JakeLampe
03-17-2005, 10:18 PM
Well, I ordered a Cannonball Soprano about 6 months ago, a "Mad Meg" finish and it arrived at Strait Music in Austin, TX about 3 days ago. I did not know at the time that the new stones series was replacing the big bell, and found out about 3 months into the order that I would be getting one of the very first new models!!
This horn plays extremely well, the new Stones series have in my opinion has improved palm keys, which are further out and a more natural fit. I have a "Big Bell Global Series" Tenor mad meg which I had to use cork to raise the palm keys to have a comfortable fit, and that is not necessary on this new soprano.
It has a high f# as well as a high g key, which both seem to play very well in tune.
The only adjustments I made since the horn has arrived was filing down the cork on the curved neck (haven't tried the straight one) and lightened the springs which effect the low b and low c# keys.
The g# key is the 'normal' way like a selmer alto/tenor ect..not the backwards hack job that appeared on some other companies models, but the Eb/low C key (right pinky) have a reversed pivot, but after an hour or so feel as natural as the normal style.
I also had a chance to try a "Stones" Tenor and Alto at TMEA in San Antonio, TX about a month or so back, and those both had the improved palm keys, but I didn't notice any other immediate improvements...
edit: btw, the horn is a straight soprano
Jake Lampe
www.jakelampe.com
This horn plays extremely well, the new Stones series have in my opinion has improved palm keys, which are further out and a more natural fit. I have a "Big Bell Global Series" Tenor mad meg which I had to use cork to raise the palm keys to have a comfortable fit, and that is not necessary on this new soprano.
It has a high f# as well as a high g key, which both seem to play very well in tune.
The only adjustments I made since the horn has arrived was filing down the cork on the curved neck (haven't tried the straight one) and lightened the springs which effect the low b and low c# keys.
The g# key is the 'normal' way like a selmer alto/tenor ect..not the backwards hack job that appeared on some other companies models, but the Eb/low C key (right pinky) have a reversed pivot, but after an hour or so feel as natural as the normal style.
I also had a chance to try a "Stones" Tenor and Alto at TMEA in San Antonio, TX about a month or so back, and those both had the improved palm keys, but I didn't notice any other immediate improvements...
edit: btw, the horn is a straight soprano
Jake Lampe
www.jakelampe.com