{"id":22,"date":"2026-06-25T09:50:00","date_gmt":"2026-06-25T07:50:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/?p=22"},"modified":"2026-09-27T21:12:40","modified_gmt":"2026-09-27T19:12:40","slug":"jupiter-jas500-review","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/jupiter-jas500-review\/","title":{"rendered":"Jupiter JAS500 Review: Is a Used One Still Worth It in 2026?"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>The Jupiter JAS500 is discontinued.<\/strong> Jupiter has replaced it with the <strong>JAS510<\/strong> (sold as the JAS510Q in Europe), which the brand itself describes as &#8220;the successor to the popular and well-known JAS500&#8221;. Thomann UK no longer lists a JAS500, so in 2026 you will mostly meet one on the second-hand market. The real question is therefore: <strong>is a used Jupiter JAS500 still worth buying<\/strong>, or are you better off with a new student alto?<\/p>\r\n\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"803\" src=\"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/Jupiter-JAS-500-02-1024x803.jpg\" alt=\"Jupiter JAS500 alto saxophone inside its hard case\" class=\"wp-image-105\" srcset=\"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/Jupiter-JAS-500-02-1024x803.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/Jupiter-JAS-500-02-300x235.jpg 300w, https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/Jupiter-JAS-500-02-768x602.jpg 768w, https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/3\/2026\/06\/Jupiter-JAS-500-02.jpg 1268w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure>\r\n\r\n<p class=\"sax-cta\"><a href=\"https:\/\/fliz.ly\/21JpZ_w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\" style=\"display:inline-block;background:#e0823c;color:#fff;font-weight:700;padding:12px 24px;border-radius:8px;text-decoration:none\">See prices on Thomann \u2192<\/a><\/p>\r\n<p>This page is an analysis based on manufacturer and retailer specifications plus player feedback; we have not had an instrument in hand.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What the Jupiter JAS500 was<\/h2>\r\n<p>The JAS500 (often listed as the JAS500Q) was <strong>Jupiter&#8217;s entry-level student alto<\/strong>, positioned above retailer own-brand beginner saxes and below the JAS700. Its documented spec is short and sensible:<\/p>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li>alto in <strong>E\u266d<\/strong>, body and keys in <strong>gold-lacquered brass<\/strong>;<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>high F#<\/strong> key;<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>stainless-steel springs<\/strong>;<\/li>\r\n<li>supplied with mouthpiece, ligature and case.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>In short, a serious learning instrument for lessons, school bands and hobby playing, with no pretensions to intermediate level. That profile is exactly what makes it interesting second-hand, as long as the price is right.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Its successor: the Jupiter JAS510<\/h2>\r\n<p>According to Jupiter Europe&#8217;s product page, the JAS510 adopts the <strong>key structure design introduced with the 1100 series<\/strong>: repositioned touch pieces, changed key angles and optimised lever heights and lengths. It keeps the high F# and stainless-steel springs, and adds a <strong>detachable bell<\/strong>, an adjustable thumb rest, a C#-B\u266d tilter and adjustable bumper felts. It comes as the JAS510Q (light case) or JAS510A (ABS case). In the UK, Gear4music listed the JAS510 at around <strong>\u00a3849<\/strong> in 09\/2026 \u2013 which puts it right alongside a new Yamaha YAS-280.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Who is a used JAS500 for?<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Beginners of any age<\/strong> who want an established brand without paying new-instrument money.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Parents<\/strong> buying for a few years of lessons, who budget for a service at a repairer from day one.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Returning players<\/strong>, or anyone wanting a second alto for travel and rehearsals.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>If you are already an advancing player looking for an instrument to keep for a decade, look straight at intermediate models instead.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>What should you pay for a used JAS500?<\/h2>\r\n<p>There is no official guide price, and listings vary a great deal with condition. The sensible approach is to work back from new prices. In 09\/2026 a new <strong>Yamaha YAS-280<\/strong> was about <strong>\u00a3848 at Thomann UK<\/strong> (\u00a3839 at Gear4music), a new <strong>Jupiter JAS700Q<\/strong> about <strong>\u00a3933<\/strong> at Thomann UK, and the budget <strong>Thomann TAS-180<\/strong> and <strong>Startone SAS-75<\/strong> about <strong>\u00a3285<\/strong> and <strong>\u00a3255<\/strong> \u2013 all with a warranty.