brassnaked
05-14-2004, 03:26 PM
I visited Roberto's Woodwinds this past weekend with the sole purpose of test playing the Borgani Tenors. After playing both the Silver and the Vintage unlacquered brushed brass finsh horns...I have the Vintage unlacquered, not brushed finish ordered. My instructor, Tim Price convinced me to check them out. I'm a late bloomer, 53, started playing last June-2003, so I've been playing less than year. So far I have owned 9 different new and "vintage" era tenors, e.g.: Yani T-992 Bronze, King Cleveland 615's, King Super 20, Jupiter 889SG, Conn 10m, Beucher Aristocrat. I have played probably at least 30 different horns including several Mark VI's. I suppose that being a newcomer, I've not been so much influenced by the perceived mystique of the Selmer Mark VI. Don't get me wrong, ALL of the Mark VI's I've played are excellent, wonderful horns...but are they me? Are any of these horns I've owned and played, me? NO, not even close. You know how there's this sound in your head that you hear when you think about tenor saxophone? ONLY after playing the Borgani did I realize that I'm finished searching for that elusive tone and sound and saxophone that will deliver it! BTW: My Lamberson J8 MP is the ABSOLUTE PERFECT marriage for this horn. So, I consider myself extremely fortunate that for a beginner, I have ended the seemingly never-ending quest for the Holy Grail Mouthpiece and even more elusive, Holy Grail Tenor Sax. Are they expensive? You bet they are! Are they worth it? How much would you be willing to pay for the sheer luxury of not wondering about and coveting other saxophones? What is that worth? How much is it worth to "JUST ENJOY PLAYING...PERIOD?"
And, simply by changing MP's, a J8 for dark, sultry, mellow and a DD8 for bright, rock, paint-peeling kind of vibe! It's amazing to me that most people will not bat an eye and gladly spend $4000 to $9000 for a Mark VI and then talk themselves in to being happy with it and loving it. Okay, I'm sure for a select few, the Mark VI "IS" the perfect horn for them, just as the Conn is for others, and Kings for others, etc. But these same people who will easily pay $40,000 for a pickup truck will say in the same breath, "I'd never pay $5000 for a new Tenor."
That's okay though, just put one of those $600 Super Sucker Mouthpieces on the tailpipe of the pickup truck...who knows, your quest for the perfect tone might be over too!
"Always & Never the same..."
And, simply by changing MP's, a J8 for dark, sultry, mellow and a DD8 for bright, rock, paint-peeling kind of vibe! It's amazing to me that most people will not bat an eye and gladly spend $4000 to $9000 for a Mark VI and then talk themselves in to being happy with it and loving it. Okay, I'm sure for a select few, the Mark VI "IS" the perfect horn for them, just as the Conn is for others, and Kings for others, etc. But these same people who will easily pay $40,000 for a pickup truck will say in the same breath, "I'd never pay $5000 for a new Tenor."
That's okay though, just put one of those $600 Super Sucker Mouthpieces on the tailpipe of the pickup truck...who knows, your quest for the perfect tone might be over too!
"Always & Never the same..."