My jazz mad daughter has just received funds to contribute to the purchase a Tenor Sax.

Unfortunately all teachers (instrument and band) are away for the summer and we would like to begin trying out Tenor Saxs but not sure where to begin and I am really not too keen on listening to/going through a vast list.

She has looked at the YTS82Z Tenor Sax in Black Lacquer, but I think this might be too ambitious a start. She thinks she will have it through and beyond Uni so it would be an investment.

She currently plays an Alto Sax YAS275E having got a distinction in her grade 7 and is now working towards her G8.

Any suggestions so that we can narrow down the try outs to about two or three?

Have a look at the Yanagisawa and Selmer Tenors ..... both are excellent.

She should get herself down to the new sax.co.uk on Denmark St - try out the Yanis. the Selmers, the Yamahas. She could also try the P. Mauriats - I know a few people who really rate them, the only problem is thay have yet to prove their longevity. When she's tried them all, walk away without buying, then go back the next week and try again just to make sure. I have a Selmer series III and I really enjoy playing it - it gives me the sound I want. My friend has a Yani 992 - she loves that. So much about it is personal that it's difficult to give absolute advice, but if she chooses a tenor she loves from the Yamahas / Selmers / Yanagisawas she probably can't go wrong.

Has it opened now?

Oh dear, I hope my bank balance will survive a visit...

It has, and I've been desperate to get there - normally a lunchtime visit would be fine, but I'm so busy at work at the moment I barely have a chance to stuff a sandwich down my throat, never mind ogle saxophones. Maybe next week.....

Thanks. I forgot that Sax.co.uk had opened there now. I am always in Denmark St but usually at Argents buying sheet music. This funding was such a long drawn out process to get, so the instrument has to get her through the next 10 years comfortably.

Good advice as ever TSax
I have a Yamaha 62 tenor... it's really good for the playing I do; I guess I could find 'better' for more money, but probably not much better value!