Saxophones Gear4 Music's Rosedale Tenor

[Paul Warner]

This instrument is said to have 'pro' features, and looks quite decent at £439. However, I have no experience of this manufacturer. (I imagine it is some sort of stencil) Can anyone give me an insight? I am finding gigs on bari' harder as my rheumatoid arthritis 'digs in' and am looking for a cheap but decent tenor for times when the sheer weight and cumbersomeness of the bari' is too much. I accept that anyone can claim an instrument is 'pro' quality, even though I think G4 aren't bad in general. As a rider, I should admit that I tried a BW and didn't really take to it. In the past I have always played 'pro' horns, but now simply can't afford them just for the odd gig.
Thanks hopefully!

 

[Greg Strange]

This instrument is said to have 'pro' features, and looks quite decent at £439. However, I have no experience of this manufacturer. (I imagine it is some sort of stencil) Can anyone give me an insight? I am finding gigs on bari' harder as my rheumatoid arthritis 'digs in' and am looking for a cheap but decent tenor for times when the sheer weight and cumbersomeness of the bari' is too much. I accept that anyone can claim an instrument is 'pro' quality, even though I think G4 aren't bad in general. As a rider, I should admit that I tried a BW and didn't really take to it. In the past I have always played 'pro' horns, but now simply can't afford them just for the odd gig.
Thanks hopefully!

Don't know much about Rosedale, but may I suggest one of the Jericho tenor saxes, supposed to be based on the 62 series Yamaha tenor and appears to be getting some good reviews.

Regards,

Greg S

 

[Tenor Viol]

I'm sure Colin will be on later to comment but I think they have a reasonable rep for the price....

 

[DavidUK]

Don't know much about Rosedale, but may I suggest one of the Jericho tenor saxes, supposed to be based on the 62 series Yamaha tenor and appears to be getting some good reviews.

Regards,

Greg S

Haven't seen any reviews of the J6 tenor yet. Robbie told me last week there would be some soon. What have you read, where?

 

[ProfJames]

If you can find a Fremont Excalibur tenor you will not be disappointed!

 

[BigMartin]

I've had a Rosedale tenor for about 2.5 years now. I'm quite happy with it and it feels more sturdy than some of my cheaper horns.
It's the only tenor I've owned though so this may not be much help. Any specific questions?

Here's a short recording of me playing it. Don't blame the horn for any lack of musicality in the phrasing, etc!

https://soundcloud.com/bigmartin/winter-wonderland

 

[Ivan]

If you want a significant weight reduction why not choose alto?

 

[gladsaxisme]

I've had a Rosedale tenor for about 2.5 years now. I'm quite happy with it and it feels more sturdy than some of my cheaper horns.
It's the only tenor I've owned though so this may not be much help. Any specific questions?

Here's a short recording of me playing it. Don't blame the horn for any lack of musicality in the phrasing, etc!

https://soundcloud.com/bigmartin/winter-wonderland

Hi Martin

You have had a blow of my thormann and Paul is asking about them too perhaps you could give your thoughts on it I have hardly blown it myself,just given it a quick blow this morning and it seems to have a nice tone to me and as I have said in the other post it looks great if you like that sort of thing but not very happy with the construction of it,don't worry I won't be offended if you say it's a bag of crud,to me its all about cost and in the £400 region there are one or two to go at and even the GEAR4MUSIC at about £250 but I think I would go for the jericho in the £400 range....john

 

[zootsaxenberger]

As I have said in previous posts I love the John Packer JP042 Tenor which is available in several different finishes
I would certainly suggest you give them a try
Great ergos very comfortable to play and sturdily built

 

[BigMartin]

Hi Martin

You have had a blow of my thormann and Paul is asking about them too perhaps you could give your thoughts on it I have hardly blown it myself,just given it a quick blow this morning and it seems to have a nice tone to me and as I have said in the other post it looks great if you like that sort of thing but not very happy with the construction of it,don't worry I won't be offended if you say it's a bag of crud,to me its all about cost and in the £400 region there are one or two to go at and even the GEAR4MUSIC at about £250 but I think I would go for the jericho in the £400 range....john

Yes, it was your kind loan of the Thomann that made me need a tenor! Hard to compare meaningfully, as I was so inexperienced at the time. At the time I thought the Rosedale had a slightly sweeter sound (whatever that means!) and I still prefer the look of the Rosedale (I'm not keen on antique finishes, I prefer shiny), but that's completely subjective, of course. The sound comparison would probably be different now as my technique is rather more developed and I'm using a different mouthpiece.

I haven't had any problems with the Rosedale, other than a couple of corks dropping off and needing a new pad on one of the palm keys a few months ago.

 

[Paul Warner]

Thanks a lot. guys. All useful stuff. I have listened carefully, done some more research and it really sounds to me as though the Academy Jericho is very hard to beat at the price point, and seems very like my old Yamaha YTS 62, which I was very fond of and should never have sold!