How's your KC Tenor holding up?

[RockyMtnSax]

I am thinking of buying a KC tenor. For those of you that have had one for a while (two years, it looks like, Dave D...) how is your horn holding up? I have talked to Dave Kessler and was very impressed with his advice, but I want to make sure it is a sound investment. I won't be selling it, so I don't care about resale. I just want a sax that will hold up for ~20 years like my Selmer Signet alto has.

Thanks,
Derek

[Dave Dolson]

Hi Derek: I'd normally say WELCOME (first post and all) but it appears you've been doing your reading here for a while. Oh what the . . . . - Welcome.

My KC tenor is working just fine, thank you. But I don't know that I am the best person to judge long-term survivability. I recently played it, but that was a rarity - I am not a tenor player and do not take it on gigs, so it receives little use. But it rests well in its case.

My 11-year old grandson, on the other hand, plays his KC alto all the time, taking lessons on it. And it too is working well with substantially more use.

I see no reason why one of Dave Kessler's saxophones (regardless of size) shouldn't be good for many years. DAVE

[RockyMtnSax]

Thanks for the welcome! I have been reading for a while, but not that long; I just searched old threads.

Thanks for the information, too. I suspect I will probably try one out, once I find some $$ (still recovering from first kid in orthodontics).

[Cerot]

Well ive had my KC Tenor about a year now, play it every day. In a year ive only had a few tiny issues. A few corks came off (just glued back on), C# leaked a bit ($5.00 at tech to fix), thats about it. I baby it though, it has no dents or dings on it yet!

[ratracer]

Welcome to SOTW Derek!

I've had my KC Deluxe tenor for about 9 months now. Get to play it once or twice, maybe three times a week. Little more than Dave but not nearly as much as Cerot! :(

My experience is much like Cerot's. I've knocked a cushion off and have a suspicion that I have a leak but then, it is due for a tune up. Nothing that won't keep it from playing in the normal range that I play in . Mechanically nothing is out of whack so it seems to be pretty sturdy and well built.

Didn't have it adjusted when it came in, it played beyond my tenor abilities right out of the box. Now that I've had it a while I would like to take it in to see if there is any fine tuning that could be done.

Good luck. The Kessler's are straight shooters and will do you and steer you right.

[RockyMtnSax]

Thanks, guys, for the welcome and for the information. My 88 Signet Alto was the same way for about 3 years. Screws worked their way out and needed tightening, corks and plastic octave and side Bb and C key arm covers came off, and pads occasionally leaked. Then everything seemed to stabilize (maybe you need a basic amount of dirt and grime in the rod oil and plastic to stick to lacquer) and none of that has happened since except the occasional palm key pad replacement.

I just wanted to make sure the horns hold up and are reparable over time, and it sounds like they are.

[ratracer]

Nine months is a little short for a conclusive durability evaluation on my part but I'm like you, bought it with no inclination to turn it around and sell it so resale wasn't a factor in my situation. I expected to have to take it in just due to the shipping factor but that wasn't necessary in my case. Very good value for the $$.

I know there are a few more SOTWers with the Kessler horns. It'd be very informational if they'd pipe up as well!

Cheers!

- Doug