jjgold
11-12-2004, 02:17 AM
Ok. Here is how all this started. I have a SX-90 Bari. Killer horn but when I play longer than an hour my right hand gets a bit sore. So I have been thinking of trying something new. Problem is that I think the SX-90 Bari is the Best Modern Bari made and I need the low A (so a vintage Bb horn is outta the ?). Anyhow I have been hearing little voices in my head (not really) about these Rampones and how James Carter is playing them and some other cats. I bought that one that was for sale in the "for sale" section.
WOW! What A KILLER horn that Bari is. I think I liked it better than my SX-90. Problem is that I was told it was the R1 Jazz and it was only the R1. Also, I hated the flash plating. Well I thought maybe I ought to give this R1 Jazz Bari a run. But, nobody knows anything about these damn horns. So it was either wait and keep getting arthritis or buy one w/o playing it for like $6k. :oops:
Well my decision was to buy the Alto. Less at risk and if it was as good as I am hearing than I will sell my current alto (a late 60's Superba 1 that is now the second best alto I have owned). So my purchase options were either Saxophone UK. or Saxforte. Why buy overseas when I can get the same horn here and support the states. But it is more than just that. Matt Aaron at SaxForte was VERY helpful. He did NOT tell me how great the horn was. (It seems like the music business is littered with snake oil salesman who tell you how great you will be on this or that. not that I ever listened.) What he did do was had some good conversations with me and finally said you know I think you would really dig this horn.
Well I got the horn today. I have opened many sax cases of horns I have tried and purchased in the past. But, this was the FIRST time I ever was really just blown away from the horn. The Vintage Heavy Gold Platinging is beautiful. It is almost like who cares how it plays look at the way it looks. i want to buy the bari and tenor to display as art. These things are very different creatures. I have owned almost every sax new and used (VI, Cannonball, Top Hat, The Martin, Super 20, 992, SX-90, 6M, Couf, Series III, and II, and many I can't remember). The richness and complexity of sound is nothing I can remember hearing. Plus you can get that VI type buzz (like that Maceo Thing or the Fat Meat of Cannonball in the same breath.) It is almost too loud but has a something to the sound that is pleasing to the ear. That is one of the problems I found in the New Borgani. I thought it was kinda neat but the sound was just loud and almost aesthetically annoying. Plus, I was not too hapy with the fit and finsh of the Borg, it almost felt cheap.
Well with the Rampone, you can tell that there were live hands that went into this thing and it just feels crafted(?).
The altssimo was the best I have played. I can usually go to C4. Mostly with the same fingereing just do it with my throat. This horn was effortless. I need to spend some more time with it. But you may tell I am enjoying the experience. I will report more when I get fully acclimated with it. Uh, anyone want to buy a Couf Alto? :oops:
WOW! What A KILLER horn that Bari is. I think I liked it better than my SX-90. Problem is that I was told it was the R1 Jazz and it was only the R1. Also, I hated the flash plating. Well I thought maybe I ought to give this R1 Jazz Bari a run. But, nobody knows anything about these damn horns. So it was either wait and keep getting arthritis or buy one w/o playing it for like $6k. :oops:
Well my decision was to buy the Alto. Less at risk and if it was as good as I am hearing than I will sell my current alto (a late 60's Superba 1 that is now the second best alto I have owned). So my purchase options were either Saxophone UK. or Saxforte. Why buy overseas when I can get the same horn here and support the states. But it is more than just that. Matt Aaron at SaxForte was VERY helpful. He did NOT tell me how great the horn was. (It seems like the music business is littered with snake oil salesman who tell you how great you will be on this or that. not that I ever listened.) What he did do was had some good conversations with me and finally said you know I think you would really dig this horn.
Well I got the horn today. I have opened many sax cases of horns I have tried and purchased in the past. But, this was the FIRST time I ever was really just blown away from the horn. The Vintage Heavy Gold Platinging is beautiful. It is almost like who cares how it plays look at the way it looks. i want to buy the bari and tenor to display as art. These things are very different creatures. I have owned almost every sax new and used (VI, Cannonball, Top Hat, The Martin, Super 20, 992, SX-90, 6M, Couf, Series III, and II, and many I can't remember). The richness and complexity of sound is nothing I can remember hearing. Plus you can get that VI type buzz (like that Maceo Thing or the Fat Meat of Cannonball in the same breath.) It is almost too loud but has a something to the sound that is pleasing to the ear. That is one of the problems I found in the New Borgani. I thought it was kinda neat but the sound was just loud and almost aesthetically annoying. Plus, I was not too hapy with the fit and finsh of the Borg, it almost felt cheap.
Well with the Rampone, you can tell that there were live hands that went into this thing and it just feels crafted(?).
The altssimo was the best I have played. I can usually go to C4. Mostly with the same fingereing just do it with my throat. This horn was effortless. I need to spend some more time with it. But you may tell I am enjoying the experience. I will report more when I get fully acclimated with it. Uh, anyone want to buy a Couf Alto? :oops: