Yanagisawa Saxophones
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 Yanagisawa A991 Alto Saxophone  US $2,500.00
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 TENOR SAXOPHONE US $4,500.00
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 Vintage Conn Martin Stock mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone Sax A702 US $1.25
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 Antique Straight Soprano Saxophone Bb Sax High F G 2 Necks NEW US $299.00
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 Gary Sugal Mouthpiece for Soprano Saxophone sax A933 US $5.51
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 Yanagisawa A901 Alto Saxophone US $1,500.00
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 Vintage Sigurd Rascher Hard Rubber Mouthpiece for Alto Saxophone Sax Ja210 US $8.50
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 Vintage Babbit Blank Alto Saxophone sax Mouthpiece A945 US $1.00
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How important is the brand of a wind instrument (a saxophone, for example)?
I'm learning to play alto saxophone, and i got a Mercury brand one (if you don't know that brand, i understand). I know there are prestigious brands like Selmer, Yamaha, Yanagisawa, and so on, but they are obviously a little more expensive.
Can anybody tell me what is the importance of selecting a wind instrument of one brand in particular?
Thanks
Good question!
When you pick an unknown brand, you are taking a money risk, unfortunately. Often companies will sell what's called "cheap-o" brands, and the craftsmanship is not at the same par to that of Yanigasawa, for example. If the cheap-o brand happens to need repair - which is inevitable - parts will be VERY hard to find because quite frankly, those off-brands don't warrant enough attention for companies to make spare parts. Each instrument has specific measurements down to the millimeters (or smaller). So, if a post breaks from your saxophone, or the neckpiece gets bent, you may not be able to repair it.
Secondly, IF you find a part that can replace the broken piece, repairmen will be very, very hesitant to repair your horn because of the above fact - there is a risk with instrument repair that something else might break while they're trying to fix what was originally wrong. That's a legal risk, because again, with those unknown brands, the parts may not be easily found, or found at all.
Third, it's a matter of manufacturing quality. HOW the instrument is made makes a HUGE difference - I'll stick with sax, since that's what you're playing. Each company uses different concentrations of metals to make the horn, the lacquer (or lack of), the metals in the posts/springs/screws, the adjustment of the keys, the pads, and even the LOGO placement on the horn...these ALL affect the quality of the instrument, the sound it produces, and the ease of it's use.
Those well-known brands all have specific traits that make them popular among different instrumentalists - for example, I am a clarinetist. In the clarinet world, Buffet and Yamaha are widely popular where I am because of the sound quality, reliability of response, and widely ranging factors.
When you're first learning to play an instrument, you want to stick with a well-known brand so parts are easily accessible, because something WILL break. You won't have to spend a fortune on replacement parts (or having to find a new horn if replacement parts aren't accessible).
Each player prefers specific things in their horns - so preferences are subjective. But, the well-known brands have proven their manufacturing quality and have succeeded in providing a large line of instruments that suit the needs of different players.
So, in short - it's the manufacturing quality and accessibility of parts that make buying brand-names important.
I suggest you test out other horns from brand name companies and compare it with yours - just ask a friend or head to a local music store that has instruments on display. You can't truly appreciate manufacturing quality until you try out dozens and dozens of different horns.
But, don't think those brand names will cost you a huge chunk of change - you can find them used and still get the same great quality (assuming the previous owner took care of it)! Visit pawn shops, thrift stores, Craigslist.com, eBay (LAST resort, if possible), newspaper ads, or even Facebook/Myspace classifieds. Often music stores offer rental programs, sell used instruments, or allow the public to put up ads in their store to sell their old horns.
It's similar to people who are picky about cars and car parts. Let's say you're looking for a car - you found two you like, one happens to be $3500 and one happens to be $8000. The $3500 car is ten years older than the other car, but you buy the cheaper one anyway. Within a month, the car needs repairs. The pattern continues until you've spent thousands in repair. You cave and buy a new car, and the whole venture costs you 11500, plus the extra in repairs.
It's the same as buying an instrument. You want one you know will last you, be reliable, and won't cost you more in the end.
Good luck with your new adventure!
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