Saxophone Outlet

Questions and Answers

Question:

Jupiter Saxophone Help?
I've been looking at a limited edition Jupiter alto saxophone. It's a JAS-969AS-30. It's very pretty and silver, which is what I'm looking for. However I've heard and know that a lot of pretty saxes don't sound pretty. I'm curious if anyone has this particular sax or a Jupiter saxophone. If so I'd like to know if they play nice. Are there any major issues with tuning or tone? Overall is a Jupiter a good saxophone? If not are there any brands that you recommend? Thanks.

Answer:

I have never played a jupiter saxophone but I have some advice. Never but a saxophone because it looks pretty. Just because it looks good does not mean it plays good, and there really is no correlation between how shiny a saxophone is and how well it plays. I'm not saying the sax you are looking at is bad, but I recommend trying out a jupiter saxophone at a music store and deciding for yourself if it plays well or not before buying it.

Question:

Jupiter JAS- 567 GL Alto Saxophone?
I am looking for the jupiter saxophone at a cheap price to pay, I was wondering wether anyone knows somewhere where I can get one for under £300. Otherwise any other well know brand of alto sax which is under £300. Thanks

Answer:

You can buy a brand new 567 standard model for a touch over £320 so unless you specificlly want that model it's a good buy. A HUGE word of warning, buying a second hand Sax is like running through a minefield especially on sites like Ebay. It's such a complex instrument that unless you know what your looking for it can hide a whole load of problems. Some reasonable to repair, some expensive and some can't be sorted no matter how much money you throw at it. Jupiter make reasonable instruments so your on the right track, some manufacturers have different models made in different countries and they're not all good, it's down to the individual model. If you want to go second hand then try asking your local sax tutors, many take it the instrument and get fed up so there's lots of spoilt kids with some almost new Altos just sat there. It's worth getting a used one serviced and checked over, just to make sure it's working ok as that will ensure your not trying to compensate for a fault. Most of all, stick with it and practise, practise, practise. You'll initially feel good and then might go through a low patch, it's when you get through this (which is when the spoilt kids bail out) that you really start to learn properly, and then you'll be hooked for life. This site is a good start: http://www.sax.co.uk/index2.html If your not sure you will stick to it then hire one. Read this guide:http://www.saxophone.org/buyersguide/buyers.html And this:http://www.sax.co.uk/index2.html The single best peice of advice i can give you is to get yourself a tutor from day one, you'll avoid bad habits and you'll learn 10 times quicker.

Question:

Anyone know how much Jupiter Saxophones are worth?
I have a Jupiter saxophone and i am thinking about taking it to cash converters. Anyone know how much i would get for it? Cheers

Answer:

Band instruments typically lose an "immense" amount of value as soon as you buy them. It depends on the type and model. I assume you have an alto sax, since you didn't specify. Brand new, their higher end models typically cost anywhere from about $1000 to $1900. Once you've had it a while, the resale isn't what you'd like it to be. But if it is a higher end model and in pristine condition, and I mean pristine, you may be able to get 50% of what it costs new. On eBay, even used Jupiter TENOR saxophones are going for less the $500 from private parties. You may get a better price selling it at your local music store. The higher end the model, and in perfect condition w/case, the better a price you're likely to get.

Question:

What is the black cap that protects the octave key of a saxophone?
Ok, so my band director says I am missing a cap for my Jupiter Alto Saxophone. He called it an "end cap" and it goes where the neck for the saxophone goes. I know it is to protect the octave key and is black and plastic, but I have no idea what it is called or where to find a new one.

Answer:

Come to my place, and i give you one. And if you can't, did you ever think of asking in a music store?