I have nearly decided to upgrade my Tenor Sax. I have a BW, not the Pro, but the bronze body and leather pads model which came out as the first upgraded choice (if I remember right).
I recently took it to have a once over, with the view to then taking it in for a service (which means a plane journey for me). The tech tells me the bell is twisted, the bore is bent and it need the holes aligning. Also there is a slight tear in one of the pads.
I am shocked to say the least, as I have looked after this instrument like a baby. It doesn’t get taken or left anywhere, and just sits in the corner either on the stand else in its case. Too be honest, I can’t see the twist, or indeed the bend, but then again I’m not the expert. This little lot will cost me $500 to put right I’m told!!!!
I initially thought to just go ahead, but now I’m thinking, it is over half what the Sax cost me if I remember correctly. Anyways, I have a milestone (cough) birthday coming up, and I’m thinking, hell, you only live once, so I’m looking at maybe getting me an upgrade.
After years of stop/start practicing, I’m still a real beginner (hangs head in shame), but that’s not what its about for me. I love just picking up the sax when I get the chance and rattling along as best I can to whatever I have on the CD player at the time. I must have improved a bit, as I now appreciate the pro (Yani) Alto I have, for its response and tone, which a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have noticed a big difference from the T James one I have.
All which brings me to my point. I cant quite run to another Yani, however I love the reviews of the P Mauriat instruments, especially their Tenors. And, maybe I can scrape enough together for one if I sell off a few toys that I don’t use.
I am thinking that the 66RX Influence, with its oversized nickel silver touch pads does it for me. Especially with the reviews, re the warmth, “fat” sound, and all the other stuff that I don’t quite get, but sounds great coming from pro’s.
The next big hurdle is…. Do I get the standard vintage lacquer job, or dare I be brave and get the naked job, and hope that I can build a good patina on it? I did see a pic of one that had a real mahogany brown look, but maybe that was a faux patina of some kind, or waxed job
Then, where do I purchase from?... some great deals in the US, but can I trust that I would get a good one?... I wish I had money and talent, then life would be so much easier (tell me Pete… what’s it like having these things in spades?)
Hope some of you knowledgeable types out there can share a few pearls of wisdom with me…… and I hope to heck I don’t get a whole lot of responses telling me I should go for different brands. I couldn’t stand the stress of starting over again with the short list.
))
Thanks all.
I recently took it to have a once over, with the view to then taking it in for a service (which means a plane journey for me). The tech tells me the bell is twisted, the bore is bent and it need the holes aligning. Also there is a slight tear in one of the pads.
I am shocked to say the least, as I have looked after this instrument like a baby. It doesn’t get taken or left anywhere, and just sits in the corner either on the stand else in its case. Too be honest, I can’t see the twist, or indeed the bend, but then again I’m not the expert. This little lot will cost me $500 to put right I’m told!!!!
I initially thought to just go ahead, but now I’m thinking, it is over half what the Sax cost me if I remember correctly. Anyways, I have a milestone (cough) birthday coming up, and I’m thinking, hell, you only live once, so I’m looking at maybe getting me an upgrade.
After years of stop/start practicing, I’m still a real beginner (hangs head in shame), but that’s not what its about for me. I love just picking up the sax when I get the chance and rattling along as best I can to whatever I have on the CD player at the time. I must have improved a bit, as I now appreciate the pro (Yani) Alto I have, for its response and tone, which a couple of years ago, I wouldn’t have noticed a big difference from the T James one I have.
All which brings me to my point. I cant quite run to another Yani, however I love the reviews of the P Mauriat instruments, especially their Tenors. And, maybe I can scrape enough together for one if I sell off a few toys that I don’t use.
I am thinking that the 66RX Influence, with its oversized nickel silver touch pads does it for me. Especially with the reviews, re the warmth, “fat” sound, and all the other stuff that I don’t quite get, but sounds great coming from pro’s.
The next big hurdle is…. Do I get the standard vintage lacquer job, or dare I be brave and get the naked job, and hope that I can build a good patina on it? I did see a pic of one that had a real mahogany brown look, but maybe that was a faux patina of some kind, or waxed job
Then, where do I purchase from?... some great deals in the US, but can I trust that I would get a good one?... I wish I had money and talent, then life would be so much easier (tell me Pete… what’s it like having these things in spades?)
Hope some of you knowledgeable types out there can share a few pearls of wisdom with me…… and I hope to heck I don’t get a whole lot of responses telling me I should go for different brands. I couldn’t stand the stress of starting over again with the short list.
))Thanks all.
