I'm currently shopping for a tenor sax. What do I look for? Brands? Defects? To ebay or not to ebay?

Question

I need to know what price range to shop for the best value. This is my first, but I typically don't buy the most expensive, OR the cheapest.

Answer 1

First, if you are asking a question like this, Ebay is a definite no. If you don't know what you should look for, why go to a place where you don't get to try out what you are buying, and there is no return policy? Avoid the internet sellers like the plague.

That being said, here is what you do to find a good tenor saxophone.

Go to as many music stores that are near you as possible. If there is one two hours away, go there too. Try as many of the tenor saxophones that they have. Most music stores will have quality, reliable brand name instruments. They will also usually have a warranty and a return policy in case of defects or issues. Below is a list of what are generally the most highly regarded brands, but this is not the end all or be all of manufacturers that produce quality instruments. I do not say one is better than the other because that is truely a personal choice, and if I was to endorse one brand and you dislike it, what good is the recommendation?

Yamaha

Cannonball

Selmer

Yanigasawa

Keilwerth