Cannonball Big Bell Nickel alto or Yamaha 62II?

[Saxaholic]

In your experience: What would you go for?

A Cannonball Big Bell alto in black nickel plate.

or

A Yamaha 62II alto in original lacquer.

Any opinions?

[Dr G]

A used Selmer Serie II - typically $1350-1600 - in my experience. :lol:

[sessionsax]

I would say go for the 62II if you want a bright horn with great intonation.

[SaxHack]

I played both a Cannonball Big Bell in lacquer and a 62II in December, but not side-by-side. Unfortunately. Both played very well and I could be well-satisfied with either. I don't think there is an "answer" to your question as it would come down to personal preference.

Both seemed like solid, versatile horns that could function in most any setting with the proper set-up. They are in the same price range and either would be a great bang-for-the buck, in my opinion.

Happy shopping!

[Saxamaphone]

I guess it really depends on what you're gonna use the sax for. The style of music I mean. If you're really into jazz the big bell is a mellower darker sound but if you want the classical feel go to the good ol yamaha. I'd choose the Big Bell because you don't need to blow your guts out in order to get a good sound. You can get a triple piano on the lowest note on the instrument, it sings baby :!:

M! :twisted:

[averageschmoe]

i would recommend the 62 just because of its sheer versatility. both are good jazz horns, but in my experience the 62's lend themselves better to classical playing with their near perfect intonation and even sound throughout.

[Saxamaphone]

I still really have to disagree with you schmoe, it seems to me that the Cannonball has a mellow sound to it and swings much easyer. Im not saying the 62 is a bad horn but when I played it, the staccato was almost too much. :roll: I guess it is as with any horn it really depends on who's playing it. I mean, if you can make a plastic horn sing GOOD FOR YOU!! Everyone's gotta different style so whatever works
M! :P
L8er all!

[lamgigi]

i am also feel difficult to choose between CB T1 big bell and yts-62. Can anyone share their experience?

[noelpaz]

62II

cheaper and better. More techs can fix it. Always go for intonation and then shape the sound

[silverghost]

I've been lucky enough to play the exact two you mentioned side by side, and the cannonball was just amazing. The yamaha had a lot of resistance in the upper register, and it sounded weak down low. The cannonball was free up high, and strong down low, and it has a great sound. Hope this helps.

SilverGhost

And in case you're wondering, I bought the Cannonball. . .

[Warder60]

(sorry to bump an old post!)
I'm gonna have to answer this same question. I went to a local music store today and they had a (all altos) CB big bell (lacquer body silver bell model) and lacquered 62II, and a black laquered CB excalliber that I tried as well.
Trying to keep this short, my first run through on them I thought (so did the store owner and others nearby..) that the excal played the best. I was really confused so I played the 62 and BB again, and the owner said she'll put a leak light down them and straighten them all up a little and for me to come back tomorrow and take them home for the weekend :D

The 62 and BB are at the same price as well.. it's gonna be a long weekend...

[jean]

If the Yamaha is NEW, it might be okay, but I have an early 62, model 087XXX, and the metal is so soft that I'm literally taking it in every month or two to get the leaks fixed and get it back into adjustment. This has gone on for 3 years and has cost me a pretty penny. The yamaha has a pretty tone intonation is acceptable, but is thin in the upper register and weak down low, as was mentioned above. The response is BAD. I can't tongue fast 16th notes on anything below middle B. Yesterday I tried a Cannonball...wow...strong from top to bottom....LOVED IT. Any input as to what I should expect to get in trade $$ ? ....3+ year old yamaha for the new Cannonball?

[Saxaholic]

Expect a dealer to rip you off. Get one privately or second-hand in excellent condition. You'll save alot of money. Contact me at WalterNak8@yahoo.com for more details.

Saxaholic

[Warder60]

Thought I'd post a follow up on my response... I returned them earlier today.

After the horns were properly adjusted both the 62II and BB played very well and about the same to my ears. I had them for 5 days, at first I was for the yamaha. But, now, I think I had mentally "harassed" (not really the word I want but it works) myself to not look at how pretty it was, and ended up convincing myself that it wasn't playing as well either.

Yesterday, I think I was getting more used to playing on something that well (my only sax is a yas 21, and not in the best condition). To keep it short, after my lesson yesterday I decided that the Cannonball is better.


I'm also gonna agree with basically all of the above posters. They are very close, and I think personal preference or maybe small differences in the horn you happen to test will decide which one is better.
For me, the Yamaha was very even in tone and quality throughout, higher notes seemed to be slightly weaker.
The Cannonball was more open, played easier (with less air) but not quite as good intonation, and the bottom end had a niceeee sound.

I'll probably post again with what I get (I could be happy with either) Even though Cannonball was my first choice, I might end up getting a 62II online as it would save quite some money to a local dealer (I want to give the dealer the business, but, basically.. I'm not paying :roll: )

[imamfaja]

i'm having the same problem, i need to decide whether i want the 62II or the black nickel cb. I'd rather have the cb mainly for the way it looks but i heard the yamaha is great for band

but doesn't the cb come with 2 necks? are they different somehow?

are they better than the new g1 neck?

[huskyman]

I went through this earlier this year. Exact same horns as well. Heres what I found

1) With that G1 neck....the YAS-62 takes more work but has a more centered sound. I like the CBall's free-blowing power.

2) I played lead in my high schools jazz band and with the local city college jazz band (SBCC, we rock) and it is perfect for playing lead. Our lead player last year was on a yas-62 and had trouble projecting but he did have a nice clear tone, he was on an RPC-95F mouthpiece. I've many people come up to me including the teacher of my jazz band at high school, the teacher at the City College, and the lead tenor who is another teacher and who just amazing say that this Cannonball was the right horn for me.

3) The cannonball has got soul man. Thats what music is about. Its so versitle with a huge low end and wonderful harmonics. The Yamaha is so striaght and just eh....

4) This is the least important, but yes, it looks freakin awesome

So yea thats my story...im playing on the A1-BS, nickle plate with silver keys....and just 2 days ago started playin around with an otto link 5 or 6 i think...the facing has rubbed off haha..but yea man...if u got any questions email me at Iguanojohn@aol.com
hoped this helped