Honestly when playing on stage or in a bar 100% of people would never hear the difference. Would be a great horn to take out when you didn't want to take out the pro horn.
I have a "cheap" alto Saxaphone and, honestly, I love it. I switched out the mouthpiece, adjusted the octave pad and slightly tightened the G# adjustment screw to fix a tiny bit of leakage. The big win for me is that without my "cheap" sax, I wouldn't be learning or playing sax at all so being able to afford a low priced sax has unlocked a new side of my inner music, something that I am hugely grateful to have and to be able to explore. My Alto Sax is a Gear4Music (UK) own brand student sax, and I'm just so happy to be able to play along with Better Sax lessons. My only gripes are that the sax didn't come with any pull-through cleaning cloths (just a pad saver) and the neck strap is really crap. The neck tenon socket is also slightly loose so I can move the neck, even with the screw tightened, but there's no air leak so all is good. I've had my Alto sax for over a year, and, aside from the adjustments I mentioned, it's remained solid. Now that I'm able to apply myself again I'm having a lot of fun, and improving day by day, with the help of Better Sax lessons and videos.
You have exactly the same one as I purchased, I've had it just over a year and the same really, It's been tightened up a bit but decent quality. I'm currently looking at a yamaha yas275 but not sure if it's worth me upgrading
The dead giveaway was when you played the low note (I think it was the Bb). The first one did not come out easily. Sax B sounded like it came out effortlessly...a sign of a good horn
This could also just be because he’s more comfortable on sax B. Indefinitely have played a ton of other instruments where I play better on my daily driver because I’m used to it.
Im glad there are people out there like you that help us people who dont want to spend an arm and a leg on an instrument. I wouldnt even be playing instruments if they werent so cheap. So im thankful there are cheaper instruments out there
I think it’s the second one. “B” is the Chinese made saxophone. I listened very very hard and tried to distinguish which one is the Yanigisawa. They sound so much alike. It’s really hard to tell. I tried to concentrate really hard and listened to it in a meditative mode, but still can’t tell the difference. I came to the conclusion that it is the person who blows into the mouthpiece with depth wisdom and experience that can create the beauty of its sound. Thank you Sir for all your helpful, informative and edifying posts. You surely educate the people. Keep up the good work.
I actually bought the Eastar myself recently (It was the only saxophone I could afford), and everything Jay said was spot on. The sound is certainly there, although a better mouthpiece is a necessity compared to the one that comes in the case (I'm using a Meyer 5M as suggested by Jay in another video). The case is also not great, but I found that wedging the sax with the provided cleaning cloths keeps it in place substantially better. The only real downside I can see with this saxophone is the "feel". It certainly feels cheaper in my hands compared to a few other saxes I've seen and handled. There is a little play in a few of the keys, but the sax seals really well considering the cheaper quality of the pads. My plan for this sax is to use it to learn on for the next year or so while I save up for a more professional quality horn. If you're looking for a sax to practice or learn on, this is a great starting point in my opinion. Awesome video!
hello matthew what mouth piece should i buy for the eastar sax i dont know much about saxophone but would like to have one and i know mouth pieces are better im portant for sound thank you so much
Just bought this sax on eBay brand new for less that $170 shipped with taxes included! I’ve been wanting to learn to play the sax for as long as I can remember, and I’m now 32 years old. Super excited! I don’t expect the best instrument, but if I decide to stick with it, I can always buy a better one, knowing I only spent about $170 to get my foot in the door. To me, that’s totally worth the money. I could always sell it cheap to a kid also wanting to learn when I do decide to upgrade. Sounds like a win no matter how you look at it!
i got my first sax at 32 I wish to learn how to play also... Im not sure if I have a bad sax or I really suck at playing I cant get my low notes to come out right
The results of the poll are interesting to say the least! When so many chose A as the pro sax, I thought ok maybe my ears were dead wrong.. But when the results were revealed, I was more impressed that A turned out to be the Eastar! It has such a clean and clear tone and would definitely be the choice of tone for many out there! Absolutely impressive at its price point for sure!
You can tell the difference because the Eastar(A) despite having a good clear tone, has definitely a less deep tone, you can hear it in the professional one (B). It's all about hears, as you say.
@@dandac3648 If you can then good for you. I couldn't tell the difference. But I don't see that as a problem. Both saxes sounded good to me because the player himself is the most important proponent behind what truly makes a great tone.
Bought mine years ago because of this video. Still play it in big bands and get compliments about its antique finish and sound. Nothing has fallen off and looks brand new and I don’t wipe it down. No rust like my Yamaha and Selmer.
B is the pro. Pretty obvious with studio headphones, but the change in quality production of instruments in the last 10 years even....is impressive. I bought a Jean Paul Alto brand new for just $275 locally and could not be happier.
I like that you said that cause I like the first one better and that's not easy to do against a Yanagasawa I have 37 years experience plus / I feel the same way you do / Great Ear you have you were correct in my opinion I bought the A
Wow, I gotta be honest, I wasn't expecting to get it right because it was in fact VERY close. I had to switch off my generic audio technica headphones to my in ear monitors to really tell the difference, and I REALLY had to listen for the differences. Great video!
