Steve Goodson Tenor Review

[Fun Bun]

I've had my Goodson Tenor for 4 days now and I still think this is the greatest saxophone on the planet!

Intonation
The thing about this horn is that you don't have to work so hard. I nfact today after jaz ensemble the lead tenor player was showing me some Pentatonic lick. It started on F#3. He was so sharp that it sounded like I was wasn't using my High F#sharp key. I checked It on the tuner. I was dead on. He was out to lunch. In fact, today in jazz ensemble I think I was the only guy playing in tune. I'm not trying to be a butt hole. But every on in the section plays Selmers. Which means they all have the same intonation problems. If the first alto plays C#2 it's gonna be 20 cents sharp. The Goodson horn plays it in tune because of the High Note Compesation key. Even though I'm in tune, I sound flat compared to the 20 cent sharp first alto player. It was quite a pleasant suprise!

Response
The low range pops like crazy! Once again you don't have to work so hard! You can pop out Low Bb ppppp with great ease! Also, G2 and A2 are not stuffy like on other horns. D2 is jus ta s advertised. It is just a full as every other note on the horn.

Tone
I got the Goatskin/Noyek config. becuase this was going to be my main jazz horn. The tone is much more even throughout the range. My old Yani. Had a different sound in every range. Low range was stuffy unresponsive, Mid range could be overblown easily. High range sound like you were skinning a cat. The Goodson horn sounds like the same horn no matter the range.

Altissimo
I haven't had a chance to sit and work through the new fingerings for the altissimo range yet. but from the fingering I have figured out, the altisimo really does shout. I need to spend more time adjusting the front F key and the new figering before I can give any details

Look
The horn just plain looks good. I've got the vintage laq. It really is top quality craftsmanship. not some el cheapo job.

Feel
Finally, a horn that feels right! I'm 6 feet 2 inches tall. It's been hard for me to find a horn that feels good to my hands. The horn just fits my hands properly. The roller on the Front F key is much more efficient than the Tear drop. You don't even have to lift your finger it just rolls up there.

Conclusions
I think Goodson has stumbled onto something as profound as when the Mark 6 was introduced. Lots of guys talk about the Ref. 54. IT's a good horn but it seem that the first thing people due is buy a a new neck. They pas $4,000 for a horn that doesn't play as well as it should and pay hundreds more to make it pay as it should. That it a crying shame. The Goodson horn is doesn't need all that non sense. It already got Goodson's tricks built into the horn. Forget the Big 4, its time to call it the Fabulous 5 8)

[Hornlip]

So, I think what you're saying is, that you think it's a pretty good horn, right??

:wink:

[Fun Bun]

Yeah, it's a great horn :D The cool thing is that a lot of the features on the horn seam so simple. Like double arms on the low Keys. Non sticking G# keys. I don't know why The Big 4 couldn't sit down one afternoon and put a non sticking G3 mechanism on their horns. I know Keilwerth is doing it but. what about the double arm. Yani has double arms but what about non sticking G3? It doesn't seem that any of the Big 4 care about building saxophones for professional musicians. Ref 54 is a great sounding horn but you gotta go get new neck for the thing to blow freely. The Goodson horn is very pragmatic. To me the Big Four are offeringthe same old thing. These new Yamaha, although I have not played them, they still are limited to the two octave vent system. It's like a three legged race horse. It just isn't gonna get the job done. A Race horse need four legs.

[Fun Bun]

Just got done with my first gig on my Goodson tenor. This the first time I have played a solo and did not have to worry about the horn. I could concentrate soley on the music. I know I keep saying the same thing over and over but this horn is so easy to play!

[Morry]

Damon, I'd like to drive down from B'ham sometime and take a look at one in person. Maybe I could buy you lunch at Dreamland, if you'd bring the horn along to show me. :)

[Stacey]

OK, so now I know where Grandpa's inheritance money is going (Grandpa passed away 8 years ago - I'm not wishing for his demise, or anything!).

But gee, with $4500 to blow, I can get the tenor I want and still have almost 1000 left over... maybe that will allow me to do the minor repairs my Mk7 alto needs, and the unknown repairs my C-melody still needs.

It's good to see some real reviews of production Goodson horns finally. I've been reading about prototype testing and design evolution for far too long!

[Dr G]

In fact, today in jazz ensemble I think I was the only guy playing in tune. I'm not trying to be a butt hole. But every on in the section plays Selmers. Which means they all have the same intonation problems. If the first alto plays C#2 it's gonna be 20 cents sharp.

Well, if your section isn't playing in tune, they either don't care or they aren't listening! There have been more than a few sections before the advent of the Goodson horns that have played in tune. It's been said here before, "It ain't the horn, it's the player!"

Even if you have a great horn that's right on the money, you have to listen 'cause, guess what, if everyone else is together, YOU are the one out of tune.

But, hey, I don't want to rain reality on your parade, Fun Bun, I think it's great that you found a horn that tickles you. Enjoy!

:borg:

[Fun Bun]

Dr. G. You right I still have to listen and make adjustments. Its my job to playinto the first alto player's sound. An yes, there is at least one person in the section who doesn't care about playing in tune (2nd alto). The lead alto player just switched from a Mark VI to a Series 2. So when you consider 1st alto and 2nd tenor with new horns. And a 2nd alto player that doesn't give a flip. . . :(

This really is the horn I've been looking for. I just got back from sitting a quartet tonight and again he horn just got out of my way. I was able to concentrate on making music instead of fight the saxophone. :)

[Lee]

I've been in the Big Easy the last three days enjoing Jazz Fest and the Quarter. I had the pleasure of lisenting to a high school Jazz band from California in Beinville Square this afternoon. The sax section consisted of 1 baritone, 4 altos and 2 tenors. They all played different brands of horns but they stayed well in tune, (young high school kids) I saw the same thing with the many bands during the entire weekend. No doubt the new SG Unison is a suberb horn but I think it still rests on the players abilities.

