Saxophones Do different coloured saxophones look tacky?

[Sabytet99]

I am looking at getting the John Packer JP043 soprano saxophone. Do you think the black looks tacky? Also, is this saxophone any good? Not looking for a professional sax, just a beginner one that will last.

 

[aldevis]

I have been using one (lacquered) professionally for a while. Very good value for money. I just had some easy-to-fix issues with one key (the one that compensates C#s).

Personally I don't like black saxophones, but David Liebman has been hanging around with one for a while...

 

[Nick Wyver]

Black?

Well, if you want a really dark sound...

I like black. I've a Keilwerth Shadow tenor and SX90R alto in black. If they look tacky then at least it's expensive tacky.

 

[Andrew Sanders]

What ever floats your boat.

If you like it that's good enough. Plenty of recommendations for the John Packer instruments around the cafe. General consensus is as Aldevis says. You may be looking for a sax that lasts, but I bet in a couple of years time you'll be lusting after something tastier.

Have a look on Packer's website as they have some bargains on offer

http://www.johnpacker.co.uk/Catalog...ano-Saxophones-in-various-finishes-A-B-models

Andy


Andy

 

[trimmy]

My kids bought my 1st sax for me a couple of xmas's ago and for some strange reason they decided i would like BLUE :shocked: i still have it but i did have a complex whenever i got it out in public (don't even go there !!) at least with the tradional gold/bronze you can blend into the background.
I can't sell it as it was a present, so it's in it's case until my daughter moves out then it will go on a stand in my new music room yayyy

 

[BigMartin]

As the owner of a lurid pink soprano I have to answer in the negative, though I must admit I chose it for the price rather than the colour.

 

[kevgermany]

As the owner of a lurid pink soprano I have to answer in the negative, though I must admit I chose it for the price rather than the colour.

At least no-one will nick it...

 

[kevgermany]

Silver for me. But black does look good, especially with Gold keys. Used to have a Ducati that was balck with gold highlights. Wonderful....

 

[TheCureFan]

I think some colours do, poss bright pink, green but I do like the black ones, probably why I have a JP045 alto in black and silver. Can't speak for the soprano but the 045 was on a par with yamahas twice it's price.

 

[aldevis]

As the owner of a lurid pink soprano I have to answer in the negative, though I must admit I chose it for the price rather than the colour.

de-lacquering would improve the sound.

 

[trimmy]

Used to have a Ducati that was balck with gold highlights. Wonderful....

and i bet it sounded good

 

[kevgermany]

and i bet it sounded good

Certainly did. There's something about the sound of a high performance V twin. And I'm sure the black paintwork gave it a better sound than the silver ones.

Really miss that bike... One of my mates still has an MHR.

 

[BigMartin]

de-lacquering would improve the sound.

Oh no, you don't! I'm not getting into that discussion again.

 

[Colin the Bear]

Black is never tacky. Unless it's fresh paint and hasn't dried

 

[jbtsax]

There is another consideration that most folks miss. That is, if repairs are required that involve soldering or removing significant dents those exotic finishes on saxophones don't survive very well due to the heat and metal movement required.

 

[jonf]

Certainly did. There's something about the sound of a high performance V twin. And I'm sure the black paintwork gave it a better sound than the silver ones.

Really miss that bike... One of my mates still has an MHR.

Go on. You know you want to.

(And you knew I would say something when I saw this!)

 

[kevgermany]

Go on. You know you want to.

(And you knew I would say something when I saw this!)

I won't, and I did expect it. Thanks for being Mr Temptation! And enjoy your hols!

 

[Kingsleyhk]

Ernie Watts plays a black Keilwerth; I play a black Selmer - what more do you want?

Seriously, they do look great imho but when they wear it's very apparent - more so I think than a straight gold lacquer.

 

[Colin the Bear]

It's a known fact that red motorcycles are faster than the rest. Do you think this carries through to other applications.

Would a red saxophone play faster than a black one?

Would a coat of Ducati lacquer help with the fast passages?

Perhaps a coat of BMW lacquer for the tecnical passages.

And a top coat of Honda lacquer for reliability.

Perhaps just a covering of Reliant paint. Then it'll still play when it's broke.

 

[Andante cantabile]

I would have no difficulty playing a blue T-991 or a red Selmer Serie III tenor if one came along at the right price, but I don't fancy my chances of coming across the genuine article. Instrument colours are to some extent a matter of tradition. Brass bands like either gold or silver. These colours are less likely to clash with uniforms.

From what I can see, saxophones in colours other than variations of gold, silver and black by and large seem to be of the cheaper sort made in China. That in itself is not a problem, but I just wonder how long the lacquer or whatever would last. I have had Chinese fountain pens that looked great when I bought them and that quickly took on the camouflage look one associates with army needs.

Colin the Bear is of course right. A bright red saxophone would be ideally suited for presto or molto furioso passages. One in Killarney green would be the preferred choice for an adagio. Imagine the possibilities opening up to doublers.