Jim, you sound fantastic on this horn! Thank you for such a lovely review, I'm so happy you are enjoying playing it so much and yes, the mouthpiece is no joke.
I’m excited about this tenor, I’ve been looking for a good step up tenor and Jay, I think you’re a pretty trustworthy dude when it comes to designing a saxophone.
Did you see how Jim noted that he loved the front E/F? I've noted from some of your videos, Jay, you mentioning your frequent use of the front E/F fingerings regularly, so glad to hear the horn is setup well for it, not surprised!
Jim is such a great presenter. I’ve always enjoyed and learned from his videos. It’s interesting how much of his Scottish accent he’s lost. He sounds so different from his early videos. Intentional? Puzzling.
Ha, well spotted! Fun fact; I grew up in Scotland and the very first videos I did were for our You Can Play Too DVD - being a presenter was a whole new experience for me so I tried recalling my Scottish roots to give me a fun distraction whilst learning how to speak to a camera!
Thanks for the fine demo. I just got mine from 'Sweetwater Music' and love the free blowing sound with a very tight mechanism. Full tone to sub-tone is a breeze and pitch and timbre is very musical all the way into the altissimo register. Thanks Jay for this 'game changer' BetterSax!
I'm really impressed by the sound of this sax...even with the Classic mouthpiece. Sounds SO much better than a Jean Paul...at least to me. How about a head-to-head comparison between the two?
Hi, thanks for the review! As a Saxophone teacher and player I really appreciate a review from a player such as yourself as I don’t have the option of play testing the instrument myself. The instrument is only available for online purchase in my country.
Wow, great horn! I’m soon going to buy a new sax and this is a great choice. Thanks, I also love your playing: you gived me the joy to start my channel :)
U wouldn’t expect a horn of this price to sound as good as this but that tone sounds at least 3-5 times what it costs :) really great horn at an even greater price point 👍🏼
Interesting! Just for your insight, the Retro Revival has quite a bit more power, but this won't necessarily come across on the video. The Classic piece is a great new mpce and the best I've ever seen at this price point. Jim
Nice! Personally, don’t need one but, I hope these better quality, lower price saxes put a huge dent in the sales of cheap junk disposable saxes. Ya’ll know the ones being referred to.
Hello guys. I have a question and I thought that you could help me. I started alto sax playin when I was 9 years and quit it after 5 years or so and sold it. Then I started playing electric guitar. Now that I am 24 years old, I want to start playing sax again, but I want to try tenor instead of alto. Do you recomend me to get a tenor or start once again with the alto?
I’ve been concerned about this horn’s quality. When the alto first came out they were partnered with Conn but now they are not using Conn to manufacture them anymore so just wonder if the quality dipped to that or a regular Chinese made sax with good branding and marketing behind it.
Good observation. BetterSax have now taken over Conn-Selmer's role in producing these instruments - since they are much smaller and more nimble than CS they can make improvements more easily, do better quality control and develop new instruments more quickly.
I'm keen to own a sax which lends itself to both jazz and classical. Being on a budget I'm keen to know if this fits the bill. This review seems to suggest it's versatile. Any guidance appreciated.
A good and well made sax should largely work for all styles. I would err on the side of saxes with a little more focus, rather than spread, can work more for a classical approach, but this is by no means a hard and fast rule. This sax has all the versatility you need to play in both styles in my opinion. Jim
I have a simple question.. if a sax that's adequate sonically, ergonomically, playability, reliability-wise, intonation-wise, etc., for an intermediate to advanced player, or "adequate" for a pro beater, what would be the point of ever buying a sax 4x to 6 or 7x more expensive ?
There is probably no point at all as we know the marginal difference in the quality of the instrument is not proportional to the additional multiples in price. Whilst it is said that you should get the best instrument you can afford, players of average skill will not get an additional benefit from having a very top quality instrument simply because they have not the skill level to get that small marginal benefit that the very best musicians will extract from the very best and most expensive of instruments. That said it is nice to own a beautifully made instrument if cost is not a problem. Stephen Howard of SH Woodwind has an interesting article regarding price relative to quality on his site.
@@gib321 Ha.. that's exactly how I feel about other instruments .. asking for sax, bc, not being the "greatest" sax player, for me it seems to rest much more on me and the mouthpiece, rather than the horn, but facility does enter the picture on more technical passages. Btw, I was interested in checking out that article you mention on the website, but I can't find the link?
@@gib321 You articulate the point very well! And of course many amatuers or 'hobbyiests' do end up taking the plunge and spend more than where this 'sweet spot' is, and all I would say is - that's fine if they are deriving joy from it and it enhances their life in a positive way. Jim
Reliability, maintainability and longevity all take a long time to assess. I doubt there is anything wrong with this sax but the proven brands have something going for them
No the name doesn't imply it's use for Classical music - more of an implication that the instrument will be regarded as a classic! You've got to to call your instrument something, and this is a good generic and generally positive word, so I guess that's their reasoning.
Jim, you sound fantastic on this horn! Thank you for such a lovely review, I'm so happy you are enjoying playing it so much and yes, the mouthpiece is no joke.
Btw ur awesome
I’m excited about this tenor, I’ve been looking for a good step up tenor and Jay, I think you’re a pretty trustworthy dude when it comes to designing a saxophone.
This was indeed a great and kind review but he spoke nothing but facts! Quality instrument! One of my friends is enjoying the Alto model! 🎷🔥
Did you see how Jim noted that he loved the front E/F? I've noted from some of your videos, Jay, you mentioning your frequent use of the front E/F fingerings regularly, so glad to hear the horn is setup well for it, not surprised!
Jim is such a great presenter. I’ve always enjoyed and learned from his videos. It’s interesting how much of his Scottish accent he’s lost. He sounds so different from his early videos. Intentional? Puzzling.
