What does a particular horn do to tone quality?

[PolteRGeisT]

How is a Selmer different from a Yamaha, what does different alloy content do to sound...

I'm asking this cause I used to have a rented Yamaha horn and I loved the way I sounded, but then I decided to buy a new no-name horn, and I hate the way I sound now. I'm TORTURING myself over it. So I ask you, how large of an impact does the horn have on overall "likeability/style" of the tone you get?

[MojoBari]

Your tonal concept (goal), mouthpiece/reed choice, and chops will have a bigger impact that your choice of sax. But you need a leak-free sax. Next would be neck (but this is not yet a common area to adjust) then sax, then ligature. Ligature is far down on my list, but since it is so inexpensive compared to a sax change, you should explore them before switching saxes.

Modern, so-called "bland" saxes allow you (require you) to get your sound via the MP/reed set-up and practice. Some split hairs and try to grade the tone of modern saxes. I have not been interested enough to do this. There are several vintage saxes that will help you get to a dark sound more than moder saxes do. Martin is the darkest.

So I would not fret too much on the sound of your new sax. You may just be a mouthpiece and a couple months of practice away from a great sound.

[JL]

Mojobari has it right here, if you want to stick with a modern sax, especially a "no-name" one. OR you could investigate some vintage horns which IMO do have some unique tonal charatcteristics and can help you to find the sound you want, provided you get the right combination of horn, reed, and mouthpiece. Read some of the other threads in this forum for more info on various horns. The search is half the fun.

[mwhaa]

ok i know changing setups will change your tone quality but come on guys lets face it..... no matter what you change and how much you change it as far as equipment goes yoru still going to sound more or less like you. So for the people looking for a completely different tone from your current....... do some long tones and listen alot