I've been playing the DV 7 alto pice for 10 years now - this is a replacement for the first that I wore out!.. and it's even better than the first! - Sooo well made - forget other more expensive pieces that claim to make the audience dance, but sound hollow and shrill - this is the one that does it all with a genuinely beautiful full tone, great intonation and free blowing - in fact, it's so free blowing a 1/2 step up in reed is required - I love the Vandoren V21 2 1/2, Green Javas 2 1/2 or La Voz Med Hard for best results. I dropped a star on the response because the high notes do need to be refocused, but it's worth it!