NPR: Saxophones from Taiwan Aiming for the Pros

I caught the tale end of this piece on NPR this morning and thought I’d share it with my saxophone luvin’ friends out there. The Taiwanese have come a long way from making the saxes you loved to hate to making some very decent instruments. When they started they were making copies of vintage horns such as those in this chart. Now they make modern instruments with better materials and ergonomics.

allsax" Morning Edition, February 25, 2008 – Taiwan has etched out a reputation as high-tech hardware store to the world. Its economy has boomed as companies churn out components for famous global electronics brands. But this country of 23 million has quietly garnered a chunk of the world market in a very different product: saxophones.

Virginia music store owner Kevin Landes plays a saxophone that dates back to 19th-century Paris. French saxophones are still the gold standard today. But the horn Landes is cooking on next wasn’t made in France.

"You would never have thought of Taiwanese instruments trying to inch into the pro territory. But they are. And they are making some really nice horns."

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About Gandalfe

Just an itinerant saxophonist trying to find life between the changes. I have retired from the Corps of Engineers and Microsoft. I am an admin on the Woodwind Forum, run the Pacifica Big Band (formerly the Microsoft Jumpin' Jive Orchestra) and participate in other ensembles. Mostly enjoy time with family and friends.
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2 Responses to NPR: Saxophones from Taiwan Aiming for the Pros

  1. Unknown's avatar Barb says:

    How interesting, gosh it really is a small world after all!
    How does the quality of product and sound compare?
    Is the pricing within reason ? Could be a worth while
    investment for a collector should you know one:)
    Happy Tuesday
    Barb

  2. Unknown's avatar Rambling says:

    Here you surprised me.  Too, when I learned that China makes a quality guitar…It took me a bit to digest that.  Now Taiwan is making quality instruments.  It just boggles me.  I am slow in the uptake apparently.

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