Saxophones Le Blanc Vito tenor

[Colin the Bear]

Of course the big lesson here is that a saxophone is much more than a big shiny tube, so don't be a magpie. 😉

 

[PigSquealer]

You might have GAS, but put your pedal to the metal, and get a Suzuki Hammond 44HP.

It’s an Hammond Pro 44HP v2. Built in mic/ plugin , volume control with key noise reduction, perforated back. Neck strap lugs and choice of pipe or mouthpiece directly on end. For the money the case is a bit disappointing though.
Plugged into a ridiculously stupid small Fender amp it’s very loud. Not really my thing. Mini Squealer plays it. A result of taking her to NAMM show

 

[PiccoloPirate]

I was debating the 44 or one with accordion style reeds.
In a lapse of eBay insanity, the crazies were asleep, I picked up a herd of Hohners.
4 Piano 36
1 Professional 36, accordion reeds
1 Clavietta, accordion reeds
Total, $200 USD
The Clavietta is a project horn, that needs two reeds and pads.
The Pro 36, bidding starts at $20, buy it now $30.
A week earlier, I stopped bidding for one at $200+, and it sold for over $400.

Tool wise, the Mitutoyo 218-001,
$275 USD, minty, just for precision, small hole drilling, 1/4" or less, in wood/plastics, but now has a few tiny autographs. 😱

 

[Ghr9204]

I haven’t taken inventory lately, but the family pile looks like this
3 Sop
28 C Melodies

You must have scoured hundreds of second hand stores and garnered all the C Melodies in the West Coast States. 😎

 

[PigSquealer]

You must have scoured hundreds of second hand stores and garnered all the C Melodies in the West Coast States. 😎

Most I’ve found on listings from Midwest or East coast. Six from California and two from England.

 

[PigSquealer]

I was debating the 44 or one with accordion style reeds.
In a lapse of eBay insanity, the crazies were asleep, I picked up a herd of Hohners.
4 Piano 36
1 Professional 36, accordion reeds
1 Clavietta, accordion reeds
Total, $200 USD
The Clavietta is a project horn, that needs two reeds and pads.
The Pro 36, bidding starts at $20, buy it now $30.
A week earlier, I stopped bidding for one at $200+, and it sold for over $400.

Tool wise, the Mitutoyo 218-001,
$275 USD, minty, just for precision, small hole drilling, 1/4" or less, in wood/plastics, but now has a few tiny autographs. 😱

View attachment 30498

View attachment 30499

Nice tool & finds !

 

[Ghr9204]

Most I’ve found on listings from Midwest or East coast. Six from California and two from England.

Oh! You've expanded your coverage to the whole world! (Except for maybe India, but some of their saxes are a bit different especially in intonation.) 😉

 

[PigSquealer]

You guys need to find a different fishing spot. Don’t get me wrong, but Yamaha’s & Vito’s are like cold white toast with half melted butter.
Had some GAS today for a …..Sax Phone.
View attachment 30456

Sax arrived today. Was across town and close to friends place. Had him pick it up for me.
First year Typewriter, 1930. 74th made. It also came with case candy ! Anyone have any idea what year Vito made this ?

 

[cappers]

I am now the owner of a mint looking Vito 7131T / Yamaha YTS-23 to go along with my YTS-25 😀

I offered £250 and the owner suggested less as it needs some work. However I paid the full amount because even if a service came to £100 it is still a good price. She is a friend and I don't want to take advantage.

Played it today and sounds very nice. Some notes need a bit more effort than on the 25 but a few new pads and a COA should sort that.

I'm happy that I have another lovely sax and the PO is happy it has found a good home and will be played again.

 

[Ghr9204]

Congrats on the buy, @cappers . I'm sure you'll have many happy returns, plus when you go to sell it, you will at least get back your costs, so it is a win-win situation. Have fun! 😀

What would be a good sax slogan forr signing off? As motorcyclists we say, "Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!" Anything similar for saxes?

