Well, I knew it would only be a matter of time before I happened to come across another American-designed, Asian-made bass sax brand that I hadn’t heard of before. However, I could never have imagined that their prices would be this low. Wow! 
OK, you ready for this? How about a brand new bass saxophone for $2,000. That’s right, you didn’t misread this: I wrote $2,000 US for a brand new bass sax.
The Tianjin Canex Musical Instruments Company Ltd., of Tian Jin, China, is selling their bass saxophones for a mere 2K.
Source: venuscanexmusic.diytrade.com
The sax is described as follows:
Bass Saxophone
SABB-L [model]
Brass
Bb key
High pitch #F key
Bakelite Mouthpiece
Gold Lacquer
Foambody Case
Although even at full size, I am having a hard time seeing the high F# key, I do see the attachments for a floor peg at the front of the bow and bell. What this sax is missing, that a number of the cheaper American-designed, Asian-made bass saxophones do have—albeit, none of them are this cheap—are the double tone arms on the low C key, and the triple neck strap rings.
The photo of this Canex bass bears a striking resemblance to the photo shown below. This is a picture of the I&K bass that was for sale in October 2008, through a music store in Australia for approximately $4300 US.
An I&K bass saxophone. Source: eBay.com
To my eye, they look not only like the identical saxophones, but like the identical photos. For an explanation of this, we have to look no further than the company’s description of who they are.
This is how Canex describes themselves:
Tianjin Canex Music had been dealing with musical instruments from student level to professional level, including Sax, Flute, Clarinet, Trumpet, Trombone, French horn, Guitars, Violins, etc and the relative accessories for more than 5 years.We have been working with factories who had the ability to supply famous brand instrument, like Buffet, Selmer USA woodwind, GEWA, etc.
Today, Canex Music no longer sees itself just as a company that sells products to customers, but rather one that develops integrated supply solutions for its customers. It is our goal to provide a wide array of Music Instrument line and service solutions to our customers.
In services, we offer OEM Production, inventory management, just on time delivery and logistics support to provide added value to our customers. Our program style of marketing provides market penetration and logistical support for our suppliers and low cost, high valued solutions for our customers.
Although it is a little hard to make out for sure, it would appear that Canex is one of the manufacturers of cheap, American-designed, Asian-made bass saxophones. And if they are, they would of course be able to sell their own product for less than had they sold it to another company first. So in effect, if you buy a sax from Canex, you are buying directly from the manufacturer, therefore bypassing the middleman.
I happened to come across the DIY Trade page where Canex sells their bass saxes, and noticed that the minimum order is only 1 horn. Mmm… 
Maybe I should order one and have it stencilled with the Bassic Sax label. Then I could sell it for like $5,000… 
Why not? All the big kids are doing it. 😉
Seriously, I wonder what kind of quality you’re going to get for 2K.
A few months ago a member of the Bass Sax Co-op ordered one of these cheap, American-designed, Asian-made bass saxes (a totally different brand) through an on-line music store. After having numerous problems with the horn, and having his tech go over it, he ended up returning the sax and getting his money back. Luckily, he dealt with a reputable company that was willing to stand behind the products they sell. Not all are.
If you’re in the market for a cheap bass sax, there are apparently a number of options out there. However, you have to ask yourself: Should a low price really be the sole determining factor in your choice of bass saxophones? If your answer is yes, then I hope that you have a good relationship with a competent tech. I suspect you’re going to need it.
hi,
i have been playing baritone sax for a good 3 going on 4 years, and when next year comes around, im thinking about playing bass sax in highschool. have any reccomendations?
Hi nick.
Welcome to my site.
Have you talked to your band teacher yet, about your wanting to play bass? Regular concert and jazz band scores have no bass parts, so many teachers wouldn’t want a horn like this in the band. That would be my first suggestion.
Does your school have a bass saxophone already? Maybe there’s one tucked in the back of the band room storage closet somewhere. That would be my next step. Check with the school. Mine turned up when renovations were being done in a middle school, and the storage area was being cleaned out. Someone came across this mysterious old case, and inside of it was a vintage Buescher bass. It had been forgotten about for decades.
If your teacher is OK with you playing a bass, but your school doesn’t have an old one kicking around that needs works, then your next question becomes: Which one do I buy?
