Startone SCS-75 Curved Soprano Sax

Parto dalle note negative: lo strumento dovrebbe essere stato controllato, come risulta da un cartellino fornito con il sax, ma evidentemente non è stato così, oppure chi lo ha fatto non sa suonare il sassofono ! Le chiavi del mignolo sinistro per DO diesis, SI e SI bemolle erano totalmente starate, pertanto le 2 note più basse nemmeno suonavano ! Fortunatamente sono in grado di mettere a punto lo strumento e con 15 minuti di tempo ho fatto le registrazioni del caso, risolvendo i problemi.
Altre note negative sono la pessima custodia, la tracolla letteralmente inutilizzabile e la mancanza del grasso per sughero (che nelle foto appare).
Ora le note positive: lo strumento ha un'ottima meccanica, fluida e silenziosa, con una laccatura esente da difetti. Abbinato ad un valido bocchino con ancia adeguata, suona in modo estremamente facile, dalla nota più bassa alla più alta, con un filo di fiato. L'intonazione è decisamente apprezzabile, non è ai livelli di altri 2 soprani dritti di alta gamma in mio possesso, ma comunque su buoni livelli, non ci sono evidenti problemi.
Ultima nota sul bocchino in dotazione: a prima vista sembra pressochè inutilizzabile, un pezzo di plastica da pochi euro (ma con un'ottima legatura !). Provato con varie ance tradizionali (oltre alle 3 di scarsissimo valore fornite con lo strumento), non fornisce una suonabilità decente: fino a quando l'ho provato con l'ancia Harry Hartmann Fiberreed Onyx Soprano, regalata da Thomann con il sax (e che ho chiesto in misura S, anzichè MS): un'autentica sorpresa !! Con questa ancia anche un bocchino palesemente economico diventa perfettamente suonabile, in tutto il range dello strumento. Per me una vera rivelazione.

I bought this saxophone after years of not owning one. I needed something that wouldn't break the bank to get back into it, and after talking to an expert on the site I decided to go with this one. For my needs, it's perfect - any soprano saxophone will have difficulty with intonation and this is no different, but the projection and sound quality coming out of this little horn is fantastic and I've received compliments from my co-players during rehearsals. Build-wise, it can feel a bit flimsy at times but that's to be expected at this price point and if you're careful with it, it'll be fine.
Overall I'm really happy with this and was pleasantly suprised with how good it is for its price. Another plus is that it fits on my carry-on suitcase with its case, which is fantastic if you travel a lot.
The included mouthpiece is nothing to write home about and I upgraded to a Yamaha 5C which improved the sound, intonation and control by a lot. The case is a welcome addition and it feels sturdy and secure. The included neck strap is very basic but in a rut it's fine. I use Vandoren Java and JAZZ reeds and it can produce a very sweet, elegant sound.
Definitely recommended!

Packing and shipment was perfect, arrived on time. The case is very handy, light and small but also fits perfectly to the instrument (with the end plug provided, no movement in case at all). Saxophone itself looks beautiful. Response and playability is perfect however palm D key is a bit strangely positioned. If you have a small hand like me, you may find yourself a lot times accidentally pressing the palm D key. This is my first curved soprano so i don't know if all curved sopranos are like that. I think that palm keys are designed for adults or maybe children/teens with big hands. Pads are seating perfectly fine. I had to take my sax to a local store for a small fix which costed me nothing (around 3-5 euros). I have changed the sensitivity of low bb key, probably most people won't notice the different because it wasn't effecting the playability. I am happy with my purchase, for me it is an awesome instrument to carry everywhere as it is light and small. Looks so funny and cool by the way :)

Bei diesem Preis war ich war schon etwas skeptisch, aber ich habe es ausprobiert und bin mehr als positiv überrascht. Die Ansprache ist superb, die Mechanik ist solide und sehr angenehm spielbar. Der Klang kommt zwar nicht an die deutlich höherpreisigen Instrumente von Yamaha, Yanagisawa oder Selmer heran, ist aber recht gut und angenehm in den Ohren. Vom Preis-Leistungsverhältnis ist dieses Instrument hervorragend -- deshalb die 5 Sterne.

Das Originalmundstück hat eine deutlich größere Bahnöffnung als z.B. das Yamaha 4c (entspricht meiner Einschätzung etwa einem Yamaha 6c oder 7c), lässt sich aber mit einem leichteren Blättchen (z.B. Royal 1.5) auch von Anfängern sehr gut spielen.

Zum Thema Kindersaxophon:
Generell wird ja wegen der schwierigeren Intonation davon abgeraten, mit einem Sopran anzufangen. Für unseren Sohn (ca. 130 cm groß) war aber ein Alt einfach noch etwas zu groß und zu schwer -- er wollte aber unbedingt Saxophon spielen. Also haben wir es mit diesem gebogenen Saxophon probiert und es klappt sehr gut! Bei den höheren Tönen braucht man im Vergleich zu einem Alt schon deutlich mehr Lippenspannung, aber unser Kleiner hatte den Trick relativ schell heraus. Die einzige Einschränkung ist, dass die Klappen für das tiefe H, B und Cis noch nicht in Reichweite des kleinen Fingers liegen -- aber bis zum tiefen C sind alle Klappen problemlos für ihn erreichbar.
Der Original-Tragegurt ist für Kinder nicht geeignet -- und auch für Erwachsen eher etwas unbequem. Eine gute Alternative ist z.B. der Kinder-Tragegurt von BG (BG-S-42SH), den es auch bei Thomann zu kaufen gibt.
Alles in Allem eine klare Kaufempfehlung für Kids, die noch etwas zu klein für ein Alt sind, aber trotzdem unbedingt mit dem Saxophonspielen anfangen wollen.