Hi everyone! First of all let me apologize for creating a topic in English, my German is almost non-existent, yet... A little bit about myself. I'm a long time guitar player, but last December my friend presented me with a YAS-280. I've started taking lesson, absolutely loved playing the saxophone and was making decent progress taking lessons from a professional teacher. All this ended on 24th of February because I live in Kyiv... Long story short, I'm now living with my friends in Germany and my parents and the test of the family were able to arrive to Berlin this week. It looks like we're here for an unknown length of time, so to bring back some sense of normalcy I'd like to resume my saxophone lessons. I still have a little hope of seeing my shiny YAS-280 which stayed behind in Kyiv, so I'm thinking of getting a tenor. I want to buy something decent, suitable for a beginner and the budget is around 800-900 euro. I'm asking for suggestions on what to look for, should I go for a used YTS-25 or similar or should I look at other brands/models that have good cost/quality relationship? Any opinions are welcome. I would also appreciate information on any good instrument shops on Dusseldorf/Dortmund/Cologne. Thanks!
I've already found great guides on this forum about sax selection, so my question is more about shops in the area.
A used Yamaha tenor would certainly be interesting - but you need to be lucky to find one. Buying from a private seller (e.g. EBay) is risky. A recommendation is Thomann.de, Europe's largest and most successful web shop for instruments of all kinds. What is unique is that you get a 30 days trial period: you have to pay in advance, but get a full refund and free return. Thomann sells interesting saxophones (and many other instruments) under their own brand name. Manufactured in China, but with strict design and test specifications. I found them excellent in terms of price / performance. They have some below 1000 Euros. The good ones are the "MK I / II / III / IV Handmade" series - which start at 1249, though. A very good woodwind instrument shop in Düsseldorf is Harald Hüyng. All my sympathies to your friends in Ukraine!
If you are still in Berlin i would recommend Die Holzbläser and Saxophone Service to look for a good instrument.
In Cologne you all so can contact Alexandre Fainchtein ( www.Saxofain.de), he offeres many used Saxophones. Omg, I Never Write in english for many many years. But i think it still works
Yes, www.Saxophon-Service.de Located in Berlin Kreuzberg/Neukölln has used Saxophones for almost all purse sizes. The horns are well maintained.
Thank you all for your replies! Unfortunately didn't have time to explore options in Berlin. Next week I'll go to Alexandre Fainchtein in Cologne.
Having in mind your budget and that you have started with an Alto I would recommend to look for an Alto. Alexandre Fainchtein is a good address for used instruments in the Cologne region.
900€ for a modern tenor saxophone in decent shape is tight. You can expect student level quality, if you go for one of the mayor brands. Alternatively you look for a older Instrument. Then you may have the challenge of non state-of-the-art ergonomics and tuning. So you need to check and try. If you dont want to go very old, then instruments from german manufacturers are in your price range, keilwerth (newking, toneking, toneking special) up to beginning of 70th, kohlert regent, b&s blue label, akustik (heavy like a truck and uncommon keywork, but if you can manage good sound for decent price, high sharp f and microtuner). Dörfler und jörka, just to name some. A french dolnet pre 70th or couesnon monopol pre 70th. But, keep in mind that a full refurbishment in germany is already at 800€, more or less, so... keep your eyes open.
