Dave Guardala New York Series Tenor Saxophone.
Has anybody had any experience with these instruments? Good, bad, otherwise?
I might be interested in purchasing one of these or a cheaper alternative might be the Walstein tenor sax.
Thank you.
Regards,
Greg Strange.
Re: Dave Guardala New York Series Tenor Saxophone.
Well, I can't compare as I've never even seen a Dave Guardala saxophone let alone played one. I'm currently working on a comparison test between 5 tenors, a Walstein, a Yanagisawa, one of the better Selmer MKVIs, Conn 10M and The Martin. The Walstein is holding up vry respectfully in the tests, even if it wasn't 10 - 20% of the cost of the others. It is a very versatile, well built and in tune horn. I'll be sorry to give the review instrument back.
Re: Dave Guardala New York Series Tenor Saxophone.
Pete I'm sure there's an English expression something like
'better £300 down than sorry' Or at least something along the lines of that
I too can't compare them as I've never even so much as seen one of these Guardala tenors. I know Tris, who may or may not be lurking has one of their alto models and really thinks it's the bees knees.
The Walstein will be having a few upgrades in the not to distant future. Pisoni pads, hardcase, and probably mother of peal touch pieces. Maybe some other things as well.
The price will probably go up with this I'd expect, though how much I'd have no idea.
In saying that, it doesn't mean that the bads are bad, they're just not as good as what you'd find on a £1.5 saxophone. The plastic touch pieces don't make that much of a difference either, but again you'd expect mother of pearl on something like a Yanagisawa.
Now it might seem harsh comparing it to top of the line saxophones and picking out some small gripes like that, but you have to go that far because it really is a top quality saxophone.
The build is as good or better than most (it has extra beefy plates running down the body to support the mechanisms). The tubing is thicker and stronger giving less play in the mechanism. And the sound is definatly up there too.
I've only ever found one horn, and I mean one horn of a particular model that I've thought beat it and it was a Yanigasawa T902. The Walstein as you may know is designed upon the Yani T992 without an underslung crook. So they are fairly similar saxes. The only difference I could find was that the Yani had smaller touch pieces, smaller cups and was a very light instrument with a slightly snappier set-up. The problem was it felt fragile because of this and I'd of spent all my time admiring it instead of playing!
Therefore I'd recommend trying out both! And seeing which one you like the best. Remember you can also afford any mouthpiece under construction if you were to go with the Walstein, which gives it the potential to suit it's sound to you better.
_________________ Started December 2005
Soprano: Borgani (1950's), Yam 4C, Rico Royal 3
Alto: Hanson SA-8/Martin Handcraft 1925, Link Tone Edge 6, RJS 2H
Tenor: Walstein Phosphor Bronze (prototype), Link STM 6*, ZZ 2.5
Re: Dave Guardala New York Series Tenor Saxophone.
Thanks for the response. I have just ordered a Walstein tenor tonight. I imported a Walstein soprano a couple of weeks ago and thought it was an excellent instrument so I thought why not grab a tenor as well.
Thanks once again.
Regards,
Greg Strange.
