Why I still play a student horn (Jean Paul AS-400 review)

[@chipmonkey7266]

Refreshing to see a professional sounding great on a student horn, instead of the opposite, a pro absolutely killing it on a pro horn

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you! I’ve since upgraded, the right time and horn came along. But I keep my student horn as a back up and am a big advocate for not using the horn as an excuse:)

[@bobbyfaria8130]

... or worse yet. To have to endure a terrible player with a good job who has an $8000 horn and no hope.

[@jaygolden5593]

I think when you go from a student to a pro sax you have higher expectations for your sound and you are motivated to meet those expectations. Every time you pick it up, you expect to hear a more professional sound and that has an effect on how you practice and play, maybe even how you listen. Over the same period of time, I would argue that your sound will improve more on the pro horn simply because you have a reasonable expectation of creating a better sound from the instrument-- so you do.

[@Lakrushma]

your argument is placebo?

[@NotFine]

@@Lakrushma placebo works sometimes

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

Which model of Alto saxophone from Jean Paul should I purchase? Jean Paul AS400 Intermediate student or AS400 Brass or AS400 GP? I am a beginner from India and my Age is 64. Please advise me. As early as possible. 🙏🏿

[@jeroenneve5807]

I've seen plenty of good players sounding great on cheap horns. I've never heard someone with poor technique sound decent on a pro instrument.

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

@@jeroenneve5807 please advise me about Jean Paul as400 Alto saxophone 🙏🏿

[@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.

[@8upJoker]

I just ordered the same one off of Ebay, are you still satisfied with it?

[@DennisJohnsonDrummer]

@@8upJoker Definitely! You will love the Jean Paul alto saxophone.

[@0ri883]

so this is wild because ive been pretty curious about learning sax for sometime, but watching your tiktok videos really just pushedme over the edge and i've spent this whole week going DEEP into my research. I've been researching which type of sax to get, and which brand, at different price points for my needs, and was zeroing down onto the AS400 now I find that you have a youtube video and play this exact model lol. its a sign and im sold, thanks for opening up this world for me! coming from a lifetime of piano, i'm stoked to learn something new

[@michaelwendell7771]

I live waaaaay out in the galàpagos islands. I've played the Jean-paul AS400 for like ten years now, I LOVE IT, tanx for your interview😉🎷

[@DippedCookie]

Been using this horn for close to two years now, still love it to this day, and now I can totally see why 😂

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ayyyy I didn’t know you played a Jean Paul too!!!😎🙌🏻

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

Which model of Alto saxophone from Jean Paul should I purchase? Jean Paul AS400 Intermediate student or AS400 Brass or AS400 GP? I am a beginner from India and my Age is 64. Please advise me. As early as possible. 🙏🏿

[@kylesmitsdorff]

Beautiful tone and phrasing. I've seen many reviews on this horn that didn't sound as good as this.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ahh thanks so much! I will say, the player matters more than the horn🙏🏻

[@rawsaxwithkeving.2551]

I love your comments about the gear. I think most sax players are guilty of going overboard with their gear preferences. Even the ones who warn others against gear obsessions have a room full of saxes, mouthpieces, necks, heavy mass screws, you name it lol. The truth about saxes is that if one has a well-made student horn (made out of quality materials, no leaks, etc.), then they can use that horn for the rest of their lives. The most important part of sax playing will always be the player. My goal as a player is to be so skilled that, if I was hypothetically forced to use a student horn and mouthpiece in good condition, I could play it just fine and not complain about having "the wrong setup". Great video and great playing!

[@FoolishFrankie]

True!! I definitely don’t want to tell people gear doesn’t matter at all, cause it absolutely does. I just don’t want any young musicians getting caught up on gear instead of practicing:) Thanks for the kind words and thanks for watching!!