I think the "B" one is the expensive one, when I increase the volume the "A" Sax makes some sidenoise while playing a note consistently and the transition between notes
A couple of things that he didn't mention (unless I missed it!) that make a difference are: Intonation - all saxes struggle with being consistently in tune across the range, but it's often a lot more of a problem with cheap ones. Altissimo - this can be a lot more difficult to get to work on cheap saxes. Repairs - with good brands you'll be able to get things fixed if they go wrong - with cheap ones it will probably be too difficult to get parts or too expensive in comparison to the value of the sax to get it fixed (although, on the other hand, if it's cheap you may feel ok about trying to fix it yourself!)
You can hear that the Yanigasawa resonates and "buzzes" a little more especially in the lower and middle register. Honestly though I wouldn't have known if everything he played was with the octave key I think
I got it! My repair guy hates those cheap horns. You make the Eastar sound good, Having trouble playing well is not always the player. Once I had the 5 leaks fixed, I'm a much better player, and the reed geek has been a big help getting the palm key notes to play on my bari and the low notes on my alto, and just better overall without having to throw away reeds. Thanks for your inspiration.
I've been thinking about picking up the sax for years. And this video just may push me over the edge and get one. At first, I didn't know how expensive they could be, but seeing this cheap sax gives me permission to try it out and see if I actually like. I did that with the guitar many years ago and still play it to this day.
I got the eastar and I honestly use it more than my $2k one. It’s just easier to play but thanks for the video it makes me feel better knowing I did a good buy for my first sax. Next sax is hopefully your Better Sax
I play sax and guitar, and the Chinese made guitars are astonishing at the price. They’re easily competing with some of the intermediate level stuff. I have a kohlert 460 tenor I bought new about 15 years ago from MF. Made in Vietnam but it was about $400. Still looks and plays like new. I’m still blown by how well it plays for a cheap import sax and 15 years going strong. I do take extra care, it doesn’t leave the house and gets a good cleaning after every play. But I’d do that anyway. I do my own repairs but other than a few corks and having to reglue a few of the fake mother of pearl inlays back in, no problems.
a better saxophone as we all know isnt just the sound, it is the durability, and over-all craftsmanship. as you mentioned, the pads/etc make a difference. but todays manufacturing processes are all fairly similar. but, excellent job on the video, i can't tell the difference from the sound alone, but then again you are not playing a full range either. but wow...such a low price range should allow people to pick up the sax as a hobby rather easily. That is awesome.
Always wanted to play when I was kid but my uncle had a trombone to give so it was that or nothing. Now I'm 49 and after dropping a lot of hints to the Mrs, I see one the Eastar Altos in my basement for what I am assuming is a Christmas present. Can't wait to start!
Thanks for the big opportunity to have a saxophone,I was thinking of having one but I don't have money to buy one,I hope that a can win this saxophone thanks to you man
I was able to identify correctly at 3rd play. First, and second play was really challenging because both sounded really the same. However, I can definitely hear the tone difference on 3rd play. Eastar definitely sounded duller and didn't have nice ringing noise.
Thanks for performing the comparison, very impressive. I have Selmer tenor TS 500 & M6, ergonomic & fingering are exactly the same, and the sound quality difference is not significant, say 85 to 90%, BUT the TS500 price is about less than quarter of that M6.
I agree with you Jay. The player does make a difference in the sound of the saxophone or any instrument. My pro model sax is a 1964 Selmer Mark VI. My backup sax is Woodwind and I have been able to fool some people as t which horn I am playing!
The A is impressively Awsom Thanks I Record with Mike Harris from Earth Wind in Fire for over 20 Years I bought it and I had a Yanagasawa in 1977 I bought the 246.00 one I think its Hott I've been Playing Sax for over 37 Years Thanks Champ yes I am a Pro many Years constant Work very Fun Playing The Sax is like the 4th of July everyday
I heard, when relistening on a pair of decent cans, "A" felt a little uneasy at the extremes (high and low). It's been 20 years since I was serious about a saxophone but I think, even with my observation above, I would be happy having spent that amount money on an instrument that sounded that nice. Then again, I was a sorry excuse of a player. :P Loving the content of late, Jay! Keep it up!
@@spalding1968 Keep in mind every sax is different, even if it's the same brand. Might be worth getting a good sounding horn that will last you 20-30 years than getting one every few years and having to adjust.
In my opinion, the player, reed, mouthpiece, and ligature makes up about 90% of the quality on the saxophone, maybe even more. I have bought Chinese horns with mouthpiece/reed/ligature combos that are more expensive than the horn itself and it sounds professional. Chinese horns have really stepped up their game and should be considered when buying any musical instruments. I'm gonna say that B was the more expensive horn. Edit: Dang I was wrong, but it is a close call.
hello what mouth piece should i buy for the eastar sax i dont know much about saxophone but would like to have one and i know mouth pieces are better im portant for sound thank you so much
I'm a bari sax player but wanted an alto sax just to have one. I watched your video comparison of the Yani and the Slade, and I immediately bought the Slade alto sax from amazon. I just got it in the mail today, and I gotta say, it does play well considering the cheap price.
