Buying a Bari, your opinions please!

[tomobari]

Folks,

I'm planning on buying a Bari, most likely for being used in a soul band however it should have some allround qualities.

Currently there are 3 Bari's that I know of being available here in my region and I would like to ask you for your opnion on them.

1- A 'The Martin Baritone', sn 190xxx, two tone
2- A 'SML Paris' Bari, sn not available (aren't they all Gold Medals)?
3- A 'Conn Ladyface' sn 220xxx

For now I have only had a chance to play on the Conn so I can't compare that yet. Basicly I wonder how the 'mechanical quality' of the various hons could be compared.

What would your pick be?

Maybe, don't know how significant it should be, we should leave money out of the equasion....

Thanks!

[tomobari]

Sorry guys,

The Conn was of the 'nail file G#" type, keep mixing them up.
Old instrument but it played like a dream...

[Alan G]

tomobari -

I own a Martin Bari - sn 206xxx. I find it to be a very solid, well playing horn. I also have had the oportunity to play a Conn naked lady - not sure what sn range.

The Conn is not as comfortable for me to play. Also - the metal seemed softer - compared to my Martin. But the tone of the Conn is just amazing.

I guess the Conn Barks - the Martin Roars.

I play Martins exclusively (don't have time to explain why!!). The Bari I use in a swing/big/jazz band and in a Rock/Pop/R&B outfit. I'm very happy with it. I'd only replace it with a Magna Martin Bari (if I can ever find one! - as Bootman will tell you - it's the holy grail of bari's!).

The Conn I've played is the Swing Bands Bari - and only use it when my other bari is down. I just don't like the ergonomics of it. But, if ya wants ta sound like Gerry Muligan - thats the way to go.


I'd love to try an SML - never even seen one in person, tho...

[Bootman]

Either a Conn or a Martin would be a good choice. Both have great presence and a big sound. I prefer the Conn Tranny over the Magna low A but each has it's place. The Conn has something extra in the sound that is impossible to put into words. This to my ear is the ultimate Baritone sound, others come close but nothing sounds like a Conn at full roar. The horn will seriously over shadow a Big band at full blast, there is power in allranges of this horn that other Baritones don't have.

I am still experimenting with the Magna Low A Baritone I have here as far as mpc is concerned, it is a lot more temperamental as far as mpc choice is concerned.

[MPL]

I too have played a Conn 12M and a Martin Committee. The Conn sounded GREAT but had lousy ergonomics for my smaller hands. The Martin, my current horn, also sounds great...but not quite as big as the Conn.

Both horns sound equally "rich" to my ears, if richness means thickness & complexity of tone. And yes, it is indeed possible to get a much bigger sound out of a 12M than Gerry Mulligan had - check out anything by Gary Smulyan, who also plays a 12M and sounds more like Pepper Adams than he does Mulligan.

I've used the Martin for big band section work, soloing with a quartet, and honking at the bottom of an R & B horn section. It can handle it all!

[Anji]

anji12305"at"yahoo.com

I may have a lead for you, in your neighborhood!

[tomobari]

Thanks everyone for responding!

It becomes more and more clearly to me that I have to test a lot of Bari's in order to propperly appreciate playability and tone. There simply seems to be no "best", exept for the bari of wich you can call yourself the proud owner of :D

I have no experience to rely on so I just got to play a lot of 'em I guess.

Thanks again you all for the input!

Marc
the Netherlands

[dingfelder]

look for a king zephyr... if one becomes available, snatch it up.

I got my zephyr bari and am extremely pleased.

You could try getting one online such as

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2540851025&category=16 233
or
http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2540759530&category=16 233

they might need repair but even if you add several hundred to the price, they are a steal.

if you are hesitant to buy sight unessn, then use the paypal return guarantee

[tomobari]

Dingfelder,

Nice of you to point out to me those two auctions. However, 'will ship to the US only' makes life hard now and then. Especially when you're Dutch and shutt out of a deal it's hard to live with :D

I usually contact a seller, drop on my knees and beg for me to enter the bidding... Not always successful. Maybe I should look for an 'agent' in the US....

Thanks,
Marc