Satisfied Kessler Customer

[ratracer]

Just received the lacquered Kessler Custom Deluxe tenor a couple of days ago and have been very satisfied with the purchase. Horn came very well packaged and played better out of the box than a temporary loaner I picked up from a local shop.

Was pretty hesitant to order a horn sight unseen off the internet but got the more research I did I got the warm fuzzies about Kessler's from posts on this forum and exchanging emails with Dave. Emails were very engaging and congenial. The Kessler logo is very appropriate in my case. I went into a couple of local stores and got the distinct impression that they were busy, I was bothering them, and unless I was a semi-pro or pro, they had better things to do. I've had good success ordering all kinds of stuff off the internet so made the jump in spite of the risks.

Didn't get to talk to Dave personally on the order but I did talk to Chuck, who I found out was Dave's dad. (Sounded more like a brother across the phone). Talked to Chuck for a while he solidified my decision to order. Risks also minimized due to return policy. Chuck provided excellent advice regarding mouthpiece and reed.

Kessler's (Dave & Chuck!) bed side manner is outstanding and kudos to any and all of the rest of the staff who may have had a hand in prepping and the delivery of the horn.

Imo, this horn would easily serve an intermediate to semi-pro. If a beginner can afford it, it's also built well enough to withstand the rigors of being banged about by a 5th-6th grader to and from school/practice as well. I would have died to have this horn in high school! (I've had tenor-envy since about '75-'76. Oh, that may date me?)

To sum it all up, very satisfied with the horn. It has excellent presence and voice. Very satisfied with the experience with the Kessler's and I highly recommend them to others looking to buy their first sax, upgrade, or pick up a second. Beware though, if purchased as a backup, it may not maintain that status for long!

Cheers,
Doug

[SAXISMYAXE]

Glad you are among the satisfied customers of Kessler and Sons. I have had nothing but sterling service from them as well.

[BayviewSax]

I bought my Kessler second-hand, but couldn't agree more with your assessment of the quality of the horn. I conversed with Dave about the horns prior to finding the one I bought, and found him very knowledgeable and helpful. Business done right. Dave's one of the good guys.

[ratracer]

Give credit where credit is due and I just wanted to (fwiw) add my two cents to what others have posted about Kessler's. The horn went from Las Vegas to Maryland and played better out of the box than a few I've tried in the local stores. Very good bang for the buck.

This forum has also been an outstanding source of highly opinionated information! (And we wouldn't want it any other way!!) Very subjective and broad subject dealt with here and I'm impressed in the manner in which 98.5% of the posters handle themselves. I've learned a lot in just the last few weeks from the expertise the real players have shared over the last several years.

Cheers!

[jacobeid]

I was going to purchase one of his tenors, but ended up falling in love with my buescher I found locally at Junkdude. The customer service and the time he spent with me giving recommendations (some even that would get him less money, but felt it was better for me). When I purchase my Yani T991 and SC991 in the next year(s?) I know I will buy from kessler because his prices are competitive, everyone praises him, he's a nice guy, and his return policy is amazing.

[Rockplayer]

Dave and company are the best to deal with, I've bought two horns from them and they've been great, courteous, excellent communication. The first horn I bought was a Kessler custom deluxe tenor - great horn, when the Keilwerth SX90 went on sale I bought one and it's been an excellent horn as well - these guys set up their horns so that when they arrive they are perfect and ready to play. Great prices and great customer service, can't ask for anything more!

[bradshawm]

Ditto, Ditto and Ditto... If they have what I want, they will be the first place I go.

[ratracer]

jacobeid: good luck with the Buescher. I hear they're excellent horns. Just too bad you won't know how good the KCD is!:)

Rockplayer: couldn't agree with you more. Could you give a quick comparison between the Kessler vs Keilwerth?

All, thanks for the info and affirmation of dealing with the Kesslers. Now, if we could just get a "big" name to gig with a KCD maybe, just maybe we'd have to add another name to the big "4"!! :D

Cheers,
Doug

[Mook2112]

I'm trying to contact Dave Kessler to purchase a horn from him (his Custom Deluxe model Alto).....I've sent multiple e-mails, but nothing....

Any info regarding his wearabouts???

Dave, if you are reading this, please check your e-mail for e-mails from "Kevin Miller".....I'm trying to contact you!


Mook (Kevin Miller)

[SAXISMYAXE]

Kevin,

I recommend that you call Dave, that is the best way to get a hold of him. They keep him hopping busy around those stores.

He is extremely willing to spend the time to earnestly help you with your inquiries, so it's worth the effort.

[ratracer]

Ditto with what Mike said.
You'll either get Dave or Chuck (Dave's dad). Either one are excellent and will take as much time as necessary to answer your questions. I caught Dave at a good time and we exchanged multiple emails quickly. But when I called I talked to Chuck asked him several of the same questions and got pretty much the same answers. They're attitude was much more appreciated than what I encountered in a couple of the local stores. I'm not a pro, don't have any expectations of being a pro. Just want to have fun with a tenor sax I've wanted for years. They did not give me the impression that I was bothering them. (As opposed to the examples of local stores I cited earlier.) Hang in there and be patient. It will be worth your time and a little extra patience to at least talk with them. Be forewarned, depending on your expressed wants and desires, you may be pointed in a direction that will be more advantageous to you even if it means loss of a sale to them. They're that kind of folk.

Cheers,
Doug

[DaveKessler]

Kevin,

You and I already spoke today... but for your reference, I replied to your e-mails (both of them) the day that they came in. Most recently, I sent one on 2/13 at 2:34pm - replying to the one you sent 2/13 at 10:12 AM.

You may want to check your e-mail settings.

In either case, we have already talked and your horn will be shipping out tomorrow.

Dave Kessler
Kessler & Sons Music

[DaveKessler]

Just for proof (there are some naysayers on this board)

http://www.kesslermusic.com/mookreply.gif

[ratracer]

Kevin, hope the alto turns out as well as my tenor. Cheers!! - Doug

[mayho]

We have lost something on this forum if Dave and Chuck have to "prove" the validity of their statements. I wonder how many calls and e-mails the get daily?

I have never been treated better by any establishment. I'm just a hack sax player, but the next time I buy a new sax, I'll drive 3 plus hours to Las Vegas, take my wife to lunch, gamble a bit, go to Kessler's, ask 50 questions, receive 52 answers and drive home HAPPY! Mayho

[Dave Dolson]

Attaway, TOM!!! DAVE

[ratracer]

mayho: I agree with everything you said. I was taken quite aback by any thought that Dave needed post any proof. While I'm fairly new to SOTW, I'm not to internet searching. I did a thorough search on the SOTW and the web and I believe I've read every post made by and/or to Dave prior to my purchase of the KCD tenor. 98.5% of the posts were positive to very positive (okay, the 98.5% is a gross approximation! Nobodies perfect. Could be even higher!). Of the somewhat negative posts there were honest explanations and even an apology when Dave openly admitted a mistakes. Big deal, ditto to nobody's perfect. Makes for great business though, especially return business, at least in my book.

Cheers,
Doug