I really couldn't tell the difference, but I could the see tell-tale ring between the bell & the body on the Yanagisawa in the darkened clip, so I knew which was which. ☺
It is almost impossible to tell, mostly because you are an awesome player but I believe that the projection on sax B is just a bit better and that is more expensive sax. The important thing is that it takes back to back comparison to hear any difference making the slight difference unimportant.
They really sound similar. It is true that the sax player does make the difference and then come the mouthpiece, the Reed. The Sax difference is more on the Key actions, and also the resonance but for the player. Indeed we hear differently than thé auditors as a player .
I would have to say that B has a better over all sound, especially in the lower range. The A horn was a bit edgier and the lowest notes sounded "thin". The B horn had the most consistent sound throughout the range of the horn. For me, though, it was the lower range that swayed my vote.
Yes, the Eastar sax sounds very good in the hands of a professional player, but what you didn't report and we can't tell by listening is the amount of resistance, or conversely the ease with which you produce that nice tone.
Jay, we all know that you could be playing a rusty old pipe with your favourite mouthpiece and it would sound just as good. The price factor I think is about build and reliability. You'd expect a $4000 horn to last more than a couple of years. For us beginners, it's about playability. If the cheapest looks and acts ok, but is too hard to play, it's not a bargain. BTW ... I'm gonna wait till I get a chance to win the Yanagisawa.
Honestly cannot tell any difference whatsoverer (with headphones)... and yet the difference on my pocket....??? WOWSER - BIG difference.... Am gonna give one of these Chinese saxophones a go... to tip my toe in to the oh so gorgeous saxy sax universe...
My "guess" is that the Chinese is #1, but to be honest, they both sound terrific. You sure have a great approach to playing! Thanks for the great demos and great video - a HUGE service to sax peeps worldwide! Keep the wonderful, entertaining, and educational stuff coming please!
As a bassist thinking about buying a sax, I know how important feel is. I have a £220 Ibanez and a £2000 Rickenbacker. They sounds slightly different, though mostly similar when amped up, but they feel very different. Sounds comes from playability. If a bass/sax is easy to play, a competent musician will make it sounds good, but an amateur musician will never made an expensive instrument sound good. Playability always beats sound. But we musicians like stuff. We like toys and gadgets and gizmos, and we get emotionally attached to our babies. I play my Rick because I love the look, the sound, the feel, and Lemmy. Money was never really an issue. I was always going to buy a Ric, even if it costed £10,000.
I choose B but honestly it was almost a random choice. I think that the difference in sound is much less subtle for a soprano or a tenor sax, maybe because they are more difficult to create, but this is just an impression of mine. Let me know what do you think Jay. Always incredible videos from you, I love them!
One of the times I could hear the difference. I believe the Yani was the 2nd horn. It seemed like you could hear more of a full tone. (I somewhat cheated to verify my ear. You could physically look at the neck strap holder ring and see what seemed to be a thinner metal ring on the one that I believe was not the Yani too.) Could be wrong, and I guess if you're not rough housing the sax that's not a big deal, if the tone is close.
Al principio no pensaba así pero con los años he llegado a esta conclusión!!!! Músico 99% Instrumento 1% Dedica tu tiempo y dinero a formarte como músico.
I myself am not a sax player (might start tomorrow lol) however, after increasing the volume a bit I was able to hear some tiny differences: A being: Darker and somewhat richer, lively tone whilst... B being: somewhat plasticky and a bit brighter tone which is something I dont find pleasing. I'd prefer A therefore A is the better sax for its rich and dark tone Btw, I got the answer from the first song comparison. For the second song comparison, they sound very similar. For the third comparison, the highs on B sounded almost similar to A but wasn't as good enough. Ok, after reaching 9:11 I was stunned to find out that B was the better sax. They almost sounded similar with me thinking that A was better. This video left me stunned and I hope you'd do more videos like this. It's good for realizing differences.
its quite easy to tell.. which one is which.. a pro sax can provide better dynamics and tonal color.. the first sax has a very consistent tone while pro sax has a little bit of tone variation and colors.
Thanks so much for this video man! As someone who is now a high school freshman that's been playing the same beginner sax since sixth grade, I've been struggling with deciding on where to put my saving between a car or an intermediate sax. Your video has let me know that I don't need to drop 3 grand on a new saxophone if I'm willing to make do with what I've got.
The difference are on the QUALITY! Yamaha Saxophone, which i have (yas-62) is very comfortable. It is simply better then my previous (J.Michel). But selmer sa-2 is the best in my opinion. It is more comfortable and it has the most beautiful sound for me. And its mechanical parts are super comfortable.
B has a more open sound than the A which sounds like it has a bit of cloth down the pipe. Having said that if I could play like you Jay I could live with it, plenty.
