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For the first time, I did a side by side test last night to decide which to keep - the newly acquired minty SA80II alto or my current "keeper" the YAS-62 MkI Purple Logo alto.
SA80II is just back from a "set up" by Charlie Connolly, the 62 was tweaked by him 6 months ago.
Before doing this, I thought I'd just check the "time capsule" 1990 Vito (YAS-23), which I'd just had Charlie set up last week, was playing well as he'd found the lower stack keys slightly out of adjustment. Strange that even on this student model there are adjustment screws all over. I don't recall this on the Yamaha version? Perhaps they're there too. Charlie used to import Vitos into the UK, and regaled me with a story of going to Vito's house in Kenosha. Anyway... the Vito sounds great now!
So, Selmer next, same tune, ah... another tricky Eb to low C shift. Maybe I'll get used to it... OK, not bad, but not significantly better than the Vito? In fact the Vito sound is very nice.
Next, my 62. Do I prefer the Vito? This cannot be? 62 sounds brighter than the Selmer, but brighter than the Vito too?
Picked up the Vito again. Am I trying to convince myself to keep the cheapest horn here? No... I actually prefer it! How can this be against two icons of the saxophone world? My mind starts to wander to what Steve Howard said about his YTS-23 beating all comers for 20 years. Is the 23 a force to be reckoned with? Does the Vito version have something extra again? Charlie had said the Vito was more expensive that its Yamaha badged stable mate. But why was this? I'll have to ask him next week...
Meanwhile... lesson on Tuesday, so I'll be taking all three to my tutor. He's heard the (pre set up, G# leaking) Selmer against the Yamaha and couldn't make up his mind as to which I sound better on.
Of course, I want the Selmer to be the new keeper, for its badge and "stature", but so far I prefer the 62's key work, and the Vito's sound.
It surely must be me, not able to get the best out of the Selmer?
Tell me I'll "grow" into it, please?
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