Does your teacher give you a definition by what s/he means by a "better saxophone?" You might get more response by posting this message on the Vintage Saxophones forum. Some people merely believe that new has got to be better, but others will swear by the vintage pieces. We had to buy my daughter a new Selmer for college. Ouch! She was not playing my vintage 6m, but she loves the new one, and does not like my vintage horn...