OK, been playing since I was 10, I'm 62. I'd be lying if I said I can tell a difference other than to my ear, horn B "seemed" to have a slightly richer tone in the lower register. To say which one is which I can't do. I took a student to a local store to check out tenors, brought my own with me. I play a 1960's Buescher 400 that I've had for 39 years. Like you I played the same mouthpiece & reed on all horns, I use a Strathon adjustatone "7" that came with the horn, generally in the forward/bright position & La Vos medium reed. We compared my Buescher to Yamaha student model, mid range (price wise)Yanagisawa, Cannonball Stone series and probably a early 70's Selmer Mark VI and my students student model Selmer. What I found was very little difference in overall sound, a difference yes but very little. The Mark VI & Buescher were my favorite, along with the Cannonball, they were richer in tone. The newer horns were a bit brighter which I attribute to metal, both the Mark VI & Buescher are heavier horns & older metal, the student model Selmer seemed a little stuffy but still fine for a student model. All of which leads me to believe what I've thought for a long time, mouthpiece & embouchure make a huge difference in terms of tone. The biggest difference I found with all the horns was comfort & positioning of fingerings & action. I love the Mark IV & Cannonball, I'm of course very used to my Buescher even though the throw on the keys is a little higher/more open. The rest I was a little uncomfortable with and other than the student model Selmer that felt clunky I think that's personal preference & becoming familiar/used to the instrument. In the end I encouraged my student to buy a better mouthpiece before spending big bucks on a horn & I personally couldn't justify spending $5000.00 - $6000.00 9at the time, probably more now) for a Mark VI to get slightly better action over the $400.00 (when I bought it 39 years ago) Buescher. I do play a Mark VI alto & love it. I really can't agree with you more, a well built inexpensive Sax is absolutely fine for a beginner or intermediate player.
I think B is the expensive one. There's just a sliiiiiiiiiiight difference in tone(?) in the middle register. EDIT: Yeah, there's a few tones that are just bad and off on A. B sounds more like my own precious old Yanagisawa 990μ
My problem is that when I was younger and single I taught myself too many instruments. I regret that now, because I wish I had focused on just 1 or 2 and would maybe have become really good on those. Now that I'm older, married with kids I sadly have little time for music. But I did order myself one of those $381 tenor saxophones from China. If it's in OK working condition I'll be happy. I'll be playing it whenever I have some extra time😊
What this makes me think is the bulk of the tone is generated in the embouchure/mouthpiece/reed complex and the body of the instrument is all the bits that go out of whack! There's a little more harmonic content in B so I'll punt for that being the Yani.
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Honestly when playing on stage or in a bar 100% of people would never hear the difference. Would be a great horn to take out when you didn't want to take out the pro horn.
We call them Street Horns. I would not take my MkVI to play outside gigs.
@@derekakien7379 then what's the point of buying the pro😆
I have a "cheap" alto Saxaphone and, honestly, I love it. I switched out the mouthpiece, adjusted the octave pad and slightly tightened the G# adjustment screw to fix a tiny bit of leakage. The big win for me is that without my "cheap" sax, I wouldn't be learning or playing sax at all so being able to afford a low priced sax has unlocked a new side of my inner music, something that I am hugely grateful to have and to be able to explore. My Alto Sax is a Gear4Music (UK) own brand student sax, and I'm just so happy to be able to play along with Better Sax lessons. My only gripes are that the sax didn't come with any pull-through cleaning cloths (just a pad saver) and the neck strap is really crap. The neck tenon socket is also slightly loose so I can move the neck, even with the screw tightened, but there's no air leak so all is good. I've had my Alto sax for over a year, and, aside from the adjustments I mentioned, it's remained solid. Now that I'm able to apply myself again I'm having a lot of fun, and improving day by day, with the help of Better Sax lessons and videos.
U mentioned a uk horn what about Trevor james classic 2
You have exactly the same one as I purchased, I've had it just over a year and the same really, It's been tightened up a bit but decent quality. I'm currently looking at a yamaha yas275 but not sure if it's worth me upgrading
This comment was so inspiring to read!
B is 100% the Yani, but for real the Eastar is sooo good for this price !
I also think that is sounds that good because YOU are playing it 😉
Yes. A top player can make the kitchen sink sound good.
Saw a guy in Covent Garden playing blues on a traffic cone - no mouthpiece either!
Derek Akien lol i highly doubt that
A is the yani I could see the key risers
They had slightly different tone but I had no preference when it came to "better"
The dead giveaway was when you played the low note (I think it was the Bb). The first one did not come out easily. Sax B sounded like it came out effortlessly...a sign of a good horn
Yeah up until then I couldn't really tell
B was also a RCH more resonant throughout the range.
This could also just be because he’s more comfortable on sax B.
Indefinitely have played a ton of other instruments where I play better on my daily driver because I’m used to it.
That was my thought process too
I'm a beginner sax player, taking a wild guess after listening really really close, but I think "B" is the Yanigasawa.
They both sound like Jay, and that's a good thing. Very illuminating, and couldn't agree more about shape over brass quality! Nice work man.
Thanks Wally
Leading the way for the “great musicians don’t need expensive instruments” movement, love what you do!
When you spend more money for your bari sax mouthpiece than that alto costs...........
Bruh it really be like that
Oof.
i feel you
lol i just a bought a 250 dollar mouthpiece for my alto and that sax almost costs the same
My Berg-Larson cost me $95; guess I got a good deal.