[@tnfishkeeper2]

Looking at a Jean Paul USA AS-400 Intermediate Alto and from you have told me that the quality is good. Thanks

[@bobbyfaria8130]

I am a working musician from the Boston area. I bought an AS-400 a couple of years ago to replace my backup horn after my trusty CE Winds alto started to have problems after about 8 years of use as my only alto. I am mostly a tenor player so I didn't want to invest a lot of money in an expensive alto that wasn't going to pull it's weight financially. Both the CE Winds and the Jean Paul altos have served me well, but I think the Jean Paul is overall, the nicer of the two. The AS-400 plays and feels great. It feels like a quality instrument and I'm amazed at how nice it is for such short money. I also bought the tenor version (TS-400) as a backup for my main horn because I always had to borrow a tenor if it was in the shop. Personally, I don't like the tenor version as much as the alto. For me, it seems somehow heavy and uncomfortable ergonomically. I can't quite figure out why. Maybe it is the neck angle or the position of the strap lug. I am a big guy so I have a completely different body type from you, Frank, and perhaps it is that difference that makes it feel wrong when I play it. It is still a very nice horn and every bit as nicely made as the AS-400 and I like it better than any other inexpensive brand that I have tried over the years. It just doesn't hang off of me comfortably when I'm playing it. But it plays in tune and the key work feels solid and quiet and for some gigs, I've actually used the Jean Paul horns just because they look prettier to the audience than my old Selmers.

[@marcdeckard7064]

A cheap horn is better should it be stolen or distroyed. I bought the alto and tenor in silver, largely because they are prime examples of affordable mechanical art. I've just gotten them to sing and sing they do. Both have a beautiful, warm resonant tone. I think I'm in love.

[@8upJoker]

I have read the reviews on Ebay and Amazon and i see more bad reviews then i wanted to. I LOVE the sound of the as400. I love it so much that i ordered one and it's in its way. I hope i get a good one. I'm a 1000% beginner at 53 yrs old and you sound AMAZING! That is what i will strive to sound like.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Ahh thank you so much!! It is a student model at the end of the day, but I think for the money it’s hard to find a better instrument. Spend a few years practicing on it before blaming the instrument for anything and you’ll be well on your way! Thanks for watching 🙏🏻

[@Heavy-lb1vu]

Great review!! I recommend you to review all of your gear, people would be surprised on how a professional musician like you, can make music out of any cheap instrument

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!! I might have to!🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@oJacksonn]

General rule of thumb. The closer to the top of the saxophone the more important the gear is. Get a good mouthpiece and ligature and find the reed that works for you.

[@shanenapoleon6725]

Foolish Frankie is too down to earth man, favourite sax youtube channel.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Much love🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@sam-jams6689]

Thanks for the video - I'm about to pick one up second hand and I'm pumped

[@pinchofseasalt]

I can say very confidently. The setup of the saxophone (Whether it is in good playing condition and has been repaired or setup without leaks or mechanical problems) has a WAY bigger impact than just whether or not the horn is a pro horn. Give me a beat up student horn with no leaks over a Solid Silver Yanagisawa with leaks any day. (At least until I could get that Yany fixed up haha) Sincerely, A Professional Repair Technician

[@pantheonaspect934]

4:28 i thought i was gonna get rickrolled

[@michaelcheon9031]

Your tone is awesome! I think it's not because of the instrument but your skill

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you so much! And player definitely matters more than the instrument!!

[@joecosta8309]

I got my tenor JP last yr to play for my daughters wedding, also for my chuch , i love it. Also i love your content , im a fan.

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s awesome! Thanks so much 🙏🏻

[@music_man_145]

5:00 was that the lick?

[@rangersmith4652]

I'm mostly an alto player, and no longer gigging much. I owned a Mk6, and never really liked it. My horn is an SX-90R. I used to own an SX-90R tenor, as well as a Buffet Dynaction and a Yamaha 875, but I sold them to buy food or some other thing. Now that I'm retired I want to get a tenor again, and given how little I'm going to play it and what great value these horns seem to be, I'm going to buy a TS-400 and call it good.

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s awesome! They’re definitely worth checking out for the price!!😎

[@HyenaFox]

As a guitarist, I've heard that it's better to learn on an acoustic guitar as they are physically very difficult to play in comparison to an electric guitar. The strings are tighter and heavier, and you have to press down confidently and with good strength and pressure in order to get notes to ring out. If you can play a barre chord on an acoustic guitar, they will feel easy on an electric. Same here imo. Learn on the most difficult option so that higher quality options so you can play well on anything.

