How Much Do I Spend On A Saxophone?

How much should I spend on a Saxophone? I get this question all the time. Unlike the Clarinet, where paying more money usually means better quality, the Saxophone is a weird beast. There have been instances in the past where an expensive instrument does not sound or play that well at all, and a cheap instrument in the right hands sounds good. My answer is "Whatever it takes". There is a right Saxophone out there for everyone, it's a matter of finding it. To get a good sound on Saxophone you need: 1) The right Saxophone for you, cheap or expensive. (Your body size, shape of your mouth and teeth determine the instrument!). 2) The right mouthpiece to suite the instrument. 3) The right strength and brand of reed. 4) The right ligature for the mouthpiece. 5) Lots of Long Note Practice! Getting all these things right costs time and money. Some people manage it straight away, others spend years trying to get it right. So do what it takes!