Basic 'nino questions - before I buy one!

[djackson_manchester]

Just need to clear up a few issues re. sopraninos -
- Just how difficult are they to play? - I've been playing alto and clarinet for 10 years and can get into the altissimo on both both instruments, will it be hard work making the adjustment?
- Which is the best instrument to buy - vintage or modern. The old Conns and Bueschers look tempting but the lack of a side E or palm F is a bit disconcerting - I like old saxes (got a 6M VIII and a couple of Martin altos), but I wouldn't want to find that the lack of certain keys gets in the way.
- Are the chinese Earlhams actually as good as people say ,or is it just surprise that they play at all? Is the quality control consitent - some batches of chinese saxes are better than others and Earlham sopranos have been pretty crappy in the past.
- Does anyone make a decent case for a sopranino? If I bought a vintage Conn chances are the case will need replacing. (yeah, I know I should've posted that in the cases section, but I reckon most of the 'Nino experts will be looking here)
- Who else makes mouthpieces for them besides Selmer and Yanagisawa?
Hope you can help me, I'm serious about playing a sopranino and want to make the right decision with my limited funds, there's nowhere near me in Manchester that has one in stock, so I can't even try one out and see - thanks - Dave J

[tjontheroad]

Welcome to 'nino GAS :D

First you should read this thread;
http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=261

Most of your questions are discussed there.

[HooahDOc]

Regarding some old info in the thread posted above, Matthew's apparently no longer carries the SN981 sopranino. Also, their prices do not seem to be any better than WWBW.com.

[Bootman]

Dave,
You have to be careful with the Chinese Ninos but if you can get a good one then it is fantastic. Try a coloured one as they tend to be made better(with more care) than the lacquered ones. As for the case, you can make one up yourself out of plywood or Aluminium. Drop me a line if you need more information about any of this.

[bruce bailey]

I need a 'nino case so if anyone knows a source, let me know. 1920s TT.

[Mark]

I need a 'nino case so if anyone knows a source, let me know. 1920s TT.

Hmm, you could probably make one quite cheaply out of some ABS or other plastic pipe...

Mark

[bruce bailey]

I can modify a DEG one piece clarinet case but hope to get that vintage look. I can always drag it in the sand tnd put it away wet to get that old horn smell!

[djackson_manchester]

thanks for the link and all the other info, I thought cases would be a problem without doing a bit of DIY. The main problem with choosing a soranino is finding any to try out, there's none in Manchester or Liverpool (though they did have an Earlham in Curly's once upon a time....). I phoned Woodwind Exchange in Bradford and they might have a Buescher coming in.... It's gonna be hard work getting used to a little beast like this, but I spend enough time exploring the high end of my alto and clarinet, I may as well come out of the closet and "go 'nino" After watching some video of Anthony Braxton playing one and really letting rip, my obsession has to be satiated!

[bruce bailey]

Someday all of us crazies who are interested in these things should buy one and pass it around to try!

[MrMiyagi]

The store where I bought my Mark VI 'Nino currently has a Buescher or a Conn for sale... can't remember which, but it's silver in color...

for cases, I know that Selmer sells a light case for their 'Nino... I'd imagine other 'Ninos could fit in it as well...

[bruce bailey]

How much is that one in silver?

[singlereed]

I suggest the Earlham ones that sax.co.uk sells - they are a copy of the Yanagisawa one at 25% of the cost and a top pro who played mine says it is more in tune than his Yani. Although only keyed up to E, I can play mine easily up to G with use of side Eb in place of Front F (as used by vintage soprano players, or players of vintage sopranos). For the amount you'll use it, the Earlham is amply good.

[Grumps]

I wouldn't buy a 'nino unless you were doing so for a specific job or setting. It's bound to sit on the shelf otherwise.

[MrMiyagi]

How much is that one in silver?


don't quote me on this, but I think it was about US$ 2000... I know it was far cheaper than the Mark VI... I'll check the next time I'm at that store, which should be within the next month...

[djackson_manchester]

thanks for all the help, I've just spotted this - http://www.woodwindandbrass.co.uk/acatalog/more_saxophones.html#a102 at Woodwind and Brass - anyone know anything about it? The price is tempting, I'm just not that mad on owning a chinese made sax after bad experiences with Earlham and Arbiter sopranos, but if these thing really are as good as people say....... Chinese saxes are certainly improving - http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Ultra_Cheap_horns.htm- there are rumours of quality variations with Chinese instruments, but if there's only one factory in China making sopraninos at the moment, at least that'll make 'em more consistent.... might be worth a try, there aren't exactly lots of secondhand sopraninos out there waiting to be bought