Saxophones Bauhaus Walstien Tenor YS TD (Action Improved)

[Hamish]

I was looking to get myself a tenor after about five years of just alto. I have had various tenors over the years including Selmer, Yanagisawa and Yamaha 62 (by far the best). I have limited funds and was looking for a basic tenor, nothing fancy. As I live not far away I visited Woodwind and Brass to rule out the Bauhaus. I spent a long time in their kitchen trying various horns and mouthpieces looking for faults. I was quite disappointed with the pull through that comes with the sax. The case is a bit light weight. The engraving looks like it was done before being laquered. That's it. The last new sax I bought was about 32 years ago - a student Beucher. By comparison the Bauhaus is a world away. It is a really solid and well made instrument. It effortlessly played from top to bottom with a student mouthpiece. I wanted to dismiss the bronze as just a fashion thing but ended up buying one - somehow it sounded better. I have a bit of a sore mouth from too much playing and my beautiful alto has not been out of it's case. I have only had it for a couple of days and will keep you updated but so far I am amazed. The people at WW&B are really knowledgable and friendly and, even though it was out of my price range, insisted I try the new "antique finish" M2- looks good.

 

[Pete Thomas]

The engraving looks like it was done before being laquered.

I've never thought of this as a bad thing, quite the opposite in fact. Modern lacquer is much stronger of course, but I'm very aware that on many horns with engraving cut through the lacquer, that it's a weak point of the lacquer and can easily chip away from the engraved cuts and so this is the first area fir the lacquer to wear off.

Of course the other side of this coin is that if any dirt, chemical or grease is still stuck in the engraving cuts before lacquering, then this could also lead to issues.

 

[Hamish]

I don't see it as a bad thing either. The point I was trying to make (after a couple glasses of wine) is that this is a very good horn.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes, I tried a couple, they are great.

 

[Pyrografix]

Yes, I tried a couple, they are great.

Glasses of wine?..... Hic!