Im glad there are people out there like you that help us people who dont want to spend an arm and a leg on an instrument. I wouldnt even be playing instruments if they werent so cheap. So im thankful there are cheaper instruments out there
I think it’s the second one.
“B” is the Chinese made saxophone. I listened very very hard and tried to distinguish which one is the Yanigisawa.
They sound so much alike.
It’s really hard to tell.
I tried to concentrate really hard and listened to it in a meditative mode,
but still can’t tell the difference.
I came to the conclusion that it is the person who blows into the mouthpiece with depth wisdom and experience that can create the beauty of its sound.
Thank you Sir for all your helpful, informative and edifying posts. You surely educate the people. Keep up the good work.
thank you.
I actually bought the Eastar myself recently (It was the only saxophone I could afford), and everything Jay said was spot on. The sound is certainly there, although a better mouthpiece is a necessity compared to the one that comes in the case (I'm using a Meyer 5M as suggested by Jay in another video). The case is also not great, but I found that wedging the sax with the provided cleaning cloths keeps it in place substantially better. The only real downside I can see with this saxophone is the "feel". It certainly feels cheaper in my hands compared to a few other saxes I've seen and handled. There is a little play in a few of the keys, but the sax seals really well considering the cheaper quality of the pads. My plan for this sax is to use it to learn on for the next year or so while I save up for a more professional quality horn. If you're looking for a sax to practice or learn on, this is a great starting point in my opinion. Awesome video!
hello matthew what mouth piece should i buy for the eastar sax i dont know much about saxophone but would like to have one and i know mouth pieces are better im portant for sound thank you so much
Just bought this sax on eBay brand new for less that $170 shipped with taxes included! I’ve been wanting to learn to play the sax for as long as I can remember, and I’m now 32 years old. Super excited! I don’t expect the best instrument, but if I decide to stick with it, I can always buy a better one, knowing I only spent about $170 to get my foot in the door. To me, that’s totally worth the money. I could always sell it cheap to a kid also wanting to learn when I do decide to upgrade. Sounds like a win no matter how you look at it!
i got my first sax at 32 I wish to learn how to play also... Im not sure if I have a bad sax or I really suck at playing I cant get my low notes to come out right
The results of the poll are interesting to say the least! When so many chose A as the pro sax, I thought ok maybe my ears were dead wrong.. But when the results were revealed, I was more impressed that A turned out to be the Eastar! It has such a clean and clear tone and would definitely be the choice of tone for many out there! Absolutely impressive at its price point for sure!
Wheres the results
You can tell the difference because the Eastar(A) despite having a good clear tone, has definitely a less deep tone, you can hear it in the professional one (B). It's all about hears, as you say.
@@dandac3648 If you can then good for you. I couldn't tell the difference. But I don't see that as a problem. Both saxes sounded good to me because the player himself is the most important proponent behind what truly makes a great tone.
May I have the saxophone please
Bought mine years ago because of this video. Still play it in big bands and get compliments about its antique finish and sound. Nothing has fallen off and looks brand new and I don’t wipe it down. No rust like my Yamaha and Selmer.
“B” sounds richer to me, but I am no expert. Your evaluation is unbiased and professional.
It sounds identical..unbelievable..
I ordered eastar professional alto sax just before. Thanks much for great info.
B is the pro. Pretty obvious with studio headphones, but the change in quality production of instruments in the last 10 years even....is impressive. I bought a Jean Paul Alto brand new for just $275 locally and could not be happier.
a is definitely the more expensive one as it sounds so much more crisp and smooth
edit: OMG was i seriously wrong
I like that you said that cause I like the first one better and that's not easy to do against a Yanagasawa I have 37 years experience plus / I feel the same way you do / Great Ear you have you were correct in my opinion I bought the A
I bought the A on the first one. On the second one it was definitely B to me.
Nah B is the Yani
It's not as rich which I dont like
Wow, I gotta be honest, I wasn't expecting to get it right because it was in fact VERY close. I had to switch off my generic audio technica headphones to my in ear monitors to really tell the difference, and I REALLY had to listen for the differences. Great video!
Not when YOU are playing it. You rock Jay!!!
Thanks Eric!
I think the "B" one is the expensive one, when I increase the volume the "A" Sax makes some sidenoise while playing a note consistently and the transition between notes
The sound of the mechanisms movements it's maybe one of the most significant differences. Great video!
A couple of things that he didn't mention (unless I missed it!) that make a difference are:
Intonation - all saxes struggle with being consistently in tune across the range, but it's often a lot more of a problem with cheap ones.
Altissimo - this can be a lot more difficult to get to work on cheap saxes.
Repairs - with good brands you'll be able to get things fixed if they go wrong - with cheap ones it will probably be too difficult to get parts or too expensive in comparison to the value of the sax to get it fixed (although, on the other hand, if it's cheap you may feel ok about trying to fix it yourself!)
I have a Jupiter student and a Selmer Serie 3 and the Selmer not only sounds better when but plays insanely better
You can hear that the Yanigasawa resonates and "buzzes" a little more especially in the lower and middle register. Honestly though I wouldn't have known if everything he played was with the octave key I think
I got it! My repair guy hates those cheap horns. You make the Eastar sound good, Having trouble playing well is not always the player. Once I had the 5 leaks fixed, I'm a much better player, and the reed geek has been a big help getting the palm key notes to play on my bari and the low notes on my alto, and just better overall without having to throw away reeds. Thanks for your inspiration.
