Authorized B&S Dealers in USA?

[Mark R]

I recently bought a B&S Codera sax and would like to know if anyone knows of any Authorized B&S Dealers in the USA. I love the horn but am wondering about different neck options.

[DaveKessler]

B&S doesnt have the same type of "Authorized Dealers" as do the main Big 4 sax makers do.

On the Codera line, you are probably best off dealing with WW&BW since they are the only dealer that I know of dealing in that model on the B&S.

I am able to order B&S saxes and materials but do them on a special order only basis.

They are distributed in the USA through JA Musik International. Their website is http://www.ja-musik.com/group/

[T.S.]

You can order Codera necks in Silver plated brass, Nickel Silver, and Sterling Silver from Al Soskin, the US rep for Codera Wind Instrument and Tools. Just go to the Codera Website and E-mail for information. These necks will fit the B&S Codera horns perfectly (minor octave key adjustment will probably be necessary). I have a nickel silver neck on mine which plays and sounds great.

[phil44]

I also have a Codera tenor, and (GAS ?) may want to change the neck, what difference did you find between the standard one and the nickel silver ?

Thanks

Philippe

[T.S.]

The Nickel Silver neck opens and focuses upper harmonics somewhat from the stock brass neck, though not as much as I have experienced with the Gloger Silver neck on my Super 20, nor is the dynamic range as great as with a silver neck-but more sublte dynamics can be achieved than with the stock neck.
I prefer the nickel Silver to the brass, but think I would like to try a silver somewhere down the line.

[keilwerth14]

Hi guys. I live in Maine and there is a dealer that deals BandS and I think he is one of their authorized dealers. Taylor Music, Turner MAINE. If anybody wants more information on this store respond and I'll find out the phone number, etc. JOHN

[Morry]

John,

That would be great if you wouldn't mind. I'd like to get some info from them.

[keilwerth14]

Morry check your email.

[Morry]

Stu's Music near Baltimore has a black nickel/gold lacquer key tenor for $2995. I passed up a black nickel/silver plated key tenor for $2400 last year, so I guess I should be shot.

[Randall]

Morry if you'll be patient I am fairly sure you'll find one pop up on Ebay for under 2K.
I got a practically new 500BN for 1500.00 about a year ago. Incredible horns! Actually of all the DG tenors I played, I liked this one almost as much as the ET.
Both are fantastic horns ....really hard to choose.

[Morry]

I find the model numbers of the Guardalas confusing to say the least.

[Randall]

Ok Morry,
500 and 501 were almost the same horns...if memory serves me correctly. "BN" is black nickel/ 72 percent copper in the brass.

502 is the NYC landmark engraved tenor

503 is the Earth Tone tenor

These two have higher copper content in the brass than the 500/501 Something like 86%...can't remember these figures exactly.


A model number followed by "SP" would mean silver plate, etc...

[Morry]

So, besides the copper content, do you know the differences between the "Artist" (x00/x01) and "Pro Custom" (x02/x03) series?

[Balladeer]

Randall, you're almost right. Morry, I play a DG 501BN tenor and love it.

400 and 500 series (alto and tenor, respectively) have 72% copper.

401/501 series have the 85% copper content.

402/502 series have 85% copper content plus 'Hi-Pulse' annealing.

403/503 series are the earthtone, matte finish horns.

New York series could be 401/501, 402/502 or 403/503, and have full engraving across keys and bell.

Two letters after model number indicate finish:
CL - regular, clear lacquer
BN - black nickel
ET - earth tone (matte)
SP - silver plate

Check the info at this URL:
http://www.saxophones.co.uk/Dave%20Guardala%20saxes.htm

[Morry]

Do you know if the silver plate with gold plated keywork, like shown on the NY series, is available without the NY engraving? That is an exceptional looking horn, but I find the NY skyline engraving a bit much.

