Hello Mike, you are right about how different saxes feel, I have a previously owned Selma AS500 taiwan alto, that plays a lot smoother than my etude alto which i got
new, they both play ok but the Selma is my choice to play. My first sax back in 1954 was a Beuscher alto had it for ten years, and pawned it back in 64 been watching
ebay for a similar model and year might get it just for old time sake.