Saxophones Saxophone Material: Does it Affect the Sound?

[ProfJames]

Aaaaaaah yes, the silver debate again!!!!! Brilliant.........off we go..............which is better?

 

[Nick Wyver]

Yes, let's see how long we can keep this cobblers going.

I only say this because my sax has a solid silver body and I think it sounds sweet and mellow compared to the brass one I had before...

No, no, no!
Silver's shiny so it makes the sound all bright and shiny.

 

[ProfJames]

Well Nick......not the first time shiny is better is it?!!

 

[altissimo]

well, here's some saxophone material, wonder if it'll affect my sound?
http://www.spoonflower.com/fabric/573874

 

[ProfJames]

Only if you have cloth ears!

 

[milandro]

Just thinking about the basic physics,..........

Yes, exactly, let’s think well, long and hard about physics ........except that it would be better doing that without making unwarranted assumptions derived by guessing that something or other “ would stand to reason” because that’s NOT how science works.

While doing that, perhaps it would be worth trying to remember that if one's command and comprehension of physics extends, at most, only to “ basic physics”, perhaps one would be best advised in using caution rather than letting oneself being carried away, surfing the waves of prejudice and that by faring these perilous waters one could be easily reaching hasty, naive and incorrect conclusions.

A little knowledge is and remains a dangerous thing.

 

[aldevis]

Let's just believe the experts.
They went to univesity.

 

[Nick Wyver]

Let's just believe the experts.
They went to univesity.

and learned to spell.

Sorry. 🙂

 

[Jay]

and learned to spell.

Sorry. 🙂

How's your spelling in Italian? 😉

 

[milandro]

mine is perfect 🙂 but I have a spelling checker, ergo, I cheat

 

[aldevis]

Mine is horrible, on a touchscreen phone.

 

[altissimo]

while not specific to saxophones, there has been a lot of research on the effects of different materials in musical instruments by using actual instruments rather than theory or conjecture. Here's a sample of what can be found in 5 minutes of googling -

The Science of Sound: Examining the Role ofMaterials in Musical Instruments

brass instruments -
The Effect Of Material In Brass Instruments
http://scholarship.rollins.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1004&context=stud_fac

cryogenic treatment of trumpets
http://www.tuftl.tufts.edu/musicengineering/research/cryo/cryo_paper_asa.pdf

woodwind -
Does material affect tone quality in woodwind instruments?: Why scientists and musicians just can’t seem to agree

https://www.clarinet.org/pdfs/competitions/research-abstracts/2013/CF13 research presentation - woodwind body material.pdf

flutes
https://ccrma.stanford.edu/marl/Coltman/documents/Coltman-1.06.pdf

I've not read ll this stuff yet, but it should make interesting reading for anyone interested

 

[ProfJames]

Yes, but.................what's better...........................silver or brass?

 

[MLoosemore]

Yes, but.................what's better...........................silver or brass?

Silver provides a better return than brass when melted down....

 

[milandro]

interestingly a saxophone made of bronze or silver will cost more than the difference in price of the metal used than the same model made of any other material

Given that the accuracy and general costs are the same making a brass or silver horn, and even taking into account that the market is smaller for any special model , therefore there is an higher risk when producing a bronze or silver saxophone, this means that the people whom are more interested in spreading rumors on various metals being beneficial are the makers and re-sellers because they actually make more money than they otherwise would.

How come that the higher the cost of the metal used the better, they say, the horn performs?

 

[BigMartin]

How come that the higher the cost of the metal used the better, they say, the horn performs?

An excellent point, now you come to mention it.

 

[aldevis]

How come that the higher the cost of the metal used the better, they say, the horn performs?

Not in my case. The most expensive Sequoia neck is fine for some players, not for others.
Two necks are included and the choice between making an instrument in one material or the other is based on players' feedback.

Cost/price is very similar, unless we talk about special alloys, silver (currently not considered) or expensive experiments (kind of this http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Plasma-enhanced_chemical_vapor_deposition)

 

[milandro]

we are not talking plated metal, metals in plating is microns tick and hardly significant in terms of extra “ cost” ( and yet for the majority of the brands sold much more expensive than the plating would justify)


solid bronze and solid silver saxophones and solid bronze and solid silver necks are more expensive than their equivalent in brass and the price difference is way higher than the cost of the different material used.

Perhaps Sequoia are the only kids on the block who charge more for a silver neck but only for the price difference between brass and silver?

If that is the case more power to them. Never heard of anyone doing this.

This certainly not true of the big brands, all of which charge a premium which way exceeds the sheer price of the metal.

 

[Ivan]

cryogenic treatment of trumpets
http://www.tuftl.tufts.edu/musicengineering/research/cryo/cryo_paper_asa.pdf

No measurable effect of cryogenesis

Sorry Mr Goodison, I'll take my soprano out of the fridge and stop worrying about not having one big enough to accommodate the bari

 

[aldevis]

Perhaps Sequoia are the only kids on the block who charge more for a silver neck but only for the price difference between brass and silver?

No silver yet. They just give two necks in different materials and let the player choose.
Making a one-off neck in a different alloy can be expensive, though, as are some electrodeposition procedures.

Before starting full production, some extra care is needed. "Aldevis likes buzzillium" can be a wrong reason.

Also because buzzillium (like Giardullite) does not exist yet.

Now, about "marinated" body tubes...