Saxophone reviews Review of the 'Academy Jericho' Alto sax & Mk11

[Ads]

yeah, it`s probably the Jericho . the thing is that with horns, you`ll end up playing the one better that fits better .. also the Jerichos sound may suit the iPad`s Mic`s lousy response better too .......

It`s all subjective anyway, I prefer the sound of the cheaper Taiwanese Altos (Sak, Classic, Jupiter, Revolution etc) to any Yani I`ve played inc 9932, and that scruffy Jupiter "Buffet" tenor likewise to a T992, prefer the YAS21 sound to the Poncey blingy Yam Zs and especially the 875EX .. if it fits keep it 🙂 I still can`t believe that I bought an SA80-II tenor over a RAW after an A:B and that it won by a large margin .

 

[trimmy]

Interesting you both preferred no.2

Put us out of suspenders then....

 

[DavidUK]

1 = Jericho
2 = SA80II
Phew!
The J6 has obviously been played a fair amount by the first owner judging by the flattened MP cork. It's a year old and shows absolutely no signs of any wear. It is pristine. I noted, as with the one in 2013, a slight unevenness to the Eb/low C rod ends but there's not a great deal of lateral pressure between these to cause any issue. Screw heads aren't gnarled on this one either.

 

[Colin the Bear]

I'm impressed with how far you've come @DavidUK . You have a musicality and your playing has personality.

I feel you should let rip more. Blow harder with more control. Air support do they call it. I'd start experimenting with mouthpieces too. There's definitely something there trying to get out.

 

[aldevis]

I'd start experimenting with mouthpieces too.

This qualifies as "feeding the beast"

 

[DavidUK]

I'm impressed with how far you've come @DavidUK . You have a musicality and your playing has personality.

I feel you should let rip more. Blow harder with more control. Air support do they call it. I'd start experimenting with mouthpieces too. There's definitely something there trying to get out.

Thanks Colin. My tutor is always saying the same!
It was a Rico Orange 3 on PPT. The RJS 3M is a little more vocal. Just had a new Graftonite B5 with a sax I bought (and a new Vandoren AL3 & Yam 4C but they won't "rip" I'm sure) and from what I've read the Rico MP may be fun? Still need to try my Sharkbite 6. Yam 6CM not so good, nor Esprit II, nor Lelandais 7. That's all I have!
...Apart from another 5 MPs in Yard Sale but none are "rippers" I think?

 

[aldevis]

I'd juat use the AL3 and forget the others. Unless the Vandoren in the yardsale is good.

 

[ellinas]

Now listen to Aldevis killin it with a Jericho.

http://www.aldevis.com/jericho/moanin.mp3

How about it's sound, dynamics etc. ?

 

[aldevis]

Now listen to Aldevis killin it with a Jericho.

http://www.aldevis.com/jericho/moanin.mp3

How about it's sound, dynamics etc. ?

I really liked it. Big solid sound and decent dynamic range.
Some students bought it and they were great, but that was still when Robbie was taking care of things. I think that he checked the horns before shipping.

 

[kevgermany]

I think the SA80s are much underrated, but top horns. My tutor has a couple, says they're quite different, but both are really good. Much warmer sounding to me than a MkVI, but still able to bark/bite and scream. Good choice.

 

[jazzdoh]

Once again I have risked the derision of my peers and recorded a morning tootle on the SA80II and J6, here: Box | Simple Online Collaboration: Online File Storage, FTP Replacement, Team Workspaces

Feel free to use words such as "Goose" & "Honking" and phrases starting with "You really should try to..."

BUT... the point is, it's me on a "one take" recording on my iPad so as to point out the similarities (or differences), something often missing from reviews. My capabilities are almost irrelevant. OK... that's enough excuses, at least I have the balls!

View attachment 5239

Very nice demos,i too preferred the sound of No2.

 

[DavidUK]

@aldevis do you recall which MP?

Wasn't Steve Howard involved somewhere with Jericho, or am I getting confused with him checking another brand's horns?

The AL3 is supposedly a classical piece? As it's new, I didn't try it, just put it up for sale thinking it wouldn't be suitable?

 

[aldevis]

I think the SA80s are much underrated, but top horns.

£3400 for the alto is quite a lot....
I played/owned a few altos, and some were really amazing.
Still to find an amazing SA80 tenor. Even the one I tried at the Selmer showroom was pretty bad.

 

[aldevis]

@aldevis do you recall which MP?

Maybe I wrote it on the original thread. I suppose it was my usual Pillinger NYA (8L)

Wasn't Steve Howard involved somewhere with Jericho, or am I getting confused with him checking another brand's horns?

I seem to remember the same.

The AL3 is supposedly a classical piece? As it's new, I didn't try it, just put it up for sale thinking it wouldn't be suitable?

But a very good one. It might develop your embouchure better than the Yamaha.

 

[DavidUK]

@aldevis - I'm using a PPT 7M currently. With RJS 3M or 3 orange.

The J6 arrived with a box of Vandoren ZZ, 2's I think. Might give them a go. Any good?

 

[Ads]

£3400 for the alto is quite a lot....
I played/owned a few altos, and some were really amazing.
Still to find an amazing SA80 tenor. Even the one I tried at the Selmer showroom was pretty bad.

I`ve played a few Tenors (Series 1 and II) , no duds (unlike MkVIs which vary immensely and recently a dud MkVII !! ) but none sparked me until now - the one I`ve just got is a stunner, Its definitely got that "Selmer Fairy dust" . yet to hear a Special SA80 Alto though again not encountered a dud one .

I`ve never heard Reference 54 in either Alto or Tenor I liked , they always sound "De-Selmered" to me

 

[aldevis]

@aldevis - I'm using a PPT 7M currently. With RJS 3M or 3 orange

Forget mouthpieces and use the PPT then. But try RJS 2H or even 2M

 

[DavidUK]

I have 2M but my tutor says, and I agree, that my tuning is not so good with the softer reed, hence 3M. I might try 2H.

 

[trimmy]

The J6 arrived with a box of Vandoren ZZ, 2's I think. Might give them a go. Any good?

I've used ZZ 2's for the last 18months, i like them

 

[Colin the Bear]

I can't be doing with them. They seemed to go floppy after about an hour playing.