Hello there ! fantastic review ! i want to ask how it compares with the normal Alpha model, and if its better to go with the Alpha to save some money and invest these money into a better barrel like fatboy and a better mouthpiece like Vocalise . I mean is it any other difference except the wood body ? does the Alpha plus has better construction on keysets or any other major differences on the rest parts ?
I can't remember off the top of my head if there is anything different as far as the mechanisms and key work go. Personally, I would go with the Alpha, and actually the Protege mouthpiece that I believe it comes with is really fantastic! Generally I recommend to save the extra money towards a future upgrade to a professional instrument, and skip intermediate instruments.
I actually have never tried specifically the Yamaha 650, but I really like Yamaha's and typically recommend the 255 for students. I think the Alpha Plus is actually probably more akin to a 450 or even somewhere between the 255 and 450. The Alpha Plus kind of fits the niche of high quality and wooden instrument that is still for students, whereas the Yamaha 650 is more of a introduction to professional level instruments.
Yes! I forgot to mention in this video that it comes with the Protege mouthpiece, which is quite good and I will be doing a dedicated review of it next week.
It definitely would work no problem for all of those at an amateur level! If there is a chance you will be playing outdoors, and doing more jazz and/or pop styles, I might go with the Alpha instead. The Alpha (not plus) is synthetic so it is more durable, a bit easier to play, and definitely more flexible in the jazz side whereas the Alpha Plus is a more stable and "darker" sound. Don't underate your old Selmer either. Sometimes those old instruments can be great with some good repair work.
Hello there ! fantastic review ! i want to ask how it compares with the normal Alpha model, and if its better to go with the Alpha to save some money and invest these money into a better barrel like fatboy and a better mouthpiece like Vocalise . I mean is it any other difference except the wood body ? does the Alpha plus has better construction on keysets or any other major differences on the rest parts ?
I can't remember off the top of my head if there is anything different as far as the mechanisms and key work go. Personally, I would go with the Alpha, and actually the Protege mouthpiece that I believe it comes with is really fantastic! Generally I recommend to save the extra money towards a future upgrade to a professional instrument, and skip intermediate instruments.
Great review! How would you compare it to a Yamaha 650? Would it be a fair comparison?
I actually have never tried specifically the Yamaha 650, but I really like Yamaha's and typically recommend the 255 for students. I think the Alpha Plus is actually probably more akin to a 450 or even somewhere between the 255 and 450. The Alpha Plus kind of fits the niche of high quality and wooden instrument that is still for students, whereas the Yamaha 650 is more of a introduction to professional level instruments.
Did you try it with the mouthpiece it came with?
Yes! I forgot to mention in this video that it comes with the Protege mouthpiece, which is quite good and I will be doing a dedicated review of it next week.
How would it work for various settings? Jazz? Wind band? Classical?
Actually, Im a 67 yr old beginner, coming from a lifetime of trumpet playing, playing a wood beater selmer signet 10. Looking to replace it as a goal.
It definitely would work no problem for all of those at an amateur level! If there is a chance you will be playing outdoors, and doing more jazz and/or pop styles, I might go with the Alpha instead. The Alpha (not plus) is synthetic so it is more durable, a bit easier to play, and definitely more flexible in the jazz side whereas the Alpha Plus is a more stable and "darker" sound.
Don't underate your old Selmer either. Sometimes those old instruments can be great with some good repair work.