Saxophones Keilwerth acquired by Buffet

[VirusKiller]

I couldn't find this in a search, but Keilwerth, who were in financial difficulties, was bought by Buffet in August, who intend to preserve the Keilwerth brand.

http://www.buffet-crampon.com/files/pressrelease/buffet-crampon_schreiber-keilwerth_en.pdf

 

[kevgermany]

back together again.... not sure if this is good or not. But until the price of far eastern instruments rises, there's not much hope for european manufacture, except as specialist/top end pieces.

 

[milandro]

Sure! This has been widely discussed on SOTW.
Keilwerth went into receivership and the curators were looking for a buyer in a depressed market (Selmer is working one day a week less for example) . Buffet , at one time the largest Keilwerth client, was partly the determining factor of Keiwerth demise because not long ago they decided not to buy the B11 and E11 clarinet from Schreiber (Keilwerth group) . Buffet also bought their top model saxophone from Keilwerth. So they bought Keilwerth. Fired 50% of its workforce, closed the Brasswind wing of the Schreiber/Keilwerth group and are now running the German company from France.

 

[Nick Wyver]

Twould be a shame if they disappeared because they're distinctive instruments and any diminution in the choice of sax sounds is a bad thing. I'll not be parted from my tenor Shadow - best tenor ever.
Other opinions are available.

 

[Stephen Howard]

I wrote to my contact at Buffet to ask whether there was any news regarding the buy-out - but haven't had a reply. Seems they're being rather tight-lipped about it.

I agree with Nick, it'd be a great shame if they went the way of all things - and as much as I've criticised them for build quality issues I nonetheless recognise that they can make a distinctive and impressive instrument...and that's worth preserving.

Regards,

 

[milandro]

I have been told from the saxwinkel in Deventer that they are delivering new horns to them, so it looks like things are back to " normal" just 150 people are missing from the company.

 

[VirusKiller]

I'll not be parted from my tenor Shadow - best tenor ever.
Other opinions are available.

I heard a recording of one on the Dawkes website. Not the same as being there, but it sounded gorgeous - just like a tenor should. Why do you think it's so good?

 

[Nick Wyver]

I heard a recording of one on the Dawkes website. Not the same as being there, but it sounded gorgeous - just like a tenor should. Why do you think it's so good?

As you said, it sounds like what I imagine a tenor should sound like. I bought my first Keilwerth tenor when they first started pushing them over here about 18 years ago. Peter Ponzol went round the country giving demonstrations and those attending could try them. I loved the sound immediately. About 5 years ago I went down to Crowborough with pretty much an unlimited budget to get the best tenor in the shop. I tried loads of different makes but ended up with the Shadow. I wasn't surprised, merely slightly miffed at being so predictable.

 

[VirusKiller]

Thanks. Presumably no tone hole issues on your then? ;}

 

[Nick Wyver]

Nope. Nor on my alto.

 

[VirusKiller]

Last question! Did you have it properly checked out at the time of purchase (or afterwards)?

 

[Nick Wyver]

Not sure what you mean. It was bought from reputable dealer and I couldn't find anything wrong with it. What's to check?

 

[rhysonsax]

Thanks. Presumably no tone hole issues on your then? ;}

My tenor and alto Keilwerth SX90R have both been down to Steve Howard's workshop and he has shown me as clear as day where some of the lower tone holes are not very flat. In fact I think that my tenor features on his website.

They are not very flat, certainly not as flat as they should be on a premium brand new horn. But they both play fine and I just get on with it.

Rhys

 

[VirusKiller]

Cheers guys. It wasn't my intention to stir up a hornet's nest

, though I might have ended up doing so!

Not an issue if the horn plays fine, of course, but a bit worrying for a potential purchaser.

 

[Little My]

I love my SX90r tenor and am very happy that Keilwerth will continue as a manufacturer. The sound is just something else, and I love the ergonomics.

I never had a problem with the tone holes. I do get a stuffy D, but that doesn't sound anywhere near as bad to other people as it does to me, and it's gradually improving as I become a better player.