Unison S300

[BandNerd]

I'm looking to upgrade my older beginner/intermediate Yamaha to a more advanced model. I've heard good things about the Unison S300; could anyone tell me a little more about them? Thank you!

[saxgourmet]

There's lots of information on my site www.saxgourmet.com, Click on the Unison logo on the main page to see the full catalog.

[Tim Wolfe]

I've owned and regular play the S300 alto for two years now.

It's a GREAT horn. I like it better than the MK VI I played for 20 years. I like it better than new Yamahas and Yanis. I've never played a Keilwerth alto (but I have played an old Couf, which was a great horn), nor any of the vintage American horns except a Conn Naked Lady. The Conn wasn't set up well, so I couldn't fairly assess it.

I have the S300GG, which has the burnished gold plate finish. A BEAUTUIFIL horn in my opinion.

I've played several mpcs on the S300, all with pretty good results. I currently like my Jody Jazz 8 (cool blue plastic).

I also have the S400 tenor. A really nice horn, but the S300 is even better in my opinion. I play the tenor more often, but the alto is the better of the two horns. Both are set up properly and maintained in excellent condition.

I also have the 9001 student-level soprano. It is okay to good. I like it as well as the YSS-475, although I tried only one copy (I've only tried one copy of the Unison, though, too!). I've played the YS-62, which is a vastly superior soprano compared to my Unison 9001. I've got to believe that the Yani soprano must also blow away the Unison, but I don't know that myself.

Anyway, I hope my experiences and impressions are helpful to you. Best wishes.

[Tim Wolfe]

Please forgive my typos. It's been one of those days.

[uncle al]

I'd be interested in hearing more reviews of these horns if anyone out there has had a chance to play them...

[Dan000892]

I'd be interested in hearing more reviews of these horns if anyone out there has had a chance to play them...

I'll let you know about the S400BG tonight since I have one (Tim's :)) coming in later today. :wink:

[Howlin]

Check out this forum under Brands - Unison for more info

[Dan000892]

Check out this forum under Brands - Unison for more info

Or not, since this is the only thread in that (this) category concerning the non- Steve Goodson saxes.


But now, on the topic of the Unisons. I just got my S400BG (tenor) and I love it! I can't praise it enough. The keywork is a little bit different from the last horn I played, which was a Yamaha YTS-62, but I got used to it very quickly and like it very much. The action is nice, the ergonomics are nice. The left palm keys took a little getting used to. I accidently hit D# instead of D a couple times, but everything is placed so you don't have to move as much. The Bis key is a little closer to the B, the front F is shaped so you don't move as much, the low C & Eb table keys are a little different too... it makes it so that again you don't have to move as much.

The one thing I really noticed was that I'm able to play altissimo notes much easier than I could on the Yamaha and I can produce tones down to low Bb and subtones much more quietly than I could on the Yamaha.

It's well built and looks really good. If you have any specific questions, let me know... I'm sure I'm missing something.

BTW, I believe Tim's S300 is still for sale in the marketplace. The 400 was in perfect condition, sent with cork clamping the pads down, the case was in a large box jam packed with styrofoam packing peanuts. Simply outstanding.

[uncle al]

Thanks Dan,

How's the sound compare to a yamaha 62? Intonation?

[Dan000892]

The sound is great compared to a Yamaha 62! The Yamaha is like a plane of glass... everything passing into it, passes out the same for the most part. But the Unison is like a crystal, enhancing it. The sound is much fuller. The low notes can boom!... or whisper. The high palm D - altissimo sounds good! It's in tune with the rest of the instrument and isn't thin as I found with the Yamaha.

The intonation is very good with my Brilhart Ebolin 5. I have to work with my Guy Hawkins 7 a bit before it's good (but that's a me-fix and as many would say on this forum, a mouthpiece problem).

Any other questions?

[uncle al]

No other questions, thanks for all the usefull info. Its too bad that Unisons aren't more readily available for trial...they might be a good 'sleeper' saxophone at a great price.

[Dan000892]

It certainly will serve as my sax for a very long time. You can check Unison's site to see if there's a authorized seller near you. I didn't have that luxury so I took a chance and I'm very glad I did. Best of luck!