Walstein Soprano and Thomann TSS350: the same saxs?

[Janosax]

Hi from France!!
I've got a question about these phosphur saxes.
I look at the pictures and they seems to be exactly the sames!!..
Click on 360 zoom image TSS350
The Walstein
On pictures, the only difference I can see is the engraved bell, but a webfriend on a forum (saxofan) has got the Thomann, and it's engraved like the Walstein.
It' a very natural ask...
Thanks for your answers : )))
Jean

 

[rhysonsax]

The Thomann one on your link says it is "brass lacquered body and keys". What makes you think it is Phosphur bronze ?

Could well be out of the same factory in China.

Rhys (proud owner of a Walstein alto).

 

[Janosax]

[No message]

 

[jambo]

Could well be the same,

I have an elkhart curved soprano.... which is exactly the same model as my tutors sop accept his has 'artimis' stamped on it.

 

[Linky Lee]

I don't know for sure but I didn't think the Walstein soprano had a high G?

 

[Janosax]

I think the Walstein have got a right hand's high F#- G key system like Yani. And there is a little "pad" (sorry I don't know the right term) above the high F# 's one. Look at the pictures in the link.
Is there a Walst Sop player to confirm?
Thanks a lot 🙂

 

[Linky Lee]

Pete has a Walstein Soprano.
I'm sure he'll confirm whether there is a G key or not.

I personally don't see the necessity for high G keys. I played an alto with one and it wasn't any easier than the altered fingering I'd gotten used to.

 

[Janosax]

Of course it' not a necessity : ) It's more to be sure that it' s the same sax than Thomann.

 

[greg_strange]

I own a Walstein soprano sax and it has a high G key which is situated to the left (or above, depending on which view) of the high F# key. The high F# key works independently of the high G key, but the high G key works in conjunction with the high F# key. This opens up the high G tone cup and the high F# tone cup together. See Pete's instrument page for a photo of his Walstein soprano (scroll along the length of the picture).
I read somewhere Selmer (Paris) have a high G key option on one of their altos - SA80 Series II or Series III?
I hope this info helps.
Regards,
From a hot and sunny New Zealand.
Greg Strange.

 

[Janosax]

Thank you Greg 😉

 

[Pete Thomas]

Yes, my Walstein has a high G. If I ever play a high G on soprano then I'll probably thank it.

No way for me to know whether this is identical to the Walstein, I'd need to see one in person.

 

[Pete Thomas]

I just had a look at the Thomann site. It's not an identical saxophone - the most obvious difference being the octave mechanism which is very different to my Walstein soprano. Although the picture shows an apparently phosphor bronze instrument, there's nothing I could see in the description about that, which could be a mistake in the copy I imagine. Of course they are both copies of the same Yanagisawa so bound to be similar.

Thomann are a very reputable company (though I have had problems with them in the past when I bought some studio equipment from them) but I doubt they have the same quality control as Walstein, who I know get all their instruments play tested and adjusted by a very top saxophone technician. They cherry pick the best ones and return any that are not up to their standard.