Need Help, with which finish i should get.

[barfdog17]

Hi there, Im looking into buying a R1 Jazz tenor, and 3k really should be my budget cap, but is there any huge difference between the silver and the gold plating, and what does satin look like compared to polished. I like to have a sound that is nice and dark at times, but also can be cutting when needed.
Thanks a lot

[jjgold]

you know I don't know that the finish, so to say makes a diference. I do think that the heavy plating does add some nuances to the sound since you made the body thicker. I think their may be a difference between the Jazz and the straight R1. The Jazz has I think a copper in it. If money is your issue. I think the R1 Jazz in vintage heavy silver plate is probably a killer fit. i have the Vintage 24k Alto. I do not like the shiny finish. I think it looks tacky. Just my opinion.

[barfdog17]

the 24k gold though, its like lead, you can dent it with a fingernail, so i am kinda soft (pardon the pun) on that issues, but how does the silver hold up to tarnish ? Because my old true tone is almost black

[pepesax]

Interesting discussion.
I own a customized heavy gold R1 Jazz with sandblasted body and gold plated (not laquered) keywork and bell. Well, you can have a look by yourself: http://web.tiscali.it/pepesax/ .
I think the sound is maybe just slightly affected by the finish. Mine is a tiny bit edgier than the full vintage gold and just a little darker and softer than the silver plated, but thickness and layers of copper are practically identical. The heavy gold finish in body and keywork is significantly easier to clean than the sandblasted, I think it is mostly a matter of personal taste in what they actually look.
I find the finish of my R1 Jazz just the perfect fit for a work of art...
:wink:

[bkiser]

Actually, the regular polished heavy gold-plate horn looks like a regular lacquered horn for the most part, but has added depth and color. Not the least bit tacky in my mind! :) No matter which horn you choose, I suspect you will be quite happy with the horn.!

[barfdog17]

any issues of the gold being too soft, and being chipped, or anything of that ilk? Also how does the silver hold up to tarnish?

[Santee>]

I'm really happy w/the bright silver plate finish they did on my R1 soprano (see photo below). Once I get back into tenor playing more (expecting to early 2005), I'll have my R1 Jazz tenor finished, which will be black nickel plated w/rose gold plated keys.

I'm not going to be doing ANY tenor playing for several months due to the approximately 7" x 3" section removed from my left collar bone area. Just way too much stress on that area to be playing a tenor! (more info on my surgeries at the "Saxophone Lifestyle" section).

Gold is great, but the shine that the "bright" (not antiqued) silver plate finish they do is sooooooooo beautiful!!! (see below! :) )

God Bless,

Aaron ><>
www.aaronsantee.com
www.shammah-fusion.com

http://www.aaronsantee.com/Santee-Rampone-side-look.jpg

[okami]

Does the silver sound brighter and sharper than the gold finish? Is the black lacquered finish also available for the semi-curved soprano? Which finish lasts for the longest time?

[Santee>]

silver's got a little more edge than gold. I know they can make black saxes, my tenor that's currently being made, but on hold for now, will be black nickel plated. I don't know exactly what that finish will cost folx, or if it will be regularly available, but check w/them and see :)

God Bless,

Aaron ><>
www.aaronsantee.com
www.shammah-fusion.com
http://www.aaronsantee.com/Santee-WebsiteBook-Link.gif

[gary]

Nah, Aaron, you handsome dog, you. The finish's got nothin' to do with´the sound. Now about the mouthpiece, though; that's somethin' different.

The blue mpc gives it a, well, bluesy sound.
The red mpc a fiery quality.
And the darkest sound of all comes from the black mpc.

So you see folks, forget everything about finish. It's the color of the mpc that makes all the difference in the world. :mrgreen:

[Sigmund451]

Gary, that must explain why horns or mouthpieces with the finish comming off of them offere a much more varied pallette 8-)

[wyliecoyote]

Nah, Aaron, you handsome dog, you. The finish's got nothin' to do with´the sound. Now about the mouthpiece, though; that's somethin' different.

The blue mpc gives it a, well, bluesy sound.
The red mpc a fiery quality.
And the darkest sound of all comes from the black mpc.

So you see folks, forget everything about finish. It's the color of the mpc that makes all the difference in the world. :mrgreen:


Such arguments for and against what alters sound quality of instruments have been going on probably since "Eve" - look at the arguments about "Strads"....

From accoustical engineers ....large instruments such as Bass/Bari's/Tenors will show some tonal quality change, testing has shown low tones are perceptibly altered by what the instrument is made of...smaller higher pitched instruments little to no perceptible effect.....
But then again, some of these "sound engineers" insist that saxes don't vibrate when played, and that's a crock...so take it all with a grain of sodium...
My choice would be the gold finish....:)

[Morry]

I've seen several reports on here before about the gold plating "flaking" off of relatively new horns. Just an FYI.

[Stan]

Nah, Aaron, you handsome dog, you. The finish's got nothin' to do with´the sound. Now about the mouthpiece, though; that's somethin' different.

The blue mpc gives it a, well, bluesy sound.
The red mpc a fiery quality.
And the darkest sound of all comes from the black mpc.

So you see folks, forget everything about finish. It's the color of the mpc that makes all the difference in the world. :mrgreen:

Oh My God!!! I have a BROWN one!!!! :D

Stan