Saxophone reviews New sax - Hanson LX vs ST8

[Parker550]

Well most of my horns have been secondhand, ebay generally but you need to know what you're lookin at, I'm northwest based and been playing on and off since 87....if I can advise / help pleased to do so.... The Hanson horns were good but any up for sale were 1 hard to shift 2 lost so much it was hardly worth selling .... Is it alto or tenor...? Cheers

 

[GaryF]

Well most of my horns have been secondhand, ebay generally but you need to know what you're lookin at, I'm northwest based and been playing on and off since 87....if I can advise / help pleased to do so.... The Hanson horns were good but any up for sale were 1 hard to shift 2 lost so much it was hardly worth selling .... Is it alto or tenor...? Cheers

Tenor - and wow! I bought mine about four years ago and started playing in a Wind band (depping) about a year ago on and off.
I’m going to be playing Tenor much more now so I am looking at what to upgrade to. My sax sounds ace, but I can’t help wondering what a new one would end up sounding like 😎

 

[nigeld]

My sax sounds ace, but I can’t help wondering what a new one would end up sounding like 😎

If your old sax is a 50-year-old B&H (I'm guessing it was made in East Germany) then you may find the keywork on a new sax is a lot nicer too.

 

[Parker550]

Tenor - and wow! I bought mine about four years ago and started playing in a Wind band (depping) about a year ago on and off.
I’m going to be playing Tenor much more now so I am looking at what to upgrade to. My sax sounds ace, but I can’t help wondering what a new one would end up sounding like 😎

Tenor - and wow! I bought mine about four years ago and started playing in a Wind band (depping) about a year ago on and off.
I’m going to be playing Tenor much more now so I am looking at what to upgrade to. My sax sounds ace, but I can’t help wondering what a new one would end up sounding like 😎

 

[Parker550]

Well TBH if you can rid yourself of the 'new' horn scenario then do it, if your horn is mechanically good, decent pads/no leaks and blows Bb at a subtone easily then a new horn except for pride of ownership ain't gonna sound better. Get to woodwind exchange, not cheap mind, try a variety of MPs and fav' reeds... Its mp/reed/you that do it the horn if mechanically good makes very little difference.. Check out 'stantawn kendrick' u tube... Mark vi vs student yammy... Do this blind and take note at the difference... Very little

 

[GaryF]

i took in all of the advice on this and other threads, and I bought the LX Raw hand rubbed brass finish with shiny keys. Been back for a yearly service, tweaked here and there and is sounding amazing. I got a great deal with my old B&H trade in. Now using a D’addario select jazz - what a horn! (She’s called Gloria, by the way)

 

[Humblemonk]

Hi
Saw this post when I googled question about Hanson LX low Bb which I am finding difficult to reach and play cleanly and quickly.
Does anyone else have this problem?
I do have small hands sadly ☹️

 

[GaryF]

Hi
Saw this post when I googled question about Hanson LX low Bb which I am finding difficult to reach and play cleanly and quickly.
Does anyone else have this problem?
I do have small hands sadly ☹️

Check the arm on the key works and closes the pad completely onto the hole. Maybe ask someone to hold the keys down and see if you can make the sound come through

Are you able to get the low notes on other tenors? Maybe lower your jaw and ‘think’ the note

Also, try bracing your stomach (like you’re about to fart) and have a go, again with a loose jaw at getting the low note.

Do let us know!

 

[Humblemonk]

Thanks for advice Gary.
Have tried a more relaxed embouchure which works although going to it in the middle of a phrase is something I obviously need to practice- still issue of comfortably holding down keys for Bb - find my other fingers migrate slightly when I stretch which makes it difficult to play the next note.
My son has a cheap Chinese horn which is easier to reach the Bb on.
Apart from having small hands , my pinkies are also bent inwards which further rediuces my stretch.
Maybe I should take up the trombone..I have long arms..lol
I have played a yanagisawa which was easier - maybe Hanson is just not for me…although I like everything else about it.

 

[Tenor Viol]

A tech may be able to devise an adjustment for you by making some key raisers. I don't have particularly large hands and it didn't give me nay issues when I owned it.

 

[Colin the Bear]

If you're having problems reaching the key then consider your hand and sling position.
Raise the sling. Drop your elbow and turn your wrist. Straighten the fingers.
Fingers 123 don't need fingertips on the pearls. Let them overshoot.
If it's a problem sounding Bb check that G# isn't opening.

 

[Woodpad]

If it's a problem sounding Bb check that G# isn't opening

Close the three first keys on the right hand and check if the G# moves when you press the low Bb key.

 

[Humblemonk]

Thanks to everyone who replied.
The Bb will sound - it’s just the moving to and from it that is tricky.
I’ll try working on hand and sling position.

 

[GaryF]

If you're having problems reaching the key then consider your hand and sling position.
Raise the sling. Drop your elbow and turn your wrist. Straighten the fingers.
Fingers 123 don't need fingertips on the pearls. Let them overshoot.
If it's a problem sounding Bb check that G# isn't opening.

Thanks to everyone who replied.
The Bb will sound - it’s just the moving to and from it that is tricky.
I’ll try working on hand and sling position.

Also, if you are close to a good tech, maybe they could amend the pinky keywork to help out? I’ve heard of some interesting mods that have been applied to help out with people who need to move keys around / make it easier to play after an injury or (dare I say) arthritic bones 🙂

 

[Ballymenaboy]

I have Hanson Mk v111 which has both front F and F# keys