Hi,

Glad that you found some small problems with the horn that will help with intonation issues.

I Just bought an Eavone alto about a week ago.  I find that the pears are cut a bit more concave than I'm used to, but I kind of like the feel of this.   ALso, if you look closely at the key touches, you can see tiny imperfections.  Not enough for me to complain about though and it certainly does not affect sound quality.    The guy selling it has been teaching sax for many years and has been a playing professional for most of that time.   He says the horn's design is based upon the Ref 54.   I don't doubt it.  He was selling it as 'used' but virtually it is new.  He had bought it for a student who ended up not taking delivery on it.   So, I ended up with a very inexpensive to buy horn.

Now, he said that the horn is not going to give you the equivalent of a Mark 6, but if you wanted a horn that can fill a room, this was it.  Well, I DO have a Mark 6 to compare it to, but no Ref. 54.    

My impressions?  I find it a little challenging to get used to, but it is not a problem.  I already own too many saxes, but I'm not going to sell this one.  It is WAY too much fun to play.  I played it at my most recent rehearsal instead of my 69 Mark 6.  Nobody seemed to notice I was playing a different horn.   BIG BIG sound.  If anything, it is easier to play loud than my Mark 6.    But for tone quality and complexity, I have to say the Mark 6 is a better horn.  And I SHOULD be able to say that.   

As far as the most sax for the money?  The Eavone wins.  I mean, really.  This horn is a quality piece as far as how it plays and sounds.  How it will hold up 4-5 years down the road is anybody's guess.  But at the price I paid, it would be cheaper to just throw it away and buy a new one.  I really have nothing to complain about.  Big sound, expressive, fun, and cheap.  

So, the short answer to your question of whether Eavone saxes are any good, the answer is 'YES!'  For the money I paid I would not even be able to replace the neck of my Mark 6.  Amazing world.  Cheap horn - big sound.  No complaints.