Bought two keilwerths today...

[George]

Today I oredered two JK saxophones from WW&BW.

The first is a SX90R Tenor in Black Nickel to replace my Yamaha Custom 875 in gold lacquer. I am playing mostly rock/fusion now and the yamaha isn't giving me the projection, focus and richness that I desire. I have always felt the yamaha was lacking in higher overtones, leaving it less than desireable for playing rock. I know the black nickel is a darker sound, but the JK should give me a richer sound, especially when used with my Phil Barone Rock/Fusion 7* mpc.

The other is a SX90II soprano, also in black nickel. This is replacing my Selmer Super Action 80 II - a horn I have struggled with over the past few years. I have always longed for a rich, round, dark soprano sound - the selmer couldn't achive this. Hopefully with my metal Otto Link 8* I will be able to achieve this with the JK.

I have 30 days to try the saxophones and within that time I can return or exchange them. Hopefully the Black Nickel tenor won't be too dark for my needs - if so, I'll have to try the silver nickel.

[Subtone Sam]

George,I don´t think black-nickel is darker but its wider and deeper sound.If I had to choose one from the SX90R line it would be black-nickel (yes,I have one :D ).Nickel-silver is more powerful but the sound is not as deep as black-nickel.On JK sopranos,black-nickel finish is the best I´ve tried.

[Subtone Sam]

And I recommend Lawton mouthpieces for JKs,its a great setup.

[George]

Well, the JK came today and with the Barone Rock/Fusion it sounds amazing - I can't imagine needing a brighter horn than this - deep, rich, edgy - pretty much perfect.

With that being said, I'm not crazy about the SX90II soprano so far - it doesn't seem to love my metal link. I ordered a Yani Metal 9 soprano mouthpiece, but it seems it was delivered to the wrong address - so we'll have to wait and see what happens. There were also two lawton pieces in the same order - a bb7 and a bb8* which I wanted to try with the tenor - hopefully this will be cleared up and I can try it all tomorrow.

[Morry]

George, what did you decide about the SX90II soprano? I'm considering one myself (or a Yani SC902), and would like to hear from guys who have, or have had them.

[George]

Morry,

I originally thought the SX90II was going to work very well for me, but I was having trouble controlling it with my Metal Link 8* (not STM). I returned the JK and picked up a Yani S992 on trial - I loved the Yani with an SR tech Legend in the Zelux material they have. It was warm and extremely rich.

but then...

WW&BW dropped the price on the S9930, bringing it too close in price to the S992 for me not to audition. I now have the S9930 set up with an HR Tenney Link/Selmer Lig/Alexander DC 2.5 - I'm keeping it. The silver yanagisawa is not, as some people have mentioned, an overly bright or overly clear horn. It is very warm and rich and, to my ears, resonates slightly more than the S992. With the Tenney link set up the way I have it now the horn plays effortlessly from ppp to fff and the horn's response is instantaneous. The keywork on the Yani is also incredibly smooth. I kept the SX90R Black Nickel Tenor because together with a Lawton 8*/Plasticover 3 it is giving me exactly the sound I need for my Rock/Pop Band - I would just love for the keywork to be as smooth as the Yani.

This is not to say that the bronze Yani is not a great horn, it is. Also, I would have to say that mpc/reed/lig setup on the S9930 can greatly affect it's tone.

I played one yani curved soprano in the past (I can't remember the model) but at the time I couldn't afford it. I will say that as I was struggling with finding the tone I was after on my old soprano (Selmer SA80II) I always thought about how great that curved Yani sounded. I don't think you would go wrong with the SC902.

[ProfessorZeek]

I'm thinking of ordering a Keilwerth straight alto.

George, can you let me know the contact of who you ordered from bc I find the trial period attractive. Much appreciated.

Any idea how much any one of these babies go for?

I already have a Keilwerth SXR90 tenor and Mark VI alto, both of which are wonderful but wanted to try a straight alto. I would've gotten a straight tenor but I think it's kind of big. I may round out my collection and get a vintage tenor, maybe Martin or King Super 20 or SML to round out my collection. Eventually, I'd like to have two vintage and two new of each tenor and alto. I've played an old Conn before but never liked it when I was in hgh school. Probably won't get a Buescher bc prefer the fat jazzy sound.

I have also a Yani soprano circa 154XXX (does anyone know what model it is since it doesn't say on the horn), which I' m contemplating trading up for a solid silver one. I only to plan to have one soprano since I really am no good on it.

I am not in the music industry and work long hours in banking to make money (so I can buy the saxes!), but never have the time to practice. Rats! Sax has always been a strong hobby (I got as far as being an alternate for state), but never went all the way and am coming back to it after a 15 year hiatus. Amazing how much my fingers still remembered the obscure scales.

If I can't get a straight alto through mail, I may go back to NYC to International Woodwind and Brass, with whom I have dealt with since I was a teenager, and they were always courtous. Does anyone know other reputable dealers in Manhattan?


CKL

[Lenny]

Don't judge the SX90II by the metal Link. I have one that i love with a Vandoran rubber mpc. The metal Link I tried on that horn sounded like a duck. Seems like I heard that from others.
Old Selmer metal mpc was also a nice fit for the JK soprano.

[cmelodysax]

Funny, I've got an 80's Keilwerth 'Toneking Exclusiv' tenor, and the metal Link 7 that came with it is completely ineffective on that - sound is just weak and small. Needs something bigger & edgier (like the Lawton 8*BB I now use - with Rico Royal or LaVoz reeds) to bring out the massive tone.

So it is hereditary.....
Regards, Alan.