What's the straight dope on the Jupiter Artist Baritone Sax?

[newking70]

Does anybody own one? good? bad?

[Morry]

Merlin from this forum is a Jupiter artist/clinician. Maybe he can give you some info if you email him. Of course, temper that with the opinions from some guys who don't have a vested interest in them. I've heard good things about the Artist series though.

[Merlin]

Yes, I like my Jupiter Artist bari - it's the only bari I own now.

I'm currently using it when I sub in on the Reed 5 book on "The Producers" here in Toronto.

I've done several recordings, lot's of concerts and plenty of club gigs on it. Never a problem.

[Randall]

i put one against a 5 digit low A Selmer in a Tokyo shop about 3 years ago and it blew the Selmer out of the water.
I also played it agaist a Yamaha and a SX90 laq bari.
I was suprpised that the Jupiter was the best....no...flabbergasted!
Of course I believe part of the problem with the other horns may have been adjustment...but I had another bari playing friend along and he too agreed the Artist was the best-in-shop.
I would recommend one to you....

[JMac]

I was curious what the difference is between the artist and deluxe models - other than the finish and sterling silver neck. Are they both ribbed construction, similar bore, etc? Any difference in the make-up of the underlying brass? Thanks for any input.

[newking70]

yo merlin - does jupiter plan on coming out with any other finishing options? silver for me is kinda of hard for me to keep clean :lol:

[Kareeser]

JMac, the Deluxe has plastic resonators (from visual inspection), while the Artist series has metal resonators.

Then there is the silver body, bell, and gold laquered keys on the Artist.

However, they both play excellent and have served me well during my playing with them. (I still have the 800)

The RH-knuckle keys are also angled a bit different on the two models. It is hard to explain in words, you'll have to see for yourself. Basically, it is easier to depress the keys on the 800.

Unless you're a really lazy person, then it isn't very hard to take care of silver! :)
Just run a cleaning cloth through the inside, and wipe it down outside, and it'll keep tarnish away. I've always wanted to get those 3M Anti-tarnish strips, but it has been 2 weeks now and it still has not tarnished at all, :)

(With exception to a little bit inside the neck that I can't see)

[Merlin]

yo merlin - does jupiter plan on coming out with any other finishing options? silver for me is kinda of hard for me to keep clean :lol:

The Artist alto and tenor are available in lacquer as well, but still with the sterling neck. Don't know about the bari in that finish, though I'd like it myself.

Keeping the silver looking good is easy...just use the included microfibre cloth to wipe it down now and then.

[Kareeser]

And believe me, that cloth really works... beats my t-shirt anyday, :P

...

I took a look at another 700 series about an hour ago.
That one had metal resonators, so now I'm not sure. Perhaps Merlin can enlighten us. :P

[JMac]

Thanks Merlin and Kareeser for the info. I had (incorrectly) assumed that the silver was coated with a lacquer as on some other brands- which then would create the problem of tarnish under the lacquer?! I do have a vintage silverplated Conn tenor which keeps fairly well in my environment, but I do use the 3M strips (insurance?).

As with all other horns, I guess you just have to play them to see which gives you the sound and feel that's just right. I would imagine the reso's and silver neck in particular would have a fairly significant impact on the tonal qualities!

Good luck newking70 on your quest for Bari nirvana!

[newking70]

So whom has the best prices on the jupiter baris?

[JMac]

Depending on which model you're going for, it's probably between musician's friend http://www.musiciansfriend.com/srs7/sid=040518084542064139092062949605/g=bo/search/c=5590

and WWBW / Music123 http://www.wwbw.com/Baritone-Saxophones-d1064.music?src=&man=&o=brand

Good luck :)

[Morry]

Randall,

I'm seriously thinking about getting one of these. My local dealer can beat the WW&BW price to me, so it is very affordable. What mouthpiece did you use when trying out the Jupiter bari? Others on here have described the horn as sounding a bit bright. Your opinion on that? How was the low A mechanism? Everything seem solidly built?

I'd love to get a JK, but I just can't justify that kind of money for a horn I'll double on. I can get the Jupiter for less than half of what an SX90 would cost me.

[Randall]

Morry I was using a metal Yani #9 with Alexander 2 1/2's. My bud was using a #6 Lawton BB with 2 1/2 plasticovers.
Bright....well I can't say that for my sound...but I generally don't get a bright sound....
The silver neck gives it punch/power. If you use harder reeds you may get "bright"....a lot also depends on your mp. Always a subjective question, right?! :wink:
Low A mechanism, key action everything is right on the Jupiter. These are fine horns Morry.
I would also sincerely recommend looking into the Antigua bari too....fantastic player.
I was REALLY impressed with this new Antigua bari. It made me regret laying out so much for my JK bari (well, kinda made me regret eh hmm....) I would love to do a A/B of these two.
Will the WW&BW send you two to try? It may be worth the return shipping costs to get them both to try.

[Morry]

I hate to try the Jupiter from WW&BW since I plan on getting it from my local retailer friend. He'll sell it to me at his cost, which isn't really that much less than the WW&BW price, but I want to give him the business. Of course, he doesn't have one in stock, so I'll be ordering it blind.

Word is that Jupiter has the best parts distribution system going today. Of course, I'd hope never to need such a repair, but you never know.