[@outdoorlifeinoklahoma6087]

Yeah I play a Jupiter alto saxophone it was my dad’s and it’s a really nice saxophone,I have thought about byeing one like yours

[@FoolishFrankie]

Oh yeah Jupiter is a popular student horn too!

[@8upJoker]

Have you ever thought about getting the Jean Paul AS 860?

[@nyancs7098]

I love how the background music is a lofi remix of jump up superstar from Mario odyssey

[@FoolishFrankie]

YES glad someone recognized it🙈 I always try to use lofi video game music for my background stuff so thank you for appreciating it🙏🏻🙈

[@nyancs7098]

FoolishFrankie lol it’s nice, I play principal bassoon for a symphony youth orchestra as well as euphonium and trombone on the side, I’ve always wanted to learn sax, (tenor in particular causes it normally plays with bassoon in a concert band setting and I love it’s sound) but I’d like to start on alto first, this is looking like the one to get so thank you for your video!!

[@FoolishFrankie]

@@nyancs7098 Oh wow that’s awesome! You definitely should learn saxophone is a fun instrument😎 No problem I hope it works out!!😌

[@Ryan_Wiseman]

Gear matters for sure, I would just like to make the case that what Jean Paul puts out, especially their tenor horn, is high quality compared to many of the cheapest introduction saxophones. There are some instruments where you should spend more than the cheapest price, and I think saxophones fall into this category. However, the assumption that you need to spend $3K on your saxophone is where the myth of "gear matters" I think becomes most relevant. For guitar, mid priced electrics (back when they were much more common and deserved of the mid priced name) have been secret beasts that show how sometimes your $2K+ option cannot compete. Same applies with mid priced quality horns. One of the greatest instruments I ever picked up was a $20 (now $35) cheap as shit Cayaha melodica. I wrote a song called 'Pine Tree' with it, and it is one of the best lo-fi jazz song I've ever put out. That instrument has a lot of quirks that make it very usable and harmonically exciting. It is what has pushed me to saving up for my first saxophone and made me care less about having the most perfect saxophone, because the quality of that will be better than anything I currently play while still having some interesting grit behind it. Financially, it would be best for me to not think of having the most expensive saxophone. I already have too many other interests where I spend moneys. A good instrument that you can spend years perfecting is what can give it its fair. So long as you can continue to feel inspired by it, that is what matters at the end of the day.

[@patam-patam]

Thank you very much ! Beautiful t-shirt too 😊

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you!

[@baylinkdashyt]

So, here's a reminder about all the "if I ever get a newer horn" stuff you said, since you just got a newer horn. :-)

[@DonovanGreen4]

Does it have a spot for a lyre for marching

[@zcmdzpp127]

Do review on tenor!

[@FoolishFrankie]

I might have to!

[@Applejack242]

Damn, was 4:25 all improv??? Fire 🔥

[@Jordan-ll5eq]

He was playing everything happens to me

[@sergeisanych118]

Pleeeeeease!!! Please!!!!)))Tenor Jean Paul🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏🙏

[@FoolishFrankie]

I have one! Maybe I’ll make a review at some point!

[@sergeisanych118]

@@FoolishFrankie please!!!!Very interesting!!!

[@sergeisanych118]

@@FoolishFrankie i want buy!!Tell me please,what you think about this instrument!???!🙏🤗

[@michaelrowe1907]

What about the Better Sax

[@FoolishFrankie]

I’ve never played one so I can’t say sorry!

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

Which model of Alto saxophone from Jean Paul should I purchase? Jean Paul AS400 Intermediate student or AS400 Brass or AS400 GP? I am a beginner from India and my Age is 64. Please advise me. As early as possible. 🙏🏿

[@FoolishFrankie]

I only have experience with the AS400 brass I think!

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

@@FoolishFrankie Sir thank you for the quick response, I want to purchase the same, but there are three different types of models. How much weight is your saxophone?

[@TheOldMonkTraveler]

@@FoolishFrankie Sir, please tell me the weight of your saxophone.

