Couf Superba I backup?!?

[Jazzsums]

I play a Couf Superba I as my tenor. This is my main sax in the group I am currently performing with. The horn pleases me with the tremendous intonation, core of sound at all volumes, and workmanship.
I play approx, 3 to 5.5 hours a day, and it is necessary for me to adjust the horn every 7 - 10 days on average.
I want a comparable back up horn.
I am cheap. Cheap is not necessarilly a bad thing.
What horn(s) can you suggest?
Thanks,
Dave Summers

[SteveZ]

why not another couf? or a New King tenor? you can probably find em on ebay for less than a grand.

[Gandalfe]

Does it have to be vintage? You might try a SG Unison or the new YAT 82Z just for kicks. Both can be had for around $2000 and you might like the modern accomodations and refinements.

[Dr G]

I play a Couf Superba I as my tenor. This is my main sax in the group I am currently performing with. The horn pleases me with the tremendous intonation, core of sound at all volumes, and workmanship.
I play approx, 3 to 5.5 hours a day, and it is necessary for me to adjust the horn every 7 - 10 days on average.
I want a comparable back up horn.
I am cheap. Cheap is not necessarilly a bad thing.
What horn(s) can you suggest?
Thanks,
Dave Summers

I don't understand why you would want another horn that requires such frequent adjustments. Seems like it's crying out for an overhaul - or to be relegated to backup status itself.

"Cheap" seems to mean different things here - if you'll state a price range, you may get some better ideas. Cannonball tenors can be found in almost new condition for under $1500, many of the new Yamahas are going near that price range from overseas dealers. Selmer Mk VII's are selling in the $1500-1800 range. If you want a horn for less than $1000, chances are that it will not hold up any better than your Couf - then you'd be adjusting twice as many horns every week!

[tomsch]

I play a Couf SuperbaI as my main tenor. Typically gig every weekend with quite a few hours of practice or band rehearsals during the week. The horn rarely needs to be adjusted. It went in for an overhaul about 6 months ago and my tech commented on how good the condition/wear was.
Since Coufs are not ribbed you need to be a bit careful not to bang them around but otherwise the hold adjustment very well.

[jjgold]

3-5.5 hours per day?! :shock:

[john]

Dave,
I have a Couf S1 as well and 2 SX90's (all tenors) none seem to need that much adjusting though I don't play as much as you. They're rarely in the shop more than once a year. The only time I've ever had such a problem I solved it by changing techs.

I also use key clamps. As Steve G says- "don't leave home without them"



May help. May not. The opinions vary widely on the list.


john

[Jazzsums]

Yes, I play that much every day that I can. I am an elementay band director and I do not count playing along with my students as practice.
I hit it for 1/2 an hour before school with long tones and scales; lunch is a quick "wolfing" and 30 more minutes of the technical stuff. including reading some legit. Plan period is 45 minutes of playing improvizational material (Abersold CD's are great for this) as I am to teach beginning improvization to all students according to the National Music Standards(sometimes, the rules can be good for all involved!
After lessons at night, dinner, some schoolwork,then I hit either rehearsal with Jazz East, a wonderful group of musicians I am honorred to be a small part of, or I'm downstairs playing more jazz literature and improvising.
I use the tenor as my main horn, my time is pretty much equally split between tenor and soprano.
Talent is a gift. I'm one of those people who believes in hard work to develop one's gifts. No soapbox. This is just where I'm coming from; this is what I do to share music with people. I think I'm on the right track, we're opening for George Benson in a few months.
And yes, I make plenty of time for my family, my wonderful wife (no she is'nt standing over my shoulder) teaches 4th grade and from dinner to bed is working on school stuff.
We fit each other nicely.
Dave

[tomsch]

Sounds like a great life Dave! Music for me is a side activity since I have a wife and three very active children. Gigging every weekend with several back-to-back Friday and Saturday nights requires balance to be sure.

Anyway, back to the thread...... What type of adjustments are required on your Couf on such a regular basis?

[Jazzsums]

By the way, the adjustments I normally need to do are screw regulations as they have a tendency to back themselves out from the vibration. I am going to try a bit of beeswax and see if that slows them down. The only other monthly regulation is the octave mechanism.
I do these by myself; so the price is right.
Dave 8)

[Dr G]

Jazzsums - Another popular alternative to keeping the adjusting screws in place is using either dental floss or teflon plumbers tape wound into the threads. There's a version of dental floss/tape from Gore and Assoc. that is also made of PTFE (aka Teflon).

[Jazzsums]

Thanks for the teflon suggestion.
Years ago, I used it on the neck cork when trying out mouthpieces which were a bit large.
Thanks again.
Dave 8)

[Subtone Sam]

Jazzsums,there should not be such frequent adjustments needed.You should be able to play much longer on one proper adjustment.My old JK tenor still plays well and it was overhauled 2,5 years ago and no adjustment whatsoever done after that.I´ve played a Suberba bari for 4 months now and no adjustments needed.Have checked your case? Does it fit the horn like it should? There should be no movement in ANY direction when horn is inside the case.

[Subtone Sam]

If the problem is the screws,try screwlock product by Loctite.