M/Pieces - Ligs Berg Larsen soprano saxophones

[ProfJames]

Did Berg Larsen make horns or did they stencil someones?

Can anybody shine any light on this subject for me please?

 

[jonf]

They were the same as the Weltklang/Champion/Trafford etc Eastern European ones from the 1970s and 1980s. Playable but not great. Clunky ergonomics.

 

[ProfJames]

I have just acquired one and I must say I was pretty impressed. I thought they were GDR saxophones but thank you for confirming my suspicions. Ergonomically I like the layout. Robust and fairly heavy for a curved. The Roy Benson is far slicker but will it last 30 or 40 years?

 

[jonf]

I've seen loads and loads of traight ones, but never a curved. My comments were based on the straight ones, I can't speak for curved ones, which may be different.

 

[ProfJames]

I've seen loads and loads of traight ones, but never a curved. My comments were based on the straight ones, I can't speak for curved ones, which may be different.

Exactly the same experience for me! Never seen a curved one before! That is why I bought it...! The more I play it the more I like it.

 

[jonf]

The more I play it the more I like it.

Then that makes it a good sax, whatever its origin then. Glad to hear you've got a good one. I love sopranos, got three at the moment.

 

[altissimo]

any photos? It's possible it may not be a Weltklang, I don't think they ever made a curved soprano, so maybe Berg stencilled another make for the one you have, possibly something Italian like an Orsi... I'm only guessing...

Weltklang info here - http://bassic-sax.info/version5/vin...s-und-signal-instrumenten-fabrik-bs/weltklang

this L/H little finger keywork is the usual sign of a Weltklang - http://bassic-sax.info/4images/details.php?image_id=19380

 

[ProfJames]

Altissimo you are correct - L/H pinky table - Weltklang. Thank you. Unmistakable

 

[Pete Thomas]

Dick Heckstall Smith played one I believe - customised by Willy Garnett to use one handed (for playing two horns at once)

 

[milandro]

I have never seen a curved Weltklang, please post pictures. I too rthink this might be something else.

 

[ProfJames]

Indeed Milandro you are correct. It was not a soprano but an alto sax!!! False alarm!

 

[milandro]

well, it could have been a rare discovery although having been a few times around the block myself and having bought and sold quite a few horns in the last 7 years I have see my fair share of weltklangs.

 

[ProfJames]

That was my hope as well after a couple of emails!!

 

[Ads]

The Altos are common , there was one at Cashconverters going cheap labelled as a "Soprano" was it that one ? . the Meister tenor they had was listed as Berg Larsen, they got them well mixed up - I contacted David UK when they first had them (they`d have done a deal on both) , he was as disinterested in them as I was , cheap but with not a great rep, especially the Berg Alto after reading SOTW reports ..

 

[milandro]

Last week, I’ve played quite a bit a curved soprano in public. I always get comments about my small alto .........the notion of a curved soprano isn’t a notion shared by many. Once I also had a seller whom was convinced he had a curved sopranino (if it is small it has to be a sopranino no?), I told him that at the time there were only two curved sopranino (now there is the Rampone too), The Orsi and the Kalison, and he angrily told me that I knew nothing about saxophones.

 

[ProfJames]

Yes it was! In the end I bought the Berg for £87! It is in pristine condition! Nice hard case as well. It is a Christmas present for a nephew.

 

[milandro]

well, these weltklangs can be decent though unsophisticated saxophones. I prefer the older solist models, heavily silver plated. The B&S blue label are essentially the same saxophone with a better quality control.

 

[Ads]

I`m sure your nephew will love it, for £87 you can`t go wrong, it`s worth that as an ornament and a spare case !

 

[ProfJames]

Absolutely right Milandro! It is well built, robust and appears to be nicely playable. A good, solid horn to learn on.

 

[thomsax]

Last week, I’ve played quite a bit a curved soprano in public. I always get comments about my small alto .........the notion of a curved soprano isn’t a notion shared by many. Once I also had a seller whom was convinced he had a curved sopranino (if it is small it has to be a sopranino no?), I told him that at the time there were only two curved sopranino (now there is the Rampone too), The Orsi and the Kalison, and he angrily told me that I knew nothing about saxophones.

King did sopraninos as well! Picture below taken from Saxophone Journal, Vintage Saxophone Revisted, Paul Cohen.