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I was not comparing it to the 901 if i would compare a Buesher i would compare the Buesher 400 AKA "The Top Hat" to it. It's one of the best models that Buesher made.

Aristocrats were not all made for beginners.
There were good Aristocrats made and can be found at around $2200 to $2300 The Big "B" series is awsome! This is also considering that they are in good playing condition with original finish and good working pads.

Your right when you said it's different for every musician.

Well if your looking new or used i'd go for the Yamaha YSS475 it's a nice horn with great action key placement is very comfortable. The way they setup the table keys is nice. It's a full one piece sax so no interchangeable necks which isnt a big deal since it's a nice horn. Playability is good it's very freeblowing and easy to work with. This horn is well worth the price too which isnt that expensive. around $1400 to $1800 most sopranos will cost ya about 2500 for a decent one. It's definately the best one to invest in cuz it's good for beginners on soprano and also nice to have in the longrun since it's an intermediate horn.

You can actually find nice vintage saopranos too but that's buyer beware you have to make sure it's in good playability and that the pads are intact and kept up. Local shops may cosign instruments which is a good way to find a horn in good condition. Pawnshops are kinda iffy because they might look good but not play good. I guess it's all about knowing what your buying so be carefull if you're looking into vintage sopranos.

Happy Hunting

MHHornfreak

A lot of woodwinds have similar fingerings... that's why it's so easy to pick up other instruments after playing one.

I'm thinking of playing oboe (I think that's how it's spelled) next year for Symphonic, and either a baby contra or baritone in a few years for marching. I love my alto right now, though; I need to buy a new one. I'm going to get a Selmer, probably. ^^ [/irrelevancy]

Does anyone else here play improv on the sax? I learned how to today kind of.. its really fun! Just to make up stuff and play whatever.. I need to practice learning what notes sound good together and stuff but I never knew playing music that doesn't exist could be so fun!

Of course whenever we play a chart and the director asks who's gonna solo on it i usually raise my hand. Improv is loads of fun it's great to see what kinds of licks you can pull out of your head listening to the rythmn section vamp a few choruses.

Improv rocks my socks. I'm reading a book about it with a tonnn of scales (most of them have unbelievably long names) and it has a big section about improv. I've been practicing with it and it's improved my playing greatly.

@Benjis Fairy - It is my holiday and birthday presents, and also where my allowance from 2 years is going. Whee!

I have a question for you saxophone players.
Do any of yall have a Cannonball? If so, is it a good instrument in your
opinion? Just wondering, thinking about getting one as my next instrument (still using a junky used-when-bought 4 years ago Yamaha beginner horn).

biggrin BARI SAX ROCKS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!