Older Pro Cannonball

[Mark5047]

Does anyone have any information to share regarding the older professional Cannonball saxophones? Specifically the Royal Crown and Knight series. I realize they won't be as nice as the big bell, but I have to believe they are better than a lot of the other Asian stuff of their time.
I already read the one unfavorable review that was posted earlier, however, that seems to be pertaining to a student level horn.
Thanks!!

[Randall]

Mark, I have the 98 model alto in copper plate that is absolutely the alto of choice for me. I play this horn over the following altos that I own:
A Selmer Ref, a Selmer Millenium Series III, A JK SX90 straight and a B&S Medusa (the Medusa is a close call however....).
Also, I have let many pro players (all MK VI players) play my 98 and they ALL, without exception are impressed and ask me to sell them my horn on the spot. It is that good....
Now that is how it plays....
There are some issues with the horn:
It has some mechanical sloppiness in the table key that I had to get worked on. The key milling is a little rough in places- nothing you can notice by touch, but a repairman will spot this when working on the horn and examining the keys a little more closely.
The pearls seem to be plastic, but I am not sure.

Aside from that I cannot see any other negatives.

I played a 98 tenor Mad Meg model that I could not give as nearly a glowing report about. From my experience, the 98 alto is THE horn, but the tenor left a little to be desired.
The horns you are asking about I have found few reports on.....perhaps you should go to the Yahoo group that is devoted to Cannonball saxes? THey exchange a lot of info there.....

[Mark5047]

Randy,

Thanks a lot for the information. I will go to the other site and post as well.
If anyone else has additional information I would sure appreciate it!

[Mark5047]

Well, I can now answer my own question - the Royal Crown tenor seems to be a fairly decent horn. I am using it with a Link 'Tone Edge' (a 5 if it matters) and for the very reasonable price I got it for I am satisfied. Snappy keywork, decent intonation. It sounds louder than my "French Engineer" Laval tenor (still amazed at how well the Laval plays, downside is soft keywork - need to re-adjust it fairly often)

I know the lure of the GAS fairy will be calling soon, and the quest for the ultimate tenor goes on... for now though, I am satisfied.
Oh yeah, one more thing - I LOVE the black nickel / gold keywork.

[CashSax]

I bought (stole) a Royal Crown Silver straight Sop a couple yrs back from a store dumping stock..I like it for what it is..good tone and hasn't fallen apart..silverplate still looks killer too, interesting early CBall simple hand engraving NOT lazer..

btw,I play a Silverplate Series III for my main working Sop and I've taken the wrong Horn to the gig twice already because they look so much alike :oops: