question for saxboy

[bluesupanddown]

What was different about the sound of the regular lacquered tenor, as opposed to the other finishes. I read your reviews, (which I found very helpful), but I would like to know about the sound qualities of the regular lacquered horn. I am more of a hard bopper, so I tend to shy away from silver, but I feel that the un-lacquered is a waste of money because a regular lacquered sax is just going to end up un-lacquered.

Thanks,
Mike

[saxboy]

That is pretty true. But think about this.
Why not just start where you are going to end up and you will be there now? :roll:
I thought the sound was bigger and the resistance was freer. The un-L was a great sounding horn. It also makes sense. The lacquer is only there for looks and makes sense that lacquer would damp or lmit vibration somewhat.
No lacquer or plated makes sense. Precious metals used to be cheap and were used instead of lacquer long ago. I feel in love with an old Conn that was silver plated, gold plated and then sand blasted to show both with an etched look. What a sound and it was beautiful too.
I have never been a Silver fan because they tend to be soooo bright. Gold has been my desire, but never made the move in the past. They tend to have a more complex sound, more variation.
The new 82Z sounded amazing un-L, and Silver was the only other Tenor I got to play.
I could have grabbed either un-L or Silver if I was rich. I would love to have grabbed both to live with a month or so to let them be heard in different settings. I can dream anything I guess.
The Gold Alto 82Z was cool, but I did not get to blow the Silver to compare.
Of all the sax players I heard playing the Z, the Silver and un-L seemed to be favorites accross board.

It is real personal thing. What works for you, might suck for me. The main point for me is the overall direction.
The un-Lacquered and Silver stood out as sounding great and being favorites by lots of the sax guys. I would not have even thought of Silver and forget about un-Lacquered sax; it's gonna look like @#*& way too fast. (Silver is a lot more work too)

But, if sounding great is the issue, they really surprised me and are tops on the lust list now.

That Help??

SAXBOY
www.gregvail.com
my saxes - www.gregvail.com/sys-tmpl/gear/
my sax history - www.gregvail.com/sys-tmpl/yamaha/
reviews - www.gregvail.com/sys-tmpl/yamahareviews/

[bluesupanddown]

Thanks for the quick response. I have a silver Z on order, but I recently joined the Navy band and I am leaving in August. From what I am hearing, the silver Z will not be here by then, and if it is, it will be close to my ship time. If I do not get the horn until July, or even August, then I have no time to get adjusted to it. The only sax I can get ahold of right now is the regular lac. I was thinking about getting the regular lac and either having it chem stripped, or waiting out the lac. I will be stationed in Norfolk VA for a while and I was thinking, (but I am probably wrong), that with all of the salt in the air, the breakdown process of the lac would speed up. My prof. has a VI that he bought brand new, and it has nolac on it. He lived near the ocean, and he said that the lac came off within 3 years. So, I was thinking that the same would happen to me. Any thoughts? I guess we'll see!


Thanks,
Mike

[saxboy]

My Tenor 875 is Black and would look real obvious at the places the Lacquer was coming off.

10 years+ old and 99% Black still.
I would not count on the Lacquer falling off in 3 years.

Sorry you have a tight window and slow sax company.
I totally understand the urgency, but would caution making a long life purchase while getting impatient with the cash burning holes in your pockets.

You know what I'm saying. This sax will last forever. You can get something for now and try to make it work from there. Or you can make that informed and non-pressured purchase at a later date. You can also be impulsive now and later too.

I always try to wait out for what I really want. When you are out around the world, you can fall in love with a sax that you just happened upon too. I would not do a mail order, pro horn purchase, on an impulse.
I would do mail order with no impatience and all the reviews and information; or be impulsive with a sax you are playing and totally love; or buy something cheap for now and keep looking for the real thing.

SAXBOY

[psyguy]

Although admittedly a neophyte, I am very impressed with my 82Z tenor (clear lacquer). Others similarly impressed are my pro musician teacher/mentor and two ther pro musicians/teachers, who tried it at the dealer pre-purchase. Two of the musicians played their 1950's vintage Mark VI for comparison purposes and I must tell you that my untrained ears were clearly partial to the Yamaha. The Selmer seemed muted compared to the resonance and projection of the 82Z.
Of course, this is a matter of what is candy to one listener may be poison to another.

[saxboy]

That's why there are so many horns used by so many pros. One size does not fit all!
You play what works for you. Some people make a religion out of it, but you have to live with it day to day; so play what works for you and let the sound be your arguement. If you like it, who cares...
SAXBOY

[Gaijin-san]

And some people can't afford to shell out more than $500 for a horn, repad included! :)

It's still music, man. Consider the Irish Whistle. $20 :)