Diffrences in sx90r finishes

[Chris]

Hi,
can somebody tell me the differences in sound... of a silver, black, normal gold, vintage gold, silver nickel sx90(r) horn.
Which do you prefer?

[Mitch A]

ZERO. Unless you think silver sounds shiny and black sounds dark. The differences in the sound of various finishes is so slight.... change your reed for more of a change in sound.

[Morry]

That is probably true. Although I did just order an SX90R alto in dark gold lacquer - mainly because it looked cool. 8)

[Dr G]

Wow, I thought the only reason to buy a JK was to get the cool black nickel w/ gold lacquer keys. Good for you, Morry, for getting a horn that looks like a sax should. That's exactly the real reason I bought a Ref 36 (well, that, and I like everything else about it too).

We'll be waiting for the gushing reviews. Congrats!

[Morry]

I had planned to get the vintage gold finish on my new tenor also, but I fell in love with a plain lacquer SX90R tenor here in B'ham, so I bought it instead. I thought I'd go ahead and get the dark gold on the alto. In the vintage gold and oversized bell, the alto really has an old time look to it.

http://www.usahorn.com/alto/sx90Rndl-a.jpg

Can't wait for it to get here from Stephan Boesken.

[Subtone Sam]

I have to disagree here.I have played all JK finishes except vintage gold and there are differences in sound between the finishes,not huge but noticeable differences.

[Ritchie]

I agree to Subtone Sam, there are differences. They are not like day and night, but you will notice them if you play different finishes side by side. Try to make a blindfold test, having someone handing you the instrument while you are not looking at it. It is important that you do not look at the finish while you test, even wine testers can be fooled and describe artificially coloured white wine using the typical attributes for red wine if what is in their glasses looks red...

[Morry]

So if you want a dark tone, maybe before the gig starts you should tell everybody you'll be playing a black nickel horn even if you aren't.

[Dr G]

"Just get a pair of cheap sunglasses" - ZZ Top

That'll darken your tone. 8)

[Morry]

I was actually going to get the "no F#" versions of both alto and tenor, but couldn't wait the 8 weeks for Stephan to get them in. Maybe I'll go that route when I spring for a straight JK alto.

"F#. We don't need no stinkin' F#".