modman
05-18-2009, 01:06 AM
A review of the latest model from Maxtone Taiwan Division, the SX-63 with 18K gold plate and rolled tone holes.
I purchased this horn from the sotw seller OldSaxer about three weeks ago when he advertised it here.
The seller told me that the horn was going to need to be set-up since it came directly from the factory but as soon as I opened it I knew I had to play it. Although it still does need a professonal set up it actually plays great, and in tune. I can wait to hear it when it's set-up completely.:D
The 18K gold plate is something I have never owned B4 and thought that it could not be anymore difficult to maintain then the T.K. bare brass Tenor I own, and wow; this horn is beautiful! The plate gives the horn a deep dark orange glow, and against the blue abalone key touches makes this horn an exceptional looker.
Even though the horn is not professionally set up yet the sound is already a dark raw tone with my Selmer C* Metal "Jazz" mpc. making me think of an old Conn or King. Definitely an American sounding tone, very unlike Selmer but closer to Keilwerth or Couf.
I played a 1 1/2 hour gig today and without the final set up I had no problem playing Yardbird Suite (C. Parker) at the fast tempo it demands.
The engravings are deep, but the patterns and the amount of flourishes are tame when compared to a T.K. fully engraved horn but you can tell they are hand engraved and that the engraver was professional. The horn is branded by engraving and reads MAXTONE, 1970. Serial number and MADE IN TAIWAN are stamped in to the metal 4" below thumbhook.
The neck has the "corkscrew cutout" inside the collar which is identical to the MK Jazz neck on P. Mauriats, and it is engraved to match body and bell engravings. The only detraction about the neck (to me) is the lack of engraving on the octave key pivot head.
The horn features a whisper C key, a positive adjustment key for G#, unusual low key guards, blue abalone keys, all natural felts, all natural corks, leather pisoni pads, and metal selmer type resonators.
The horn came with a contoured case in the style of flight cases but although adequate for light use, really should be replaced asap with a protech contoured or full size case of better quality.
All and all a nice professional level instrument package except for the case.
Bad news: Oldsaxer does not sell horns anymore do to an increase in the wholesale price. This was his very last one.:(
Good news: The horns are available on ebay, and at some retail music stores.
Tip: Make sure you buy the Maxtone of Taiwan origin. They make a lower cost Chinese horn that is nowhere near the quality of this SX-63.
Good luck and have fun.
B8-)
I purchased this horn from the sotw seller OldSaxer about three weeks ago when he advertised it here.
The seller told me that the horn was going to need to be set-up since it came directly from the factory but as soon as I opened it I knew I had to play it. Although it still does need a professonal set up it actually plays great, and in tune. I can wait to hear it when it's set-up completely.:D
The 18K gold plate is something I have never owned B4 and thought that it could not be anymore difficult to maintain then the T.K. bare brass Tenor I own, and wow; this horn is beautiful! The plate gives the horn a deep dark orange glow, and against the blue abalone key touches makes this horn an exceptional looker.
Even though the horn is not professionally set up yet the sound is already a dark raw tone with my Selmer C* Metal "Jazz" mpc. making me think of an old Conn or King. Definitely an American sounding tone, very unlike Selmer but closer to Keilwerth or Couf.
I played a 1 1/2 hour gig today and without the final set up I had no problem playing Yardbird Suite (C. Parker) at the fast tempo it demands.
The engravings are deep, but the patterns and the amount of flourishes are tame when compared to a T.K. fully engraved horn but you can tell they are hand engraved and that the engraver was professional. The horn is branded by engraving and reads MAXTONE, 1970. Serial number and MADE IN TAIWAN are stamped in to the metal 4" below thumbhook.
The neck has the "corkscrew cutout" inside the collar which is identical to the MK Jazz neck on P. Mauriats, and it is engraved to match body and bell engravings. The only detraction about the neck (to me) is the lack of engraving on the octave key pivot head.
The horn features a whisper C key, a positive adjustment key for G#, unusual low key guards, blue abalone keys, all natural felts, all natural corks, leather pisoni pads, and metal selmer type resonators.
The horn came with a contoured case in the style of flight cases but although adequate for light use, really should be replaced asap with a protech contoured or full size case of better quality.
All and all a nice professional level instrument package except for the case.
Bad news: Oldsaxer does not sell horns anymore do to an increase in the wholesale price. This was his very last one.:(
Good news: The horns are available on ebay, and at some retail music stores.
Tip: Make sure you buy the Maxtone of Taiwan origin. They make a lower cost Chinese horn that is nowhere near the quality of this SX-63.
Good luck and have fun.
B8-)