 

[cappers]

@PigSquealer Is that a short shank Selmer Soloist C?

 

[PiccoloPirate]

What would be a good sax slogan forr signing off? As motorcyclists we say, "Keep the rubber side down and the shiny side up!" Anything similar for saxes?

Duck for flying cymbals.

 

[Colin the Bear]

@PigSquealer Is that a short shank Selmer Soloist C?

Looks like it.

 

[cappers]

I was still having trouble with the notes C1 and below. They took effort and tended to overtone, unlike on the YTS-25. Took it to my teacher/tech last week for another COA.

Got it back this morning and it is AOK now, the low notes pop out and no more unintended overtones 🙂 I thought it might need some new pads but it was just adjustment and oiling. Overall it has a lovely tone, perhaps a tad richer than the YTS-25?* Teacher said it sounds lovely and is easy to play. Got a bargain.

So I now have two Yamaha tenors! Next step is learning to play them properly......

* It might be due to the dark gold finish?

 

[turf3]

Looks like it.

Looks like C* to me, the * a bit obscured.

Most common sax mouthpiece on the planet at one point.

 

[PigSquealer]

Looks like C* to me, the * a bit obscured.

Most common sax mouthpiece on the planet at one point.

Definitely marked C*. I played on this some last night. Meh. I like my Meyer and Steve Brodaus more.

 

[cappers]

Been playing the Vito (aka YTS-23) every day and took it to rehearsal last week. It is a very good horn but I think overall I prefer the YTS-25. That might be due to it's set up as the '25 feels slicker under the fingers and a bit more responsive, slightly easier to play across all registers (using the same mpc and reed).

What surprised me is the tonal difference considering they are basically the same horn. I believe that the Vito 7131 is a Yamaha YTS-23 which is the same as the '25 but without a high F# key. No change in dimensions, materials etc.

The Vito sounds slightly warmer, richer, darker, whereas the '25 is brighter, clearer, livelier yet more focused.

No problem they're both great and I'll probably play them equally. Perhaps I just need more time on the Vito. All adjusted and no leaks but I find low C#/Bb/B more effort than on the '25.

As an aside, I tired the Vito neck on the '25 (can't do other way as the '25 neck won't fit into the Vito) Sounded terrible, about an octave up and most notes sounded the same???!!!??? It was quite a loose fit so that may have been the issue but couldn't be bothered to tape it and retry. Maybe another day.

 

[skeller047]

No problem they're both great and I'll probably play them equally. Perhaps I just need more time on the Vito. All adjusted and no leaks but I find low C#/Bb/B more effort than on the '25.

I'd still be suspicious of leaks. Needn't be in those keys, a slight leak up top might only be noticeable as resistance in the low range. If it really is those notes, and those notes only, then the adjustment for your G# key is off.

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Other than the fun factor, have an accomplished tech/player, play both, after they are in top playing condition, choose the one you like best, clean and put the other horn away.
Practice on just one, might be a better plan.

 

[cappers]

I'd still be suspicious of leaks. Needn't be in those keys, a slight leak up top might only be noticeable as resistance in the low range. If it really is those notes, and those notes only, then the adjustment for your G# key is off.

Just been checked and serviced and deemed AOK by my teacher/player/tech.
I'm sure it's me; it's intermittent and to be fair once the horn had warmed up the low notes came out easier.

Reminds me of when I started learning to play I had to concentrate on my embouchure and breath support whereas now it is pretty much automatic on the '25. On the Vito I'm finding it easier to make bum notes!

If I continue to have issues I'll get it looked at again. As @PiccoloPirate suggested, I'll keep it in its case, just in case!

* Afterthought....When I push it the Vito seems louder and the low notes come out cleanly so perhaps it is a breath support issue. The occurrence of bum notes is more when playing quietly....maybe my breath support is failing there? But the '25 almost plays itself pp to ff?