Unison 2000 Tenor Pictures

[DaveKessler]

Here are pictures of the new Unison 2000 tenor sax. When I get the black w/silver keys model in stock, I will add those pictures as well.

I love the look of this horn as much as how it plays. I like the seperate B & Bb keyguards on the bell as well as the engraving. The lacquer is a nice gold color and looks almost like a gold plated sax.

http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/sax/Unison2000Tenor/T2000.htm

[whaler]

It might be the pictures, but the angle of the neck looks strange, like the same thing that makes the Super 20's uncomfortable. I also don't get the underslung design of the octave key, aren't these problematic? If you like to play with the horn in front of you, this type of neck doesn't work well, but I do like the individual keyguards on the B and Bflat.

[DaveKessler]

It might be the pictures, but the angle of the neck looks strange, like the same thing that makes the Super 20's uncomfortable. I also don't get the underslung design of the octave key, aren't these problematic? If you like to play with the horn in front of you, this type of neck doesn't work well, but I do like the individual keyguards on the B and Bflat.

You are right that the neck angle is different. However, no one who has played it has said anything about it being uncomfortable.

the whole point of an underslung octave mechanism is that it is quicker. The total key length is shorter and the underslung gives a more ture direct action.

[bradshawm]

I played a used Unison 2000 with this same neck last weekend, and it was totally comfortable out in front of me.

[DaveKessler]

Black & Silver Tenor pictures

http://www.kesslermusic.com/html/sax/Unison2000Tenor/T2000BS.htm

[jmartin]

very cool.

[rispoli]

I am very tempted by your Unison 2000 series.
Did you notice a difference in sound for the 2 finishes? I guess at least the silver neck should make some difference vs. the gold plated of the lacquered version.
Also, to which other tenor would you compare this model? Selmer, Yani, etc..?

Thank you

[jmartin]

Dave, can you compare the Unison 2000 to the Yanasagwa 901 and the Selmer La Voix?

[Pannonia]

Wow! These taiwanese guys are smoking right past Yamaha and Yanagisawa. I used to have a Yani (T901) and I adored the keywork, but did not care for the sound. I wish I lived closer to the Kesslers to give it a try.

[DaveKessler]

rispoli
There is not a noticeable sound diffference. Granted they are slightly different from each other just like any other 2 horns will be.

jmartin
Blows the LaVoix away. Hands down. Keep in mind that the LaVoix is the identical instrument to the Antigua Power Bell, just in Selmer labelling and red brass construction. The La Voix is a good intermediate horn but does not have the sheer power, presence or complexity of tone as either the T901 or the Unison 2000.

Up against the Yanagisawa T901, the Unison is a bigger & richer tone. The Yani is a little brighter and does not fill the space as much. However, the Yani is the epitomy of ergonomic perfection and intonation perfection. The Unison has Yanagisawa inspired keywork and its intonation is great (doesnt allow you to really push it sharp the higher you go like other Taiwanese horns).

The 901/2000 comparison is a closer race. There are going to be some who would take the Yani and others that will take the Unison. From a sheer tone quality aspect, the Unison.

[saxymanzach]

Perhaps this isn't a fair question to ask, but how does the Unison compare to your own tenors.

[DaveKessler]

Perhaps this isn't a fair question to ask, but how does the Unison compare to your own tenors.

Its a fair question. This is easy. The Unison is better. But it is almost 2 times as expensive so it better be better.

We evaluate everything on price for performance as one of the main deciding factors. The Unison is the better horn. Bigger, richer, more complex.

[MikeCa]

These had a big rich tone from my memory from January. They also had interchangeable necks at the show to try with them. I tended to like the solid silver necks the best as they seemed to be a bit louder with the same effort and more responsive (no surprise there). I'd definitely recommend spending the extra $$$ for the neck as the horn is definitely very affordable for what it is. This horn is very close to the big four if not right there. That was my initial impression after spending about a half hour or so with them in a very crowded environment and also trying to figure out what the guys at the NAMM booth were trying to communicate (I think Namm may have been one of their first attempts at english but they were pretty good at pointing and handing me more necks (they really had a lot of necks for these, I'd say more than 10 and they were listening very intently when I played, so I'm pretty sure they were trying to get a survey of how the different necks were working and also maybe just trying to make me feel important enough to buy the horns).

I didn't get the chance to play a black one unfortunately. In the original Unisons those are definitely my favorite. This finish with the silver keys is stunning but I'm a real sucker for the black with gold keys!

I'd definitely be comfortable putting these side by side with any other horn in the world. The difference in playability and sound may be equal and the price is definitely not!

[StvZ]

Does anyone here own a Unison 2000? I'd like to know a little more about the instrument such as how does it compare to Selmers, Keilwerths, and Yanagisawas in weight. Also how smooth is the key action and how good is the intonation? I'm actually looking for my first saxophone and from what I've read at other sites, heavier saxes are usually made thicker and are better quality than lighter ones(difference between pro and student saxes?). Can anyone help me out? It'd be greatly appreciated.

[supra97rx7]

how do these compare against B&S saxes? based on what i see/read, i'd say they are right around each other, am i right? especially since they're virtually same price (depending on where you get them)

[Dave Dolson]

StzZ: Welcome to SOTW.

There is a lot of myth surrounding the weight of various saxophones. If there is a difference, it may be difficult to detect (like a few ounces). And, the weight difference may because of extra ribbing (structures on the body tube that support the keywork and rods, etc.), additional keying (e.g., hi-F# and hi-G keys, not present on older saxophones).

If you are looking for a first saxophone, I'd advise you to seek some advice from others near you who play or know the product. A trusted dealer can do that (witness Dave Kessler, a site sponsor).

I recently owned a Unison S300 gold-plated alto that was a kick. I know this thread is about the newest Unisons and I don't have any experience with them. I also own a B&S Medusa alto that is terrific. DAVE

[StvZ]

Thanks a lot Dave, makes sense. I looked into the Medusa but after Kessler ran out of the black nickel I couldn't find another(I'm not a fan of sandblasted) online so I looked into the Unisons. Thanks for the help and welcoming, if anyone else has any experience with Unisons I'd like to know please ^^.

[Dave Dolson]

StvZ: You are welcome.

There is something else you need to understand about saxophones, if you didn't already (and your comment about sandblast finishes leads me to this). The concept that a horn's finish has anything to do with its sound has pretty much been debunked here on SOTW. Yes, are still those who believe that myth, but many of us don't. So, if you like Medusa's, find one that plays well and buy it, unless cosmetics are THAT important to you. My sandblasted Medusa plays and sounds great. Good luck. DAVE

[StvZ]

I don't doubt that finish won't affect sound very much, I think it's more the metal used in contruction. I just didn't want to pay 2500 for an instrument I'm not completely satisfied in(I know I'm picky). But I don't want to get too off topic from my main question which is how does the Unison match up with the big 4 in terms of mechanics such as the key action, sound, and intonation?

[Randall]

Dave wrote:
"The concept that a horn's finish has anything to do with its sound has pretty much been debunked here on SOTW."

That all depends on who you ask....;)

While I would agree that the metal composition of a horn affects the sound more, A simple proof of the difference in plating or finish would be to take a new Cannonball sax with two different finished necks and measure the necks and then play them on the same horn (which is what I have done on 7 different Cannonball saxes over the last year- Big Bell Global series to Big Bell Stone Series).

As most CB owners (and I) will immediately tell you, there is a significant difference in the sound of one neck over the other. These are with identical dimensions.