Saxophones Sakkusu "Tick Logo" (Elkhart Deluxe) Alto

[Ads]

I did the deal with the lady who wanted a Synth off me and I`ve ended up with the Sakkusu (Sax.co.uk) "Tick Logo" Alto .. the horn is in mint condition bar one small mark and a pinhead sized ding-ette (more display condition than used) , even the neck cork is fresh ! . The case had the Yamaha 4C mouthpiece , the Reed in its holder (yes THE reed, the one which was supplied with it), cloth , neck strap and case strap . she`d played it on about 3 occasions and went back to keyboards.

these are basically rebadged Elkhart`s top of the range horns, the Deluxe model but with the Sakkusu name and black plastic touchpieces . the action, fittings, laquer quality / depth are all a good couple of steps above the Elkhart Series-II , Jupiter 567, TJ "The Horn" and other low end Taiwanese altos and up there with the new-ish TJ SR , Jupiter 789 / 989 series, etc and even holds with the cheaper Hotrodded Taiwans from Mauriat, System 54 and the like .

This horn is an SA80 rip-off, it sounds and even handles like one despite Stainless steel springs, it`s quite sprightly under the fingers , it`s smooth and smoochy , a nice contrast to the bright aggressive YAS21 super-rat , it has that selmer weight too .. I think this is a Keeper, it responds well to my LAW LCM Piece, gives me a different sound and doesn`t have the usual "Taiwan Warble" which some TJ, Jupiter, Mauriat etc horns can have if you`re not careful, it`s as easy to play as a Yamaha ..

Pics of the Important bits .. the Tick Logo and the paper "Made in Taiwan" sticker (which she tried and failed to peel - LOL),the case is 100% Elkhart too . the current Sakkusus are of course Chinese ..

 

[ProfJames]

Not sure that I agree with your review Ads as we have tried three of these horns and they have shown themselves to be inconsistent, flimsy, poorly finished and poor quality in comparison to some of the horns you have stated that it beats.

The people who tested these were tutors and band members. Strange how opinions vary..

 

[Colin the Bear]

Strange how opinions vary..

As usual opinions vary.

 

[Ads]

I would guess that they were the Chinese ones then ... I`m not an Idiot Prof, I know a crap horn when I hold or play one and this is far from crap .. "Tutors" ? says it all - many hold the "If its not a selmer or a yamaha it`s crap" philosophy to begin with .

Sax.co UK themselves identified this as the Elkhart Deluxe and the build, handling and sound all fall into line with that , I`d not even describe even the Series-II Elkharts as flimsy or poorly finished and they`re the cheapest horns to come out of Taiwan (along with the first TJ "The Horn" Classics) ..

 

[ProfJames]

Never for one moment did I suggest that you were an idiot Ads, merely posting our results. And at least one had the Taiwan label.

 

[Ads]

Well all I can say is that if this horn was better finished or tougher made , it`d shame Yamaha`s pro stuff , there`s no flux bleed, no badly fitted posts, no wonky toneholes, the pads are pretty damn central over the toneholes, the toneholes aren`t sharp edged, there`s no rattles or clunks, no stuffy notes etc .. the side trills could do with lightning (30 secs job) , the neck fits the tenon smoothly without much tightning of the screw needed .. in fact lives up to the Hype Daveysaxboy expouneded about the Elkhart Deluxe .

 

[ProfJames]

Well all I can say is that if this horn was better finished or tougher made , it`d shame Yamaha`s pro stuff , there`s no flux bleed, no badly fitted posts, no wonky toneholes, the pads are pretty damn central over the toneholes, the toneholes aren`t sharp edged, there`s no rattles or clunks, no stuffy notes etc .. the side trills could do with lightning (30 secs job) , the neck fits the tenon smoothly without much tightning of the screw needed .. in fact lives up to the Hype Daveysaxboy expouneded about the Elkhart Deluxe .

I'm very pleased that you are enjoying it. As for - "Tutors" ? says it all - many hold the "If its not a selmer or a yamaha it`s crap" philosophy to begin with".......I have never heard one say that yet. However I am sure it occurs in places

 

[Ads]

I`ve seen enough posts over the years about pompous tutors ridiculing horns because of their Chinese or Taiwan origin to at least not give their opinions anymore weight than anyone elses ....

If it had been Rubbish, I`d have said so, (and I`d not have done the deal), I can`t explain your friends' experiences , I`m amazed you`ve not mentioned it before , there have been enough threads and posts on Elkhart Sakkusus before now, I didn`t even know that you`d played one ..

