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Do you want to start playing the saxophone on a budget? Consider this Mendini saxophone review and guide to determine if this brand offers what you need.
While it may not be the best, it could be better than you expect. So don’t knock it until you try it.
What Are Mendini Saxophones?
Mendini by Cecilio is a brand that makes affordable instruments of all kinds. The company makes the four most common saxophone sizes, including:
- Soprano
- Alto
- Tenor
- Baritone
Whether you’re looking to learn the saxophone for the first time or have taken a break from it, Mendini can be a great brand to check out. That way, you don’t have to shell out thousands of dollars to get your hands on an instrument.
Best Mendini Saxophones
Mendini doesn’t make a ton of saxophones, but they do have a few models. When deciding which one to get, a lot of your decision will come down to the right sax size for you.
However, it’s worth looking at the features and benefits of the various models. That way, you can make sure to get the best Mendini saxophone for you.
I looked at the saxophones that are available online and are easy to order, and I considered how much they cost. Other than that, I looked for great features for beginners and casual players.
Alto Saxophone
Mendini makes two alto saxophones, and the first one is slightly more affordable. It features a gold lacquer that looks good and helps you sound good as you jam out.
The saxophone even has a high F# key, which you usually only find on more expensive models. But with that key, you can play almost any alto sax part you’ll find.
With the saxophone, you’ll get a case, tuner, and some cleaning supplies. You’ll also get a neck strap and a mouthpiece, so you have almost everything you need to get started.
Pros
- Great specs
- Looks and sounds good
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Not for professionals
Another Alto Saxophone
Mendini doesn’t always give instruments model numbers, so it can be hard to distinguish the two altos. This second model is a bit more expensive than the first.
Like the first one, this model has a gold lacquer to help make the instrument look and sound good. It comes with a box of 10 reeds, and you even get a saxophone stand to use during a quick practice break.
The saxophone also comes with cleaning supplies, a case, and a music book. That way, you can start learning how to play as soon as the saxophone arrives at your door.
Pros
- Great accessories
- Sounds good
- Easy to play
Cons
- Doesn’t last super long
Tenor Saxophone
If you want to play something a little bigger and lower pitched, give the Mendini Tenor Saxophone a try. The saxophone uses a gold lacquer like the altos, so you can get a nice warm sound.
Like the other models, this one comes with a mouthpiece, a reed, and cleaning supplies. There’s also a neck strap and other accessories, and everything comes in a secure case.
That can be super useful if you need to travel with your tenor saxophone. And if you don’t like the gold, you can choose from nickel and black lacquers as well.
Pros
- Great for beginners
- Sounds good
- Comes with accessories
Cons
- Not for professionals
Baritone Saxophone
Getting even bigger, there’s the Mendini Baritone Saxophone. It plays an octave lower than the alto models, and it has a lot of the same specs.
You can play up to a high F# and down to a low A, and those specs are pretty standard on bari saxes. Along with the sax, you get a mouthpiece, ligature, and reed as well as a metronome and a neck strap.
However, I’d recommend getting a saxophone harness because the bari can pull a lot on your neck while playing. Still, this model is a great option if you want to try the bari without spending a ton of money.
Pros
- Comes with accessories
- Easy to play
- Excellent specs
Cons
- May require more accessories to play well
Soprano Saxophone
Moving back to the top of the saxophone section, you can try the Mendini Soprano Saxophone. It has the same gold lacquer as the other models, so you can get a nice sound.
You also get a lot of the same accessories, such as a mouthpiece and a box of reeds. Plus, you get a neck strap and a case to protect everything when you aren’t playing.
Being a smaller saxophone, this model is on the more affordable side. So if you want to try the soprano saxophone, this model can be worth getting to start playing.
Pros
- Comes with accessories
- Good sound
- Looks good
Cons
- Can be hard to play
How To Choose a Mendini Saxophone
Now that you know about the saxophones from Mendini, you should consider how to choose the best one. When you want to stick to one brand, you can limit yourself.
But there are still a few things to think about to help you select an instrument. That way, you can be happy with your purchase, and you’ll look forward to making music.
Here are a few things you should consider when shopping for any Mendini saxophone.
Choose The Size
The first thing you should decide is the size of saxophone you want. Alto and tenor saxes are the most common, and they’re the best sizes to play when you first learn the saxophone.
However, you can later expand to play the baritone or the soprano. If you prefer to play the alto, learning the soprano next will be the best option.
On the other hand, if you like the low sound of the tenor and want a second sax, the bari is your best bet. Just make sure you have enough room to store and transport the two larger instruments.
Compare A Couple
If you can’t decide which size is best for you, try a couple of the sizes. You can order the saxophones together, and you can use the return period to try them out.
Another option is to go to a local music store to try saxophones. While most music stores don’t carry Mendini saxophones, you can figure out how each size will feel, and you can order the one for you.
And if you decide to play the alto sax, you can choose between the two Mendini models. They’re pretty similar, but it’s worth playing both to choose which works best.
Test The Saxophone
When you get the Mendini saxophone, be sure to test it out, especially if you’ve played the saxophone before. Make sure you can produce a sound and that the keys feel good.
It may not be the best-sounding instrument, but it should still play. At this point, you may decide to upgrade the accessories, such as to a better mouthpiece or a new reed.
