Saxophones Alto for warm tone

[LisaP2026]

Me again!

I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?

No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........

 

[Hassles]

Its a difficult question to answer but - the French horns are "generally" regarded as warm. The Vito saxes made from French made parts (eg: Vito Kenosha) are regarded as such. I would classify my Cousenon and Dolnet saxes to be warmish in character. I would cite my Orsi to be "Sweet" toned

 

[Greg Strange]

Depends on the player - Paul Desmond played a Selmer Super Action alto commonly referred to as the S.B.A. - I would call Paul having a mellow tone compared to somebody like Cannonball or Phil Woods - maybe vintage American horn like a Buescher True Tone or Martin?

Greg S.

 

[Hassles]

Depends on the player - Paul Desmond played a Selmer Super Action alto commonly referred to as the S.B.A. - I would call Paul having a mellow tone compared to somebody like Cannonball or Phil Woods - maybe vintage American horn like a Buescher True Tone or Martin?

Greg S.

well we all know ones set-up (mouthpiece reed combo) is the easiest & quickest way to manipulate ones tonal character.

I agree the Buescher TTs are wonderful, I have a 1926 golden era alto plus a 156 Aristocrat which is awesome.
I myself often gravitate towards German horns

 

[PigSquealer]

Me again!

I'm curious to know - what alto do you think produces the warmest, most mellow tone?

No particular reason for asking just pure curiosity........

Depending on the setup and I assume a classical need.
Vintage, a Buescher TT or Holton Revelation.
Modern, Yanagiswa.

 

[Pete Thomas]

My preference is for a Buescher 400 (Top Hat and Cane model) but a Selmer SBA can get you there also. But if course so can working on your tone which is possibly the bigger part of it.

N.B. hope you don’t mind I’ve edited your title - will help with getting more answers.

 

[Hassles]

The B 400 lovely - but none too commonly available - I've all but given up sourcing a tenor

 

[thomsax]

"The Martin Alto" with a traditional HR rubber round chamber mouthpiece and cane reeds.
Yanigisawa A-880 with a traditional HR rubber round chamber mouthpiece and cane reeds.

 

[jazzdoh]

I found the Yani bronze to be warm and mellow, but a lot would depend on which mouthpiece you used.

 

[Pete Thomas]

SBA

My preference is for a Buescher 400 (Top Hat and Cane model) but a Selmer SBA can get you there also. But if course so can working on your tone which is possibly the bigger part of it.

N.B. hope you don’t mind I’ve edited your title - will help with getting more answers.

This is (I think) my old Selmer SBA

 

[Hassles]

I found the Yani bronze to be warm and mellow, but a lot would depend on which mouthpiece you used.

yes - MP is hyper influencial to ones tonal character - the chamber, baffle etc. As for material used for the sax - thats a can of worms with arguments in the wings.

 

[Targa]

yes - MP is hyper influencial to ones tonal character - the chamber, baffle etc. As for material used for the sax - thats a can of worms with arguments in the wings.

I know there are some strange creatures in Australia but I didn’t know there were flying worms.

 

[Hassles]

Q: how many arguments have you encountered about materials used for saxophone construction and the influence that material has over the instruments inherrent tonal character eg: Brass versus Nickel Silver?

 

[jazzdoh]

yes - MP is hyper influencial to ones tonal character - the chamber, baffle etc. As for material used for the sax - thats a can of worms with arguments in the wings.

I agree totally, i'm not into the material matters thing but i just found that horn warm and mellow just as i find my SC RAW to have a core that's spread, that seems to fill the room and my Viking is more focused sound, its what my ears hear.