Saxophones Conn, Amati, Weltklang or Buescher

[LostCircuits]

So....I don't see the problem here. I certainly don't see why buying a cheapo asian modern horn is a better idea, as some have suggested. We do not have to start on generic, forgettable-toned instruments until we develop further....

Bundys and Shooting Stars ....rocked the foundations, sonically.....no young player starting on those were scarred, moving forward....as I understand it.

Precisely!

My comment was more directed at people who repeat the notion tgat tgecpkayer is primarilyvresponsible for tge instrument's tonality.nThisvignores tge horn's specs and intention of the maker....both very REAL contributors.

What happened? The daVinci code for saxophones?

 

[skeller047]

What happened? The daVinci code for saxophones?

iPad on-screen keyboard. I hope…

Regarding a personal sound, I think it’s down to two things.

1 - being able to properly put air into the instrument. Really that’s a lifelong journey…
2 - the phrasing, articulations and air speed we choose to use. Many of these things become non-conscious as we develop familiarity and start thinking about HOW we play notes, and in the case of improvisation, WHAT notes we play. The actual tone of the instrument is not the determining factor; the dressing we put on the notes is.

Certainly mouthpiece, reed and horn choices will have some effect, but given any reasonable setup, I think most of us will sound pretty much the same regardless of horn.

 

[PigSquealer]

/

Also check the condition of the pads, especially the palm keys and low Eb. If they obviously need replacement, this is a valid negotiation point.

Yes I agree. Great tip 👍
Check all the pads of the nine closed at rest pads. 3 LH palm keys. Side C, Bb, F#. G#. RH pinky Eb and Low C#.
Also it’s good to check for loose or sloppy fitting key work action in both stacks. LH palm keys too. A sign of wear or lack of oil.
Gently wiggle / move the keys sideways. There should not be any to maybe a minuscule amount. There should be NO visible movement or hinge rods ! Especially on palm keys ! Left or right !

 

[jonf]

Certainly mouthpiece, reed and horn choices will have some effect, but given any reasonable setup, I think most of us will sound pretty much the same regardless of horn.

Exactly this. I currently have four altos, a Yanagisawa, a student Yamaha/Vito, a 1920s Buescher and a Grafton. Using the same mouthpiece, on all of them, I sound like me. When I am playing, I can hear some difference in tone, but objectively, using a high quality recording, they sound so similar, that although I can just about tell which is the Grafton and Yamaha, working out whether I am playing the Yanagisawa or Buescher is nigh on impossible. Someone with a vested interest in a given style or brand of saxes may well argue their products sound is unique, but this isn't borne out in reality.