How are the Diamond Series necks on keilwerths

[Saxmansam]

I went to the keilwerth site, and saw some after market necks made for the keilwerth, the diamond series necks. I was wondering if they were any good, and if you could tell the difference in sound.

I play an SX-90r nickle silver :lol: alto. anyone try one on one of these?

-sam

[Lenny]

I had a Keilwerth tenor (nickel/gold lac) on trial for a while and both what I think was a diamond nickel silver and what seemed to be a diamond copper neck on trial also.
Ultimately I returned the JK for a 5 digit VI, but I did get to try the necks. They were good. The diamond nickel silver had great power and projection especially at the top, and the copper was very warm, fat and full sounding especially in the bottom. Not as projecting in the upper end. They seemed to bookend the standard neck which was in between.
I don't know what's missing for you in your current horn, but these were definately great necks with sigificant ability to change the color of the horn. The basic neck was good as well though.
I realized I didn't want a Keilwerth but wanted a more flexible and subtle sound and the Selmer worked better for me.

[Saxmansam]

ya, I was trying to get a little darker tone, the nickle silver is a little bright, do you think the A28 Vandoren would darken up my tone too? more or less then a neck, or a S-90 mouthpiece.

hmm. nickle silver=great for jazz, great for classical, just want a little darker. :o

-sam

[Saxmansam]

Which neck would increase resonance in my tone?!

-sam

[Saxmansam]

oh ya, where did you get the necks "on trial" from? i didn't see them in the WWBW catolouge...

[CodyW]

I have a 6.6 stamped on my black nickel SX90 neck. Does anyone know what that means?

[Lenny]

I got mine from saxfoonwinkel in Holland. <www.saxshop.nl>
But I also had a horn from them and it took them awhile to get the necks from JK.
For darker you definately want to try the copper ones. Prob either the reg copper and /or the diamond copper. Maybe a black neck would darken it as well. ( You might try ww & bw. You need a place with a trial policy & a large enough inventory to stock that stuff.

Boosey & Hawkes was talking about sending dealers a little trial neck kit with all the alternate necks but I have no idea if they did it.

[xraydog]

Saxmansam:

Sounds like your what you need is a different alloy for your horn. The nickel silver from what I understand is a harder alloy. This allows it to "speak" quicker and with a more brilliant (ie. Bright) tone. The diamond series necks are treated in such a way to "harden" the alloy and give a brighter tone. I have 2 SX90 altos. One is the anniversary edition and the second a standard brass SX90. The brass lacquer is brighter, while the black nickel darkens the tone. I also have a copper aftermarket JK neck which "darkens" the tone. I don't much care for this neck as I am looking for a "bright" horn...... hopefully one day the nickel silver model.

If you are interested in trying the copper neck drop me an email and will talk.

Rick D. (xraydog@epix.net)