P. Mauriat tenors

Linky Lee · Nov 19, 2006

Has anyone had any experience with these saxes?

I'm looking at the system 76 and 66R.
The 76 sounds more to my tastes really but I won't know till I give them a proper go.

So do tell of your experiences with these good and bad!

Jules · Nov 20, 2006

The 76 is a decent professional quality horn, similar to- but not quite a slick as Selmer Series II. The 66R is an absolute monster(!)- built to sound like old Conns and the like its big, loud and has loads of character to it.... which means you'll love it or hate it.

Linky Lee · Nov 20, 2006

I want to be able to play quietly on my tenor but still be able to open it up and cut through.

I understood that the 76 has a fatter sound as it has a larger bore on it.

I can't make up my mind till I give them a thorough playing with various mouthpieces and reeds. I've got till March to decide anyway.

Jules · Nov 20, 2006

Linky_Lee wrote:
I want to be able to play quietly on my tenor but still be able to open it up and cut through.

I understood that the 76 has a fatter sound as it has a larger bore on it.

I can't make up my mind till I give them a thorough playing with various mouthpieces and reeds. I've got till March to decide anyway.

For fat I'd say the 66R is the winner. the 76 has a bit more edge though...

Linky Lee · Nov 20, 2006

Ok cool.

How did you find the layout and feel of the keys/action?

particularly the left hand palm keys and the left hand pinky system.

Jules · Nov 20, 2006

not as smooth as something like a yanagisawa. Quite chunk and mechanical feeling- but not to any degree that's going to cause a problem (compared with my old- 1937- Conn they're very light indeed).

jonf · Nov 21, 2006

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Dylan · Nov 21, 2006

I didnt like the 76 at all. Not to run it down - it just wasnt for me. Doug Lawrence, lead tenor with the Basie Band plays one...say no more. To me, the 76 felt way to stuffy and there was something weird going on with the angle of the neck.

The 66R is, as Nachoman says a monster. Big sound, but warm with it. Not harsh. The lhand palm keys took a bit of getting used to, but no great problems, and watch the intonation. I dont think they arrive well set up at all from the factory...

...but then I was trying it against a Yani T-902 🙂 I went for the Yani in the end. Very very happy with my choice. But the Mauriat is definitely worth checking out >:)

Jules · Nov 21, 2006

Yani bronze models are actually a more flexible, better made instrument I wouldn't argue that one. But if its vintage honk you want try a 66R!! :w00t:

griff136 · Nov 21, 2006

nachoman wrote:
But if its vintage honk you want try a 66R!!

If tis a vintage honk you want why not get a good value vintage horn.

buescher 400s are fantastic, as are the Conn New wonder (so called Chu Berry) models

Linky Lee · Nov 21, 2006

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Jules · Nov 21, 2006

for vintage, try looking out for a Conn M6 or M10, they're great horns- and shouldn't break the bank. But of the list above the Yani 902 would have to be my vote for the classiest option.

Linky Lee · Nov 21, 2006

There is an under slung (1967) Conn 10M for 1K in Allegro music at the moment.

I was thinking about trying to work my way down there to give it a blow and see what I think.

I've never played a Conn instrument before but as you said they are highly regarded. These later models weren't supposed to be as good as the bore size changed and they were generally a bit brighter and lost the rolled tone holes as well.

arazi440 · Nov 21, 2006

Hi Dylan I see from your post you bought the Yani then 😉

What your impressions of it ? and i hope there's at least another one in stock l.l

Pete Thomas · Nov 21, 2006

Vintage horns (except Selmer) are usually much better value than new ones. Martin, Buescher and Conn Especially IMO.

Linky Lee · Nov 21, 2006

That's what I thought but It's sourcing a good one at a decent price.

I'll also have to pay the lot in one big lump some, whereas I was going to pay for a new one over the course of 1 year making it possible for me to spend enough to buy a professional horn.

Pete Thomas · Nov 22, 2006

Strangely the ebay price of the really good ones, e.g. Conn 10M and "The" martins, seems to be quite low at the moment. I'm talking about a few I've seen that look like genuine auctions from good feedbackers too.

I wonder how this will go:

http://TinyURL.com/y22qlk

(Sorry I'm getting off topic)