Stephanhouser Alto Sax

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Fotofavoloso
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:48 pm

Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by Fotofavoloso »

Yes..........I realize this is a flute forum, however I am certain that many here double on sax.

I have been thinking about purchasing an Alto sax. Is anyone here familiar with Stephanhouser saxes? If so, your thoughts would be most appreciated.

Ciao,
Mark

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dubrosa22
Posts: 10
Joined: Mon Mar 16, 2015 5:54 pm
Location: Sydney, Australia

Re: Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by dubrosa22 »

Hi Mark,
I'm one of those sax doublers...

I must admit I'd never heard of Stephenhouser saxes before and the name rang some alarm bells immediately. I gave it a Google search and this Sax Forum page popped up:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread ... Saxophones

As I expected it is a very recent Asian make. That fact it is Taiwanese and not Chinese is a big point in its favour. As is a good retailer like Kessler distributing them. However the prices seem much too high (unless you're buying it used?), but I guess you can shop around online for a better price.

The quick consensus is that it plays well enough. The only thing holding it back really besides RRP is its potential resale value. Even Vietnamese made Selmer USA or Indonesian made Yamaha student models will be worth almost double in the secondhand market what this would ever fetch - if only for their name-brand recognition alone.

Saxophonists, like clarinetists and flautists, prefer reputable brands. A good name is worth a lot! Chances are you'll want to either upgrade or (dare I say it) give up so resale value it is an important factor. As is durability, servicing and available parts.

Irrespective of brands, if I were buying a new student or intermediate sax today (I play vintage horns mostly) I'd buy a Yamaha. Excellent quality, good tuning, technicians like and know them and excellent resale value.

V

P.S. I currently don't own a Yamaha. I did start Sax on a YAS-275 which I bought brand new on sale. Only 6 months later I sold it for 10 or 15% more than what I'd paid! Incredible. I've bought and eventually sold 2 Yamaha YCL-34II clarinets too. All at a profit I should add. Yammys hold value well, as do Selmer and Yanigasawa.

Fotofavoloso
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:48 pm

Re: Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by Fotofavoloso »

Here is what I have discovered.

I played the horn today and it felt good, had a good tone, but the right hand keys D E and F were out of alignment and it took some work to produce a good tone. The horn needed a COA

I had a long conversation with a respected local woodwind repair guy who said his biggest concern with the horn is that the company has reinvented the wheel, so to speak, and the horns' construction is characteristically different from most horns and he has not been able to secure parts for repairs.

To make a long story short, I am now looking for what I originally set out looking for, which is an old Conn or Buescher (sp?) or a good deal on a Yamaha.

Ciao,
Mark

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Phineas
Posts: 962
Joined: Sat Jan 22, 2005 1:08 am

Re: Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by Phineas »

Fotofavoloso wrote:Here is what I have discovered.

I played the horn today and it felt good, had a good tone, but the right hand keys D E and F were out of alignment and it took some work to produce a good tone. The horn needed a COA

I had a long conversation with a respected local woodwind repair guy who said his biggest concern with the horn is that the company has reinvented the wheel, so to speak, and the horns' construction is characteristically different from most horns and he has not been able to secure parts for repairs.

To make a long story short, I am now looking for what I originally set out looking for, which is an old Conn or Buescher (sp?) or a good deal on a Yamaha.

Ciao,
Mark
Looking for a good deal on a decent NEW horn, try here..

http://www.saxophone.com

I have been have been playing and have owned these horns for many years exclusively. They have a great track record, fast shipping, rental options and a generous guarantee. Even on their "Student" models. Best of all, almost everyone I have taken it to for a COA/Repair had no problems working on them or getting parts. Actually even the Sax-snobs have been impressed with them/ They are basically Taiwanese Selmer Series 2 spin offs.

The man the runs the place is a pro sax player named Garrett Hypes who plays exclusively on them as well!!

Fotofavoloso
Posts: 37
Joined: Tue Dec 01, 2015 8:48 pm

Re: Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by Fotofavoloso »

Phineas,

Thanx for your input. I respect and value it. As it turns out, I didn't buy the horn because of mechanical issues and I want one that plays out of the box.

Ciao,
Mark

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Gandalfe
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Joined: Tue Mar 04, 2014 5:28 pm
Location: Seattle
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Re: Stephanhouser Alto Sax

Post by Gandalfe »

Another doubler here, every time I buy a cheap horn I end up regretting it. The best deals on used instruments btw, come from musician friends/family or the company I work for at quinntheeskimo.net. I have a nice stable of instruments now from flute to bass sax. But I took my time to save the money I needed to get the instruments I really wanted. And I took advantage of some amazing sales--like buying a Selmer Prestige bass clarinet that was only used for NAMM demonstrations a year later saved me over $2500 off the new price.

Save yourself money and stress and get an instrument you really deserve. They play better and the resell value is much nicer.
Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra ~ Quinn the Eskimo Vintage Horns
I played the wrong, wrong notes. ~ Thelonious Monk

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