Cecilio Gold Lacquered Eb Alto Saxophone with Nickel Plated Keys - AS-280LN

I got this green sax on a great deal on St Patricks day.I thought, even if I wouldn't play it often, I'd still be able to re-sell it, or hang it on a wall as decoration.All in all, I've owned 3 Chinese saxes, and one Korean made sax.I don't have a lot of experience, however I do would want to speak as someone that does know a little of saxes.This sax was very cheap; for that I love it. The color, green, was a bit awkward, because you don't often see this on saxes, but for my purposes, color really does not matter.The green is silvery shiny green, like "Christmas-ball-in-christmas-tree" green.The weight was pretty heavy, and the included neck strap cuts in my neck.It is definitely on the heavier side of the scale of all the saxes I've ever owned.The tone is very nice, well evened out. Not too sharp, and no sound spikes or big unevenness (meaning it's not significantly louder in higher or lower range); although it does have a bit of an enhanced sound, overall the tones are very evened out!Despite the metal tone boosters, the sax does not play very loud. About as loud as a loud conversation.Good for rehearsals, or study room. I'm sure paired with a thin reed and relatively silent mouthpiece (with little projection) this sax would not disturb the neighbors much.The valves where working well, just initially I had a problem with the lowest 2 tones (some tone oscillation, very hard to get the lowest 2 notes right), however after a bit of practicing, getting used to the instrument, it seems like the valves did close well, and the tone is good!The top flat valve wasn't working, because the spring came loose. No biggie, after putting the spring back in place it works wonderfully.The notes are correct, with very little deviation from their right frequencies.The mouthpiece was extremely hard to put on the neck. It required quite some hard screwing (even with the lipstick balm on the cork); and often I was afraid I would break the neck.But so far so good.The mouthpiece is of noticeably better quality, than previous chinese pieces, although it definitely still does not compare to a yamaha or Selmer mouthpiece. Just regular plastic cast in a good shape.The other Chinese mouthpieces wheren't bad, when you knew how to sand them off (with xtremely fine paper) to sound better.The reeds where deforming after only one use. Doesn't really matter, because I prefer the plastic molded with bamboo reeds over real reeds.They're less prone to deforming, and give a better sound than the fully plastic reeds.It's definitely not a bad sax at all;My only complaint about it would be that it's not very loud, and it's quite heavy in weight!But I presume, the sax could get a better projection with a better mouthpiece, and reed. Definitely good enough for the 30 minute sessions, no longer (due to neck pain)...Edit: The higher octave is a bit off (sharp) by a few tenth of a note (like 1/4th tops), nothing you can't compensate with the reed, but it would require applying more pressure on the reed, or blow harder.

This saxophone is really beautiful. I really liked how Cecilio made instruments in different colors so I chose this black one. It isn't actually jet black; it has a kind of silvery polish, which really just makes it look better. Although you are probably more concerned about the sound. I'm not a professional, but I have listened to alot of saxophones. I read alot of reviews about Cecilio saxophones before I bought it, and they were mostly mixed, but I think I got my money's worth. Now if you've been searching extensively for a "good" saxophone sound, price, and all, you've probably already heard about Selmer, Yamaha S23, etc. brands. They probably are really good; i've never played them though. For what I saw they were priced really high, like the cheapest one I could find at Music and Arts was [...] just for the saxophone. This Cecilio made me happy, with sound and appearance. Seriously, if you like having oddly colored instruments to keep your originality, this brand is for you. A pro or music teacher probably could critique the sound better than I could, me being only a 16 year old, but I think it was really good and loud. If you want a good sound just get another mouthpiece and different brand reeds. That's what I did(Yamaha 4C, I heard it's a good starter). Coming up to only $539 with a case, gloves, cloth, and of course a beautiful saxophone to me was a big steal. I bought a teach yourself book, a 4C mouthpiece, and Extra reeds with the saxophone and the price was still lower than that sax at Music and Arts. For Beginners like me especially, I really recommend this product. Of course I haven't had it for very long yet. Time could prove it's price, but I'm hoping if I take care of it and clean it after playing it'll last. Again the color is beautiful, and the sound is nice and sharp. About the lacquered ones, I heard it starts to chaff off or something, that's why I got nickel plated. Just do research before you buy, but don't listen to everyone. If you like this and want to see more Cecilio has a website that helped me on my search. (I am not a representative and will not get payed for saying this) Just thought I'd say xD.[...]I hope this review helps, and that like me you play music because it's fun and it relaxes you. You probably can tell I really like how it looks, I even stare at it, ha ha.

I have been playing the saxophone for about 28 years now. My daughter wanted to learn how to play the alto saxophone and asked for one for Christmas. I found this sax and decided to try it out, a little wary because I have never heard of the name, but with the price and that my daughter was just beginning, thought why not. The sax sounds good, has nice response, and so far, had performed very well for my daughter and I. On a side note, the color is gorgeous!. The case is nice quality, and the mouthpiece included with the sax is good also. If you are looking for a good instrument for your beginner in band, this one will do nicely.Another note, and this comes from experience, if and when the band director at your school instructs you to buy only certain brands of instruments from certain local music shops, stop and do some research first. Often, those instruments are very overpriced, and not that much different in quality from other brands. They will use the excuse that you won't be able to find someone to repair the instrument if needed due to the brand name. If a local shop asks you the name of your instrument and won't repair it, you need to take your business elsewhere. A good instrument repair place can work on just about anything, or at the very least try.