Any thoughts on the Pocket Sax / Xaphoon?

[64sax]

Any thoughts on the Pocket Sax / Xaphoon?

http://www.xaphoon.com

[64sax]

Replies from yesterday at the old forum location:



The only things it has in common with a sax are the single reed, and the fact it overblows at the octave - otherwise how about calling it a Reed Recorder ? Probably closer to the truth.

Don't know if US readers are familiar with the name 'recorder' - I frequently see them listed on US ebay as (wooden/plastic) school 'flutes'.....



Most in the U.S. are fimilair with recorders. I think the xaphoon looks interesting, but my money, and yours, is better spent on something else.

[olpinkeyes]

Funny you should ask this, because I've just mentioned it in another thread. I bought one a couple of years ago, in Bb, but I've only played a few times because I haven't really had time to get to grips with it.

It makes an interesting sound and would be great in a folk rock band, I reckon. Only thing is the fingering's actually quite different to regular sax, which is the main reason I haven't managed to spend much time with it, but for the twenty quid or so that it cost, I'm not complaining.

[ssleb]

It would be easier for trips such as camping with musician-buddies of yours.

[saxymanzach]

It makes an interesting sound and would be great in a folk rock band, I reckon.

I'm sorry, but if I went to a rock concert and had to hear a solo on one of THOSE THINGS...I'd ask for my money back! :D

[olpinkeyes]

I'm sorry, but if I went to a rock concert and had to hear a solo on one of THOSE THINGS...I'd ask for my money back! :DI did say folk rock. There, anything goes. There's even one guy who still plays a melodica.

[Mark5047]

I tried one of those a while back. The mouthpiece feels wierd - like huge and round so I could not get used to it. Ended up selling it and not regretting it.

[Mark]

I have one that my brother bought years ago. Sound-wise it's much more like a clarinet than a sax. The "mouthpiece" (the instrument is one piece of bamboo) is a bit thick, and it takes a tenor sax reed.

It's a very flexible instrument, and you can really bend notes. But the fingering is odd, in that all four fingers on the left hand must be used, not three. And the scale is a bit odd too, going 1,2,3,4,5,6,flat7,octave! (though it does come with a fingering chart.) The main problem I have is that the left pinky hole is really close to the 3rd finger hole, and on my large hand those fingers end up rubbing together and it gets uncomfortable.

But I think it's still a viable instrument. It's tiny, fits anywhere, and it's a single-reed instrument, so what's not to like? ;)

www.xaphoon.com/ (http://www.xaphoon.com/)

Mark

[saxymanzach]

I did say folk rock. There, anything goes. There's even one guy who still plays a melodica.
Oh, didn't catch the 'folk' part. I got a melodica for Christmas. It turned into a joke when I played it at a school jazz band concert. Hasn't come out of it's case much ever since.

[jontti]

I'm going to buy one today (the bamboo Bb model) :D.. But it takes about 2-5 weeks to get it here to Finland.I wonder how they react to cold?

[JazzMan_4_Jesus]

I am really thinking about getting one of these! If you have not had a chance take a look at the video of him making one.. impressive!
http://www.xaphoon.com/Just%20the%20tuning%20part.wmv

[64sax]

One of the bamboo versions in C came up used on a local auction site at a good price, and I've just BIN'ed it. I was going to get the injection-moulded "Pocket Sax", but this was about half the price, and apparently just needs a new reed. So, I'm now looking forward to receiving it. Hmm, I wonder how best to clean it?

[saxmong]

Sax is obviously just a marketing ploy!
Reed flute has my vote but should be great for camping trips!