I've been thinking about picking up the sax for years. And this video just may push me over the edge and get one. At first, I didn't know how expensive they could be, but seeing this cheap sax gives me permission to try it out and see if I actually like. I did that with the guitar many years ago and still play it to this day.
I got the eastar and I honestly use it more than my $2k one. It’s just easier to play but thanks for the video it makes me feel better knowing I did a good buy for my first sax. Next sax is hopefully your Better Sax
I play sax and guitar, and the Chinese made guitars are astonishing at the price. They’re easily competing with some of the intermediate level stuff. I have a kohlert 460 tenor I bought new about 15 years ago from MF. Made in Vietnam but it was about $400. Still looks and plays like new. I’m still blown by how well it plays for a cheap import sax and 15 years going strong. I do take extra care, it doesn’t leave the house and gets a good cleaning after every play. But I’d do that anyway. I do my own repairs but other than a few corks and having to reglue a few of the fake mother of pearl inlays back in, no problems.
a better saxophone as we all know isnt just the sound, it is the durability, and over-all craftsmanship. as you mentioned, the pads/etc make a difference. but todays manufacturing processes are all fairly similar. but, excellent job on the video, i can't tell the difference from the sound alone, but then again you are not playing a full range either. but wow...such a low price range should allow people to pick up the sax as a hobby rather easily. That is awesome.
Always wanted to play when I was kid but my uncle had a trombone to give so it was that or nothing. Now I'm 49 and after dropping a lot of hints to the Mrs, I see one the Eastar Altos in my basement for what I am assuming is a Christmas present. Can't wait to start!
I put the blind test on speakers. I was not able ti tell which is which. Great tone and nice playing on both horns.
Thank you a million- one thousand, Jay.
It's not just about the sound of a sax. It's also ergonomics, material quality, ease of blowing, projection, darkness of sound, intonation, etc....
Thank you for playing! I'm planning on getting the cheap eatar II student saxophone one for my son 7th grade band to have an instrument at home.
Thanks for the big opportunity to have a saxophone,I was thinking of having one but I don't have money to buy one,I hope that a can win this saxophone thanks to you man
Good luck
I could hear the difference, and correctly identified the pro... but actually really impressed by how good the Eastar sounds for the price.
It's not the sax it's you, a good sax man can make any sax sound good 👍👍
I could only hear a difference in the first comparison, warmer/rounded sound in B in some low notes, couldn't tell otherwise!
they are surprisingly close when you listen back.
I was able to identify correctly at 3rd play. First, and second play was really challenging because both sounded really the same. However, I can definitely hear the tone difference on 3rd play. Eastar definitely sounded duller and didn't have nice ringing noise.
Definitely B is the pro, but pretty close! The Eastar sounds a little thin on the bottom.
Amazing🙃hard to tell . The sound of the B sax is warmer but the difference is minimal
Thanks for performing the comparison, very impressive.
I have Selmer tenor TS 500 & M6, ergonomic & fingering are exactly the same, and the sound quality difference is not significant, say 85 to 90%, BUT the TS500 price is about less than quarter of that M6.
I agree with you Jay. The player does make a difference in the sound of the saxophone or any instrument. My pro model sax is a 1964 Selmer Mark VI. My backup sax is Woodwind and I have been able to fool some people as t which horn I am playing!
The A is impressively Awsom Thanks I Record with Mike Harris from Earth Wind in Fire for over 20 Years I bought it and I had a Yanagasawa in 1977 I bought the 246.00 one I think its Hott I've been Playing Sax for over 37 Years Thanks Champ yes I am a Pro many Years constant Work very Fun Playing The Sax is like the 4th of July everyday
I heard, when relistening on a pair of decent cans, "A" felt a little uneasy at the extremes (high and low). It's been 20 years since I was serious about a saxophone but I think, even with my observation above, I would be happy having spent that amount money on an instrument that sounded that nice.
Then again, I was a sorry excuse of a player. :P
Loving the content of late, Jay! Keep it up!
Tone is subjective. I like B better. Sounds “richer” but slightly. Just slightly.
Patrick Long b is the cheaper one look at the ring thing connected to the bell
Aulii Kaauamo I just ordered the cheap amazon sax . No one can convince me that the sound difference was clearly in favour of one over the other .
The sounds may not be that much worse, but I suspect an instrument like that will not hold up over time.
Jorkles over how much time ? I could buy 8 cheap saxes instead of one expensive one . How many saxes will I get through in one life time ?
@@spalding1968 Keep in mind every sax is different, even if it's the same brand. Might be worth getting a good sounding horn that will last you 20-30 years than getting one every few years and having to adjust.
I think B is the expensive one
It be A
Ay I guessed right! You can tell if you listen closely to the long notes, the tone is less smooth on the Eastar
In my opinion, the player, reed, mouthpiece, and ligature makes up about 90% of the quality on the saxophone, maybe even more. I have bought Chinese horns with mouthpiece/reed/ligature combos that are more expensive than the horn itself and it sounds professional. Chinese horns have really stepped up their game and should be considered when buying any musical instruments.
