Hanson

[Damien]

Hi all,

This is my first post. I am after some advice regarding Hanson/Saxophones direct.

I first contacted them in early January as I was keen on going up to buy their top of the range tenor ST8 model. After several phone calls to Hansen, Maria said that it would be a few weeks before they would have the model for me to come up and have a look at, and that I should call back in a few weeks.

I then called them again in Feb and I was told that they would call me back to let me know if I could come up and look at the ST8. At this point I made it absolutely clear that I had the cash available and was really keen to come up and pick one up as soon as possible. Over a week passed and no one came back to me. I called again earlier today and again no one has come back to me.

I have also made countless calls to both the sales and workshop lines, without anyone picking them up and I am generally
flabbergasted that they don't seem particularly bothered about speaking to someone who has cash burning a hole in their pocket.


1) Have I been unlucky or are Hanson generally as unresponsive as they have been on this occaision? Does anyone else have any advice regarding them or their saxes? My concern is that my experience is totally the opposite of how they promote themsleves on their website, therefore am I taking a risk by getting invloved with them?


Thanks
Damien

 

[lee_]

We don't see any Hansons in the US, but the brand has gotten pretty much rave reviews on this site regarding quality, service and cooperation. I'd venture there's likely a good reason why they can't get a horn to you right now (maybe demand has outstripped production temporarily).

Additionally, I'd suggest there likely isn't much advantage for you to buy the more expensive horn. You might consider a student model and be just as well off, and a few bucks ahead. Just my opinion, mind you.

If you're close by, maybe you could make an appointment to go up and see what they DO have in stock.

 

[ken]

Hello Damien,

I play a Hanson ST-8 and SA-8, both good saxes (IMO).

I don't know what might have gone wrong with your order/enquiries, but I do know Maria has been unwell recently and also Hanson have been re-organising their factory. No excuse, but perhaps these are the reasons.

I hope you get it sorted.

Ken.

PS: Maria is a member of this forum, perhaps she will see notice you post.
Send me a PM if you want to know anything specific about the Hanson ST-8.

 

[Linky Lee]

Hi, They have been closed for a few weeks over February I noticed. Maybe when you called.

I have an SA-8 and like you am in the hunt for an ST-8 (I'm still saving though). As you can see, I've already got one and am going back again.

I find my Hanson alto to be fantastic, if you do a search there'll be a few hits and loads of reviews on here.

Their customer service is very good, I am surprised at your situation. Send a private E-mail to Yamaha and I doubt very much that they'll do any better.

With regard to getting something of the same quality for the same price the only way to go is second hand and I wouldn't advise that for someone new to saxophones unless you have a saxophonist friend who can help you out and advise you.

You'll find that every saxophone is different even ones of the same model which are supposedly identical. Really the best saxophone for you is the one that feels the most comfortable and gives you the most enjoyable experience.

The saxophone that you enjoy playing brings out your best playing and performing and most likely your best tone which can be honed easily with mouthpieces and reeds, and drastically changed with lots of work and practise. I think your tone comes through if you enjoy the saxophone and it feels right.

 

[mfox]

i would take my money elswhere.. there is no need for this to happen..i wouldn't do that to any of my cusomers..

 

[maria]

Thank you for the reply Ken and Lee. Quite right we have been closed down for refurbishment and perhaps Damien and i got our wires crossed but i had booked him an appointment to go to the workshop last Friday and Chris waited past opening hours for him. I have actually been in touch with Damien since he posted his comment and am speaking with him tomorrow. We as a company actually push all the boundries for our customers. I.e it is now past 11 pm, Lee is correct i think Yamaha would not be sending a reply and yes Ken is also correct, i am actually very unwell at present but will not let the company down.

 

[ken]

mfox wrote:
i would take my money elswhere.. there is no need for this to happen..i wouldn't do that to any of my cusomers..

I understand where your coming from mfox, but imho that is a bit of a sweeping statement without having all of the facts on the line and believe me or not, there are more facts.

Saludos.


Edit: Sorry posting at the same time as Maria.

 

[mfox]

ok

 

[ken]

mfox wrote:
ok

Good on ya mfox, no offence meant.

As a Hanson customer, I will moan about them if I find cause, but in all honesty, I believe they do try very hard to provide a good service.

Saludos,
Ken.

 

[mfox]

i only had the facts as posted.. and they seemed pretty conclusive..
hopfully this story will have a happy ending...

sorry

 

[Pete Thomas]

It does sound like there has been a misunderstanding, and thanks to Maria for filling in some of the details. Let's hope Damien gets his tenor (and the ST-8 is a really fine horn) and reports back with a happier experience. Most importantly let's all wish Maria a speedy recovery as she has been very ill.

 

[ken]

Pete Thomas wrote:...... Let's hope Damien gets his tenor (and the ST-8 is a really fine horn)...... Most importantly let's all wish Maria a speedy recovery as she has been very ill.

