Taken the Rampone Plunge

[jjgold]

Well, I just ordered the R1 Jazz Vintage w/ 24 Heavy Gold Alto. It is more curiosity than anything. I did have a R1 Bari (no jazz) in flash gold. I loved the horn and almost kept it. I did not like the flash plating looked just laquered. It spoke BETTER in the middle section than my Sx-90 Black Nickel. One of the better known college professors/teacher, horn players here in Detroit just bought the tenor and told me in an email that it was an incredible horn. Also, I am getting tired of waiting for you cats to post more messages in this area. This is about the only alto I have not owned or tried yet. :oops:

[Captain Beeflat]

:D Jjgold.
In my experience you will not regret your brave decision - after nine months with my R1 Tenor, also bought without trial, it would require plastic surgery to remove the smile from my face or the horn from my hands; & I have owned & played Selmers, Conns, Yamaha 62, Bueschers, Kings et al. At a gig last evening a guitarist! commented on the superb & varied voice of my R&C,...regards.......Bb.

[Randall]

Don't intend to rain on the R&C lovefest parade of late, but ....the latest R&C horns I played were at the Saxofoonwinkel in the Netherlands about 2 year ago...a soprano, alto and a tenor...and I was not impressed in the least. As a matter of fact, they were fairly dreadful (and in adjustment, I might add).
Have they changed so much in the last 2 years or is this R1 a different model produced within the last year?

[jjgold]

The New model is the R1 Jazz. Actually Randall, I am blaming you specifically for the new purchase. I was fishing for your email to ask about the Medusa Bari and could not find you. :lol: You are the first I have found who did not like the horns. Which makes sense cause I am sure they will not appeal to everyone. I like your insight though.

[Randall]

Hi jj...so the R1 jazz is a newly released horn...interesting.
I would like to give it a try too...and this new Borgani.
Ihad an old Bogani soprano that was pretty good....so I am always up for a newer horn to toot.... :o
So are you going to or did you want to get a Medusa bari?

Don't you have a BB soprano for sale now too? Or am I mistaking you for someone else....

senility is a terrible thing :roll:

[jjgold]

Nope..you got the right guy. I have the Big Bell for sale. KILLER and I do Mean KILLER little horn. Second one I owned. I just can't get into the soprano sound. I am mostly a Bari Player. I have a SX-90 Low A in BLK NCKL. LOVE IT But, After playing a little while my right hand has a tendency to bother me. I have never had this on any other horn. So, I have decided to check other horns out. I had the Rampone R1 Bari. Great Horn but flash plating looks cheap. The R1 Jazz has copper in the alloy of the horn. I just can't imagine a tenor better than my 47' The Martin. How is that Medusa v. SX-90?

[Randall]

Hi jj...lets talk a little more privately about the BB...
The Medusa vs the SX90R...anyone for apples and oranges?

That is a weird one....

I am playing the following tenors in some sort of rotation:
The SS Medusa, Buescher TH&C, JK SX90R straight and the Ref 54 with a SS Series III neck.
All 4 are killers and all 4 are the apples of my eye for differing reasons.
I honestly couldn't tell you to choose the Medusa over the JK or vice versa, because I honestly can't.

So I am left with the old mental challenge: If I had to choose just ONE, which one would it be?

Today I would say, "Medusa". But I have often wavered between it and the TH&C.

Ask me tomorrow..... :lol:

[jjgold]

i guess I should of clarified. BARI...Medusa v. SX-90. With respect to tenor, I may buy the Rampone for fun but will NEVER part with my The Martin. What is your email?

[Randall]

Got it...Ihaven't gotten to try the Medusa bari yet...but I have a feeling I would really like it...I haven't played a pro B&S that I didn't like an awful lot.
The SX90R bari is a monster though....and I use it and a SBA Bb bari alternately....love that SBA too!

my addy is ranran at gol dot com.