It's quality is good, keywork is better than most student horns, and it plays it tune with itself.However, it's not what I'd consider a good bang-for-the-buck scenario. Yamaha dealers know that their student line isn't anything anymore - the only thing that keeps it going is the ill acquired reputation - conn-selmer now also gives free shipping on school bids - another incentive for yamaha dealers to heavily push their product. If you speak to a yamaha dealer, also speak to a selmer dealer. Most directors took classes over 20 years ago on what were good instruments, now their knowledge is so obsolete that it makes DOS look state of the art. I would take your band director's advice with a grain of salt. If there isn't one, let me know and you could buy one out of the shop I work at - but try first to see if you can find a dealer near you - you should get some servicing with the horn with a local dealer - mailing a student model horn to shops isn't exactly worth it. go to selmer's website and look for a dealer near you. not to mention, the yamaha pads are probably the cheapest pads you can get. The 23 is a design over 20 years old and utilizes lots of cyanocrylate in its construction.

will cost you considerably less than 1,000 (cash price - rent to own - less than 1400 I should think.) for either, and they will both play better, last longer and be more comfortable to play. I would recomend an AS600 for the selmer.

Did you know that for 200 dollars more you could buy a professional cannonball saxophone? go for a selmer or antigua winds. The 23 is the nadir of student level instruments in production today.

Yamaha yas 23 for sale near me