If you've spent any time in a school band room or browsing used instrument shops, you've definitely encounter the particular vito sax at some point. It's one of those names that will just seems to be everywhere, frequently tucked away within a dusty hard-shell case in the back of a closet or seated on a rack in a pawn shop. But don't allow "student" label or maybe the unassuming nameplate fool you; there's much more going on with these horns than most individuals realize.
For a lot of us, a vito sax had been the very first instrument we ever blew a note by means of. Maybe it was accommodations from the local music shop, or maybe it had been a hand-me-down through an older brother or sister. Whatever the case, these tools have a reputation for being absolute workhorses. They're created to take a beating, that is exactly what a person need when you're dealing with middle schoolers who might not be the most cautious with their gear.
The secret history associated with the brand
One of the most interesting issues about the vito sax isn't in fact the name upon the bell, but who was making them behind the scenes. See, the Vito brand was component of the Leblanc corporation, and they will didn't always produce their own horns from scratch. Rather, they partnered along with some of the biggest names in the market in order to produce high-quality tools under the Vito name.
In case you're lucky more than enough to find a vito sax produced in Japan, you've basically struck silver. Most of individuals were actually manufactured by Yamaha . If a person look closely from a Vito 7131 model, such as, you'll notice it looks remarkably just like the famous Yamaha YAS-23. Within many cases, the parts are nearly identical. You're basically getting a world-class college student horn for the fraction of the particular associated with a branded Yamaha.
Then there are usually the older versions made by Beaugnier in France. Individuals are a totally different animal. They have a more dark, more "vintage" German sound that enthusiasts absolutely rave regarding. It's wild to think that two devices with the same brand can have got such different origins and personalities.
Why they're therefore popular with newbies
It's easy: the vito sax is easy to play. When you're just starting out there, the last thing you want is an device that fights you. You want something that responds quickly, has a consistent scale, and doesn't require a professional's lung capacity just to get a minimal Bb to appear out.
The ergonomics on most Vito models, specifically those Japanese-made ones, are fantastic. The keywork is placed out in a way that seems natural under the fingers. You don't possess to stretch your pinky into odd positions to strike the low keys, and the action is usually usually snappy plus light. This the huge difference for a kid with smaller hands or even an adult who just wants an appropriate playing experience.
Another large factor is durability . Let's be true, student instruments reside a hard life. They will get bumped in to music stands, fallen in hallways, and sometimes go several weeks without a proper cleaning. A vito sax is made with durable bracing and dense brass that may handle the casual knock. While no device is indestructible, these types of things are about as close as possible get.
What you should expect when buying used
If you're hunting for the vito sax on the used market, you need in order to look out for a few specific items. Since these were often used simply by students, the problem may vary wildly. You will probably find one that looks completely new because the kid gave up after two weeks, or perhaps you might find one particular that seems like this was dragged at the rear of a bus.
Check the "Made In" stamp
Always look for where the car horn was manufactured. When i mentioned, the "Made in Japan" versions are generally regarded as the "holy grail" of student Vitos because of that Yamaha connection. You'll also see models produced in the USA, Taiwan, and even France. The Taiwanese models are generally decent, solid horns, but they don't very have the same cult following since the Japanese ones.
Look at the pads
This particular is where individuals usually get burned. A used vito sax might look sparkly and pretty on the outside, but if the pads are dried up, cracked, or moldy, you're looking from a several-hundred-dollar fix bill for a "re-pad. " Consider a flashlight and appear inside the bell or under the keys. When the buckskin looks dark, brittle, or has whitened fuzz onto it, you should probably complete unless the price is incredibly low.
The "wobble" test
Pick and choose up the car horn and gently shake the keys. Presently there shouldn't be very much side-to-side play in the rods. If the keys feel "clanky" or loose, it usually means the horn has observed lots of miles and may need some mechanical tightening. A well-maintained vito sax need to feel tight and responsive.
Producing it seem like the pro horn
The biggest error people make with a student-level vito sax is staying with the mouthpiece that comes within the case. Those share plastic mouthpieces are okay for the first month of lessons, however they really hold the device back.
If you need to hear what a vito sax can really do, you've got to upgrade the setup. Tossing a Meyer 5M or the Vandoren V16 on an alto Vito can completely change the sound. Suddenly, that will "honky" student firmness disappears, and a person get a wealthy, vibrant sound which could easily hold its own in a community band or the jazz combo.
I've seen pro players take a beat-up vito sax to the gig as the "backup" horn and end up enjoying it for the particular whole night because they liked the way in which it responded. It just goes to show that while the metal matters, the particular person blowing in it and the mouthpiece they're using matter much more.
Upkeep is the key to durability
Even although these horns are tough, they nevertheless need some love. One of the particular reasons the thing is therefore many vito sax models in operating order today happens because they're relatively simple for technicians in order to repair. Unlike a few "cheap" modern horns made from gentle mystery metals, the particular brass used in a Vito is usually high-quality and requires well to soldering and dent elimination.
If a person own one, perform yourself a favour and get the good swab. Humidity is the foe of any woodwind instrument. Swabbing your neck and the particular body after every single practice session will save your safeguards and keep the horn smelling clean. Also, a very little bit of important oil every couple of months can prevent that will annoying "clicking" audio that happens whenever metal rubs against metal.
Last thoughts around the value
In the world where new expert saxophones can cost as much as a good used car, the particular vito sax represents incredible value. Whether you're a mother or father looking for a first instrument intended for your child or even an adult hobbyist who would like to pick upward the hobby again, you really can't go wrong right here.
It's an instrument that doesn't try to be something it isn't. It's not flashy, it's not really covered in fancy engraving, and it's not going to win any beauty contests. But it works . This plays in melody, it's created to final, and it provides a pedigree that many modern college student brands just can't match.
So, next time a person see a vito sax for sale at a garage selling or on the local marketplace, don't just walk previous it. Provide the look. If it's in good shape, it might you need to be the best purchase you make within your musical trip. There's grounds these horns have been a staple from the music world for decades—they just flat-out get the job completed.