If you get the bari sax, you may want to get a more supportive harness. You want to make sure you have the best chance of getting a good sound on the saxophone.
Set Realistic Expectations
Another part of a good Mendini saxophone review and guide is the reminder that these saxophones aren’t the best. Most professional players wouldn’t play them, and a lot of teachers avoid them.
However, they can be worth it if you don’t set your expectations too high. When I got the baritone saxophone, I was pleasantly surprised at how easy it played.
Now, that doesn’t mean I’d recommend using it to become a professional saxophonist. But it does have a place for beginners and casual players.
Try Other Brands
While Mendini saxophones can be great, you should compare them to models from brands such as Yamaha or Jupiter. That way, you can make sure the Mendini saxophone is right for you.
In some cases, it will play well for you, and you can save a lot of money. But you might realize that it’s worth spending a bit more money on a different brand that meets your needs.
You don’t need to try dozens of saxophones, so keep your trial small. Try all saxophones of the same size so that you can compare them and select your perfect match.
Alternative Saxophones to Try
Speaking of other brands, you should try a few saxophones aside from Mendini. When I was looking for alternatives, I looked at brands with good reputations and fantastic features.
I found a model to compare to each size saxophone. So whether you want to play an alto or a bari, you can compare the Mendini model to one from a different company.
Here are some other excellent saxophones to try.
Yamaha YAS-280
Yamaha is one of the best brands when it comes to student instruments, and the Yamaha YAS-280 is no exception. It’s the instrument that I started on when I first played the saxophone, and it served me well.
This model has a nice gold lacquer to help it look and sound good, and it can play down to a low Bb. You’ll also get a high F# key, so you can play a bit higher than on some other models.
However, this instrument isn’t for the faint of heart. If you aren’t sure you’ll stick with the saxophone, you might not want to start on this model because it’s a bit expensive.
Pros
- Great quality
- Easy to play
- Excellent features
Cons
- Not the most affordable
Yamaha YTS-480
Another Yamaha model, the Yamaha YTS-480 is an excellent alternative to the Mendini tenor saxophone. The YTS-480 is an intermediate model, so it has more features than a beginner instrument.
You can get a warm sound, and the saxophone will respond quickly to your playing. That makes it an excellent choice for use in an ensemble where you need to stay in time with others.
It also features a key guard that protects the lower keys, so you don’t have to worry as much about them breaking. But you will need to be careful with it because it’s not that cheap.
Pros
- Great features
- Easy to play
- Sounds good
Cons
- A bit expensive
Jupiter JBS1000
If you’re looking for an alternative bari sax, consider the Jupiter JBS1000. This model has all of the same features as the Mendini bari, including a gold lacquer.
However, you can also adjust the palm keys on this instrument. That’s nice if your hands are smaller or larger than average because you can make the instrument comfortable for you.
The instrument also has a good tuning scale, so you can play in tune with others. But you’ll need to save up quite a bit more money for this model.
Pros
- Great sound
- Easy to play
- Comfortable
Cons
- Expensive
Jupiter JSS1100SG
A good alternative soprano saxophone is the Jupiter JSS1100SG. This model has silver plating over the brass body, so you can get a bright sound that’s easy to project.
There are also metal tone boosters that help make the instrument sound bright. The boosters also help the keys seal well, so you don’t have to press too hard with your fingers.
You can play this model fairly easily, so it’s good for serious and casual players. However, it’s not quite as affordable as the soprano saxophone from Mendini.
Pros
- Easy to play
- Looks and sounds good
- Keys seal well
Cons
- Somewhat expensive
FAQs About the Mendini Saxophone Review and Guide
Answer: Mendini saxophones are good for beginners and casual players with small budgets. They’re also more suitable for players who can take good care of them since they aren’t as durable as other brands.
If you want to give the saxophone a try, Mendini can help you do that. You don’t need to spend thousands of dollars, and you don’t have to worry about renting an instrument.
Answer: Mendini saxophones aren’t the best on the market, but they’re better than you might expect. If you’ve never played the sax or haven’t played in years, you can use a Mendini to get started.
Once you determine you’ll stick with it, you can opt to purchase a better model. Or you might stick with the Mendini for a longer period if it stays in playable shape.
Answer: You can get a Mendini saxophone online, which is convenient. Once you decide which size to get, you can order the saxophone and ship it right to your door.
However, make sure you can be home when it arrives. That way, you can bring it inside and not leave it in extreme weather or in front of thieves for too long.
Answer: Mendini saxophones range in price depending on the size, but they’re some of the most affordable models. The soprano and alto saxes are the cheapest, at less than $500.
However, the bari saxophone will cost you a little more than $1,000. Still, that’s a good deal compared to saxophones that cost up to $5,000.
Answer: You may be able to get more life out of your Mendini saxophone if you take great care of it. However, the instrument probably won’t last as long as one from another brand.
Some repair technicians will refuse to work on Mendini instruments, and it can be hard to repair it yourself. But as long as you aren’t too rough on it, you may be able to use it for months or years.
Final Note On Mendini Saxophone Review And Guide
Reading a Mendini saxophone review and guide can help you decide if the brand is right for you. While it’s not the best, it does have a purpose, especially for beginners and casual players.
Be sure to consider the right size for you, and compare the model to another brand. That way, you can determine if the Mendini saxophone will help you reach your musical goals.
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