Antigua Soprano came today

[guitarbob]

The first impression is that this is a really quality instrument. Here it is along with my Yamaha YTA-61.

http://www.patmedia.net/bob-ingram/saxes.JPG

So I recorded a short clip based on a song a friend of mine wrote. Please ignore the bad intonation, I've never played Soprano before.

http://www.patmedia.net/bob-ingram/rem_sop1_.mp3

I'm happy with the purchase, now I gotta go practice so I'll be happy with my playing.

[guitarbob]

I see there are lots of people viewing this. here's the link to the full version of the song. Warning, it's 3.35MB.

http://cyberjams5.com/mp3-upload/rem_sop3.mp3

My friend Brad played the piano and programmed the drums, I played bass, acoustic guitar and the soprano sax (it starts a 1:45) that Brad first did on a keyboard. My intonation is a little off still but give me a break, I've only had this sax for a few hours.

[Tears June]

guitarbob

What mouthpiece, reed & ligature you use on your Antigua Soprano ? It has very warm sound.

Which model is your Antigua & what price ?

[guitarbob]

guitarbob

What mouthpiece, reed & ligature you use on your Antigua Soprano ? It has very warm sound.

Which model is your Antigua & what price ?

The sax is a A586 which came with a mpc marked only 4C. It was $850. I had purchased a Rico B5 so that I could try soprano's at local stores. Neither mpc is open enough for me but the Rico was the only mpc the local store had.

When I asked Kessler if they had an inexpensive mpc they recomended a Morgan ProTone. It was $35 and came with a ligature. It's far more open than either of the others and to my ears sounds pretty good. I also bought some Rico 2.5 reeds which I'm still using but I need to go up to at least a 3, maybe a 3.5.

I'm glad you like the sound, I do too. Actually I'm quite pleased with the whole purchase. At this low price I wasn't expecting to get this good an instrument.

[madsax]

They are great! I got mine earlier this month and I think its amazing...Its kinda funny how my little soprano from Tiwan is not having the lacquer problems my Yamaha Alto is... :(

[rrex54]

Congrats! I'm glad you found a horn you like -- and one on which you've already got a good sound. Given the prior thread, I was surprised you didn't go with the curved sop, but it is a nice sounding horn. Enjoy!

[guitarbob]

Congrats! I'm glad you found a horn you like -- and one on which you've already got a good sound. Given the prior thread, I was surprised you didn't go with the curved sop, but it is a nice sounding horn. Enjoy!

Me too, but I really couldn't find a curved sop in my price range. This one is excellent, of course this player isn't :lol: especally in the upper register. I think I need a harder reed and a lot more practice. :oops:

[guitarbob]

They are great! I got mine earlier this month and I think its amazing...Its kinda funny how my little soprano from Tiwan is not having the lacquer problems my Yamaha Alto is... :(

You're having a lacquer problem on a Yamaha? I'm suprised. My YTS-61 that I got in the mid 70's has a few bad spots on it, but overall it's held up very well.

[tomsch]

I too just picked up an Antiqua Winds soprano from Kesslers Music. This one is the "best buy" 582LQ model which I picked up for a great price. Since I had no need for a detachable neck or a G3 key the 582 was the best deal. The staff at Kesslers were very helpful and the horn arrived even before their committed ship date!!
I was able to spend about an hour playing on the horn last night and I have to say that this soprano plays great. My past history has been a curved Conn (1927) to a Yamaha YSS-475 to a Yani SC901 (which I still have).
In comparison to the Yamaha the Antiqua has slightly stiffer action but a richer tone. Overall constuction quality is slightly better than the Yamaha, which has file marks under several of the keys. Tone holes on the Antiqua are smooth with none of the classic sharp edges that my Cannonball tenor had. Overall quality of the Antiqua is amazing for the price.
Between the Yani SC901 and the Antiqua the Yani has a slightly richer sound and slightly better build quality. Of course we're talking about a considerable price difference between the two. The Yani's tone is a little stronger too but that could be due to how a curved soprano puts the sound back into your face.
So, it looks like the Antiqua is a keeper! I'll be using this on gigs and leave the Yani at home. Finding a stand that would hold the SC901 well on stage has been a challenge, which is why I switched back to a straight soprano.
So far I've tried my Runyon Custom and RR Metalite mpcs. They both play well with no tuning problems across the range of the horn.

[Dave Dolson]

Tomsch: Thanks for your report. I plan to visit Kessler's the next time we're in Las Vegas (maybe January) and give this miracle soprano a blow.

In the meantime, if you haven't heard, Myatt's in the UK sells a neat folding stand for curved sops, called the Arbiter. A Google search will give you Myatt's web-page and you can take it from there. I bought one, as have others on SOTW, and the little stand is a keeper for my SC902. DAVE

[tomsch]

Thanks Dave. I'll have to dig up one of his curved stands.
Since you are a REAL soprano player :D I look forward to hearing your report on the Antiquas. I play tenor 95% of the time so having a soprano that I can pick up at any time, play in tune, and with decent tone is important. There's been times where I haven't played my soprano for over a month and use it for several songs on a gig. The Yani always does well in these situations. The Antiqua shows promise too.

[Dave Dolson]

tomsch: List your e-mail address (or e-mail me at jazzdolsonatcomcast.net) and I'll send you some photos of the Arbiter stand.

Don't know about being a REAL soprano player - but I have played the darned thing(s) for many years. DAVE

[tomsch]

Thanks Dave! Here's the e-mail: tomschatdirectcon.net

[Dave Dolson]

Tom: I sent two photos. DAVE

[Morry]

I think there are still pics of my Arbiter stand in my web space.

http://www.bellsouthpwp.net/m/o/morrypayne/musica1.JPG

Nope, just the one with the sax on it.

[Paul Coats]

I have two of the Arbiters Curved Soprano Sax Stands, and they are EXCELLENT!

[sopranosaxist]

never mind, this is an old post.