<\/p>\r\n<p>A used JAS500, older and without a warranty, should therefore sell for <strong>clearly less than a new YAS-280<\/strong>. Always add the likely cost of a service to the asking price (get a repairer&#8217;s quote: pads, regulation, corks). If the total creeps towards the price of a new YAS-280 or JAS700Q, buying new is the more sensible call. If a well-kept JAS500 is offered at something close to a new budget alto, it can be a genuinely good deal.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Used-buying checklist<\/h2>\r\n<ul>\r\n<li><strong>Pads<\/strong>: look for torn, hardened, sticky or badly seated pads. Tired pads mean a service at best, a full re-pad at worst.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Springs<\/strong>: stainless steel does not rust, but every key should snap back cleanly, with no unhooked or broken springs.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Neck tenon<\/strong>: with the screw tightened, the neck must not wobble in the body. A worn tenon causes leaks and is not a cheap fix.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Leaks<\/strong>: play the low notes quietly down to low B\u266d. If they crack or refuse to speak, something is leaking \u2013 a repairer can check with a leak light.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Dents<\/strong>: inspect the bow, the bell and especially the body near the tone holes. A small bell dent is usually cosmetic; a distorted body or bent keys rarely are.<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Case and accessories<\/strong>: latches, handle, lining \u2013 and are the mouthpiece and ligature included?<\/li>\r\n<li><strong>Identity<\/strong>: check the model engraving so you are not paying Jupiter money for something else.<\/li>\r\n<\/ul>\r\n<p>Our guide to <a href=\"\/en\/used-saxophone\/\">buying a used saxophone safely<\/a> covers every point in detail, and <a href=\"\/en\/used-saxophone-buyer-feedback\/\">the pitfalls according to owners and techs<\/a> rounds it off.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>New alternatives in 2026<\/h2>\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table>\r\n<thead><tr><th>Model (new)<\/th><th>Indicative UK price (09\/2026)<\/th><th>Profile<\/th><\/tr><\/thead>\r\n<tbody>\r\n<tr><td>Startone SAS-75<\/td><td>about \u00a3255 (Thomann UK)<\/td><td>Budget own-brand alto<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>Thomann TAS-180<\/td><td>about \u00a3285 (Thomann UK)<\/td><td>Budget: high F#, front F, detachable bell<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>Yamaha YAS-280<\/td><td>about \u00a3848 (Thomann UK) \/ \u00a3839 (Gear4music)<\/td><td>Student benchmark: high F#, front F, 4C mouthpiece<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>Jupiter JAS510<\/td><td>about \u00a3849 (Gear4music)<\/td><td>Direct JAS500 successor<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<tr><td>Jupiter JAS700Q<\/td><td>about \u00a3933 (Thomann UK)<\/td><td>Current Jupiter student step-up<\/td><\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n<p><em>Indicative prices checked in 09\/2026; they change regularly.<\/em><\/p>\r\n<p>For a new first instrument, the <a href=\"\/en\/yamaha-yas-280-review\/\">Yamaha YAS-280<\/a> remains the reference. For the wider picture, see our <a href=\"\/en\/saxophone-for-beginners\/\">best beginner saxophones<\/a> guide, and once you have bought, keep the pads healthy with our <a href=\"\/en\/saxophone-maintenance\/\">maintenance routine<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<h2>Verdict: yes to a used JAS500 \u2013 at the right price<\/h2>\r\n<p>The JAS500 is neither a trap nor an automatic bargain. It was a decent student alto, since replaced by a more refined model, and today it only makes sense <strong>if it is in good condition and clearly cheaper than a new instrument<\/strong>. Have it checked, factor in a service and compare it with a new alto that comes with a warranty: in many cases a new YAS-280 or a new budget alto will be the safer decision.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<div class=\"anche-rating\">\r\n<h2>L&#8217;Anche Rating \u2014 Jupiter JAS500<\/h2>\r\n<p>Rated with our <a href=\"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/l-anche-rating-method\/\">L&#8217;Anche method<\/a> (Sound 30% \u00b7 Ergonomics 25% \u00b7 Intonation 20% \u00b7 Value 15% \u00b7 Finish 10%). Specs and prices from manufacturer sites and specialist retailers.<\/p>\r\n<figure class=\"wp-block-table\"><table>\r\n<thead><tr><th>Model<\/th><th>Sound<\/th><th>Ergon.<\/th><th>Intonation<\/th><th>Value<\/th><th>Finish<\/th><th>Overall \/5<\/th><\/tr><\/thead><tbody>\r\n<tr><td><strong>Jupiter JAS500 (alto, student)<\/strong><\/td><td>3.4<\/td><td>3.8<\/td><td>3.7<\/td><td>4.1<\/td><td>3.5<\/td><td><strong>3.7 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u00bd<\/strong><\/td><\/tr>\r\n<\/tbody><\/table><\/figure>\r\n<p><strong>Overall: 3.7\/5 \u2605\u2605\u2605\u00bd<\/strong> \u2014 weighted synthesis of our five axes. A solid student instrument, just below the benchmark YAS-280.