King Zephyr Bari???

[Morry]

I'm looking at one of these long distance. Can someone that knows them shed some light on on their tone, intonation, etc.?

[MusicMan]

I used to have an old beat-up ex-school Zephyr bari, and even though it looked like HE-double hockey sticks, it sounded great. The only reason I got rid of it was because it really needed an overhaul and would have required a major investment in body-work and replacement parts. I would have spent more money than I could justify on a horn I traded a paintball gun for. I sold it for enough to allow me to get my Big B.

Zephry's are built like tanks and can absorb a lot of abuse, which is one reason I guess they were purchased by schools. They have a pretty big sound with the right mouthpiece and mine worked really well for big band use.

Long distance sales of a bari can be a very hit or miss propostition. Just shipment alone of an improperly packaged horn can inflict major damage. It's hard to tell from pictures if the body tube has been bent or if there's other hidden damage. If you do chose to make the commitment, see if there is any kind of money back or trial period available. Make sure it's well packed and fully insured.

[Morry]

Saxquest has a Beuscher 400 and the Zephyr. They're both about the same price, so I'm trying to do some research. Steve at Worldwide Sax also has a Martin Committee that looks promising. It will receive his premium rebuild before it goes out, so that is a plus. Anyone able to compare and contrast those horns for me?

[JC]

I've played King Zephyr, Martin, Buescher 400 for short times. I own and play a Conn 12M.

The Zephyr sound I would describe as "creamy and warm". A very good horn, but all the ones I've seen didn't have front high F, and for me that would have to be added (not a huge deal). I think intonation should be OK, smaller chamber MPs will probably almost fall off the neck (can extend neck or MP, or just find large chamber MP properly matched to horn).

Conn 12M has the most power, slightly bright sound but thick and rich. Can sound like anything you want it to. Keywork a little flimsy but pretty good. Fork Eb an extremely useful feature (I think not present on any of the others).

Martin about like Conn for sound, maybe a little less powerful. No side F# on the later ones (weird!) and can't be feasibly added (would have to cut a hole in the horn!)

Buescher 400 has very dark sound, strange right hand stack keywork, excellent intonation, tremendous power potential with the right MP, I think.

[earthkin]

King Zephyrs are great horns - very gutsy - but unsuitable for smaller players/hands. If I could play a Zephyr, I would've spent half the money that I did on a Conn in Manhattan and gotten a great horn. But I wouldn't buy anything long-distance, at least unless you have a good return policy if you find something wrong.

[UNTplayer]

Earthkin, I don't share your experience. I tried a Zephyr today. It was the easiest bari I have ever played in terms of reaching the right hand notes. I couldn't come close to reaching those keys on a Buescher 400, and couldn't reach on a Conn Naked Lady or a Selmer, without opening the Bb key accidentally.

The things I disliked on the Zephyr were:
* no front high F
* upper register was sharp compared to the lower register - same mouthpiece (Link 5) didn't have that problem on my ancient Buffet
* hard to get to low B - the key is small
* and, of course, no low A.

I might buy the horn anyway.

[robert_gt]

I'm a novice bari player, but I just bought my 2d Zephyr. The first one didn't have a neck and my tech modified a conn alto neck and receiver to work. It was okay, but not a perfect solution.
I just put my '42-'43 Zephyr in the shop for a repad and general going over. It has the correct double socket neck so I'm expecting a nice horn when he finishes with it. It is in decent condition and the laquer is almost all there.
I have a bunch of mouthpieces and have been told that the Zephyrs play in tune better if you use something with a larger chamber. I was using a metal and phenolic Berg Larsen with my last horn and the intonation wasn't bad.
We'll see what works the best with the new Zephyr when it gets out of the shop.
Happy squeaking...

[Zoot Horn]

I play a Buescher 400 and a King Zephyr. A lot depends on the mouthpiece, the ligature, the reed amd the way you play. With everything the same, my Zephyr has a lot more projection, plays altissimo more easily, has a much more authoritative bottom end, and a lot more hair on the sound, much better suited for rock and roll. Just my opinion.

When you buy a horn sight unseen, make sure you know what they're selling for on eBay, and have confidence that you can always resell the horn at those prices. Then, just decide whther you are willing to take the risk. I have been disappointed, but I have never lost more than a couple hundred bucks. Just be careful. You might get just the right horn and be the big winner.