 

[ProfJames]

We have a number of sessions when I get together with some pals. I just don't post about all my activities. You appear to be agitated because I and some pals have had a different experience. Why are you "amazed" that I have not posted about playing a certain sax? I would be here all day posting! As for the tutors...again that is your experience and not mine. Simply my findings and opinion Ads. I shall certainly try the £399 Sakkusu (with tick logo) next time I am in Sax.co. Hopefully mid May.

 

[Ads]

There`s one thing posting about opinions on sound , they`re subjective but build and finish is a solid fact either way .. I doubt even the most critical could describe this horn as ""flimsy, poorly finished and poor quality" , they may not like the sound (in fact I`m amazed davey does as it`s a lot darker than a Yamaha) but it`s a quality build, in fact I expected Elkhart Series-II / TJ "The Horn" level , not higher as this is .

I very much doubt that you`d be able to find one in Sax.co , they moved over to the chinese build quite a while ago. I`ve not seen a Chinese one with a tick logo though they may exist, Sax.co mentioned it as one of the identifying factors along with the case as being on the Elky Deluxes .

 

[ProfJames]

Not disputing your findings or your experienced opinion. Just posted our findings. Let's hope we can find one as good as yours because it is nice to be surprised by quality bargains every now and then. I have the same affinity to Roy Benson horns as you and Davey have for the Elkharts. Keep the reviews coming and I shall update you with our opinions on some of the horns that our group get to try.

 

[Ads]

Excellent - Try one Prof, one which definately falls into the Elkhart Build era and I`m sure you`ll be as impressed with the build as I am . even Sax.co suggested to look out for one of this era ........ the other thing is I don`t know if the Elkhart thing applies to sops and tenors , only Altos were mentioned . They`ve had / have Sakkusu Sopraninos, Baris and C-Melodys and as far as I know there has never been an Elkhart label on Ninos and Cs ..

Cashconverters and Cashgen each have a Tick logo Tenor in stock but even then I don`t even know how good Elkharts are in Tenor, there`s no guarantee they`re as good as the altos and sops .

 

[ProfJames]

In complete contrast Ads I bought a Stephanhouser 1500 off Davey last year and have really been impressed with it's build quality and sound. As an alto it is definately the heaviest that I own. The company has gone bust I believe, they were out of Texas I think but they were made in Taiwan and assembled in Texas. Similar to Cannonball in their supply chain. three unique patents were applied for but I suppose they just couldn't sell enough. Four models - 500, 1000, 1500 and 2000. The 2000 had a silver bell and neck but the 1500 was regarded as the optimum horn in the portfolio for the pro.

Worth looking out for if you can find one

 

[Ads]

Stephanhousers seem to have a following, some seem to like the "different" keywork mechanics, some don`t , these are the kind of things which are subjective , I`ve not played one so don`t know personally but I`d certainly like to give one a try ..


Some more pics of the Elkhart Sakkusu .. They use proper Point screws BTW .

 

[Ads]

Thanks Mods, see Stephanhauser thread for that horn

 

[ProfJames]

Thanks Prof, Maybe worth starting a Stephanhauser thread (in fact do it ! 🙂 ) , it sounds very underrated & largely unknown .. and this thread is about the Elkhart Sakkusu 🙂 ..........

Good idea............over to the mods to get them to move the posts please.

 

[Jeanette]

Good idea............over to the mods to get them to move the posts please.

I've moved some for you to here bit of overlap hence a couple left here 🙂

Jx

 

[jonf]

I've had three of these saxes, two tenors and an alto. All were excellent for the money, played really well and were solidly built. All were moved on, as I bought them to sell on (they came from Cash Converters where they'd been hocked for a loan and never pick up again, so they just wanted to get their money back) but if I'd had one as my only sax I'd have been quite happy to play it. I've had nearly 80 saxes over the last 33 years (nerdy, I know, but I keep a spreadsheet of them) and these compare well. Not as good as my Yanis, and some of the fine vintage stuff, but pretty good overall

 

[Ads]

Thanks Jon, agreed, the keywork is very good (as good as any new higher end Taiwan bar the expensive hotrods) but it`s not as refined as a Yamaha 62 let alone a Yani , it`s not exactly miles behind the 62 for action though, if it had a blue spring conversion and Steve Howard setting it up, it`d probably be close run thing . Yanis are the best for action IMO (I only play Yamahas because I prefer the sound) .... another thing which may give these cheapo Elky gems a lift maybe a neck-change like Pete`s been doing to his Walsteins ..

I`d have no issue with having this as an only Alto, even if I Majored in Alto and not Tenor but I`d probably hotrod it and may yet to some degree as it has the basics - tough keywork, point screws, level smooth toneholes, solid bell and bow joints and decent pads. Sakkusu Signature Custom anyone - LOL .

 

[altissimo]

so the Rat 21 will be following the Conn to the yard sale?