Aftermarket Necks on Kessler Saxes...

[DaveKessler]

So we have started testing some aftermarket necks on our Kessler Custom saxes mainly due to customer inquiries and I figured that I should post our findings here for all to read.

Today we tested the altos. We tested one of our Antique Kessler Custom altos (although the finish is not of any concern) and the following necks:

Kessler Custom Stock Neck
Selmer Reference Alto Neck
Yanagisawa Bronze Alto Neck

I have on order the #92 neck from the A992 Yani but since I did not have that here, we used the neck from an A902. The tube is identical with the only difference in the 2 is the octave key mount. However, in previous tests, we conclude that the underslung neck design is a little darker and I assume that this has something to do with the weight distribution on the neck tube.

Nonetheless, the A902 neck should give us a very good representation of how an A992 neck will perform.

Selmer Reference Neck
Overall, the Selmer neck performed Very similar to the stock neck. If anything, the Selmer neck was a tiny bit more centered then the stock but the overall tone quality was very similar. The Reference neck is not exceptionally pricey ($225) but considering the lack of major improvement, I probably would not go recommending this as an upgrade.

Yanagisawa Bronze Neck
Wow. First, the Yani neck was signifcantly louder and fuller then both the stock and Selmer neck. Surprisingly, it was also a tad bit brighter as well. Now I do expect that the standard #92 neck will be a little darker but not by much. This necks was Very impressive on the horn. This seems like a good upgrade and it is priced decently ($225) just like the Selmer neck but with a noticeable difference in playing and tone.

Coming Soon...
I will of course revisit this issue when I have the actual #92 necks in stock from Yani (about 2 weeks). We will also be getting in the brass necks in the 3 different models at the same time and will post our findings (model 64 - 65 - 66). I am really interested to see how these play considering that they are among the least expensive of a major name neck ($175).

Lastly, I will be also getting in a #95 Sterling Silver neck as well within the next 3 weeks or so and will test it on the horn as well.

If you are interested in a particular neck with our horns, please do not hesitate to ask.

[Dave Dolson]

Dave: How about the tenors (not that I want to change anything on the tenor I bought from you . . . just curious)? DAVE

[DaveKessler]

Dave: How about the tenors (not that I want to change anything on the tenor I bought from you . . . just curious)? DAVE

I'll get around to that eventually. My guess is that we will find a similar experience. I do know that we tried a Reference 36 neck on our tenor and found the same experience as we did on the alto. On Yani necks, I only have the Solid Silver Yani tenors on hand so only have access to those necks. I will have my guy run through the Selmer Tenor necks I have though next week.

[Super 20 Player]

Make sure to have him use that monster Kessler tenor mpc. Gotta stress-test these things, you know... :twisted:

And get his cut on those Selmer necks with the boosters in the tenon, if you would, please. I'd be intersted to hear about that. Thanks!

Mike

[Dave Dolson]

Mike: One of those Kessler Custom pieces came with my Kessler tenor. I have no way to judge tenor mouthpieces having not been a tenor player before this horn (and still not a REAL tenor player, but enjoying the learning-period), but the Kessler piece plays really well for me (using soft Vandoren Java reeds).

I'd be interested in hearing any comparisons (Kessler mouthpiece to anything else). I know, we are all different, but it would still be interesting to me to read it. DAVE

[Super 20 Player]

Mike: One of those Kessler Custom pieces came with my Kessler tenor. I have no way to judge tenor mouthpieces having not been a tenor player before this horn (and still not a REAL tenor player, but enjoying the learning-period), but the Kessler piece plays really well for me (using soft Vandoren Java reeds).

I'd be interested in hearing any comparisons (Kessler mouthpiece to anything else). I know, we are all different, but it would still be interesting to me to read it. DAVEDave, was it the #7 (.100"), or the He-Man's .135"?

If I recall correctly, they copied an old Link Super Tone Master chamber (a good Florida metal Link) for the Kessler Custom pro tenor mpc. I have a late-model Florida Link STM 7* - bought it new in 1974. But for the past few years I've been playing hard rubber (Hite), in a slightly smaller tip and harder reeds. Recently I've decided to move back up in tips and down in reed strenths. I may pick up one of the big, open Kesslers at some point.

[Dave Dolson]

Mike: My Kessler Custom tenor mouthpiece is plastic (or hard rubber, I don't know) and is marked "7". I am not at a stage of tenor development where I feel the urge to go looking for different mouthpieces - this one plays very good for me. DAVE

[Super 20 Player]

Mike: My Kessler Custom tenor mouthpiece is plastic (or hard rubber, I don't know) and is marked "7". I am not at a stage of tenor development where I feel the urge to go looking for different mouthpieces - this one plays very good for me. DAVEThat's probably not their pro tenor mpc. And yes, tenor is obviously a different animal than soprano, or even alto. Especially in the large tip openings, you feel like you're just exhaling into the horn.

Anyway, Dave Kessler, keep us posted as the aftermarket neck trials on your Kessler tenors...

[DaveKessler]

Actually, Dave Dolson has my hard rubber OL7Pro. It is a hard rubber mouthpiece. The easiest way to tell is that only my hard rubber models have a round chamber. The plastic and 50/50 feature a straightwall model.

