Saxophones Alright, let's see them

[Pete Thomas]

At 12:19:16 PM 08/05/06, Ken wrote:
On the other hand (I haven't quiet figured this out yet!), Pete has mentioned that he usually prefers 'non-shiny' saxes, but chose a gold finish and might possibly go for another similarly finished model. He obviously does have experience/knowledge... interesting.

My saxophones tend not to be very shiny but it's not really a big deal, I just wouldn't choose a shiny one over a not so shiny one because of its shinyness. My hanson tenor is gold plated, but that's not why I chose it. I think I would have preferred the same saxophone if it wasn't so shiny.

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 2:18:35 PM 08/05/06, Ken wrote:
This does raise the question Pete... you obviously (I would think) compared (playing wise) finish for finish at Hanson's, so do you think finish affects sound or would you consider it a difference in production/assembly for an individual instrument?

I don't think it affects the sound at all, however I doubt there will ever be a truly scientific test that can prove this one way or the other.

Instrument manufacturers say otherwise in their marketing of course, with a notable exception being Buescher in the 20s who said "A plain brass instrument plays just as beauitifully as the most gorgeous De Luxe finish"

 

[Pete Thomas]

Except that a woodwind instrument doesn't resonate, unlike a guitar or cowbell. A search on SOTW or A.M.S will uncover a welath of discussion on this.

Have you ever heard Jazz at Massey Hall? - that's Charlie Parker playing an acrylic Grafton saxophone. Sounds like a regular metal saxophone. Now if that sounds the same (or atleast incredibly similar), how is a very very very thin layer of plating or lacquer going to affect the sound?

However I'd be more inclined to believe the finish on the INSIDE of the instrument might have some influence as a roughness could affect the waves that bounce around in there, however I'm no acoustician.

 

[lee_]

Wow. This thread had plowed its own track. I guess I was the primary hijacker, so "Sorry, Melissa."

I'll add this:

Although I don't think the type or lack of plating could possibly make much difference in the sound of a sax, it does apparently make some difference in the necks. I've read of many pro players trying all the silver, copper, bare, gold and lacquered neck options on new horns. I think this is a common passtime at professional trade shows. There apparently is some noticable difference there.

There apparently is some difference, too, in the type of base metal used in horn bodies, ie, solid silver or copper instead of brass. But, again, I can't imagine this being that big of a deal, unless maybe you're putting together a matching horn section for orchestral work or something. (Personally, I think it's an excuse for horn makers to sell some really, really expensive horns).

I also believe, but couldn't prove, that the tone of a horn improves over the years as it's used, or possibly simply as the brass gets older. Like I said, can't prove it.

Certainly, for the common player, none of these factors should be important, as the weakest link in the tone chain is obviously the reed/mouthpiece. Once you've got a horn you like in good working order, that's the area the player should concentrate on as he strives to produce decent tone on a consistent basis, IMO.

 

[AlistairD]

At 8:47:49 PM 07/05/06, Bob Green wrote:
Alistair, I never saw a sax that colour before, it's like Lady Penelope's Roller! Where did it come from, what make is it?

Re swedging - is it possible to shim the rods with small washers, or would that cause problems?

Ken, what else do you have besides saxes and Revoxes? Are you perhaps king of the multi-trackers? Do you do your own music?

Cheers, Bob

Bob,

It's a Bently (www.bentlymusic.com).

I've actually just sold it on eBay... I believe that they are assembled in the UK from Chinese parts... I found it great to start on (really cheap) and my teacher says it makes a pretty good sound...

 

[Pete Thomas]

I think we should get this thread back on topic, so I think it would be best to start a new topic on saxophone materials and finishes. I don't think I know enough to answer all your questions Ken as its only a hunch I have. The Massey Hall I only mentioned because that's the gig where bird is playing the plastic alto.

Any more discussion on this please continue on the new topic I just started.

Anyway, back to Melissa's thread, here's apic of my Grafton:

 

[lee_]

Wow, that's cool. Do you play it? It must be worth some serious coin.

That's the horn that Stephen Howard was writing about, right?

I thought there was a link to your website (and hence The Breakfast Room) on SH's site, and that's where it is - in that Grafton review.

 

[Rogerb]

I remember seeing one in a music shop in Ipswich in the 50s and thinking "You cannot be serious!" (before John McEnroe was born I guess 😉 )

 

[tengu01]

Here's one of my babies

<resized a bit - Pete>

 

[tengu01]

oops.

Don't think I've got this sizing thing right

:whistle:

 

[Melissa]

nice picture! Your sax is very clean 😛

 

[tengu01]

You should have seen it after I'd finished playing for the day. Not so clean, definately not as shiny



ho hum

 

[Pete Thomas]

At 04:45:37 AM 09/05/06, Lee wrote:
Wow, that's cool. Do you play it? It must be worth some serious coin.

That's the horn that Stephen Howard was writing about, right?

I thought there was a link to your website (and hence The Breakfast Room) on SH's site, and that's where it is - in that Grafton review.

Yes, this is the one Steve reviewed.

I really like the sound and feel of the Grafton to play, although as I said earlier, you wouldn't think it was acrylic just from listening to it. I had no idea Charlie Parker was playing one on the Massey Hall concert until I read it.

 

[spike]

my very first horn was a Grafton, found it in a second hand shop in Stretford (Manchester) 8 quid it cost me, had to work four weeks in the council gardening department greenhouses in summer to pay for it, (hot stuff) don't remember exactly what year that was - sixty something, great horn, left it on the carpark of the train station in Torino, Italy some years later, but that's another story isn't it children.

 

[Bobby G]

Aborted attempt to post photo....


Pete, would you be able to delete this so I can try and resubmit it? thanks

 

[Bobby G]

And this one....

 

[Bobby G]

My Yamaha YTS23 tenor, cheap but very cheerful.

Those cups aren't really green, they are slightly tarnished silver in colour. In fact, although it has no actual dents, it is quite scratched with interesting tarnishing here and there. Plays fine and I love its sound

 

[Bobby G]

My cute and small Artemis curved soprano

Again, the light makes the gold-coloured cups look green. Another cheap sax, but after a once-over (one or two pads not seating properly & general action adjustment) plays and sounds sweet. I may upgrade the tenor one day, but this one's just for fun!

 

[Bobby G]

And finally, my beloved Yamaha YAS62 alto

Again, relatively cheap (can you see a theme emerging here?) as I part-exed my Trevor James for this, my only pro(ish) level horn, and lovely it is too. Needed a minor tweak to get the best out of it, now a joy to play.


Just a bit of trouble getting these shots on here - taken quickly earlier this afternoon on the camera of my PDA, so the quality is not stunning really.

I have to ask whether I really needed to post these photo's, as they are all generic saxophones, nothing really out of the ordinary (but that curly sop is cute!). I love them all, though.....

 

[griff136]

heres one of mine that I'm restoring at the moment.
It's a Dolnet made in France with Art Deco Hexagonal Keyguards.