Guardala Altos?

[scale_master]

I have read a lot of good things about the Guardala Artist Tenors. I have played one myself recently and was quite impressed with sound and projection. How about the Artist Altos? Anyone uses one? If yes, do they have similar sound qualities?

[Tsaxflyer]

I have both the artist series tenor and alto and still love them both after a year, which for me is a long time. The alto doesn't get as much work as my tenor, and I think I like the tenor just a tiny fraction more than the alto. I play a lot of funk and R&B on the alto (Gerald Albright, Maceo, Dulfer, etc.) and it is absolutely the right horn for that kind of playing. Plus it won't break the bank. The intonation is better than any other alto out there in my opinion and the altissimo is incredible. I'd like to see if the new Medusa's by B&S are as good or better. BTW, in the WW&BW catalog there is a line by LA Sax called the Chicago series which looks to be the exact same as Guardala, but they look quite pricey. I paid $1900 for my Artist alto in silver -- I have no idea what they are going for nowadays, but I can't recommend this horn highly enough.

[Tears June]

Tsaxflyer

I'm interested this horn. I appreciate if you can tell more information and your comment about your Guardala Artist Tenors

1) Is it a Black Nickel version or French Gold Finish version ?

2) How's about the Sound, intonation, keywork & mechanical part's response.


3) What is the serial number on you tenor? I think if we can find a Guardala horn, most likley it is a 2nd hand because VMI don't made any horn for them at least 2 years. Pricing should very very high now if we can find a brand new one.

4) Do you have any information what is the largest serial number + what number has better quality ?

Long time ago, I have touch a Guardala Pro Artist French Gold tenor (only touch). The keywork seem to be very smooth but the right hand side Bb, C & E key position are very low, need to drop my palm to press it. Your horn has same situation ?

Thanks

:cry:

[Tsaxflyer]

Tears June, to answer your questions, I play a silver plated DG Artist Series tenor, which I bought last year. I got it for $2000US, which I think is a pretty good price -- I've been quite happy with the horn. I don't even know the serial number as since it's not vintage I really didn't care. All I know is I play tested several DG horns in the early ninties and was underwhelmed. However, when I was looking to replace my King Super-20 a year ago, I was blown away by how every DG I played sounded and felt great. The ergonomics fit me quite well, but I have rather large hands. The thing with a DG horn is it is just a well built, in-tune mark six copy, but for half the price of a vintage Mark 6 or new reference horn. If you can be patient and get one used off this forum or Ebay that would be a good way to go as the resale value for these horns is on the low side. That may change as more people get hip to these horns and the fact that there is a gap in the production for the time being. I'd also like to say that the low end of the DG's is impressive -- just as lush as a JK, so ballads come out drop dead gorgeous. The New York series play really well so if you come across one of those you might want to pick it up.

[Tears June]

Tsaxflyer

Thanks. You said "play tested several DG horns in the early nineties". Have you play their Black Nickel tenor? How does it compare with your Silver Plated DG Artist Series tenor ? I have a chance can get a brand new Guardala Pro Artist Black Nickel with very good price (compare to many famous sits). So, I want to know this.

Your Silver Plated DG Artist Series tenor cost you US$ 2000. When you bought that horn & is it brand new ?

[Big B]

Well I maybe just a junior in high school but i'll give my opinion my my Guardala Artist Silver Alto. I love this sax. One year ago i'm sitting in many different music stores looking for horns and testing a few including a selmer series II alto, yamaha 62 and 875, and a yani 901 and let me tell you my Guardala can easily stand up to any of them. It has a fuller sound than the yamahas, feels smoother than the selmer, and the greater resistance is great because i can't blow it to it's limit as easy as the yani. This year has been a great year with my Guardala and i've have the best luck with it finally taking sports in my all county and district bands. I'm still in love with the large full sound it gives and with my BG lig and link 6* it has become quite the force. And even worse i use it for legit and jazz. I know consider Guardala on legit a no no but i'm happy cause it gives that fuller sound that is missing in the japan based saxes my peers have. If this sax truely have the american vintage sound then this is the sound for me.

[SaxyAcoustician]

Like I said in another thread, I have the new B&S Medusa alto which is essentially the Guardala horn. I've really grown to love it during the couple months I've owned it and I'm a Yamaha/Selmer guy. I think the B&S horns, be it Guardala, WW&BW Alloras, or L.A. Sax Chicago series are some of the most underrated saxophones out there. I like it not just because of its excellent build quality but because it possesses a different tonal character...but it's just as good and just as valid.

I don't classify horns as legit or jazz oriented. A good sax is a good sax and can be used in any setting, and the B&S pro horns are GOOD saxes.