Ha, well spotted! Fun fact; I grew up in Scotland and the very first videos I did were for our You Can Play Too DVD - being a presenter was a whole new experience for me so I tried recalling my Scottish roots to give me a fun distraction whilst learning how to speak to a camera!
Thanks for the fine demo. I just got mine from 'Sweetwater Music' and love the free blowing sound with a very tight mechanism. Full tone to sub-tone is a breeze and pitch and timbre is very musical all the way into the altissimo register. Thanks Jay for this 'game changer' BetterSax!
True gentleman here! Do more videos with Jamie please!
I'm really impressed by the sound of this sax...even with the Classic mouthpiece. Sounds SO much better than a Jean Paul...at least to me. How about a head-to-head comparison between the two?
Jim the tenor sax has a nice big round sound and warm at the same time. Nice playing jim
Hi, thanks for the review!
As a Saxophone teacher and player I really appreciate a review from a player such as yourself as I don’t have the option of play testing the instrument myself. The instrument is only available for online purchase in my country.
What is the mouthpiece your using towards the end of the video? The sound drastically changed for the better! I like whatever mouthpiece you used.
Wow, great horn! I’m soon going to buy a new sax and this is a great choice. Thanks, I also love your playing: you gived me the joy to start my channel :)
Many thanks Charlie!
I almost like the sound of the plastic mouthpiece better 😊 seems to be a great instrument 🎷
U wouldn’t expect a horn of this price to sound as good as this but that tone sounds at least 3-5 times what it costs :) really great horn at an even greater price point 👍🏼
I've been waiting for a review of this!! ❤
You sound great on that horn with both mouthpieces, but I preferred your sound with the Better Sax mouthpiece
Interesting! Just for your insight, the Retro Revival has quite a bit more power, but this won't necessarily come across on the video. The Classic piece is a great new mpce and the best I've ever seen at this price point. Jim
I agree. The sound on the better sax mouthpiece sounds more developed, smoother and more "commercial".
Sounds and looks really good. I am looking forward to their next release. That will be a baritone!!!
God blesyu thank you !
Nice! Personally, don’t need one but, I hope these better quality, lower price saxes put a huge dent in the sales of cheap junk disposable saxes. Ya’ll know the ones being referred to.
Hello guys. I have a question and I thought that you could help me.
I started alto sax playin when I was 9 years and quit it after 5 years or so and sold it. Then I started playing electric guitar.
Now that I am 24 years old, I want to start playing sax again, but I want to try tenor instead of alto.
Do you recomend me to get a tenor or start once again with the alto?
Go with your ear. You’re probably experienced enough musically regardless. If you like the tenor, do it!
I’ve been concerned about this horn’s quality. When the alto first came out they were partnered with Conn but now they are not using Conn to manufacture them anymore so just wonder if the quality dipped to that or a regular Chinese made sax with good branding and marketing behind it.
Good observation. BetterSax have now taken over Conn-Selmer's role in producing these instruments - since they are much smaller and more nimble than CS they can make improvements more easily, do better quality control and develop new instruments more quickly.
Which Retro Revival, opening and reed are you playing? Sounds really good Jim!
It's a Super D NY 8. Reed is D'addari Select Jazz 3S
I'm keen to own a sax which lends itself to both jazz and classical. Being on a budget I'm keen to know if this fits the bill. This review seems to suggest it's versatile. Any guidance appreciated.
A good and well made sax should largely work for all styles. I would err on the side of saxes with a little more focus, rather than spread, can work more for a classical approach, but this is by no means a hard and fast rule. This sax has all the versatility you need to play in both styles in my opinion. Jim
@@saxworldwide Thank you for taking the time to rely, Jim. I really appreciate your advice and thank you for the review.
I have a simple question.. if a sax that's adequate sonically, ergonomically, playability, reliability-wise, intonation-wise, etc., for an intermediate to advanced player, or "adequate" for a pro beater, what would be the point of ever buying a sax
4x to 6 or 7x
more expensive ?
There is probably no point at all as we know the marginal difference in the quality of the instrument is not proportional to the additional multiples in price. Whilst it is said that you should get the best instrument you can afford, players of average skill will not get an additional benefit from having a very top quality instrument simply because they have not the skill level to get that small marginal benefit that the very best musicians will extract from the very best and most expensive of instruments.
That said it is nice to own a beautifully made instrument if cost is not a problem.
Stephen Howard of SH Woodwind has an interesting article regarding price relative to quality on his site.
@@gib321 Ha.. that's exactly how I feel about other instruments .. asking for sax, bc, not being the "greatest" sax player, for me it seems to rest much more on me and the mouthpiece, rather than the horn, but facility does enter the picture on more technical passages.
Btw, I was interested in checking out that article you mention on the website, but I can't find the link?
I look forward to how the market reacts to this!
@@gib321 You articulate the point very well! And of course many amatuers or 'hobbyiests' do end up taking the plunge and spend more than where this 'sweet spot' is, and all I would say is - that's fine if they are deriving joy from it and it enhances their life in a positive way. Jim
Reliability, maintainability and longevity all take a long time to assess. I doubt there is anything wrong with this sax but the proven brands have something going for them
I love better sax
‘Classic’ means its mainly used for classic music? @bettersax? Or its just a name? Classic mouthpiece and classic tenor saxophone.
No the name doesn't imply it's use for Classical music - more of an implication that the instrument will be regarded as a classic! You've got to to call your instrument something, and this is a good generic and generally positive word, so I guess that's their reasoning.
what song is that in the beginning of the intro?
watermelon man
I have the alto, it’s a great instrument. I’m sure the tenor is fantastic too. My only dislike is the color.
Missing something🎵🎶🎷…Hmmm….🤔
first