Saxophones Are Chateau Saxophones any good?

[tmaciag]

Greetings, I've played a Chateau S90 copper tenor for two years. Great sound, but huge. I need a room that seats a 100 and a 85 tip opening mpc. However if you play gigs in large outdoor venues, this is you axe. Strap on your favorite paint peeler and wirless mic and rock the audience. You'll always hear yourself. I love mine. I also have a a King SS. Good luck.

 

[SaxmanUSMC]

A bit late on this, just happen to come across this post and thought I would offer my input. I have played the 753 model alto and tenor (now the Series 90 - same as pictured above) in the antique finish for the last 6 years now.

They are about to go to my tech for the first time since I bought them 6 years ago. They hold up very well. They do lack a lot of the more modern adjustments you see on other horns. The left hand table feels a bit strange compared to my previous Yamahas or Cannonballs, but it is my only complaint on the ergos. It feels like it a bit more of a stretch than it should be. It is possible of course some of this may have been changed in the newer Series 90.

The super high copper content in the brass does bring out a great tonal character. Even with some higher baffle mouthpieces I have tried, there is a lush warmth to the tonal core. Great resonance and character. It honestly is an amazing balance, between the subdued and sometimes lack of character of my old Yamaha 875EX and the overly bright and edgy Cannonball Big Bell horns. They are super flexible, more in line to something like an 82Z.

I would definitely recommend these horns, and I am truly curious to see if any changes/updates have been made to the newer Series 90.

 

[Colin the Bear]

You on commission? 😉

I'm always sceptical about claims that the material of the tube creates anything. I'm more of the opinion that it's the shape, though I must admit that high copper brass is very attractive.

 

[SaxmanUSMC]

You on commission? 😉

I'm always sceptical about claims that the material of the tube creates anything. I'm more of the opinion that it's the shape, though I must admit that high copper brass is very attractive.

Hahah....no definitely not. Just a player.

I definitely agree that shape will have a much larger effect compared to material. And that could be the case with my opinion on the horns. But I do notice a marked difference between my Chateau horns with the 93% copper content compared to my previous Yamaha 875 or the Black Nickel Cannonballs. I do think that particular brass mixture plays a part in that.

Either way, for the money, I feel they are great and flexible horns.

 

[SaxBoss]

I have T90 tenor in their bronze material. Its a 2010 model. I love its warm but resonate sound. I play on a link 7* I fully agree with @SaxmanUSMC statement

But I do notice a marked difference between my Chateau horns with the 93% copper content compared to my previous Yamaha 875

The horn I have is markedly softer material than standard brass. The slightest knock and it need to be put back into regulation. So don't drop it in it's case

It's an awesome sounding horn . Definitely one of my favourite. Sorry, not for sale.

 

[jonf]

They have a very odd marketing model. They look like they have a single distributor in a country, which often serves a number of other countries as well. So you have to buy them from one shop, which seems to dramatically limit their markets, as many people still want to try before they buy. Although (maybe because?) they go for entirely French based branding, they are not available in France.

My entirely subjective opinion - I don't like the look of a lot of the finishing on their models.

 

[ellinas]

Do you think that this sax is a chateau 90 series stencil?

Thomann MK IV Handmade Tenor Sax

Tenor Saxophone Handmade, Copper body (92% copper), High F# key, Artistic engraving, Brass keys, Body and keys in matte finish, Original Abalone inlays, Includes mouthpiece and lightweight case with backpack straps

www.thomann.de

 

[SaxmanUSMC]

Do you think that this sax is a chateau 90 series stencil?

Thomann MK IV Handmade Tenor Sax

Tenor Saxophone Handmade, Copper body (92% copper), High F# key, Artistic engraving, Brass keys, Body and keys in matte finish, Original Abalone inlays, Includes mouthpiece and lightweight case with backpack straps

www.thomann.de

Yeah it definitely is. Everything on that is identical to even my older 753 models, down to the case.

 

[Colin the Bear]

95% copper 5% zinc brass is Gilding metal.
90% copper 10% zinc brass is Abyssinian Gold.
Neither of which are Bronze, which is copper and tin.
There's a whole list on wiki of the varying amounts of copper and zinc that are used in brass for its various applications and uses.
95% copper sounds like it's going to be very malleable to me.
With rough handling I expect you may find a sheet of metal in the bottom of the case. 😉
Looks like a coal scuttle too.

 

[ellinas]

Yeah it definitely is. Everything on that is identical to even my older 753 models, down to the case.

It's so cheap in comparison to the "labeled" Chateau sax. There could be differences. I've seen Asian saxophones that looked identical but they had quality differences. If this is a series 90 one... it's a steal.

 

[Mark Hancock]

It's so cheap in comparison to the "labeled" Chateau sax. There could be differences. I've seen Asian saxophones that looked identical but they had quality differences. If this is a series 90 one... it's a steal.

I used to own a Thomann Mk IV Tenor, I'm pretty sure it's a Chateau 90 stencil. It was a really nice sax.

 

[ellinas]

I used to own a Thomann Mk IV Tenor, I'm pretty sure it's a Chateau 90 stencil. It was a really nice sax.

I know a few people that had it, say the nicest words about its tone and then they sold it. why did you sell it?

 

[Mark Hancock]

I know a few people that had it, say the nicest words about its tone and then they sold it. why did you sell it?

I had just got back into playing the sax when I bought the Thomann. I was playing every day, so I thought it would be worth it to splash out on a new Yani. It was probably mainly GAS.

I can't honestly say the Yani plays or sounds any better than the Thomann, but one difference in build quality that I noticed was that the ends of the rods on the Yani have a much smoother finish. The ends of the rods on the Thomann look like they were left with the rough machine finish. Maybe it's something that could lead to problems down the line. Maybe the Chateau branded instruments get better quality finishing that the Thomann line??

 

[Colin the Bear]

The money is in the detail.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Merging this thread with the other Chateau thread...

 

[Pete Thomas]

Pete's experience with student vs. more expensive models is interesting, although when I bought my alto about two years ago the Chateau catalog had at least three levels of instruments.

It seems they now have six listed. But only 4 on the UK site. But still, the rep at namm only showed me two (this was back in 2015ish).

 

[cips]

Hello. I have found that Thomann handmade and custom saxophones are made by Tenon in Taiwan/Vietnam. Anyone had experience with Thomann stencils? It appears that there are major difference regarding the prices of Chateau vs. Thomann..Why would be such differences?