Bass saxophones are not available through rental programs, so your only option is to buy one. If you’ve read through my Series on Asian bass saxes—of which this post is one—then you will know that there are 2 types available: vintage American-style and Selmer-style. Hands down the Selmer-style saxophones by Jinbao are the better saxophones. They do however, cost a lot more. That old saying “You get what you pay for” has never been truer.
The American-styled horns made by Jinyin have had mixed reviews by the people that own them. I’ve read reports from people who have had to return them to the shops where they bought them from, either for a refund, or to get major work done. I have received letters from owners of these bass saxophones who are pleased with their bass, but no one who has been in contact with me, received it ready to play right out of the box. All of the horns needed work, regardless of what brand name was stencilled on the bell.
Bottom line: You pay your money and you take your chances. Regardless of what name is on the bell, the horns are either made by Jinyin (if it’s an American-style horn) or Jinbao (if it’s a Selmer-style bass).
Where ever you buy your bass from, you need to make sure that the store is reputable, and has a good return policy.
I don’t know what your budget is, but I strongly recommend that you stay away from the American-style bass, and get a Selmer copy. As I’ve said in this comment already, they are the far superior saxophones. Check out this section of my website for more information about both the companies that make all the bass saxophones coming from Asia.
As for where to get one, I’d strongly recommend you get in touch with Laksar Reese. Laksar owns International Woodwind. When dealing with Laksar, you are dealing with a reputable businessman, who will stand behind what he sells you. If there’s a problem, he will work with you to fix it.
Send the company an email, and ask Laksar to get a hold of you. Tell him that Helen Kahlke from Bassic Sax suggested you contact him directly. (I don’t get a kickback BTW. He’s a very busy guy, and always travelling, so he might return your message a bit faster that way.)
Laksar has added a few bonus features to the IW-661 bass that are not found on the Jinbao-made bass saxophones. You can see some more photos of this bass sax here.
One thing that I have heard about all short-wrap Selmer bass saxophones, or for that matter, Selmer-style basses, is that they don’t have the same kind of “grunt” that the American saxophones have. They have been likened by some people to large baritones. I can’t speak to that personally, since I’ve never played a Selmer-style, or Selmer bass.
So you see nick, there’s lots to think about. Hopefully these comments give you a place to start the thinking process.
You don’t mention what city you live in. Whereabouts are you? Is there any possibility of trying a horn before you buy? For example, IW is located in LA. You could always go to their showroom and try out the horns before you buy them. However, if you’re like most of us, you’re going to live too far away from any place that stocks any stencilled bass saxophone, which means you’ll have to go on reviews, and store reputation. That’s why buying from a known shop with a really good return policy—which is why I suggested IW—is so important.
I hope this has been somewhat helpful. Think it over, and let me know what you’re thinking nick.
Regards,
Helen
I was curious what was going on with the Canex bass, and it is very clear now that while they might very well make their own smaller instruments, when it comes to bass saxes, they buy them from someone else–Jinyin. Canex has updated a few things on their bass sax page. While the photo is still the same, and shows an older version of the Jinyin bass, they have put a watermark over it now. They have now however also included a photo of its case, which looks identical to the case the Hawk bass comes with. These cases are also fairly widely now under a number of differently names including IW, Sax Gourmet, & Rheuben Allen.
Another thing that has changed is Canex’s price policy. Apparently the $3,000 is not a fixed price. Here’s what they write about the bass saxophone price:
Gotta’ love those extra exclamation marks.
Hi Kelton. Welcome to my site.
So I see! Yikes! 😯
That’s a pretty big price jump. Wonder what caused it. The sudden improvement in the world’s economy? 😆
Well a 2 or $3,000 bass is still going to play like, well, a $2,000 or $3,000 bass. Read: not that good compared to new Selmer, Keilwerth, Eppelsheim, or vintage bass for that matter. You get what you pay for I’m afraid.
I have a funny feeling that Canex might not make their own bass saxophones. I suspect that these are actually made by Jinyin. Check out this post in my series on Asian made bass saxes. It explains the sources of the current crop of bass saxophones.
The Canex bass looks too much like the Jinyins, and the upstart costs would be too high for them considering the sales numbers would be too low. (This is pure speculation on my part. If I’m wrong, perhaps someone from Canex might wish to correct me.)
they’re now 3,000 😯