Antigua Winds Power Bell Alto

[BebopRey]

Anyone have any experience with the Power Bell Alto from Antigua winds? Is it worth looking at? I have a 586BLQ from Kesslers and really like it, but do the altos play as well?

[hall3]

I would like to know the same thing. I am seriously looking into purchasing this instrument. It looks to be the best bang for the buck. If you bought this instrument, please, please, please reply. thanks!

D'Angelo.

[schneidt]

I played an Antigua alto (black nickel I believe) about 2 years ago and it wasn't bad. I liked the tone and the feel, but for me, the intonation just wasn't as good as the Yani 991 I also played the same day. (It was no worse than a 901 that I played) One thing I love about the soprano is the dead on intonation, if they could just get that in the tenors and altos, they would be killer horns. In my mind, they are 'there' with the sound and feel, but just need to get the intonation up to snuff.

[Canadiain]

The intonation on my 520LQ (not a power bell) is right on the money. I find the tone is more dependent on the mouthpiece used than anything else, its quite flexible, but always sounds "solid", good balance between the sound of the upper and lower registers. Certainly worth trying one, I'm very happy with mine.

[goodsax]

I had the same experience as Canadiain. My A520LQ alto had spot on intonation. I learned about Antigua's excellent alto intonation from Paul Coats who was playing a silver body, gold key A520SG(?) at the time and gave high marks for its intonation. Based on that, I bought one and he was right, as usual.

[schneidt]

Interesting observations. I tried the Antigua alto with a Morgan 8M. What mouthpieces are good with these horns? At the time I owned a Jupiter Artist alto, I felt the intonation tendencies were pretty similar. (Not surprising since they were both series II copies) Later on I traded up to a Ref 54 because I felt the intonation was an improvement over the Jupiter. (And the Ref 54 alto is one killer horn to boot, albeit much more expensive)

[goodsax]

I used a Meyer 6M most of the time with my Antigua 520LQ. I now have an Allora 502 alto (still can't afford a 54, and probably never will) and I'm using a Morgan 5M, Rovner lig and V16 2-1/2's on it.

[Canadiain]

What mouthpieces are good with these horns?
I havent decided yet between the Selmer S80 that came with my previously enjoyed 520, or my existing Metal Classic. Something to be said for both for a "classical" tone. The S80 is freer blowing, but not as focussed as the metal selmer.

It really is a question of personal tone preference though I would think, what I like you may hate, and vice versa.

[1stchair]

I JUST got one of these horns almost 4 days ago..Its great...The horn is really good intonation except on the middle C for me..But thats common on almost all the horns I've played(its probably just me). The horn plays really well and "Easy". The action is awesome on the horn so..The really good upside to it all is the looks..The horn is quite some eye candy..Let's face it, people that do not play insturments automatically think you can play good when they see a good looking horn..Can't beat a horn for the price,sound, and looks... :)

[dee-nice1969]

How are you liking your new powerbell now?

[1stchair]

The horn is GREAT...It's very easy to play..1st thing I noticed about the horn when I started playing it is the action..Its good and fast..I think the only downside to my horn that I have found is that the middle E plays stuffy and the f# key is harder to press than all the others..Im thinking that has something to do with the E playign stuffy..Im gonna get someone to look at it to make sure..Or I might just adujust some screws and see if thats helps..Other than that lil flaw the horn is GOOD GOOD GOOD..I never knew horns could make a difference in the altissimo register but the lower altissimo notes come out easier on my new horn..(g,g#,a) the rest are about the same though..On my old yamaha the g and g# were the hardest thing for me to get out but that problem is solved now.. :)

[dee-nice1969]

thanks, that makes my decision to buy one a lot easier.

[1stchair]

Hey..Doesn't kessler music offer trials ? I don't want you to buy a horn and not like it..Even thought its a great horn to me it may not be to you. I suggest to try the horn before you actually buy it. Thats what I did and I loved it!

later

[The A Train]

I found a PowerBell alto Black Crome W/24C Goldplate rods/keys on ebay advertised as 'like new' by a pawn shop out west. I got it for a bid of $500. It arrived this week. Wow..one of the best deals ever! There is not so much as a fingerprint on it and the case is also unmarked. The action and playability is just what I was looking for -a nice warm/mellow yet powerful sound and smooth/quick action. I'm mainly a tenor player, but I can't seem to put this sweet-sounding alto down..I think it would have been well worth it even if I had bought it new at full price...oh,..yeah..I almost forgot..have you seen these PBs? With full body & neck engraving there are few prettier.