E.M. Winston horns

Does anyone have any thoughts on these horns.

I've heard of the name but never played one. How are they??

Are they a good student horn??

Will they hold up or will it be in the shop alot??

Anything you can give me on these would be great.

Bob

Bob Davet

I have been warned away from them by people who know them much better than I do.

However, I heard somebody wailing away on a Winston curved soprano this weekend and couldn't believe that that kind of sound was coming from a Winston.

I'd LOVE to hear him playing a GOOD sax.

I just got one. Mainly because I always wanted a sop and saw a great deal ($675 new black curved from Musical supply Corp via ebay). Normally they cost about 850, so that's a pretty good deal.

They have the rep of not lasting very long and being poorly built compared to the big four brands. I guess there was a bad manufacturing period where some had some metal fatigue. There has also been others (repair persons) saying that they are better now, etc. I take all this with a grain of salt and maybe try to have extra care.

Maybe it will only last a few years. I expect it to last 5 to 10 with care. The good thing about it is that it plays great. It's got great tone, superb intonation, plays great and looks cute. I figure if it keeps playing well for 3 years it will have been very worth it and I'm having a blast with it. I hear the metal is not as strong so maybe it can get bent easier, but it is not obviously weak to me.

So far I am very happy with it. I'd rather have a yamaha or yani but I'd still be saving for it this time next year, and by then I may need to use the money for something else. I have a well playing very sweet sounding soprano NOW. Maybe it won't last. We'll just have to wait and see.

Doug

I also have a straight soprano Winston and it's a great playing instrument, and in-tune. I did have the repairman bend the low Eb and C so I could roll better between the two. Price was a factor in my choice. I've had it now for 4 years and still in-adjustment with no key problems. Of course it was set up by the local music store. They ordered 2 of the sopranos and sold both. jim buchholz