B&S soprano

[noelpaz]

I have to post this info here even though I posted it on the Misc Modern saxophones (Moderators, feel free to move or delete). I need some help and info which I thought this section might be more visited. :)

************************************************** **********
I just got a B&S straight soprano from e-bay. It is two tone nickle/silver keys and brass body. The pinky cluster and the C/Eb keys are stainless steel. I can't find info on this horn and the serial is 5712. It has no engraving and does not have a front F - just like the vintage sopranos of the past. The lacquer is in excellent condition so I don't really know what era it could be.

It has an amazing tone. Except for the palm keys I really like the layout. I need mondo risers on the keys so I could do altissimo and alt fingerings

I had in my long term possesion a Yanagisawa soprano and this sounds much better. I also have the first Winston sops when Emilio Lyons was setting them up - not the horn specifically but I think he was giving advice to their design, that my Winston does not even have a serial (1989). The winston was just set-up and regulated but this B&S with leaks showing from the leak light plays easier than the Winston. I mean the middle stack and half of the upper stack had leaks and it plays all the way to the low Bb , pianissimo and subtone- and I am not pressing hard either. My tech was impressed and she still has to work on it. She said it is just like the old Conns and Martins. The intonation on the upper range is a bit off, but my tech said it is because of a minor damage to one of the post and it would be better once set up. I can't wait but this probably won't happen in 2 to 3 weeks.

Again the sound is really impressive. It is more full, not bright or scooped like some soprano's. And for a design that is not Selmer based it is a quite horn. No clacky keys

Any info and experience on this horns will be much appreciated. Also help on alternate finerings for sopranos with no front f.

Thanks

[noelpaz]

No wonder cybersax wants 1400 for similar horn!!. After adjusting, repairing a dent and a replacement of a couple of pads, I have a monster soprano in my possesion. I am sold to the quality of B&S saxes and Bear at Cybersax said that the older ones are the way to go. Mines serial 5712.

The design varies a bit from the Mark VI or early Yani design, in the position of the tone holes, the octave mecahnism and the general movement of C, B Bb keys and key cups, but actually this seems to make more sense acoustically. They definitley came up with their own enginneering and di nto just make a Selmer copy. The tone is huge, somebody thought I was playing alto. The fact that it played all the way down even with leaks before I took it in is an indication of the quality of this horn. What I do not like is the palm keys, but I think it's just getting use to it. No front F, but not really a problem for me. Subtone and low Bb is no problem. The horn is so resonant that I can actually feel the vibration not just in my skull but even in my neck vai the neckstrap if I use one. There are subtle ergonomic touches like the thumbrest is angled and scalloped so you right hand is in natural position and less/no pain in the thumb. The top notes are open and not squeeky. Although I know it is not really useful Altissimo A (A3)is easily reachable. I need some alternate Altissimo G# fingering that would work well,

The original cork was synthetic and works pretty well and the key noises are not any louder than any pro sax - maybe even quiter. Not as fluid as a new Yani or Yamaha. (as far as I can remember)

Mouthpieces will play flat unless you go all the way in. Measures a tad longer than a vintage Yani. I have a 7* Metal Link and an BAri .68 HR. I drilled out the chamber in the link to be larger (I know I should have sent it to a refacer - but it actually accounts fro a lush and projecting sound to the link and made it altoish and IN TUNE!)

Th octave key - looks clunky at first but actually is designed well so you can have faster and fluid octave jumps. The left hand thumb rest is tall as well - twice the height of other sopranos) Also the side keys are also engineered well though it looks awkward. The F side key is not inline but this actually prevents accidental opening if you are finering the side C. Clever. So makes high E to F - tradiitonal fingering easy, becasue the F key has an sharp angle that allows it to open by rolling your right hand and the knuckle opening the high F. It also looks like the the key cup attachments to the rods are too angular and larger and not delicate like french designs. Most of them have an almost triangular cross section and they might have opted for strength rather than aesthetics. Tech said they are very sturdy and needed more work to bend. She daid rods were stainless

Key touches -- only 7 acrylic key touches. Not beautiful - not pearls, but again inteligently designed. Your fingers won't slip. BTW this horn is two-tone. Brass body and silver-chrome keys

Overall this horn will not compete in a beauty contest - But is really a tone monster. Did I mention - metal resos on these. I never had a horn with metal resonators. My tech said it sounds like a vintage Conn or Buescher but defintiely more in tune and can project. BTW for a 70's horn the lacquer is still there maybe 99%. It is darkening but no pitting or flaking.

Check out a similar sop at cybersax http://cybersax.com/4Sale/Saxophones/Sopranos/Saxophones_Soprano.html

If you're looking for a sop that would hang with the keilwerths and yamaha's, selmers and yani - check out B&S. Good price - exc horn

[ravingdave]

My Meister soprano S/No.2624 bought new from The Saxophone Shop (Bill Lewington) in London circa 1985 is now on E-bay.