the YAS23 is a fine student horn, but it's available brand new for about $1300. $1100 is just an obsene price for used unless it's in "like new" condition, and $800 for a beat up one is just unbelievably naive on the part of the seller. Before Jupiter's price increases (because of demand and the sliding dollar), you could get a Silver Plated Artist Series alto for about $1000 new. Look for an older, used Yanagisawa. Winston and Amati don't have great reputations.

Try checking out the Accent Brand. They're hard to come around, but they're good horns. The Soprano Version is under 1000 and very nice, so I would assume that the Alto is around that. www.accent.cc/indexa.htm They haven't updated their website in awhile, and they now have a soprano sax, and some others. It would be your best bet to find a dealer. Marshall Music in Michigan has them, and is very fond of them. www.marshallmusic.com If that doesn't work, you should call up WWBW. Their price for a new YAS23 is probably around 1000. I know that they offer their YTS23 for 1050. On their website, it lists a much nigher price. That price is the MAP, which is the minimum price Yamaha allows them to post. If you call them up, you will get a much better price. www.wwbw.com Good Luck -tenor562

I suggest you go with the Antiqua Winds pro models... They cost $695 for sopranos, $895 for altos and $995 for tenors... They are a great value... check out their site: www.antiguawinds.com or buy one at www.kesslermusic.com