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Saxophones New tenor needed...what to buy?

GJ77

GJ77

Senior Member
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Dunmow, Essex.
I've decided that I need a new tenor as I'm being asked to play one more and more and the borrowed Yamaha 275 just doesn't cut the mustard.

I have around £2000 to spend and I'm happy to buy used rather buy used. I'm a self confessed Selmer fan, my alto and bari are series 2 and mk6 respectively...just thought I'd put that out there.

Having scoured the usual sites I'm planning to look at the following and would appreciate people's thoughts, particularly those who play tenor more often than I do:
  • Selmer Series II
  • Selmer Mk7
  • Conn 10M (I've had a Conn bari before and I'm not sure that I want the slightly 'agricultural' ergonomics but I love the sound of a good M series Conn).
  • Rampone and Cazzani R1
  • Yamaha 62
  • King Super 20 (1970 - Eastlake built)
  • Buescher Aristocrat 'Big B'
  • Martin Committee 'Skyline'
  • Buffet Super Dynaction
Thanks,

Glen
 
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Just to throw in a 'wild card' - my Ref 54/SBA playing teacher is thoroughly impressed with my Hanson LX. If you ring them, Hanson will post you one to try. I think a new one would be around £2400 but is a lot more horn than that.
 
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Given that list I'd probably go for the Yamaha.

Then flog it and get a Keilwerth.
 
Now that you've said that, Howarth also have a Keilwerth SX90R in my price range.
 
Thanks for the recommendation Jay but I really like to buy used and let somebody else take the hit on the depreciation.
 
Just go try them and pick the one you like the most: it will depend a lot on how they're set up, I would also include a series III if you can... Or:
Play safe: get the YTS62 or SAII
Vintage: get the S20
Be different : get the R&C R1
Be sensible : get a new Sequoia (yes I have played one!)
Well you did ask!
M.
 
Ok, I suppose I asked for that. The problem is that they're all in different places and I'm trying to decide where to go first and therefore other people's opinions are always interesting to hear.
 
GJ77 said:
Ok, I suppose I asked for that. The problem is that they're all in different places and I'm trying to decide where to go first and therefore other people's opinions are always interesting to hear.
Click to expand...

Come to the London Meet, Sequoia and a shop full of others (with 10% discount on the day) plus maybe some member's tenors to look at :)

Jx
 
GJ77 said:
  • Selmer Series II
  • Selmer Mk7
  • Conn 10M (I've had a Conn bari before and I'm not sure that I want the slightly 'agricultural' ergonomics but I love the sound of a good M series Conn).
  • Rampone and Cazzani R1
  • Yamaha 62
  • King Super 20 (1970 - Eastlake built)
  • Buescher Aristocrat 'Big B'
  • Martin Committee 'Skyline'
  • Buffet Super Dynaction
Click to expand...

Hi,
totally different horns.
What are you going to play with it? (Yes, music...)

Cheers,
Guenne
 
I suppose above all else I want versatility, I play a lot of different stuff. I suppose that's what I love about my Selmers; I don't feel as if they impose a sound upon me, they do what I ask of them.
 
Hey,

I owned a very good 62 Purple Logo which I sold for the Mark VII I now play most of the time.
Although the Yamaha fit my hands perfectly, I feel better playing in a band with the Mark VII.
If you like Selmer, don't want to spend a lot of money, look for a Mark VII Tenor.
In my opinion they are underrated.
A friend of mine bent the pinky keys so I can play it, I have rather small hands. It's just when I practice overtone scales for a long period of time it doesn't feel that good :)
Of course Bueschers, Martins and Buffets have their strong sides too, but 62 or Mark VII would be my 2 choices for all around playing (not classical).

Cheers,
Guenne
 
Reading up about Selmer I noticed a LOT of folks say the MkVII tenor is a sleeper. It's one of those horns I keep my eyes open for. You'd get one under £2k no problem (my target price is £1k, but it may be a while...)

Having said that, those that have played my Grassi 2000 Professional Tenor, overhauled by Charlie Connolly and set up "like a MKVI" as he put it, have commented either "never sell that" or "how much do you want for it."
Under a grand for a good one.
 
GJ77 said:
I suppose above all else I want versatility, I play a lot of different stuff. I suppose that's what I love about my Selmers; I don't feel as if they impose a sound upon me, they do what I ask of them.
Click to expand...
Most horns are versatile up to a point , pieces being more relevant regarding output , but I have the feeling that you can gain a little psych assistance by using a horn that You believe in, ie.One that fits in with where you want to sit sonically and regarding legacy. I suppose I`m really saying try em all and walk out with the one that touches you. Dumb I know.
 
Clivey said:
Most horns are versatile up to a point
Click to expand...

Yes they are.
And it always depends on the one specific horn if you feel good on it.
Nevertheless, there is a difference between "only" playing in a Rock 'n' Roll band (I'd take a Martin or a King) or needing the horn also to play Ferling with students.
And how you rate "sound colour" vs. intonation, ergonomics.

Cheers,
Guenne
 
I have my Sequoia and my MkVI ready for comparisons, if you are around.

These are among the tenors I tested before getting to Sequoia (MkVI stays at home, now)
The (early) S20 I tried was a marvel, though (£3k and bought by a famous player before I could have a second thought)
GJ77 said:
Selmer Series II
Conn 10M
Rampone and Cazzani R1
Yamaha 62
King Super 20
Buescher Aristocrat 'Big B'
Click to expand...
 
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GJ77 said:
The problem is that they're all in different places and I'm trying to decide where to go first and therefore other people's opinions are always interesting to hear.
Click to expand...

S20 first. If you fall in love (and price is decent), search is over.
Or the day out in London: Aldevis's coffee (stovetop) and you set the standard with my two horns. Sax.co.uk and Howarth's can follow in the next three hours.
 
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