I'll second both of those comments Pete, especially as Maria is a lovely lady.

I know you rightly baulk at new forums Pete and I accept that Hanson's are only one of many fine instruments, but they come up in your forum so often that I wonder if you wouldn't consider a seperate Hanson forum?.... perhaps it's about time you and Hanson had an endorsement agreement as well !!??

Saludos
Ken.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I actually don't want to be an endorser of any make, I'm happy to give honest indepndant pinions, which I don't think would be taken as such if I was an endorser.

For the same reason, if I had a Hanson section, it would probably appear that I was associated with them commercially.

 

[ken]

Understand what you say, on the other hand I've know endorsers able to maintain their independant integrity and opinions and be well respected for same.

Each to their own though and with respect to different opinions.

 

[Damien]

Hi Folks,

Thanks for the information regarding Hanson and all the useful tips. It would seem that my experience has been an very unusual case and perhaps wires where crossed somewhere along the line.

All I can say is that if a meeting was arranged on Friday unfortunately that message did not get to me. Maria has said she will call me today so I will keep you posted.

I will certainly report back with a happier experience if that takes shape in the next week or so.

Damien

 

[visionari1]

Hello Saxers, re Hansons and Service.

In early december last year, I contacted Hansons re buying one of there Soprano's and asked for more information and wanted to use their offer to post anywhere in the world to trial a sax, (I live in NZ) If I didn't like it I could send back. I had the money (creditcard at the ready) and was a very serious buyer. The Hanson posts on this site, especially the customer service convinced me to give them a go! There web site says all enquiries answered within 2 days.

Kia or from New New Zealand I enquired re a Soprano SS-5 a few weeks ago, here was your replies,

-----Original Message-----
From: [email protected] [mailto:[email protected]]
Sent: Monday, 4 December 2006 8:45 a.m.
To: Jimu Grimmett of Visionari Designs
Cc: Alastair Hanson
Subject: Re: Email enquiry re SS-5 Saxophone



Hello Jimu,


Please accept my apologies for no one having been in touch so far. I will look into things for you tomorrow at the office and lets see if we can do rather better for you from now on!

Someone will be in touch with you very soon.

Best regards

Alastair Hanson


I have not heard anything since, My brother rang you and informed me that I'm on the waiting list.
Please confirm this and a possible delivery date!

Merry Christmas and a musical New Year

Saxophonely yours

Jimu


Now it's March 2007
I'm still waiting for the reply regarding sending a Soprano to NZ. I'm sure you get better service in the UK being able to visit the factory (sounded great with the feedback on the breakfast room) however there was large gap in the sales department, shame really as I wanted to try out one of there Soprano's
I've got my Soprano desires on hold these days, but will get one soon.

Sorry to hear of Maria's ill health, I hope she get well soon!

Visionari1

 

[Damien]

I went up to hanson's on Friday afternoon and picked up one of their ST8 tenor saxes.

They are a great bunch of people and went to great lengths to sort me out. Alistair even gave me a quick lesson and taught me the history of the Sax !

When I arrived there I was surprised to see that Alistair and Chris where actually engaged in some serious building work. They have been badly let down by their builders and are having to finish the workshop renovation themselves. This has obviously created an extremely difficult working environment for Hanson and the office and workshop is a very chaotic place to be at the moment.

I now understand completely why I had problems getting hold of them and I realise that they are doing their absolute best given their current difficult circumstances.

They are also releasing a new top of the range tenor. It is based on the Selmer Mk VI. I have to say it sounded absolutley amazing but was unfortunately out of my price range.

I am very happy with the ST8, as it sounds great and I would also like to thank Maria for all her efforts in sorting me out.

I am now a 100% Hanson advocate!!

 

[Linky Lee]

Nice to know you got sorted out.

Sounds interesting about this new tenor. Any ideas on how long till they announce it? I'm sure you'll enjoy your ST-8, my alto more than suffices.

 

[Damien]

Lee,

The new series 6 Sax I mentioned is now up on Hanson's site on the following link:

http://www.saxophonesdirect.com/tenors/professional%20ST6.html

Damien

 

[saxismyaxe]

From their website:

"The recipe for our outstanding ST6 professional tenor saxophones:

1. Take a 1958 Selmer MKVI tenor saxophone.
2. Strip it down to every single component part.
3. Invest in world leading analytical and inspection
technology to inspect and appreciate this old master.
4. Recreate all the parts and tonality that made the
original MKVI a legend and add into the equation 21st
century engineering to enhance key action and feel.

Result is a legend reborn; all the sound and quality you could wish for with an original feel and performance that will make this a must have tenor in your sax collection."

If this is what ACTUALLY went into the production of this horn, then it should be a great player, and it's about time someone did.

I own original examples of the MKVI A/T models, and frankly don't prefer them as my primary horns, but I know the market for accurate reproductions of these is ravenous to put it mildly.

VERY interesting.