I'm gonna say that B was the more expensive horn.
Edit: Dang I was wrong, but it is a close call.
hello what mouth piece should i buy for the eastar sax i dont know much about saxophone but would like to have one and i know mouth pieces are better im portant for sound thank you so much
God I love the amazing quality put into each and every video! Keep up the amazing work you make us all happy!
I'm a bari sax player but wanted an alto sax just to have one. I watched your video comparison of the Yani and the Slade, and I immediately bought the Slade alto sax from amazon. I just got it in the mail today, and I gotta say, it does play well considering the cheap price.
Very helpful, always wanted to learn how to play the alto sax and just got myself an Eastar....more than good for a beginner. Thank you
我是一个成人初学者，没有太多的预算我当然还是买了我们中国国产品牌的saxophone，目前我觉得还不错，当然老师您的视频给了我很多帮助，谢谢老师！Thanks！
The quality of your videos are getting so good
I really couldn't tell the difference, but I could the see tell-tale ring between the bell & the body on the Yanagisawa in the darkened clip, so I knew which was which. ☺
It is almost impossible to tell, mostly because you are an awesome player but I believe that the projection on sax B is just a bit better and that is more expensive sax. The important thing is that it takes back to back comparison to hear any difference making the slight difference unimportant.
They really sound similar. It is true that the sax player does make the difference and then come the mouthpiece, the Reed. The Sax difference is more on the Key actions, and also the resonance but for the player. Indeed we hear differently than thé auditors as a player .
Sick! Loved the Yani for it felt warmer but Stellar playing Jay! 🔥
thanks!
Oh yeah I think you're doing a great job with the videos. I'm enjoying them. Thank you
Try out the Eastar AS-III professional. Have one. It's a FANTASTIC horn.... but I'd like to hear what you think.
I would have to say that B has a better over all sound, especially in the lower range. The A horn was a bit edgier and the lowest notes sounded "thin". The B horn had the most consistent sound throughout the range of the horn. For me, though, it was the lower range that swayed my vote.
Indeed
Greetings from Manchester. Thank you for your honest review.
You convinced me to go for an Ebay cheap Alto Sax
Jay when I listened to both b sound smoother on the notes. A good ear will hear it Merry xmas
Yes, the Eastar sax sounds very good in the hands of a professional player, but what you didn't report and we can't tell by listening is the amount of resistance, or conversely the ease with which you produce that nice tone.
B has slightly more rasp,which I like,and slightly more punch and clarity. But they are very close in sound.
Jay, we all know that you could be playing a rusty old pipe with your favourite mouthpiece and it would sound just as good.
The price factor I think is about build and reliability. You'd expect a $4000 horn to last more than a couple of years. For us beginners, it's about playability. If the cheapest looks and acts ok, but is too hard to play, it's not a bargain.
BTW ... I'm gonna wait till I get a chance to win the Yanagisawa.
I though A was the pro because i swear i had some out of tune notes on B
Thank you for the great review. Very professional
The main reason I knew the Eastar was A is because I have one and I recognized the size of the ring where you attach a neck strap.
The 1st sounds purest but both sound awesome.
Honestly cannot tell any difference whatsoverer (with headphones)... and yet the difference on my pocket....??? WOWSER - BIG difference.... Am gonna give one of these Chinese saxophones a go... to tip my toe in to the oh so gorgeous saxy sax universe...
Just bought a yanagisawa, the experience is great, but this clearly makes me get second thoughts on my purchase...
My "guess" is that the Chinese is #1, but to be honest, they both sound terrific. You sure have a great approach to playing! Thanks for the great demos and great video - a HUGE service to sax peeps worldwide! Keep the wonderful, entertaining, and educational stuff coming please!
thank you!
As a bassist thinking about buying a sax, I know how important feel is. I have a £220 Ibanez and a £2000 Rickenbacker. They sounds slightly different, though mostly similar when amped up, but they feel very different. Sounds comes from playability. If a bass/sax is easy to play, a competent musician will make it sounds good, but an amateur musician will never made an expensive instrument sound good.
Playability always beats sound.
But we musicians like stuff. We like toys and gadgets and gizmos, and we get emotionally attached to our babies. I play my Rick because I love the look, the sound, the feel, and Lemmy. Money was never really an issue. I was always going to buy a Ric, even if it costed £10,000.
I play a super 20 tenor, a jz bari (a chinese brand that plays extremely well), and a jean baptiste alto. Believe me, I know.
B definitely is the professional
I choose B but honestly it was almost a random choice. I think that the difference in sound is much less subtle for a soprano or a tenor sax, maybe because they are more difficult to create, but this is just an impression of mine. Let me know what do you think Jay.
Always incredible videos from you, I love them!
One of the times I could hear the difference. I believe the Yani was the 2nd horn. It seemed like you could hear more of a full tone. (I somewhat cheated to verify my ear. You could physically look at the neck strap holder ring and see what seemed to be a thinner metal ring on the one that I believe was not the Yani too.) Could be wrong, and I guess if you're not rough housing the sax that's not a big deal, if the tone is close.