[David B]

May 6 and still funbun is only review I see of these horns. Do they really exist or is this all just a dream. I know Steve has alot of stuff going on but I pre-ordered a horn in November with an estimated arrival ( as told by Steve ) of January or February.

I have sent Steve 2 e-mails and left 2 messages but haven't heard a thing. Steve, I know you've had a rough couple of months and I know sometimes there are manufacturing and shipping delays, but I assume you have other people working for you. Those of us pre-orders waiting patiently out here would just appreciate some kind of contact to let us know what is happening. If there are delays beyond your control, just let us know....we'll understand.....but no contact or word in 5 months is hard to understand.

If anyone else is feeling the same please respond. Or if I'm being a jerk let me know that too and I'll shut my pie-hole.

Thanks.

[Stacey]

I have NEVER gotten a good sound out of a Steve Goodson horn. :evil:

Then again, I have never gotten a BAD sound out of a Steve Goodson horn. :D

Come to think of it, I've never yet gotten to play one at all... :cry:

My day will come, eventually. I'm going to order a satin silver tenor with the kangaroo pads and the dome resonators.

[Morry]

If you want to have it in your possession by the end of your lifetime, you might want to get that order in ASAP. ;-)

[Brice B.]

David B. and others...

no, I don't think you're being a jerk. You and I are in the same boat, except that I already payed for my horn and still no sign of it. I sold my horn to pay for this one, so I'm really in need of the SG. I basically want to send Steve the same message that David did. I really want to support Steve in his trying times, so I'm trying to be patient. But I've left a lot of unanswered emails and such, and I just need to know how much longer i have to wait (gigs and such that require a good working horn...).

I want everything to work out for Steve and support his business, but I need a clue as to what is going on. Hope this all makes sense...

[Brice B.]

FunBun, I'm also curious to find out what type of case the Goodson came in if you get a chance to reply.

[Stacey]

Morry,

Grandpa lived to be 102, so I have a good chance of living to see a Goodson tenor (I'm 36). LOL

I've got my order in. Not through Steve personally (because of his present situation of "swamp-ed-ness"), but through another "dealer of quality Unison instruments, including the new Steve Goodson model horns". I'm in no hurry, as I have MBA classes that will keep me too busy to play much until about Christmas.

[Brice B.]

Fun Bun,

I'm still wondering what type of case accompanied the horn. Also, did you like the SR mouthpiece that came with it?

[Fun Bun]

I got the standard case not the Road Avil case. The case is black with a Chubby Checker silver, black, and white colored case cover. The Runyons had not come in at that time so I need to pick that up later. I've been using my JVW Otto Link.

[Brice B.]

Is the horn still holding up pretty good?

[Fun Bun]

Yup. I've play several gigs on it now. I'm getting used to the horn and the voicing and intonation and it's still a lot easier to play this horn than any other. I had to adjust the Bb merchanism a little but it's holding up. The guys in the section now realize what a great horn this is because my tone is much better. The lead tenor guy struggles with altissimo. He can play it but he has to fight the horn to get it out. I just don't have to fight this horn. All I need to do now is practice 8) .

This is the only I've played that has given me the sound I wanted. I've played a Mark VI, Series 2, and Yanagisawa 991 and none of them give me the tone I'm looking for. The VI is only thing that came close but close isn't good enough. I imagine a Mark VI with Goodsons upgrades would be great but the cost of buying a VI at $4,000+ then paying Goodson $1,000+ to turn it into a Super VI is staggering. It's cheaper just to buy his horn with all the stuff built into it.

[dragan32]

I think Steve is doing us a great service by producing this horn. Guys that can't tell the difference between a great Selmer MKVI & a real good Tawainese horn.

Those cats can use thier $$ to buy the new Unisons & be happy with them, they dont really need to be buying up the Selmers, therefore leaving them for the rest of us who need, love & rely upon them for our artistry.

Thanks Steve!!

[MonchMan]

I still think Selmers are HIGHLY Over rated, Just my 2 cents :idea:

The Unison Steve Goodsons are the closest to a Vintage Conn or Martin I have heard.

[Fun Bun]

I hear ya, MonchMan.

[tonyg]

It would be nice just to be able to play test one of these, then more players could give input. No word on where the new horns are, what shops, etc. Will all of the Unison dealers carry the SG horns.
So many questions......

[Fun Bun]

http://www.unisonsaxophone.com/whosells.html

The list of dealers is on Unison's website.

[ALVEGASAX]

Well, if your section isn't playing in tune, they either don't care or they aren't listening! There have been more than a few sections before the advent of the Goodson horns that have played in tune. It's been said here before, "It ain't the horn, it's the player!"

Even if you have a great horn that's right on the money, you have to listen 'cause, guess what, if everyone else is together, YOU are the one out of tune.

But, hey, I don't want to rain reality on your parade, Fun Bun, I think it's great that you found a horn that tickles you. Enjoy!

:borg:





.....that's what I call a "sax clinician" with good humor ,but with a big attitude. To the point,but very funny G-man.
8-) :disgust: :disgust: :crybaby: :glasses1: :glasses7:
:walk: :