if you could have any soprano.....

helena · Feb 21, 2008

I would really welcome you advice....
I may be going to look - and play - some soprano saxes tomorrow (a few hours to play with near Crowborough...) and I would really welcome your views and preferences.
I enjoy playing jazz, some classical and just good music. Currently I have a Keilworth shadow tenor sax.
So what do you think is a great soprano - I will only buy a soprano once so I want a good one.
I look forward to your advice - and will let you know the outcome!
thanks
Helen

mfox · Feb 21, 2008

can't fault the pro yamaha's...
but a few things to think about before you part with your cash.
sop isn't as versatile as a tenor
they are not as easy to blow, what i mean is you do need a lot of stamina to sound good..
they are awkward to hold, even on a sling they can feel as heavy as a tenor on the right thumb after a while.
you will almost certainly have to buy a decent mouthpiece at the same time..

good luck in your search, I'm sure you'll have fun..

Bobby G · Feb 22, 2008

Straight or curved soprano, Helen? You're going to the right place anyway if you're in Crowborough. Why not try a baritone as well, they have some lovely ones....

thomsax · Feb 22, 2008

Selmer, Yamahas and Yanagisawas are all very good. I don't know about Keilwerts, but probably good. For me Selmers soprano is # 1.

If you want a vintage: Selmer Mk VI, Beuscher, Martin and Conn are good. I never tried a King and Buffet so I can say how they are. The best American sopranos were made in the late 20's. If you buy a vintage sop, make sure the renovation is made correct. Fine pads with correct thickness and the keyheights should be set proberly. If you want a new mouthpiece to an old sopranos Caravan, Bilger and Morgan works fine. I think Amercan sopranos produce a darker tone.

Thomas

Moz · Feb 22, 2008

You have set yourself a 'keeping in tune' task. I don't play soprano but I have had my teeth set on edge by a few. If you buy one, buy an electronic tuner to be sure you are in tune as the little buggers can be awkward in their own sweet little way.

Moz

ref54 · Feb 22, 2008

I recommend a a MKVI or a Selmer Series III with the detachable neck. They both have beautiful sounds. Then I recommend a Yani Sop. Just my .02

Jules · Feb 22, 2008

Well- firstly- see you tomorrow. Secondly- my personal faves- curved Bronze yanagisawa (specifically the curved one) or anything by Rampone & Cazzani.... I'll give you a formal introduction! The Mauriats are pretty tasty too- our only resident staff member who regualrly gigs on a soprano used a mauriat saxello

griff136 · Feb 22, 2008

Yanagisawai, Rampone and Cazzani, Yamaha, Selmer SA80 (not the series 3) and P Mauriat.

are my preferences in that order

seeing as you are there try em all - and get the best sounding one you can afford.

surprisingly some of the chinese ones are good but getting spares, poor cases and general longevity of the materials put me right off 'em.

suethesax · Feb 22, 2008

Helen I have the Yani SC992 - the curved bronze model and love it. Do try one, I find it easy to blow. Have fun tomorrow.

Moz · Feb 23, 2008

Are there any differences in sound between the straight sop and the curved version?

Moz

helena · Feb 23, 2008

many thanks fof all you advice....I went for the Yanagisawa S992 Bronze Soprano Sax - great intrument. The guys at sax.co.uk were great. As for mouthpiece it comes with one, and I chose the Yamaha mpc, this will get me used to playing, and in a few months I am sure I will be looking for a new mpc.
Just waiting for all the family to wake up so that I can play!
hooray it's the weekend!
Helen

Bobby G · Feb 23, 2008

Sounds like you picked a winner there Helen, I hope you love it forever 🙂

Happy blowing!

thomsax · Feb 23, 2008

helenA wrote:
many thanks fof all you advice....I went for the Yanagisawa S992 Bronze Soprano Sax - great intrument. The guys at sax.co.uk were great. As for mouthpiece it comes with one, and I chose the Yamaha mpc, this will get me used to playing, and in a few months I am sure I will be looking for a new mpc.
Just waiting for all the family to wake up so that I can play!
hooray it's the weekend!
Helen

Congratulate on your new soprano.

Thomas

thomsax · Feb 23, 2008

Moz wrote:

"Are there any differences in sound between the straight sop and the curved version?"

Yes there are a difference between the straight and the curved soprano. According to Dr Paul Cohen (Vintage Saxophone Revisted, Saxophone Journal) the tone of the curved soprano is more lyrical and flute like. Dr Cohen i demostrating the differences on a CD that came a long with the Saxophone Journal magazine for a couple of years ago. Look at Paul Cohens website for more information.

For the differce to be noticable it takes a good palyer. You wouldn't hear a difference if you asked me to play on a curved one or on a straight one. I would sound terrible on both!

Thomas

Bobby G · Feb 23, 2008

I'll go along with that, a curved sop sounds a little sweeter than a straight one... not that I've played many, but at one time I had one of each and always preferred the curved one.

Now, sadly, my sop is being somewhat neglected at the expense of my lovely lovely alto, to the point where I'm thinking about selling it - a Walstein is still calling out to me.