The facing is a direct copy from a Metal Florida Otto Link 7 (.100").

[Dave Dolson]

Dave: Thanks for the info. I know you 'splained that to me when we did the deal, but I lost that info in a computer crash and forgot the details. DAVE

[Super 20 Player]

Dave Kessler - any update on the tenor neck trials?

Thanks!
Mike

[DaveKessler]

Mike,

Not yet. I dont really have any Yani necks (other then sterling silver) in stock to try out on the horns. I have a few T901 and T991 saxes en route to me and will attack that evaluation from those necks with Selmer necks and the Sterling necks (yani) once those horns are here.

Dave

[DaveKessler]

OK, So now you got me thinking about it and I went ahead and we tested what I had on hand. :)

Here is what we tested:

Selmer Paris Necks
Reference 36
Series III Matte
Series III Goldbrass
Series III Sterling Silver

Yanagisawa Necks
Sterling Silver (from T9930)

Kessler Custom
Stock neck
Stock neck with prototype "tone booster"

OK, first, I know the obvious question is what the heck is the "Tone Booster" Kessler neck? Well, this is something that we have been playing around with for a few months. I have put some pictures and basic idea on our website here: http://www.kesslermusic.com/KesslerCustomSax/tonebooster.htm

Esentially, it gives the neck a more centered sound and response, similar to a Selmer neck. Without it, they are more open and free blowing like a Yanagisawa. Also, if someone is having some intonation control issues, the insert seems to help take care of that quite drastically.

So on to the reviews:

Selmer Paris Necks

Reference 36 - Nothing special on the horn. Actually, very similar in response to our stock neck without the booster. No significant difference in any regards.
Series III Matte - More Centered. Made it play very much like a Selmer Series III. However, it was overall near identical to our stock neck with our "Tone Booster". So unless you HAVE to have a Selmer S on your neck, no good point in it, just get the booster.
Series III Goldbrass - Yeah, this we liked. Nice Centered and Darker tone. Most noticeable on the lower and middle register of the horn. Good upgrade
Series III Sterling - Also a winner. Added a lot of color and warmth throughout the hole horn. Projected a little more. Good improvement throughout the whole range of the sax while still keeping that centered tone.
Yanagisawa Neck

Sterling Silver - This was more open then all of the necks. Very BIG sounding neck. Similar to how the Yani necks performed on the alto, louder and brighter. It was by far the richest and loudest in the upper register of the horn. However, tough to go for with the price upcharge.
Kessler Custom Necks

Stock - Stock neck. Easy to play, very open and free blowing.
Stock with Tone Booster - More centered. As mentioned, it is similar to a standard Series III neck (or the Matte finish).
So there you go. When I get more necks in, we will test them out.

[Super 20 Player]

OK, So now you got me thinking about it and I went ahead and we tested what I had on hand. :)Mission accomplished! :wink:

Doh! You threw us a curve! A new product - you fink!

[DaveKessler]

:)

To be honest we were playing around with the booster when we first got them in for awhile. We were just playing around with it because since the necks played so open (mainly were concerned on alto), we were afraid that some students would not be able to control pitch. So we experimented and came up with this as a solution if there was a problem.

Well, we didnt have too many occurences of it so we put it on the back burner for awhile. We started playing with it some more a few weeks ago and were very happy with results. My guy did it for his Mark VI. Turned out well. So we played more with metal thickness and length and I think we have it figured exactly where we like it.

I have had one SOTW'er that we recently did it on his alto and he was pleased with the results. If he wants to chime in, he can.

[bradshawm]

Dave,

Are providing this for information purposes, or do you actually have spare necks from the other horns for sale?

[DaveKessler]

Both really. I do have necks for sale for saxes. Here is what I actually have in stock available for purchase:

Alto:
Yani 991 Neck
Yani 992 Neck
Selmer Series II Black
Selmer Series III Black

Tenor:
Selmer Series II Black
Selmer Series III Black
Selmer Series III Matte
Selmer Series III Goldbrass
Selmer Series III Sterling Silver

Soprano:
Selmer Series III Black Straight w/booster
Selmer Series III Goldbrass Straight w/booster
Selmer Series III Sterling Silver curved w/booster

And of course I am able and willing to order ANY Selmer or Yanagisawa neck (Selmer necks are readily available at Selmer USA, last check, they had EVERY model in stock). I have a Yani alto Sterling Silver (#95) neck on order for someone.

[LarryG]

Here is my "chime in" for you Dave.

I got my Kessler Custom Alto a few weeks ago, and had some problems controlling intonation on open C# both middle and high. My primary horn is a tenor, so at first I thought that it was me, that I would have to work to control intonation on the open notes. I was working much too hard. Dave suggested I send the horn back for check and possible adjustment, and they sent it back to me with the tone booster. IT IS FANTASTIC! Really centers the sound, and gone are any intonation problems I had. Also helped it play great with the short shank MP I got with it.

Now that I have had a few days with the horn, I am finding that I really like the sound, the control, and especially the playability of this horn.

A very very nice horn for the money. I wouldn't have liked to keep it without the tone booster.

Again, Kessler Music goes out of its way to make sure I am satisfied. Thanks Dave, and everyone else there.