Saxophones 60th Birthday Present

[Saxmole]

The big 6 0 is approaching and I have been awarded £1500 max by 'er indoors' to buy an upgrade tenor sax. I currently play an 80 year old Kohlert Pennsylvania Special which I learned on as a youth. I like its warm classic 'jazzer' sound but have to admit the intonation in the upper register can be a bit of a struggle. I'm not overly concerned about ergonomics although I do dislike the sponginess of the articulated G#/C# on the more modern horns I've tried. I've spent several happy, if confusing, hours at Woodwind Exchange, Bradford enjoying copious amounts of tea and blowing everything from Yamaha YTs 62s to Conn 10Ms without coming to any conclusions. I play regularly in a church worship group, so have to blend with mixed instrumentation as well as a choir. I would be grateful for guidance from more experienced players on the forum. Is there a horn that I might not have considered during my search? I have a tutor who dislikes my current horn and who is a self-confessed Yamaha enthusiast!

 

[ProfJames]

Cannonball, Sequoia, Viking (if possible), Hanson

 

[Saxmole]

Thanks Prof. Looks like another expedition to Bradford is on the cards.

 

[Ads]

The TJ Signature Custom RAW in both Tenor and Alto is very highly thought of - Like the first three of Prof's suggestions it`s basically a Taiwanese sax but the TJ Sig Customs are assembled and setup by Dave Farley in the UK ..

Prof's last suggestion is well worth investigating as the higher end horns are superb , their 8 series are made from parts across the globe but I believe are assembled in Yorkshire . I`d forget any kind of Electronic communication with Hanson and their website is mediocre at best but they`re excellent on the phone or face to face and the service is top notch .

Another Taiwanese Hotrod to consider is P-Mauriat , they have a lot of fans too, as have the new Premiere line of saxes from Conn-Selmer (Taiwanese again) .

If you`re feeling flush you could search out a used Real Selmer Paris - loads to choose from on the used market from collectable Cigar cutters , through the ubiquitous MkVI , the bargain SA80 series and the newer Reference 54 ..

The Prob with Saxes is that there are too many to choose from -- I`d take a look at the TJ Sig Custom RAW and the higher end Hansons ...... Me ? , I`d just buy another Yamaha, preferably no newer than 1990 in Tenor or Alto

 

[Jonesy]

£1500 is just the right price for a Hanson ST8, £1 change.
[Mine is a combined crimble and burfday pressie, from myself.]

 

[aldevis]

Welcome to the caffé saxmole.

I currently play an 80 year old Kohlert Pennsylvania Special which I learned on as a youth. I like its warm classic 'jazzer' sound but have to admit the intonation in the upper register can be a bit of a struggle.

I know what you mean, and I am surprised you didn't fall in love with the 10m.
I never fell in love with a Yamaha tenor, despite their great manufacturing quality.

You would probably like a Keilwerth SX, but you must be very lucky to find one in your price range.
Many people here are raving about Hanson, but I don't know what sound concept is behind them.

All the TJ horns I tried, were in the MkVI direction (like Yamaha). Worth checking anyway.

Cannonball, Sequoia, Viking (if possible), Hanson

Sequoia and Viking are not distributed in the UK through shops. Sequoia (see my disclaimer) is slightly above your budget.

 

[altissimo]

keep the Kohlert and ditch the tutor 🙂

 

[Ads]

Many people here are raving about Hanson, but I don't know what sound concept is behind them..

The concept of making money through a combination of excellent instruments and excellent service - a Pretty Sound Concept in my book 😀

Hansons are best bought USED, some real bargains are to be had as some on this forum have found .

 

[Ads]

 

[ProfJames]

Hanson best bought USED! How is a company ever supposed to make money Ads?

 

[Ads]

What`s that got to do with the OP buying a Tenor ?... Hanson do fine from the Clarinets and no doubt the new Mk6 clone is doing OK too .

Fact remains that ST8s lose a lot on resale and there have been some fantastic buys about in the past few months, same with Cannonballs...

Sax.co have a superb deal on some cosmetic seconds Mauriats too at the moment.

 

[Vlad]

I'd say used every time, let someone else lose out on the instant depreciation !
1500 squid should get you a very decent saxophone indeed..

 

[ProfJames]

The statement that "Hansons are best bought used" doesn't help the manufacturers! Also depends on what the conusmer wants. Poor old Mr Hanson on this forum would be agrieved!

It was a lso a "respectfully diasgree" comment Ads, I appreciate your opinions and experience sir

 

[aldevis]

The statement that "Hansons are best bought used" doesn't help the manufacturers! Also depends on what the conusmer wants. Poor old Mr Hanson on this forum would be agrieved!

A cunning marketing plan to be developed:
"Our saxes cost £3000 (RRP £9000). But we use some of them in the shop, so we can sell them to you for £1600 and you don't loose with the depreciation (numbers may vary)"

 

[Ads]

Also Hanson themselves are an excellent source of these Bargain 8 series horns, they had some Ex-Dem Altos recently for less than new 5 series, they have show models etc ... Worth a ring to ask about the older 6 series models (which were copies of the Selmer MkVI) which are phased out in favour of versions with more MkVI like keywork.

 

[kevgermany]

If you want to stay with the Kohlert concept, the Winenden made models from the mid to late 50s are probably the best and are excellent saxes. But side by side I prefer the sound of the Keilwerth Tone King from that period. Both of these should be well within your budget and you'd have a pro horn with that big German sound that's not run of the mill UJS. After playing a pre-war Pennsylvania special for so long, I don't think you'd have a problem with the ergos.

 

[aldevis]

But side by side I prefer the sound of the Keilwerth Tone King from that period.

How is the ergo of the Tone King?

 

[kevgermany]

How is the ergo of the Tone King?

I'll let others comment - I wasn't allowed to play it, was my tutor's pride and joy, after his MkVI. But I did feel the keywork - felt good to me, not quite as light as a MkVI, but I'd have not found fault. Must find some money and get one, but looks like I need to change my car :-(

 

[DavidUK]

The statement that "Hansons are best bought used" doesn't help the manufacturers! Also depends on what the conusmer wants. Poor old Mr Hanson on this forum would be agrieved!

It was a lso a "respectfully diasgree" comment Ads, I appreciate your opinions and experience sir

I must agree with Ads here, although the word "best" is perhaps misplaced bearing in mind the Hanson 5 year warranty. I guess "best" relates to price, not playability or service.

Any horn might best be bought used, and this DOES help the manufacturers. If there were no market for used horns, cars, whatever, how would an owner sell what he bought new in order to buy another new item and thus "help" the manufacturer?

Retail relies on those who like to buy new, AND those who prefer to buy used. Without this chain those preferring new would have a house full of items they could never sell, and this might affect their ability to afford another new item.

Note too that like most car dealers, Hanson sell both new and used instruments. Mr Hanson understands the chain and chooses to cater for both distinct buyer types.

 

[aldevis]

Any horn might best be bought used, and this DOES help the manufacturers. If there were no market for used horns, cars, whatever, how would an owner sell what he bought new in order to buy another new item and thus "help" the manufacturer?

If I sell my Yamaha to buy a Selmer, am I helping Yamaha?