Band Instrument Question

[NewmanFam6]

My DD 11 has been tapped to play the saxophone in the band. They were trying to sell me a Yamaha or Selmar in the $1400.00 range. I found a Cecilio Series 2 Alto regularly for $1200.00 on sale for $600.00. DH does not want to rent aninstrument I can't find anything on Cecilio brand-Does anyone have any experience with this brand? Is it good for a beginner?

 

[richmond282]

No. Do not buy that brand name. It's a cheaply made piece of junk. Stick to Selmer, Conn, King, Yamaha, Bundy, Vito, or Jupiter.

 

[Coll0610]

Who is the "they" that were trying to sell you an instrument? Was it the school or the local music store? I'm asking because the band directors at the school will probably have some advice on what brands of instruments to choose and may even know of a former student who is selling a used instrument.

 

[grimb]

To start this reply out I wanted to tell you who I am:
I am and have been a band director in Ohio for 24 years and visit Disney two times a year. I have a BM and MM in Music Education, have taught at the University level and I am a professional horn player.
Now first check with your school band director on the listed quality instruments he or she wants you to use.
Most instruments are made over seas now with a few in the states King - Conn
The problem with purchasing a less quality instrument - they will not hold up, can not repair (woodwinds always need adjustment) and will not have a resale value. Stores in are area have rent to own and great quality used instruments.
Selmer, Conn, King, Yamaha, older Bundy, but not a Jupiter. They are hard to tune (Brass instruments are made flat) A= 435
Any questions please e-mail me at bath high school in Lima Ohio
I might be able to find you a quality used sax in our area.

 

[mominwestlake]

I second the idea to go to the area music store. We were able to be used at ours.


OP, not to steal your thread, but Grimb, any thoughts on a large bore trombone with f attachment? Our dd 15 needs to purchase one. We have tried the Conn88HO and the Bach 42. Our music store also has a King 3b on consignment with F attachment but that isn't large bore. We are looking at around $2000 for the new Conn and a little over for the Bach. We also have a band trip this year so we need to "refine" our budget.

 

[monsterkitty]

I second the not buying a Jupiter. Yamaha and Selmer are great choices. I purchased an Accent bari two years ago, a tenor last year, and an alto this year and have been very pleased. You have to have an Accent dealer in your area, or the local store can find a sealer for you.

The Dallas Brass have been using Accent instruments for a while, so they are reputable.

 

[mrs_hower726]

DH does not want to rent aninstrument QUOTE]

Do you know why he doesn't want to rent the saxophone? Frankly, I think it's too large of an investment for a beginner. Most local music stores have a rent-to-own policy that you pay a fee each month that goes towards the purchase price of that instrument. The local music store here also has a plan that you can purchase for $5 extra per month that will cover theft or damage. The nice thing about this is if your child decides to switch instruments, the money can be put towards that new instrument.

If you do decide to purchase a saxophone, my top 3 picks are Conn, Selmer, and Yamaha. I never heard of the brand you mentioned, the same rings true for instruments like most things: You get what you pay for. Like a PP mentioned, you would most likely have a huge problem with intonation on the model that was suggested.

If you have any questions, feel free to PM me.

 

[Cindy B]

I know it's a little different but we picked Yamaha over Selmer for my son's oboe. Selmer just sounded plasticky and the Yamaha had a beautiful wood sound.

I've heard nothing but good things about Yamaha instruments.

 

[buzz5985]

My DS was really excited about joining the band last year. He was chosen to play Alto Sax. I paid $65/month to rent an instrument that he found to be too heavy to hold, and too difficult to play. The poor kid really tried, practiced every day. He just didn't have it in him. Needless to say - he isn't in the band this year.

So before you buy that instrument, make sure they are going to enjoy it.

 

[NewmanFam6]

Thank you so much for all of the advice! I have no experience with this so I appreciate the help. "They" to answer a PP's question is the dealer who was at the school that the music teacher goes through.

