hanson s-t-8-r "raw brass model"

[berniesax]

keep hearing great things about the hanson saxophone
range can anybody out there offer any advice on the s.t8.r
does the raw brass finish make any difference to the tone ?
or is it just a cosmetic thing !. and away from the sales patter
is it a professional class sax
please help !

 

[nosaxyet]

Well, I cannot comment on the Hanson but I recently listened to Andy Sheppard play a whole load of P.Mauriat tenors including a raw brass one. Suffice to say I bought the raw brass finished one.

There seemed to be some slight difference but for me it was the finish that swung it.

He played a silver plated one, a gold lacquered one and the raw brass one. So I would say try before you buy if you can as it will be your ears listening to it when you play!

 

[berniesax]

[No message]

 

[nosaxyet]

berniesax wrote:
more than the hanson. but it has rolled tone holes! and nice
engraving
good luck

Yeah

It's a hard one to justify but them some swear by the Walstein tenor. Then again. ya pays ya money, ya makes ya choice!

 

[Pjonah]

There is a generalised concensus amongst some of the enlightened on this forum, me included, that the finish has little or no effect on the sound of the instrument.

I personally would like the rawbrass finish because in no time at all it'll look like a genuine vintage instrument that has seen some action. A personal choice only, but in a double blind test I doubt you could tell the difference between one sax and another. If two saxes from the same manufacturer in the same finish sound and play different, and lets face it no two guitars are the same, the likelyhood the finish has anything to do with the sound is unlikely.

Listen to God playing the Parker Grafton plastic on Youtube and you'll know what I mean. If you closed your eyes and were asked what sax you thought Pete King was playing I doubt you say it was a plastic instrument.

Just a thought.

Simon

 

[berniesax]

you mention walstein ! and i keep hearing great things about
cheers
bernie

 

[TomMapfumo]

That's the one that has been focussed on up until now, and seems very well thought of. 😉

Are you looking at getting a tenor sax or are you just curious? Be interested to know.

kind regards
Tom 8)

 

[berniesax]

no tom i i,m on the lookout for a new tenor ! and i keep hearing
good things about mauriat/hanson/walstein.
i would like to have the raw brass finish ! but its not vital ! at the
end of the day i just want a reliable sax with a good bottom end
all the best
bernie

 

[Pete Thomas]

berniesax wrote:
no tom i i,m on the lookout for a new tenor ! and i keep hearing
good things about mauriat/hanson/walstein.
i would like to have the raw brass finish ! but its not vital ! at the
end of the day i just want a reliable sax with a good bottom end
all the best
bernie

The low end of the Walstein are enormous. I haven't tried a Hanson for years so not really able to offer a comparison. Some Mauriats are very good also, I did try a bare brass one which was good. I wouldn't get a bare brass one as I don't really see the point, the lacquer is there to protect the instrument, I wouldn't buy a car without paint (especially if it cost extra).

 

[berniesax]

thanks for the input pete its makes a lot of sense. but are you
thats well below the price of a decent student tenor sax
many thanks
bernie

ps
bargains frighten me !

 

[Pete Thomas]

berniesax wrote:
but are you
thats well below the price of a decent student tenor sax

Yes, the phosphor bronze ones, I've tried a few of them and borrowed one for a while. They are better than many other horns at least twice the price.

 

[peedee]

bargains frighten me !

Don't be frightened. Go by others good advice.

 

[TomMapfumo]

Or buy a Yanagisawa and ignore the bargain nonsense - they are the original designs behind the Walsteins, and do have something extra - listen to the sound on Snake Davis's Website and see what you think!

The Walsteins are for sale in Hampshire or Abergavenny, and lots of folks on the forum seem to have them and might be happy for you to have a blow, if you ask nicely. I own a Walstein Curved Soprano, which is fantastic.

Most of the ones you mention are well thought of - the rest is up to you.
Kind regards
Tom 8)