Al principio no pensaba así pero con los años he llegado a esta conclusión!!!!
Músico 99%
Instrumento 1%
Dedica tu tiempo y dinero a formarte como músico.
I myself am not a sax player (might start tomorrow lol) however, after increasing the volume a bit I was able to hear some tiny differences:
A being: Darker and somewhat richer, lively tone whilst...
B being: somewhat plasticky and a bit brighter tone which is something I dont find pleasing.
I'd prefer A therefore A is the better sax for its rich and dark tone
Btw, I got the answer from the first song comparison. For the second song comparison, they sound very similar. For the third comparison, the highs on B sounded almost similar to A but wasn't as good enough.
Ok, after reaching 9:11 I was stunned to find out that B was the better sax. They almost sounded similar with me thinking that A was better.
This video left me stunned and I hope you'd do more videos like this. It's good for realizing differences.
I like the professional saxophone. The sound is unique and distinct!
its quite easy to tell.. which one is which.. a pro sax can provide better dynamics and tonal color.. the first sax has a very consistent tone while pro sax has a little bit of tone variation and colors.
They both sound great, it's the artist not the instrument.
It's amazing the sound of both saxos
Honestly, part of what gave it way for me was the way you played them. You seemed to have a little more "sass" with the $4k sax.
Thanks so much for this video man! As someone who is now a high school freshman that's been playing the same beginner sax since sixth grade, I've been struggling with deciding on where to put my saving between a car or an intermediate sax. Your video has let me know that I don't need to drop 3 grand on a new saxophone if I'm willing to make do with what I've got.
If your horn works well for you then stick with it. Most of my pro horns cost less than $3K when I bought them used anyway.
A sounds like the pro y, and B the inexpensive one, but both sound great...the player is the key!
The difference are on the QUALITY! Yamaha Saxophone, which i have (yas-62) is very comfortable. It is simply better then my previous (J.Michel). But selmer sa-2 is the best in my opinion. It is more comfortable and it has the most beautiful sound for me. And its mechanical parts are super comfortable.
they both are sound wise indeed very similar. However, the or your intonation on the sax B is much better. That why I think that B is the Yanagisawa.
B has a more open sound than the A which sounds like it has a bit of cloth down the pipe. Having said that if I could play like you Jay I could live with it, plenty.
You should review the Easter soprano saxophone.
What a great and professionally made video!
It's all about the player, not the sax
OK, been playing since I was 10, I'm 62. I'd be lying if I said I can tell a difference other than to my ear, horn B "seemed" to have a slightly richer tone in the lower register. To say which one is which I can't do.
I took a student to a local store to check out tenors, brought my own with me. I play a 1960's Buescher 400 that I've had for 39 years. Like you I played the same mouthpiece & reed on all horns, I use a Strathon adjustatone "7" that came with the horn, generally in the forward/bright position & La Vos medium reed.
We compared my Buescher to Yamaha student model, mid range (price wise)Yanagisawa, Cannonball Stone series and probably a early 70's Selmer Mark VI and my students student model Selmer.
What I found was very little difference in overall sound, a difference yes but very little. The Mark VI & Buescher were my favorite, along with the Cannonball, they were richer in tone. The newer horns were a bit brighter which I attribute to metal, both the Mark VI & Buescher are heavier horns & older metal, the student model Selmer seemed a little stuffy but still fine for a student model.
All of which leads me to believe what I've thought for a long time, mouthpiece & embouchure make a huge difference in terms of tone.
The biggest difference I found with all the horns was comfort & positioning of fingerings & action. I love the Mark IV & Cannonball, I'm of course very used to my Buescher even though the throw on the keys is a little higher/more open. The rest I was a little uncomfortable with and other than the student model Selmer that felt clunky I think that's personal preference & becoming familiar/used to the instrument.
In the end I encouraged my student to buy a better mouthpiece before spending big bucks on a horn & I personally couldn't justify spending $5000.00 - $6000.00 9at the time, probably more now) for a Mark VI to get slightly better action over the $400.00 (when I bought it 39 years ago) Buescher. I do play a Mark VI alto & love it.
I really can't agree with you more, a well built inexpensive Sax is absolutely fine for a beginner or intermediate player.
I think B is the expensive one. There's just a sliiiiiiiiiiight difference in tone(?) in the middle register. EDIT: Yeah, there's a few tones that are just bad and off on A. B sounds more like my own precious old Yanagisawa 990μ
I'm sure the better quality from what I've heard and been told would sound much better. But if your a pro you can make anything sound amazing
My problem is that when I was younger and single I taught myself too many instruments. I regret that now, because I wish I had focused on just 1 or 2 and would maybe have become really good on those. Now that I'm older, married with kids I sadly have little time for music. But I did order myself one of those $381 tenor saxophones from China. If it's in OK working condition I'll be happy. I'll be playing it whenever I have some extra time😊
What this makes me think is the bulk of the tone is generated in the embouchure/mouthpiece/reed complex and the body of the instrument is all the bits that go out of whack! There's a little more harmonic content in B so I'll punt for that being the Yani.