In response to a question from Chris about  Buying a Saxophone, here are some other ideas on the the subject from Manny:

Well, let me put in my 2 cents, or at least where I’m at, “2 yen” worth.

Definitely, bring another (and more experienced) sax player with you. Like buying a new car, take the time and try out different saxes. When I started taking sax lessons after a long absence, due to my work schedule, I used the music school horns, a Yamaha 275. That is also a great horn. I’ve had nothing but great experiences with Yamahas. Later, I brought my high school/college YAS-23 from home and practiced with it before buying my new Selmer alto Ref 54. Both are great horns.

Since you have had one lesson, I would say rent first (or if you can, use the school horn, like me). That way, you will know if you really like the sax. And during the time you are learning, go to different music stores and try their horns. People buy certain saxes for many reasons (ie. sound, quality, weight, the feel of the fingers on the keys, looks, etc.). I took a year before I settled on my horn.

Go to different websites, like www. saxontheweb.net. There are a lot of people who can give you good advice.

You were going to spend $1500 on a beginning horn. I think way too much! I would say save the money and for a few hundred more, you can get a professional horn without much trouble if you’re into sax for the long haul. You can even bargain music stores down a few hundred dollars if you can shell out the cash on the day, like me. Check the internet. There are many sax store around the World you can check. Check out You Tube for sax demos. If your going to spend a few hundred dollars more, I would recommend the Yamahas, Yanigasawas, and the P.Mauriats. I played a few P.Mauriats and they are great horns for the money. The reason they are inexpensive is that they are made in Taiwan, but from brass from France. They have gotten great reviews.

The best of luck to you.

Manny