<\/p>\r\n<\/div>\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"Review\", \"itemReviewed\": {\"@type\": \"Product\", \"name\": \"Jupiter JAS500\", \"category\": \"Alto saxophone\"}, \"reviewRating\": {\"@type\": \"Rating\", \"ratingValue\": 3.7, \"bestRating\": 5, \"worstRating\": 1}, \"author\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Saxophone Expert\"}, \"publisher\": {\"@type\": \"Organization\", \"name\": \"Saxophone Expert\"}}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n<h2>Frequently asked questions<\/h2>\r\n<h3>Is the Jupiter JAS500 still made?<\/h3>\r\n<p>No. Jupiter has replaced it with the JAS510 (JAS510Q in Europe), which it calls the successor to the JAS500. Today the JAS500 is mainly found second-hand.<\/p>\r\n<h3>How much should I pay for a used JAS500?<\/h3>\r\n<p>There is no official guide price. Including a service, it should cost clearly less than a new Yamaha YAS-280, which was about 848 pounds at Thomann UK in 09\/2026.<\/p>\r\n<h3>What is the difference between the JAS500 and the JAS510?<\/h3>\r\n<p>The JAS510 uses the key structure design of Jupiter&#8217;s 1100 series, with repositioned touches and levers, and adds a detachable bell, adjustable thumb rest and stainless-steel springs.<\/p>\r\n<h3>What should I check on a used JAS500?<\/h3>\r\n<p>Pads, spring action, play in the neck tenon, leaks on the low notes, dents near the tone holes and the state of the case. Having a repairer look at it is money well spent.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\">\r\n{\"@context\": \"https:\/\/schema.org\", \"@type\": \"FAQPage\", \"mainEntity\": [{\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"Is the Jupiter JAS500 still made?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"No. Jupiter has replaced it with the JAS510 (JAS510Q in Europe), which it calls the successor to the JAS500. Today the JAS500 is mainly found second-hand.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"How much should I pay for a used JAS500?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"There is no official guide price. Including a service, it should cost clearly less than a new Yamaha YAS-280, which was about 848 pounds at Thomann UK in 09\/2026.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What is the difference between the JAS500 and the JAS510?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"The JAS510 uses the key structure design of Jupiter's 1100 series, with repositioned touches and levers, and adds a detachable bell, adjustable thumb rest and stainless-steel springs.\"}}, {\"@type\": \"Question\", \"name\": \"What should I check on a used JAS500?\", \"acceptedAnswer\": {\"@type\": \"Answer\", \"text\": \"Pads, spring action, play in the neck tenon, leaks on the low notes, dents near the tone holes and the state of the case. Having a repairer look at it is money well spent.\"}}]}\r\n<\/script>\r\n\r\n<p class=\"sax-sources\"><strong>Sources<\/strong> \u2014 <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jupiter.info\/en\/instruments\/wood\/saxophone\/alto\/510-series-alto-saxophone\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jupiter Europe: JAS510, successor to the JAS500<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.jupiter.info\/en\/instruments\/wood\/saxophone\/alto\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">Jupiter Europe: current alto range<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fliz.ly\/Zqy18_w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\" data-aff-type=\"product\" data-aff-merchant=\"Thomann\" data-aff-model=\"\" data-aff-market=\"en\" data-aff-pos=\"inline\">Thomann UK: Jupiter JAS700Q<\/a>, <a href=\"https:\/\/fliz.ly\/Gp4VR_w\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"sponsored noopener nofollow\" data-aff-type=\"product\" data-aff-merchant=\"Thomann\" data-aff-model=\"\" data-aff-market=\"en\" data-aff-pos=\"inline\">Thomann UK: Yamaha YAS-280<\/a>.<\/p>\r\n\r\n<!-- CTA_AFF_DONE -->\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>The Jupiter JAS500 is discontinued. Jupiter has replaced it with the JAS510 (sold as the JAS510Q in Europe), which the [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":108,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","ast-disable-related-posts":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"default","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[5],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-22","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-alto-saxophone"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22"}],"version-history":[{"count":6,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":286,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22\/revisions\/286"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/108"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/saxophoneexpert.com\/en\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}