Saxophones New Mauriat… help please.

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:confused:

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.
 
This looks like your nearest dealer...

http://www.musicservices.co.nz/saxophones-tenor-saxophones-c-2_11_39

If you buy from the States or the UK you're going to have factor in shipping costs and G.S.T. (Gross Stupidity Tax) of 15% at the border plus Custom's other fees (document handling fee (!?) and biosecurity fee (!!??).

I have imported several instruments over the years and my advice is to work out all costs then decide.

Compare these prices...

http://www.thomann.de/gb/tenor_saxophones.html

A guy I work with imported a B & S Challenger II trumpet from Thomann last year - this trumpet retails between NZD3,500.00 to NZD4,200.00 in New Zealand - by the time it landed in NZ including initial retail price, shipping to NZ and border charges (GST and other fees) it cost him all up NZD2,200.00 - a saving of between NZD1,300.00 and NZD2,000.00 (!!).

Also contact Jules at sax.co.uk and see if he can ship to NZ at a good price.

Regards,

Greg S.

P.S. Where do you fly to, to get your sax serviced? Christchurch?
 
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"P.S. Where do you fly to, to get your sax serviced? Christchurch? "

No, Welly. Havent had one done yet, but was going to take it to musicservices. Had one tech look at it once before down here, and he seemed a bit rough with it (scratched the finish on the neck, and didnt think it mattered). Nice guy, but i just didnt think he was very fussed when it came to looking after my "new" sax. He did tell me that he wasnt a fan of new "Asian" saxophones though, but still!
 
A pupil of mine is selling the vintage finish 66R tenor in very good condition if you are interested.

No thank you, but I appreciate the offer🙂

It will take me a bit of time to get the cash together, but I am looking for a new Sax. I know it sounds daft, but I would like to know "her" from new.

I'm sorely tempted by the 86UL, as I dont think I would ever see a 66RX UL at that price (£1800) new.
 
No thank you, but I appreciate the offer🙂

It will take me a bit of time to get the cash together, but I am looking for a new Sax. I know it sounds daft, but I would like to know "her" from new.

I'm sorely tempted by the 86UL, as I dont think I would ever see a 66RX UL at that price (£1800) new.

I'm going to throw the spanner in the works and say you could check one of these out - if it's good enough for Steve Howard and Jules

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/tj_sc_raw_tenor.htm

Seriously if I was going to import a pro horn from UK or Europe I would be considering some other brands as well like Bauhaus Walstein M2 tenors, System 54 or even some of the I-tye horns like Borgani or Rampone Cazzini

My philosophy is if you'er going to the trouble of importing a special horn from overseas get something different that none of the local clowns are playing...

The pound and Euro exchange rate to the NZ dollar is pretty good at the moment and a good time to purchase.

Happy sax hunting...

Greg S.
 
I can highly recommend Music Services in Wellington, both for service/repair and purchasing/after sales service. I have been taking my saxophone for service and repairs to them for at least 5 years now and late last year purchased a P Mauriat Tenor from them.

They have no problem setting you put in their practise room and then letting you trying out their range of saxophones and mouth pieces. I also took an instrument home to play when fresh and decide on mouth pieces. Also good to get a second opinion/advise from family and/or teacher.

It is worth the effort to try the different saxophones, even within the P Mauriat range they all blow differently and have their own sound. You may find you bond with one model over the others.

If you can afford a cheap JetStar ticket, I'd recommend arranging a time to try out the saxophones at Music Services and fly to Wellington for the day. Then before you part with a large sum of cash on a new saxophone, you know you are getting one right for you. While you are there they can look at your current Saxophone and quote on repair.

Cheers
 
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Good advice Muzza...

I was going to suggest contacting Music Services to see about couriering the horn to Wellywood, I know a local shop in Hamilton use to send their customers horns to Music Services to get the horns serviced, etc especially if a Christchurch repair person has no respect for their client's horns if it is inexpensive or of Asian origin... that's b******s a professional horn repair person should treat all customers horns the same whether it's the cheapest horn money can buy or the most expensive horn on the planet...

I'll get off the soapbox now...

Cheers,

Greg S.
 
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Greg, it was music services that quoted me the $500 to set up my BW (I have owned it for about two years or thereabouts). They said a service would be $250, or a full job would be $500. As i say, i'm no expert so I go with what I'm told. I do have a copy of Howards "Haynes" book, and I have "serviced" the sax myself, as far as tightening screws, replacing corks, oiling etc. I guess I might take a better look to see if I can see the "bend" or "twist". I work with metals, ie copper, brass, nickle silver etc, so I'm no dummy. However, neither am I an expert on Sax repair either!
Must admit though, $500 sound a bit steep. Add that to the cost of a flight and an overnight stay in Welly... over $1000, which is around what the Sax cost!!!! When I say it out loud, doesnt seem worth it!

I'm not saying that music services are overpriced or whatever (things cost what they cost), but the economics dont stack up. Might bite the bullet and give it a go m'self!
 
Bend/twist....

Look from the neck along the body tube.

For the bell, look at how the pads seat. If it's moved, they won't seat properly and you may see a double cup impression on the pads. You may also fiind the adjustment of the bell keys is out as a result.

But if it's minor and it plays well, leave well alone. As you say, the economics don't stack up.
 

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