Guadala Saxophones

[Big B]

Wow I am the first one on the all new SOTW forums. Well For thoe who've seen me before I amthe yanigisawa lover converted to guardala. Yes I stil have fondness for the yani ease of playing but I love he Guardala because it's mmore fun to just have jam session on. The tone is clean, fcused, and easy to handle. You and manipulate the sond very easy with the right reed,mouthpiece, an ligature changes. ( which figures why I like the Eddie Daniels 2 lig so much ). Although the looks for the sax get better the higher you go in the saxophone line but the sound stays wonderful. I really feel good because this horn has taken me to all city, district, bands and I hope t make state band sooner or later. I love my Guardala Artist Series so much and anyone who trieds them would agree. I think these saxes most definately belong in the big 4. ( Its least a lot more than yamaha. ) I just wanted to tell everyone my feelings and experiences with my guardala.

[scoros]

I definitely agree that the Guardala horns are top notch. I have a BN Artist series tenor thats definitely a fine horn. It is a quite a bit more focused sounding than my Buffet Super Dynaction, which in my opinion is also an under rated horn, but they keywork is fast and the horn will wail away in any R&B situations. It takes well to mouthpiece changes (have tried mine with a Guardala MB II, a vintage New York Link, SR Technology Fusion, Metal Berg Larsen and a HR Berg) and just looks good to boot. Add my vote to anyone thinking about getting a Guardala horn.

[Larry G]

I also have a Guardala tenor, It is black lacquer with silver keys although I don't know the exact model as I bought it through a dealer. The horn blows easy and is easy to switch mp's with different results as stated above! I play R&R and R&B so the PUNCH with my metal Dukoff is great for those pesky gitirs. I heard production has ceased, pity..........
I do like the changes here, I hope everyone positive will follow also. Long live the weekend warrior !!!

[Larry G]

That should say, I bought it used from a dealer. Preview only works if you read it !

[phathorn]

I've had great success over the past nine months or so with my artist tenor. The sound seems to become more and more layered every time I play the thing!

[GaryLee]

Someone locally is selling a "Goldbrass Dave Guardala Tenor" which he says is "pre-LA sax!" It looks like it is the same as Larry G's horn. Black with silver keys. I have not seen or played the horn yet.

How do the Guardala horns generally sound. Is the above horn comparable to the "Artist" model others have mentioned? I am looking for something for straight up jazz and a "legit" concert band.

Any special concerns - intonation, common repairs to look for etc.
Any thoughts on a fair price for this horn in good condition?
He is asking $1800.

[Larry G]

I dropped off a horn at House of Woodwinds in San Ramon Ca last month and they had several Guardala horns for sale. I saw a tenor and a bari on the wall that were some of the last ones available. All were new and I gotta say that bari was the big brother to my tenor and it was tough to leave alone (GAS). The bari was under $4000 but I don't know the tenor price. Good luck, my tenor is very solid and intonation good even with different mouthpieces ....easy to play all the way up and down and best, it makes me sound good even though people always comment on the looks. too coooool

[Big B]

i'm glad to see a good deal of player support Guardala saxes as much as I do. I was discouraged at first to see that only few were enjoying these saxes as much as me and being a student that sucks but hey i'm happy in district band that nobody was able to top me and my guardala. Except a kid and his yanagisawa ( the brand i was crazy about before ). Maybe i'll take private lessons and see how far i can get then.

[Tears June]

Guardala horn - update pricing

In case if we can find a brand new Guardala DG-500BN and DG-501BN black nickel tenor now, what is the reasonable market price?


:cry:

[noelpaz]

Hi Guardala players,

I am contemplating on buying a Guardal artist http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=2548808382&category=62 0&rd=1
from ebay which has a buy now price of $1800. I was going to buy a Cannonball but I would rather buy something made in Germany than taiwan. Can you please tell me more about these saxophones. Big B what is your experience.

[Tears June]

scoros,

Now I using same horn with yours (Guardala Pro Artist Black Nickel tenor). It's very good horn except the right hand side Bb key is too low. BTW, I would like to know what Altissimo fingering you're using on your DG tenor:

G3
G#3
Bb4

The fingering I'm using is:

G3 = T + L-1/ High F# + Bb = Most weakness pitch compare to all other altissimo notes

G#3 = T+ L-1 + 3 / R-1 + Side C = OK, but not as strong as C4, C#4, ...F4

Bb4 = T + L-2 + 3/ R-1 + 2 + 3 + Side C = It's more flat, close to A3


Thanks.

:cry:

[MissNiceness]

I heard a rumour that the new Guardala sax models will not be available in the US. Is this true? :?

[Big B]

noelpaz

hey whats up man well my personal ideas on a guardala is they rock hard. The full body response was able to top a saxtest i had with a series 2, a cennonball big bell and a yamaha 62- mark II. MY guardala was more full and easiest to get and all registers. And under the fingers jst fell in my hands. The cannonball would have to be my second pick cause that was so simular to my guardala except i lost a bit on the lower regiser responce. But if you want a full dark tone and that has some serious bump to it you NEED a DG. I really hope that the chicago jazz is identical though cause i'm in the mrket for a pro tenor before i go to college next year.

[averageschmoe]

i owned a guardala tenor. traded it for a yamaha custom with no regrets. the guardala simply required too much maintenence (came out of adjustment easily) and didn't play nearly well enough in tune to be practical in all genres i play. noelpaz, the guardalas (when b&s horns) were manufactured in eastern germany (markneukirchen, close to the czech border) not that that's necessarily a bad thing, just something you should be aware of.

[Tears June]

MissNiceness

Guardala sax models ? They will not have new sax anymore.
DG don't have production in Germany, just OEM made by a factory "VMI", who also produce horn for B&S.

DG don't do any saxophone business now. You may check on new brand - Chicago Jazz Series . It is selling by L.A. Sax & Orpheus Music . When I look at the photo, CJ look almost same with DG, just different engraving. However, don't know how it play.


averageschmoe
My DG tenor play very well, no mechanical problem. Just right hand side Bb key is too low for me. I have no regert to give up my idea for a YTS-875 & Series III. TY-S-875 sounds too polite, lack of sound character & tone color. Series III....OK but not as good as DG Black Nickel (just my personal feel).

My friend & teacher said it is better than many 6 digitals Mark VI + Even better than some good 5 digitals Mark VI.


:cry:

[Dr G]

Please see the related post on "New Product Announcements". Summary: Dave Guardala and company do intend to produce instruments under the Guardala name in the future.

[Honeyboy]

I just tried a used Guardala NY model tenor at a local music store. I used an Otto Link with a stick on baffle . I was very impressed with this horn- top quality sound and feel. This horn is as good as anything out there-past or present. I mean, Selmer, Martin, King, Yamaha, et al. If I had the $2800.00 they wanted, I'd buy it.

[SuperDave]

I just got my Guardala tenor today from Miles Ahead Music in Ky.
I ordered it Monday and recieved it before noon today. Came in great condition. I haven't played a tenor in about 18 yrs, but it sounds great has nice keywork. I'm very impressed with the customer service of Miles Ahead. The sax played right out of the box. I also have a DG bari that also plays great. These are very nice and nicely priced horns. :D