R&C R1 Silver-plate

[goodsax]

I guess I'm the newest member of the R&C R1 alto club having recently received Brice's heavy silver-plated R1. I'm favorably impressed with the power of this sax and now know what Brice was referring to with regard to the big bore placing more of a demand on wind control (chops). I'm also concerned about keeping it looking nice since the silver plating is not covered by clear lacquer like some of the other modern silver horns, and I've been used to gold lacquer saxes 'til now. I'm taking it to my weekly community concert band rehearsal tonight and expect some raised eyebrows from the other sax section members when they see it. None of them play silver saxes, and this is the first one I've brought to the party.

I'll be monitoring this topic area for more impressions of the R&C R1 series saxes and will be ready to share my experiences with this R1 if anyone is interested.

[Randall]

Looking forward to hearing about it!

[goodsax]

Looking forward to hearing about it!

So far, it's better than you might have expected based on your earlier report with regard to the R1. After using it at last night's concert band rehearsal, I can tell you it's a keeper. The tone was significantly darker and more easily controlled than my others, and even elicited a complement from the picky sax section leader whose strong guidance has included that not just I, but everyone, use at least a 3 or 3-1/2 cane reed (I normally play a 2-1/2) for improved tone and intonation control, regardless of the mouthpiece being used. We all had to fill out a form last night indicating our brand and model sax, brand and model mouthpiece, and same for ligs and reeds, as if this might affect, if not determine, our group status. The director's music PhD wife, whose primary instrument is percussion, even recommend I change from Alexander Superials to Vandoren V16 reeds, not because she heard me play, but because she believes V16s are better for everyone. I was in shock. If I told them I occasionally use Fibracells, I might have been ejected on the spot. But, this is getting off topic, so I'll cease and desist.

[Dave Dolson]

Rob: Interesting post . . . at our age, I'm amazed that anyone has the huevos to order ANYTHING about the equipment we choose. A band director may have the authority to tell us how we sound and what the director wants, but not HOW we achieve the goal. I hope you tell this person what you play and to accept it. DAVE

[goodsax]

Rob: Interesting post . . . at our age, I'm amazed that anyone has the huevos to order ANYTHING about the equipment we choose. A band director may have the authority to tell us how we sound and what the director wants, but not HOW we achieve the goal. I hope you tell this person what you play and to accept it. DAVE

Better than that, I put it in writing. The young lady section leader has been with the director since the beginning of the band and is an CSUF alumnus, as is the director. Do the math, so-to-speak. It's a stacked deck.

[JMac]

Was this a community band or communist band? We respect your right for individualism so long as you conform to our beliefs :dazed: . It's one thing if your set up is such that you cannot blend, but....

[goodsax]

Was this a community band or communist band? We respect your right for individualism so long as you conform to our beliefs :dazed: . It's one thing if your set up is such that you cannot blend, but....

It's a community band, but the performance quality has improved so much over the past three years that the director is pushing his section leaders to squeeze harder. His wife, the director's, indicated they thought my tone was excellent for jazz, but needed to be, I don't know, more sterile and darker, to be more like they want in their concert band. My shift to the R&C R1 silver-plate was timely in that it seems to have achieved what the Buescher 400 could not: sound more legit. I blend well enough that I'm getting Alto I parts for the more difficult pieces, and I'm not really concerned about that. My concern is the arrogance mixed with obvious ignorance behind the insistence that I change to a stiffer reed. They obviously don't read this forum. Additionally, the director's main ax is trumpet and his wife's is percussion, and they both try to tell sax players what equipment/setup is best for them. :roll:

[txsphere]

I play a Rampone R1 Jazz tenor in gold plate (I did not want to take care of the silver so I spent the extra money).

With my silver Tibbs mouthpiece and a Alexander Superial Classique reed this horn gives me both a thick Gordon like jazz sound AND an amazingly dark resonant classical sound. Maybe it is my back ground as a legit clarinet player but the Rampone really lends itself to a classic sound.

If you are already not playing Classiques making the switch will really darken you up and moving to a harder reed will also end any comments about your tone. Just remember you are going to have to work into the harder reed over time and with some long tone practice. If that does not shut your director up hand him your horn and ask him to demonstrate the sound he wants.

[Sigmund451]

Yes, Id say Classiques are a good one to try. Dont try a 3.5 or a 3, they are graded on the heavy side. a 2 is about equal to most jazz reeds rated at 3. I play 2s but in Javas I play 3. Its pretty close to the same hardness. When I dont want the buzz the classique presents a warm beautiful singing tone. Very pure.

[Captain Beeflat]

Do they also dictate the colour of your underwear? Perhaps the drummer will tell you the correct key!
Evidently the Gestapo lives on.......
Have you thought of scratching out the "2 1/2" from your favourite reed & writing "5" with a marker pen?

[goodsax]

Do they also dictate the colour of your underwear? Perhaps the drummer will tell you the correct key!
Evidently the Gestapo lives on.......
Have you thought of scratching out the "2 1/2" from your favourite reed & writing "5" with a marker pen?Since this thread started, I've changed horns, mouthpieces, ligs and gone to a #3 reed, thus avoiding the need to scratch out the strength number on the reed. As for dictating colors, there is a rather strict dress code for performances, but that's to be expected. How ironic your drummer comment, the director's wife is the lead percussionist, a PhD in music who teaches at a local community college. And, she just might tell us the correct key. :D