As a non profi, i was looking for a sax, easy to play, well build, and with good sound quality. My positive experience with the 62 tenor, pushed me to decide for the same alto. As i live in Greece i have not so many opportunities to try a sax befor buying. So i ordered the sax blind, and it was a good decision. Everything , from delivery, till the first probe upgradet my good opinion for Yamaha instruments, and for the Thommans professionalism.
The only thing i dont like , is the 4c mouthpiece that comes with. In this price region , allmost every saxplayer has a couple of them, so nobody uses it. It would be nice to be offered either with a better mp or to be omited with a price decrease.
Finaly, overlooking that, the sax is a life-time partner.