Red Brass Solist Alto

[Buel]

I just got one of these and it looks better than the pictures and the pictures of the case don't do it justice. Very snappy key action. I have one issue that has me wondering about other saxophones and this particular "malfunction". I was attempting to play a piece of sheet music that was mostly in the mid range of the Alto. When I played the middle B note, I got a middle B. When I went to A and G, the horn jumped up an octave to A above the staff and G. Real squirrelly sounding. The octave mechanism looks like it is closed. Really wierd. My other two Altos don't do that on the same mouthpiece. I tried a couple of mouthpieces and the same for the Solist. The other two saxophones I speak of are a "YamVito" 23 and an old 1960s Vito. To say the least, the Solist is a definite step up in terms of build (heavier ribbed construction) and action. I believe that maybe something got out of alignment during shipment but it was packed for a low altitude parachute extraction (really well to you non military types). I am curious as to a cause of the particular symptoms I have indicated for any Sax. It is strange how leaks can make one particular note strange but the others around it fairly normal.

[goodsax]

First, if you just got it and it isn't right, Dave will take it back in exchange for another with no third degree required.

Second, have you checked it with a leak light? I know the pads are new, but even though it was packed for a direct hit, something might have got twisted slightly out of place causing a small leak, or the opening of the octave key on the body, enough to cause your symptom.

When you say middle B, you mean B2? In other words, no octave key used? If so, that's the strange part of your problem. I would - and you probably already have - hold the sax at all viewing angles while slowly depressing the keys to repeat the symptom and look carefully for movement of any other key that shouldn't be moving, the result of something being bent/twisted. You could even do this with a leak light inserted into the upper end of the sax and look for a pad opening that shouldn't be when you repeat those key movements.

If none of this resolves the problem, give Dave a call for more help and/or possibly work out an exchange for a new Solist.

Good luck,

Rob

[Buel]

When you say middle B, you mean B2? In other words, no octave key used? :line3: That is correct. I can belt out the Altissimo B pretty easily so I can see the clarification. I don't have a leak light, and I'll be out of town for a short trip so I'll attempt to call Dave when I don't have my loud kids :twisted: in the background.

[goodsax]

I know Kessler's play-tests their horns before shipping, so if anything is wrong with it now, it's something that happened during shipment. And things do happen, even when the shipper packs the item very carefully. I've been on both sides of that story, as a shipper and as a buyer.

Good luck in getting a quick and satisfactory resolution to your dilemma.

[DaveKessler]

I just got one of these and it looks better than the pictures and the pictures of the case don't do it justice. Very snappy key action. I have one issue that has me wondering about other saxophones and this particular "malfunction". I was attempting to play a piece of sheet music that was mostly in the mid range of the Alto. When I played the middle B note, I got a middle B. When I went to A and G, the horn jumped up an octave to A above the staff and G. Real squirrelly sounding. The octave mechanism looks like it is closed. Really wierd. My other two Altos don't do that on the same mouthpiece. I tried a couple of mouthpieces and the same for the Solist. The other two saxophones I speak of are a "YamVito" 23 and an old 1960s Vito. To say the least, the Solist is a definite step up in terms of build (heavier ribbed construction) and action. I believe that maybe something got out of alignment during shipment but it was packed for a low altitude parachute extraction (really well to you non military types). I am curious as to a cause of the particular symptoms I have indicated for any Sax. It is strange how leaks can make one particular note strange but the others around it fairly normal.

First thing to check would be to make sure that the octave key(s) are closing tightly. Also, make sure that the neck is on the horn at the correct angle. If you have your neck on skewed to the side, this can effect the octave key's return and could cause what you are describing.

Worst case scenario, we take it back and replace it.

[whaler]

What does "Solist" mean anyway? Can't you tell them that the word is "soloist" at least. Or maybe they are trying to put "soul less" on it?

[DaveKessler]

What does "Solist" mean anyway? Can't you tell them that the word is "soloist" at least. Or maybe they are trying to put "soul less" on it?

Soloist in German is "Solist". We couldnt do "Soloist" as that is trademarked by Conn-Selmer.

[Buel]

What does "Solist" mean anyway? Can't you tell them that the word is "soloist" at least. Or maybe they are trying to put "soul less" on it?

That sounds like a put down. Shiesen!!

The neck is on correctly and they should have a small range of side to side play. I pretty much adjust angle via the mouthpiece with the neck aligned with the back of the horn. I'll be back in town Thursday and may call while out if I can get loose.

[DaveKessler]

Shiesen!!


Careful, some of us understand German! :)

[Buel]

Like all the reviews of the Kessler's, they are terrible to deal with:shock: . They took the Solist back and found the symptom I had. The horn was too easy to slur up an octave. I opted for a Kessler Custom Alto with the brushed finish and ribbed construction built March 06 based on the numbers above the serial. This particular horn plays REALLY nice. I had an intermediate Selmer Signet (Gold Bundy II) back in the early 80s and the KC horn is clearly better. It plays top to bottom loud or soft with no problems what-so-ever. If you haven't figured it out, the Kessler's aren't terrible at all!! Chuck took the time to talk to me and return calls all while being busy as all get out while Dave was out at a convention. One interesting note, I thought all the Kessler horns were Taiwanese. The Solist is Chinese. Not a concern to me as Selmer and others are going gangbusters on their entry level horns from China. They (Chinese) are getting better at it kind of like the Japanese of the past.