Saxophone reviews New sax - Hanson LX vs ST8

[Tenor Viol]

I think mine is older than TVs.

I can confirm that the newer ST8s are quite different in feel to mine

 

[Colin the Bear]

The most important thing you've left out is....does it fit in with the steampunk look?

 

[Tenor Viol]

The most important thing you've left out is....does it fit in with the steampunk look?

It's dark gold lacquer so should do🙂. I'd better try it whilst wearing a frock coat...

 

[Colin the Bear]

Some bargains on ebay at the minute. Danieljohn menswear having a clear out. Just picked up a silver one for £15.

 

[Mostlytenor]

I can confirm that the newer ST8s are quite different in feel to mine

The more recent ST8s have a high f#. When I bought mine around 18 months ago Alastair Hanson said that I could have either the older, heavier one or the newer one. He was nudging me gently towards the latter. The newer one is not especially heavy but is not as light as a Yamaha 275 so it's generally OK weight wise. I haven't tried the LX so can't compare but I find the ST8 all the sax I need for the time being. I find the upper register quite complex and rich. That's probably to do with the neck but I could be wrong.
At this stage in my playing I have the impression that tone is less of an issue with a tenor than the higher saxes because the tenor is naturally on the mellow side. There's more danger of a shrill alto than a shrill tenor. I have a YAS 25. Hmmm.

 

[Targa]

The more recent ST8s have a high f#.

He would be unlikely to remove it on more recent ones when the older ones have it.

 

[nickh]

Interesting thread!

I love how Jay's LX sounds. I have the New Tenor ST8 in bronze. We swapped at the workshop (kept the same mouthpieces as a test). My main observation was that my sT8 sounded brighter. Jay's LX sounded 'darker'. Its been at the back of my mind ever since! I love everything about my ST8, its light and the action on the keys is fantastic, I find it easy to play. But i just wish it didn't sound so bright. Has got me thinking i could start trying other saxes...

 

[trimmy]

Has got me thinking i could start trying other saxes...

Or mouthpieces, your Morgan may not be the one 😛

 

[nickh]

Or mouthpieces, your Morgan may not be the one 😛

Whaaaat!!!! 😱

 

[trimmy]

Whaaaat!!!! 😱

Just saying 😉

 

[nickh]

Ha. Thing is when we swapped we kept our own mouthpieces/reed combos (i owned a link at the time). So the only variable was the horn. Mine still sounded brighter when jay played it with her mouthpiece.

 

[trimmy]

@tenorviol got a great deal when he px'd his ST8, a trip to Hanson to thoroughly test the LX must be on the cards 🙂

 

[nickh]

Did he indeed! Might be worth a visit. Although might be worth looking at other brands too. Bit of a project. My teacher gave it the once over and says my ST8 is a really good sax. He did say he thought it was bright though too. One idea is just to keep this one and look for a darker toned for to play jazz on.

 

[Tenor Viol]

@nickh cheaper to spend a few hours trying mouthpieces....

 

[Andrew Sanders]

Ha. Thing is when we swapped we kept our own mouthpieces/reed combos (i owned a link at the time). So the only variable was the horn. Mine still sounded brighter when jay played it with her mouthpiece.

@Jay might have been thinking dark thoughts

 

[kevgermany]

Tend to agree on the mouthpiece, not sure what you're using, but the large chamber Morgens have a super fat, dark sound.

 

[nickh]

Tend to agree on the mouthpiece, not sure what you're using, but the large chamber Morgens have a super fat, dark sound.

I'm using a Morgan Fry original ebonite. I tried 3 different Morgan Fry's before choosing it. Show you on Sunday if you're Coming to the Quartet/Septet/Octet!

 

[kevgermany]

Sorry, didn't connect, I was thinking of Ralph Morgan in the USA.

 

[nickh]

Sorry, didn't connect, I was thinking of Ralph Morgan in the USA.

Ha.. new name for me that!

 

[kevgermany]

Ha.. new name for me that!

He was head of Selmer in the USA for quite a while, went on his own making excellent mouthpieces. The firm carries on today, run by one of his staff, I believe the mouthpieces are still excellent.