well when my parents bought my first saxophone, it was a student alpine for only $400. I know it's a cheap horn (we're currently looking for a nice pro horn), but it was an awesome beginner horn for a low price. Since I don't have my new horn yet, I just invested in a really nice mouthpiece, and ligature, and my student alpine actually has a pretty good tone. So it's not always the price that makes the difference.

Oops, I apologize. I didn't see YOU were the student. Now with that aside, do you really get into the music gig? That'll determine what you should buy. I'm getting a Selmer LaVoix. Which is kinda like a Selmer Paris tenor but it's quite not. It's made of red brass, so it has a warmer sound. But it's also $2,000+ cheaper than the Paris line. That might be my downfall. But the thing is, if you're just getting a sax just to be in regular band or sumtin, then get like a $700-$1,400 Conn or Armstrong or whatever alto. They'll do good for that kind of event. Now if you're gonna go big time (like I hope to do) and get into a jazz band and maybe when ya get of HS you're gonna go into college as a music major, maybe put more money in and get a Selmer Paris alto. The Series III looks like a nice horn, if ya can afford it. Sorry about the lil error. Happy saxophoning!