Revived Nameplate - Toneking

[Saxy since '89]

I was perusing several manufacturers web sites today and as I looked over Amati's I noticed that they are planning on releasing a new line of professional saxes, appropriately named "Toneking." I figure most people on this board won't know much, but I wondered if anyone else had heard about this. From what I can gather, there have been vast improvements at Amati since the end of the cold war and the most recent line of saxes are giving most of the Taiwanese horns a run for their money. Obviously they're not going to be Keilwerth caliber, but I wondered if any insiders had heard anything.

[BOPITY FUNK]

Maybe the new line of Amati's will equal J.Keilwerth? The Germans are very good at most things when they put their minds to it. remember instruments have been made in these parts for hundreds of years since Bach's time. Also i am beginning to detect a gradual sea change inthe perception of Saxophone sound. Since the early '50's the French Selmer sound has shaped our perception of what the modern sax should sound like.This has been embraced by players of jazz, classical, rock. light music, and all points in between.
This is not unique to sax players; trumpet players , clarinet , flute, have always followed various "schools' The German-- with a robust sonorous approach-- The French with a more centred homogenous approach, plus the various regional European traditions.
With the success of Keilwerth over the last 2 decades and the search for older Keilwerth made horns and a general interest in German sax's I wonder if the" French sound" is about to give way to something a little more "full bored" shall we say?
PS Keilwerth sax's of the 1950,s/60's were called "ToneKing" or "NewKing" can't rememberwhich but one had RTH's and the other STH's
Regards BF

[Twombles62]

Tonekings have Rolled tone holes... so I guess New Kings must have straight.

[Saxy since '89]

It certainly is a possibility. I'm just interested in Amati all of a sudden because those willing to actually give them a shot and aren't just Selmer biased have had some really positive things to say. Even those supremely loyal to the big 4 have been saying good things. The worst I've heard lately has been, "they're good horns, they're just not for me." Their strongest points have been their intonation and tone. The build quality is solid, but it's not up to the standard of the major players, so I hear. It all just screams "lowest quality pro level" or "best quality intermediate". Sort of a half-full/half-empty scenario. All this and they're steadily trying to improve? It wouldn't surprise me if in a few years the Amati name would be mentioned in the same breath as some of the other saxes in this category like Cannonball and P. Mauriat. I suppose only time will tell.

[DTGAZ]

These are the details of the new model Amati Alto saxophones posted on the Amati-Denak Website. No doubt new model tenors will be coming soon as well.


Alto Saxophones

New models of alto saxophones come with further mechanical and acoustical improvements.Main feature of new line of TONEKING alto saxophones is new bow between straight part and bell. His wide bore gives the instrument easy sound response and especially in low keys Eb – Bb the musician finds it extremely easy to find the right tone. Main advantages of the new construction can a musician feel right at the first blow when the instrument starts in full strength. Second acoustic feature of the new line is new mouthpipe which gives evenness in tune and provides nice pleasant sound. Plate construction on the bell is also new. It has a „crush zone“ in order to better protect bell against hits.

New TONEKING line consist of these models:

* AAS 64 - model SUPER CLASSIC, which replaces present AAS 63. This instrument is made as "allround" model, which is suitable for students as well as for everyday playing of advanced musicians in bands and recosring studios and like a second instrument for professional musicians. This model is a reminiscence of a very popular model from the 70’s though in a completely new design and better acoustic parameters.
* AAS 84P - model BRAVOUR, which replaces present AAS 83P. The instrument will be offered in the same makes as the previous ones, i.e. BRAVOUR, BRAVOUR ANTIQUE and BRAVOUR VINTAGE. However there is going to be a new model in Bravour line - BRAVOUR SILVERLIGHT. It is a "high-end" make in this line. It features optimization of vibrating parameters of bell and body. The surface is being sanded, mat silver plated and brushed. Keys are black nickel plated.
* AAS 84T - model SONATA, which replaces present AAS 83T.
* AAS 94 - model CHARISMA. Together with new line of alto saxophones TONEKING there is being developed new professional model CHARISMA. This alto saxophone will be made of a special hardened brass alloy and his target use is professional all genre playing.


Dennis

[dutchy]

Saxy,

See my earlier posts on my "old" Amati Toneking.
Yesterday I saw the announcement on the Amati homepage about them re-introducing the Toneking label.
I am not good a enough player to appreciate the fine differances, but my oldest son is. He's got the highest pre-conservatorium diploma, and studied 10 years on the sax. Soprano at first, but later alto, which was an immediate succes.
I was looking to buy a top brand for him, and we went to a very well known music center in Holland was has all major brands.
In my presence, using his own Selmer mouthpiece he tried among others:
Buffet Crampon,
Selmer and Selmer reference,
Borgani,
Keilwerth (black nickel finish).

Of all brands he tried more than one if available.
Unbelievable the differences between 2 "identical" saxes, most notable the References. Totally different, and both, like all the others did not please him (or me).
Until he took the Keilwerth.
Unbelievably loud, like the Borgani, clearly to his liking and opening many expressional possibilities for him (and me to hear).
Very clear, if a sax would be considered, it only could be the Keilwerth.
However, after this try out, I had my old Amati revised. (see post)
Fully satisfied, he now plays it like a pro, and makes some money doing it.
But the Keilwerth never went out of his head. And ofcourse, it's a beauty.
So, 2 weeks ago, somebody invited him to come along to the shop again, and he went, just to try the Keilwerth.
When he returned, he had a surprising message:

Of all, he says, my old Amati suits him best.
Of course no general rule, and Amati now is not necesserally the same company as it was in the 50's but still, nice to know.

If I had to buy a new sax now, and I am not even pressed for money, I would seriously consider an Amati, although I would probably want to buy it somewhere where there's more than one in the same place.

For it's worth, the are my 2 cents.