Saxophones Buying a TJ Raw Alto tomorrow...OK?

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

It was Steve Howard's response to my question about Raw or Gold Lacquer that persuaded me. Despite his original review misgivings of the Raw finish, he said it looks much cooler. That did it for me... :rolleyes:

SaxDon · Jan 20, 2015

Was thinking about getting one of these now the tax man has sent me a lovely cheque. Now just wondering whether it will fit in my e-sax mute (being big bell)???
:headscratch:

ProfJames · Jan 20, 2015

This will...! A beautiful Martin Master Typewriter baritone.............http://www.hammerwoodwinds.com/the-martin-baritone-saxophone-101xxx/

Ads · Jan 20, 2015

The bell isn`t much bigger, enough to make it a "not loose" fit in a normal case , I`d think a Sax mute would accommodate all bell sizes as some of the others have proper big bells and Keilwerths are bigger in other dimensions ......

Muting a RAW seems like defeating the object to me, leave one of your other Altos in it ?

jazzdoh · Jan 20, 2015

SaxDon said:
Was thinking about getting one of these now the tax man has sent me a lovely cheque. Now just wondering whether it will fit in my e-sax mute (being big bell)???

When i bought mine you had the choice of standard or big bell,i chose the standard bell,not sure whether you still have that choice now.

SaxDon · Jan 20, 2015

ProfJames said:
This will...! A beautiful Martin Master Typewriter baritone.............http://www.hammerwoodwinds.com/the-martin-baritone-saxophone-101xxx/

That is a beaut.... and a beast!

SaxDon · Jan 20, 2015

Ads said:
The bell isn`t much bigger, enough to make it a "not loose" fit in a normal case , I`d think a Sax mute would accommodate all bell sizes as some of the others have proper big bells and Keilwerths are bigger in other dimensions ......

Muting a RAW seems like defeating the object to me, leave one of your other Altos in it ?

You might be right. Perhaps it's worth considering keeping my student Jupiter

SaxDon · Jan 20, 2015

jazzdoh said:
When i bought mine you had the choice of standard or big bell,i chose the standard bell,not sure whether you still have that choice now.

I remember that at Howarths. Don't think TJ have continued the small bell (maybe wrong though)

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

jazzdoh said:
When i bought mine you had the choice of standard or big bell,i chose the standard bell,not sure whether you still have that choice now.

The new ones are big bell, but you may find an older standard bell (as I have done) in stock somewhere.
I did a fair bit of research, asking questions of David Farley and Steve, before plumping for this one. No disadvantage at all with the big bell, apart from fitting your custom case.
No "big vs. standard bell" comparison, but a good video of all the SC finishes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLwSoZ6uS4k

Jeanette · Jan 20, 2015

Can't wait to read your review and comparison to the other two 🙂

Jx

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

Jeanette said:
Can't wait to read your review and comparison to the other two 🙂

Jx

I'm still a little nervous I won't have the experience to find all the Raw's nuances, but I think I do know what I like now. The Raw finish is something I've lived with in the Grassi tenor, and that's really raw!
If I do like it, will I be able to press the sale button on the 62 and SDA? Hmmm.... we'll see....

jazzdoh · Jan 20, 2015

DavidUK said:
The new ones are big bell, but you may find an older standard bell (as I have done) in stock somewhere.
I did a fair bit of research, asking questions of David Farley and Steve, before plumping for this one. No disadvantage at all with the big bell, apart from fitting your custom case.
No "big vs. standard bell" comparison, but a good video of all the SC finishes here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DLwSoZ6uS4k

Good video,i still prefer the RAW finish and i couldn't tell any difference between the big bell and small bell but preferred the small bell in look.
Hope you enjoy yours when it arrives.

altissimo · Jan 20, 2015

DavidUK said:
If I do like it, will I be able to press the sale button on the 62 and SDA? Hmmm.... we'll see....

then you can save up for a nice Selmer SBA

Merryfisher · Jan 20, 2015

if it is as good as the RAW tenor it will be a keeper. don't expect it to stay shiney and new for very long tho, but who cares when they sound as good as they do!

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

Merryfisher said:
if it is as good as the RAW tenor it will be a keeper. don't expect it to stay shiney and new for very long tho, but who cares when they sound as good as they do!

Which one is your "go to" tenor?
Is your 62 the Purple Logo I sold some time ago?

Merryfisher · Jan 20, 2015

RAW is number 1 and go to gig horn, my old, and very battered '62 which i have owned for 30 yrs now goes to band rehearsals and those gigs where punters often get over exuberent and a little too close (ska tribute band)

I am a little embarrassed to say that the '62 from you has'nt come out of it's case since i bought it from you over a year ago. It is without a doubt one of the best looking purple logo 62 i have ever come across, looking as new as the day it was made some 35 odd years ago. I just like looking at it every now and again, maybe i should move it on to someone who will use it?

Jeanette · Jan 20, 2015

Merryfisher said:
I just like looking at it every now and again, maybe i should move it on to someone who will use it?

There is an argument for that, such a waste sat in it's case but if it brings you pleasure to look at it who are we to argue :mrcool

Jx

ProfJames · Jan 20, 2015

Jeanette said:
There is an argument for that, such a waste sat in it's case but if it brings you pleasure to look at it who are we to argue

Jx

Well said Jeanette!!! I second that statement 100%

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

Don't start that... or I'll never part with the Buffet!

Saxophones are a work of art though, aren't they.

DavidUK · Jan 20, 2015

Merryfisher said:
I am a little embarrassed to say that the '62 from you has'nt come out of it's case since i bought it from you over a year ago. It is without a doubt one of the best looking purple logo 62 i have ever come across, looking as new as the day it was made some 35 odd years ago. I just like looking at it every now and again, maybe i should move it on to someone who will use it?

Yes, it was a lovely one as I recall.
Is looking at it the antidote to the by now rather ugly looking Raw? 😱
Any tips for keeping the finish as best it can be?