 

[vicb]

My son also plays sax, we were able to do a "rent to own" program. We rented for 12 months and when it was clear DS wanted to stick with the instrument we took the buy option. It was nice to have an out if he didn't want to continue. Also our local music store has a very good service plan that we use.

 

[tripplanner]

I would also really think hard about renting. Where I live, you can rent a new instrument to own. You can also decide to pay it off early and save some money that way. I did this with my daughter's flute. She really wanted to play that instrument, but wasn't sure if she would really stick with it. She did and it turns out we got a good one (Yamaha), but if she decided it wasn't the instrument for her - we could have easily switched to a different one.

 

[scrappinmom]

Another band mom here.....I just have to say that renting an instrument even for the first 6 months often works out for the best. Kids sometimes decide they don't like band, or their band director decides they might play better on a different instrument, and then that can all change again in high school! We rented my dd's oboe for the first year, and then I found the same exact one on ebay. Then she decided to try out for jazz band playing a tenor sax and made it...so I was renting a tenor sax, then bought one of those the following year. We love the Yamaha brand....they've both held up well to the not so careful life of a pre-teen.

 

[Bama mom to 3]

I say check pawn shops. We got both my oldest DS's Snare drum and my DD's Selmer flute there (just got the flute last month). The kids were allowed to take the instrument to school and let the band director inspect it and if it was not what they needed or in good shape, we were guaranteed our money back We got DD's flute for 100.00. And the flute was in excellent condition (at least according to the Band Director!)

 

[mskayjay]

DD is now a senior at University and plays a $3000+ flute! Yes you read that right! lol I got a good deal on it (I think around $800) but *ouch*. My point is, that like many other pp I have a little background on this.

I would never, ever, ever buy a student at your child's age a new instrument unless he/she had already been playing for quite some time and was very into it. The rent to own or just plain rent programs in the schools are great! With kids, the interest is always dicey.....will they stick with it or not..... Why spend that kind of money for something they may love for a few weeks/months and then you have that lovely dust collector sitting in the closet. Also, a lot of the rent to own ones will allow you to do an upgrade if your child really does become very interested in playing. They are more than happy to sell you an upgrade! lol

For the record, my DD started on a rental flute, we bought into the rent to own program the second year, she used that same inexpensive flute all the way through high school for marching band as those instruments take such a beating and her performance flute (the expensive one) was purchased when she was in 8th grade and used only for indoor performances.

 

[nataliela]

As someone who quit elementary band 3 times....RENT!


I did finally stick it out in highschool- but played a school owned instrument

 

[thomas998]

The best place to find a instrument for a begining student in band is ebay... you find it filled with instruments that were once new before the buyers child realized they didn't want to be in band anymore.

NEVER buy a new instrument for a kid starting out... they will depreciate faster than a new car and will probably get more dings in the first month than your car will in a year.

I know band directors like to push new instruments and rentals from a particular store. Where I grew up it was common to happen, not because the band directors believed that their store of choice had the best prices or service... no it was because for every instrument the store sold to a kid in the band directors school the band director got a kick back.... not always money sometimes they got store credit, but still... it was a dirtly little secret no one told parents when they were give the sales pitch by the band director.

I would stick with a Yamaha... look for a YAS 23... you can probably find one on ebay for under $500.

 

[Marla Hellwig]

Does your school have a rental program? I am renting 2 instruments from my dd's school this year - baritone and bass clarinet

 

[Pokemom]

Just be aware that if you purchase a used saxophone on e-bay or from a private seller, that it may need new pads and a repad may cost you $250+.

 

[thomas998]

Just be aware that if you purchase a used saxophone on e-bay or from a private seller, that it may need new pads and a repad may cost you $250+.

That is possible... in which case your $500 instrument could end up costing $750... But i'm willing to bet that in most cases your ebay or private seller instrument isn't likely to need a complete overhaul... in either case the price would be significantly less than the price of a new instrument.