BenJT
Member
Hi all,
Firstly, I don't often post, so hello to everyone.
Anyhow, I've been playing the alto for quite a while - more of my life has been spent playing than not playing, and I've wanted to get a tenor saxophone.
My alto is a cheap Trevor James Revolution student thing that is pretty poor all round - it has a handmade lawton mouthpiece that I got for ridiculously cheap from my old sax teacher that makes it a bit more bearable. When I go gigging I hate playing it down the mic as the tone is so bad, but it keeps the drunks happy. One of the benefits, however, is that I can chill when I gig in a crowed bar because if it gets dropped or whatever the world won't end. I also cycle everywhere with it on my back, again if I come off - no worries.
I've found two tenors that I like for two different reasons. One is a second hand Bauhaus Walstein TS-PD (which retails for around £800 when new) that is a few years old. The lacquer is a bit worn (which I don't care about) so they are asking for £375. It's tone is bearable, perhaps a bit on the knifeedgy sound. If I hadn't touched the Martin I would have got it - it was cheaper and better than the Trevor James Classic they also had which was £700. It's in the same school as my alto - cheap and cheerful that I won't cry over too much if it gets sat on or gets landed on in a fall.
But I saw a Martin Handcraft for £900 from around 1929ish. I think it has been re-lacquered at one point in the past as it is in fairly good nick, with some discoloration here and there. Its a fantastic two tone of silver and golden bronze. But the tone is the best bit: I've played for long enough I think to really appreciate a good tone. It is wonderfully smooth & rich at the lower end and bright & moody at the upper. It playability can only be described as like chocolate - giving pleasant enough pressure and vibrations but it isn't hard work. To put it shorter - its a fantastic sax.
But the problem is it is a bit more expensive. I'll have to get a Hiscox case as it is the only one it will fit and they are fairly sturdy, or so I've heard, for keeping the sax safe even in a motorcycle crash. Also the Martin is a bit thicker metal so perhaps it is a bit tougher.
How do those of you who have a vintage sax deal with gigging? And does anyone have any wonder stories about their cases protecting their sax in a bad fall to give me some confidence (if at all possible)? I need a few good reasons to be putting that extra money into my sax that I could be using for something else.
Thanks
Firstly, I don't often post, so hello to everyone.
Anyhow, I've been playing the alto for quite a while - more of my life has been spent playing than not playing, and I've wanted to get a tenor saxophone.
My alto is a cheap Trevor James Revolution student thing that is pretty poor all round - it has a handmade lawton mouthpiece that I got for ridiculously cheap from my old sax teacher that makes it a bit more bearable. When I go gigging I hate playing it down the mic as the tone is so bad, but it keeps the drunks happy. One of the benefits, however, is that I can chill when I gig in a crowed bar because if it gets dropped or whatever the world won't end. I also cycle everywhere with it on my back, again if I come off - no worries.
I've found two tenors that I like for two different reasons. One is a second hand Bauhaus Walstein TS-PD (which retails for around £800 when new) that is a few years old. The lacquer is a bit worn (which I don't care about) so they are asking for £375. It's tone is bearable, perhaps a bit on the knifeedgy sound. If I hadn't touched the Martin I would have got it - it was cheaper and better than the Trevor James Classic they also had which was £700. It's in the same school as my alto - cheap and cheerful that I won't cry over too much if it gets sat on or gets landed on in a fall.
But I saw a Martin Handcraft for £900 from around 1929ish. I think it has been re-lacquered at one point in the past as it is in fairly good nick, with some discoloration here and there. Its a fantastic two tone of silver and golden bronze. But the tone is the best bit: I've played for long enough I think to really appreciate a good tone. It is wonderfully smooth & rich at the lower end and bright & moody at the upper. It playability can only be described as like chocolate - giving pleasant enough pressure and vibrations but it isn't hard work. To put it shorter - its a fantastic sax.
But the problem is it is a bit more expensive. I'll have to get a Hiscox case as it is the only one it will fit and they are fairly sturdy, or so I've heard, for keeping the sax safe even in a motorcycle crash. Also the Martin is a bit thicker metal so perhaps it is a bit tougher.
How do those of you who have a vintage sax deal with gigging? And does anyone have any wonder stories about their cases protecting their sax in a bad fall to give me some confidence (if at all possible)? I need a few good reasons to be putting that extra money into my sax that I could be using for something else.
Thanks
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