However, if you're willing to get a vintage horn, many of them are of greater quality than those made today and can be had for very good prices. Some suggestions: King Zephyr or SUPER 20 Conn Chu or 6M H. Couf Superba I or II SML Rev. D, Gold Medal, or King Marigaux

don't forget the martin Committee II or "The Martin" that followed right after it

Oh, I forgot about them. Typing too fast again. And don't forget the Magnas.

If you're looking for a new horn. The Keilwerth SX90 or Yamaha YAS62II or YAS82 Custom Z. Otherwise, I'd definately check out a Conn 6M. The 6M is my favorite. It has a smooth action, and it's one of the best sounding alto saxophones I have ever played. The other vintage horns mentioned are also great horns!

i love my yani.. its a great horn.. very basic, inexpensive professional horn.. the retail is at somewhere shy of 4000.. but i bought it for just under 1500.. they really bring thier prices down from the retail for some reason.. but the only thing i can complain about the horn is that it kinda lacks character.. u need to bring the character into it urself.. some horns have a natural sound where u kno "hey thats a .. blaahh ..".. this u need to work for it.. its just kinda there.. once u find the right setup and whatnot on these horns, ull be a very happy camper just like i am.. for concert band/jazz(last year) i used my yanigasawa 901... a selmer s80 C*.. and vandoren java 3.5 reeds..with a rovner dark.. loved it.. this year.. im using hte same for concert.. switched it up on the mouthpiece for jazz.. im using a selmer soloist E.. havnt found a reed that i like on it yet.. dont know if i like the one i have on there.. but when u get the right reed, that thing SCREAMS.. i love it.. its so dark and full and thick.. but the brightness of the yani and the powerfulness of the piece allows u to get that jazz sound.. check out yani's dude.. the 901 and the 902 are well under ur price range.. and perform better than some in the upper end of ur price range IMO