-480, one thing you didn't mention about it that I find could make it last longer if you are on a budget and can't or don't want a pro alto sax, or you are a doubler and alto sax isn't your main instrument, is that you can swap out the neck for one of the Yamaha pro necks due to the octave key mechinism being the same as on pro Yamaha models so it sticks out higher from the body. This will give more of a change to the tone, feel and intonation than just changing the mouthpiece setup, and you don't always want to do that if you have a setup that you like a lot. Could you do a video on comparing Yanagisawa alto models? You have done a video on the difference between pro and elite TWO1/TWO10 but I would like to see a comparison of AWO1/AWO10 vs AWO2/AWO20 and AWO33/AWO37 to know the differences in those and the intonation. Also a comparison of Yanagisawa necks would be useful since I haven't found any reviews or videos on the various Yanagisawa necks you can get, particularly the 64, 65 and 66 necks.

[@GrotrianSeiler]

No disrespect, Jim could make a kazoo sound like a Mark 6. These are the best videos.

[@GardensoftheAncientsHerbal]

I picked up a “student” model selmer the other day and put a mark 6 for the running….

[@perfectzero7]

I'm a Guitarist... been playing for 14 years... and now i'm interested in saxophone... I am looking for a Saxophone and it's so nice to find out here that yamaha it's an amazing option to get or to start with... considering than that will be my first Saxophone... i was a little bit curious or insecure about That specific model the YAS 480 (the one that i'm looking for it's the Yamaha Yas 32 Purple Logo which is actually produced by the "Yas-480" name) ... But this really helped me a lot! Thank you very much!

[@ajd711]

The purpose of this video was to answer the question “are intermediate saxophone worth it”? he never answered that . I thought to myself Don’t buy the hype. These videos are meant to sell their inventory. Two things to remember this person can make any saxophone play well with the right mouthpiece and reed. In which they rarely ever . They are professionals and put their thousands of hours in. If you are serious about playing a saxophone, then begin by renting one. It takes hours and hours of practice and patience. The first month alone will determine whether or not you want to move forward with learning how to play a saxophone or any instrument. Continue renting that instrument to assure that you are serious and then when you’re ready to step it up and want to continue your learning process look for a used professional at a decent price or spend your hard money on a professional saxophone. There is no need to buy a student or intermediate saxophone period. This goes for any instrument including Guitars, drums, horns, etc. practice practice practice practice, practice, And then more practice and discipline. This is the only way you’ll find results. Not by watching professionals like Jim trying to sell you! Remember the old phrase Dazzle them brilliance or baffle them with bullshit.

[@MichaelCorner-l7o]

A great way to get an excellent instrument is to buy the Yamaha 480 and put a Yamaha Custom neck on it. The 480 with the V1 sounds better than the 62, imho, and is considerably less expensive. My 2 cents.

[@ralfputz6076]

Love your detailed explanation of the main workings of each chosen sax. Is there really that much difference in playing and sound between a student sax to an intermediate sax for the price difference? If I for instance play terribly on a student sax I will also on an intermediate sax?

[@alanpavel361]

I like the SR the best.

[@olebirgerpedersen]

If you can find an instrument which is good in tune. Buy it ! With a good mouthpiece you can bring it to sound good aswell and then the rest us up to you.

[@cslfung]

How about the comparison of tenor saxophone?

[@nelsonjay8017]

Awesome video, thank you.

[@cslfung]

What's your comment on Conn-Selmer PTS-380V?

[@ArthurAlison]

p.mauriat le bravo 200 is a professional sax...

[@richardolson8651]

great video THANKS

[@jktc777]

Can you review the TJ EVO Tenor please.

[@Ragdollcatman001]

I have a Trevor James Artemis (in grey and gold) which I love. Was considering saving up for the Trevor James SR in the same grey and gold. Would really love to end up with something special like the Yamaha Custom Z or EX in black and gold but don't know if I'll ever be good enough to justify spending £3800+ on a sax. Outside of Yamaha and Yanagisawa are there any other makers who are better suited for people with smaller hands/shorter fingers?

[@zeniktorres4320]

Have a look Jupiter saxs, they have adjustable palm keys. I have an mid 80's Yamaha and yes, its fine for my medium-small hands.

[@Ragdollcatman001]

@@zeniktorres4320 I was considering a Jupiter sax but nobody seems able to get them in stock for some reason.. I've since moved up from the TJ Artemis to a TJ SR (again in grey and gold) 3 months on, I've improved a bit - not as much as I'd have liked but definitely more than I expected considering my lack in musical ability.

[@pkijan]

Nice info, thanks a lot for your work. Couldn't you make something similar with beginner / intermediate tenors? For example there is almost no info anywhere about TJ Evo tenor. You made nice comparison with altos few years ago, but basic / inntermediate range of tenors seem kind of forgotten. It would be really helpfull in these days when travelling is not so easy..

[@BoninBrighton]

Is there a Jim fan club?

[@nhr27]

Jean Paul missing in this!

[@michaelcorner1956]

Hi! The Yamaha 450 demo confirms for me that it's the best sax for the money on the current market. In order of preference for me: Yamaha Trevor James...nice sound! Then quite a big gap... Buffet Conn Selmer Both of these are kind of bright and spread. Another big gap: The Mauriat had an ugly sound. Wouldn't touch it with a 10 foot pole.

[@guilhermestudartci1384]

How does the Jupiter 1100 compares to them?

[@sidinir]

I really would like to hear the Jupiter 1100 being part of this video.

[@lucasaraujo.gospel]

what mic did u use?

[@joaofelix1062]

😃👍👍👍

[@newscrews11]

All sound exactly the same :(

[@Marcosls2015]

Suggestion- try with headphones...after some time I noted the differences in low and high registers..regards