Cannonball Big Bell

[Saxer]

A few months back I purchased a new Cannonball Big Bell tenor its a Mad Meg T1. I looked over all the post on this forum concerning these horns. I added up the the positive, and negative comments. My results ..... 7.1 out of ten comments were positive. I also noted that 1.7 of the negative comments came form those who had herd it from a ummmmm good source like his brother inlaws uncles cousin, and had never really tried out the horn or just has a thing about Tiawan :-)
I owned two Tiawan horns.... I am ashamed to mention the name, as well as a Yam 52 that I leased for a year. The Yam was a good solid horn that played well ....maybe a bit on the bright side for me. A great horn, but it never really amazed me. The first time I tried the Big Bell I was in love. Is there any real meaning to this post hehehe when you find the right horn you will know it, and your right horn might not be the other guys right horn. I use a Link Metal 8* with a Rico Jazz Select Medium Hard for Blues and Jazz......When I want to Rock the house I use a Jody Jazz 8 with spoiler and a Java 3......

[TMadness1013]

Nice! Thanks for sharing...

I'd argue till the day I die that the Cannonball's are the most under-rated saxes out there on the market today!

Hope you continue enjoying your big bell

[JFulkerson]

I would agree with all of the statements made about Cannonball saxophones. It's not that they are underrated...they just haven't been around long enough to develop a "Selmer-esque" reputation.

I bought a Cannonball Soprano in 1998 when the brand was still very new. I was in high school and didn't have anyone play on it before I bought it. My band director and private studio teacher chastised me tremendously for buying an instrument named "Cannonball" and warned me that it would likely be a very crummy instrument. They made fun of me for a few years until the brand began to become popular with serious musicians.

Now, I'm a band director myself and have been a private studio teacher for a while also. I'm laughing hard because I knew I was right and they were wrong. Cannonball is a fantastic brand of saxophone and I think the appearance is dynamite and makes kids WANT to practice.

[lawmans yani]

Just passed saturday night i was at jam session and bumped into a guy playing a Big Bell cannonball T-Sax. Guys and Ladies it was sweet sounding from top to bottom. But I'm telling you it weight more than my Mark-7 Selmer. :?

[Saxer]

I am really starting to get the feel for my Mad Meg, but yes it does feel like a brick around the neck after a 3 or 4 hour gig. I think I will get use to it in time.... :-)

[Bar-Ron]

I haven't bought one yet, but was curious after reading your reviews and others. We have a local dealer that sells them so I went down today to check them out.
I brought my Buffet super dynaction and a Hite Artist mps with me and had a blast.
I tried a Gold lacquered tenor with a silver bell , big bell.
Awesome look and feel. Nice stone key touches.
Good projection and responsive.
Slightly "thicker"? sound than Buffet and played into altissimo with some ease. Smooth sounding I think. Built sturdy too.
Will need to spend more time and another comparison. Hopefully can go down with "The Martin" and use a Morgan on it this weekend.
My initial feeling is ......I want to sell my Buffet ...............................

[Saxer]

One thing that always amazes me about owning a Big Bell.....when you show up at a jam session .....the others always want to try it out, and never want to give it back regardless of what horn they own. A smooth full tone from top to bottom. I have played so many horns that seem to go thin at the top end. I can do smooth jazz with my metal Link no.8 or put on my Jody Jazz no. 8, and cut through those damed Marshall amps I always seem to up against. :-)