[@marike1100]

Which SYOS mouthpiece is that? Nice sound, seems like a great value alto, congrats. 🍾

[@FoolishFrankie]

It’s my custom SYOS! I have it linked in the description if you want to check it out! Thanks so much ☺️🙏🏻

[@captainchar7033]

Hi, thank you so much for the video. I just bought one. But I got a question that as a beginner, some one recommend me to upgrade a mouthpiece. Do you think it is reasonable？ if is, do you have any recommendation？ thank you so much again for the video, that help me a lot.

[@FoolishFrankie]

Hey no problem thanks for watching! I would definitely recommend upgrading the mouthpiece as most “stock” mouthpieces that come with saxophones are not great. I would recommend a hard rubber meyer 5 to start out on. You should be able to find one for fairly cheap and that mouthpiece will be versatile for whatever music you’re playing. You can always play on the mouthpiece that comes with the horn until you can upgrade, I think you’ll find the mouthpiece ends up making a big difference!

[@captainchar7033]

@@FoolishFrankie thank you so much, honestly, the one you recommend (meyer 5, 130$ on amazon)is a little bit over my bedget. Can i ask how about the Yamaha 4c？

[@FoolishFrankie]

@@captainchar7033 usually the one that comes with the instrument is a copy of the 4c and it’s just ok. Maybe just stick with the one that comes with the instrument until you can save up for something, plus then you’ll have a benchmark of what the normal mouthpiece feels like and you can try a few out!

[@captainchar7033]

@@FoolishFrankie thank you so much for the suggestion, super helpful!

[@FoolishFrankie]

@@captainchar7033 no problem, good luck on your saxophone playing journey!☺️

[@kintorey1195]

Very good saxsophone and video ^_^

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thank you 🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@pgroove163]

u sound great on that horn !!👍

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks for the kind words 🙏🏻

[@warrensledge5909]

I,m 57 and would like to know if thats a good buy for beginner?

[@FoolishFrankie]

Definitely

[@parametr]

Jump Up, Super Star!

[@joshuagrant2330]

Ouu that sonny stitt fireeee

[@FoolishFrankie]

It’s actually Vincent Herring on The Gypsy!! But I’m sure he transcribed a ton of Stitt lol😂

[@joshuagrant2330]

@@FoolishFrankie the first time I hear that tune sonny was playing it, just assumed it was sonnys song

[@clintwestwood1895]

you sound great dude , the horn matters not for you.

[@FoolishFrankie]

🙏🏻🙏🏻

[@AdeReeves]

well you have just confirmed as a player i'm crap...The horn however is great 😂

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL it’s all relative!! A good horn definitely makes things easier though!

[@armintabibi6967]

W😏

[@FoolishFrankie]

YOOOO👀🙏🏻

[@MiltonGaming345]

where did you go to university? did you go to that university to study saxaphone performance or something?

[@FoolishFrankie]

I did one semester and then dropped out

[@zanmc626]

nex time u gotta scream smash the like

[@FoolishFrankie]

I need to work on it😅😅😂

[@joshuagrant2330]

Frankie looks like Steve from Minecraft on the 360°

[@FoolishFrankie]

LOL😂😂

[@Alistairsled]

I love you

[@FoolishFrankie]

❤️

[@alexitogr4323]

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

[@FoolishFrankie]

I've never played the Apollo so I can't say if it's a good or bad saxophone, but I will say I don't think the Jean Paul will disappoint!

[@MoNt-gi6zy]

My son is learning to play sax with a Jean Paul AS-400, he has 11 months of formal distance classes and I consider it a good saxophone for beginners. I'm from Mexico and I bought the saxophone two years ago through Amazon USA. This is a bit of what he has learned kzbin.info/door/keij7mF3AZS3eDyC3cx93w

[@mister6497]

hi

[@FoolishFrankie]

Hello !

[@SydMaven]

Good job I'm a speed listener in the first few minutes! Then cut it down to 3/4 to make it comfortable. Are all your audience speed listeners? JFW.

[@hogin1421]

Why I play student horn: I'm broke

[@FoolishFrankie]

That’s the short version!

[@corkymiller]

SYOS link is bad

[@FoolishFrankie]

Thanks for letting me know!! Just updated it. They changed their website on Monday so I've been trying to replace all my links but missed this one.