Request for Assistance

[TonyMoroney]

Hi All,

This is a long shot, but I'd figured I'd ask on the off chance. I'm planning to go to Hanson's (Near Leeds) in the next week or two to test play some Tenor's including the ST-6 (Selmer Mk VI copy) and ST-8 (Selmer 80 Mk II copy).

Is there anyone more experienced than me that fancies trying some of these, with me? I can probably reimburse travel costs, etc. I just want to see if someone with more experience with other horns could give me the benefit of their experience.

If not, not a problem, just wanted to take the belt and braces approach. I'm very flexible with regards to times and dates.

Cheers

Tony.

 

[Saxlicker]

Tony,

I hope you have some luck with some assistance.

Just incase you don't, these points are what I would remind myself of in the absence of belts and braces...

The Hanson following seems to become very a loyal bunch, which speaks for itself.
The warranty and maintenance (of which the finer points escape me) is a generous deal.

If you convince yourself of the quality and tone of each of the ST6 & ST8 horns verses value for money, it should be solely your choice and preference anyway!
I guess the ergonomics would be almost identical????

Good luck and have fun

 

[frankb]

I'm afraid I wouldn't be a lot of use if I were able to make it, Tony!

I'd echo Saxlicker's sentiments though - any company that stands behind its products to the extent that Hansons do has to be admired. Even so, the products themselves must be pretty damn fine to engender such a faithful following.

Adding to Saxlicker's belt and braces list, it would probably be as well to take a tuner along to help check the instruments' intonation. (I'm not saying anything bad about Hansons! Now I can produce an actual tone from one I'd do the same for any sax I was eyeing up.) If your escort brought along their own sax(es) and mouthpieces to aid comparison that might also be beneficial.

If you strike out for assistance here you may be able to find someone from the larger membership of SaxOnTheWeb. However, as Saxlicker says, it's *your* opinion that counts.

Hope you find a helper and it all goes well.

Frank

 

[Rogerb]

I doubt that Alastair will try to sell you something more than he thinks you would benefit from... he's that kind of guy.

Whether or not you buy, I think you'll enjoy the visit....I assume that they know you are going, and what your main interests are?

The 5-year warranty and free maintenance deal are hard to beat.

Good luck..... I can't get there before October, and wouldn't be of much help, anyway... not enough experience!

 

[Pete Thomas]

Always a good idea to take someone more experienced when shopping for saxophones. Good luck and please give them my regards.

 

[TonyMoroney]

Pete,

If you weren't at the opposite end of the country I'd offer a big fat donation to your charity if you had the time to spare.... obviously in reality I understand that, 1. You are at the opposite end of the country and 2. You are very busy.

I'll give them your regards Pete.

T.

 

[Rogerb]

Hi Tony

I assume you are 'Consultant' on SOTW who's been having this LiAm84 bad-mouthing Hanson's and Alastair himself?

My advice is to balance his rather hysterical outbursts against what you've read, here and there about Hanson.

Then go there (it's actually near Huddersfield, on the A62), preferably with a sax-playing friend and make up your own mind(s). If necessary, I'd say wait until you can find someone to accompany you.

If AH did turn out to be less than he appears, I, for one, would be very disillusioned in my judgement of people.

I also think I'd be inclined to wait a while before shelling-out for an ST-6, to see a few more 'professional reviews'. (Wait until Pete has played one!)

I didn't reply on SOTW because I don't think I would have been polite 😀

 

[TonyMoroney]

Roger,

You guessed right, I plan to keep an open mind about this stuff, start to finish, I tend to ignore sweeping generalisations as you saw, because there are exceptions to every rule!! I wasn't going to consider an ST-6 until I could take a current (or previous) Mk VI owner with me, but actually getting someone along is looking like it might more difficult than I first thought.

I'll keep at it, Alistair seems to have trouble keeping them in stock (great for him, not so much for those trying to buy them), so even though I was out that way today, there were none to try, he's expecting more in about a week.

We'll see what transpires.... like I said, open mind.

T.

 

[Rogerb]

I have now replied on SOTW.... managed to keep it reasonably civil, I think.

I'll ask my teacher if he's available.... but he does live here on the Costa Blanca, so his expenses could be prohibitive 😉

 

[TonyMoroney]

Roger,

I'd not expect anyone to cover those sort of miles, but silly thing is, the plane fare via Easy or Ryanair is probably similar to the train fare I pay here right now!! I can visit Valencia or parts of Italy right now for about 30 quid each way .... hmmm ... now there's a thought!!

Well done for taking the high road on SOTW thread 🙂

Cheers

T.

 

[Rogerb]

I was joking, T, but he might be taking his VI to UK for it's MOT soon, so who knows? 😉

I see SOTW Liam had to have a parting insult, which, as I said, degrades even more the credibility of his opinions 🙁