[Balladeer]

Morry, I'm not an expert on the Guardalas, but my sense is that the saxes were available with the engraving on the bell and the engraving across all the keys is the optional part. For example, I have a DG 501BN tenor. Engraved on the bell are the words "Dave Guardala", "New York", "USA" plus extensive floral design. My horn has the additional copper content and looks quite nice, but it doesn't have engraving of the Statue of Liberty or engraving across the keys. I believe that the 'New York' model in the same finish would be identical mechanically and compositionally, but would include the extra engraving.

[Randall]

Morry the 502 SP was the "over the top" engraved horn with the NYC landmarks on the keys. To my knowledge there are no 502SP's without the NYC engraving on the keys.
The 501 did not have the NYC landmarks engraving option; that is why there are 2 different model numbers- 501 and 502
Also, I bought one of the silver and gold altos for a student and the engraving on the keys is not nearly so noticeable from a few feet away. On the bright silver, the engraving does not stand out so terribly either. Actually it is really quite beautiful. The one that is a bit over the top for me is the black and gold one (which I had a tenor of myself). Even then, the key engraving is not that noticeable.
Morry if you wanted a Medusa in this finish, I am sure you could get it done this way (silver body/ gold keys). Question is how long would it take. From what is in the catalogue, you can can get the Medusa with or without key engraving too.
Also, where can you find the silver and gold Guardala tenor? Do you know of someone with one there in the USA?

[Morry]

Randall, so far I haven't found anything except the black nickel or plain lacquer in the U.S. This a link to the dealer site in the U.K.

http://www.saxophones.co.uk/Dave%20Guardala%20saxes.htm

[Balladeer]

Horn Sales in Troy, Idaho, was a Guardala dealer. I think they have been selling a few Guardalas on eBay over the last year. You might contact them.

http://www.hornsales.com

[Randall]

Ballad, this guy was selling Guardalas, but he got out of it evidently and is selling what appears to be LA Sax stencils called "Hampton" now....

[Joe Jazz]

Morry-

They do have the silver body/goldplated keys NY tenor model at saxophones.uk, but I suspect you may already know that, since you said you're not fond of the NY engraving.....nice looking saxes all! :D

[Joe Jazz]

Oops, just noticed you posted the link to their site earlier...ok, I feel dumb! :oops:

[Joe Jazz]

Morry-

You could just buy a Guardala tenor from Miles Ahead Music if he has any left(no telling what finish is available)...but don't you need a bari more than ANOTHER tenor????? Maytan Music used to have a Guardala gold lacquer bari left but that was a while back...I figure it's gone by now. I can't remember who else I had talked to that had one black nickle bari left for $3,995. I probably should've snagged that sucker while the snagging was good!

[Morry]

I made a road trip today to deliver my curved soprano to the new owner in Atlanta (what service!). While there, I went to a music store I found on the internet while looking for B&S dealers. The store is Whipkey's Music in Marietta, GA.

First, a little about the store. A young guy (compared to me) named Aaron waited on me, and he was very helpful, and a pleasure to deal with. The lady manager was a different animal altogether. She insisted that the salesman accompany me into the practice room, so I couldn't be alone with the horn. I guess she thought I might disassemble it and take it home in my pockets. Here's a word to retailers...if a guy drives 3 hours and brings $600 worth of mouthpieces with him, he's serious about your horn. She immediately started the hard sell telling me how much better a B&S horn was than anything I've ever tried and, by the way, how did I intend to pay?

Ok, enough about the store. I found the black nickel 2001 tenor to be very well engineered. I would say that it rivals my SX90R. The finish was excellent, and the setup was perfect. While the engineering is equal to my Keilwerth, I think the build quality may be SLIGHTLY superior on the JK. I found the thickness of some key material (palms, etc.) to be a bit less on the B&S, although it has a very sturdy feel in your hands, and I'm sure would hold up quite nicely for a lifetime. The number of adjustment screws on the B&S is truly mind-bogling.

The tone of the B&S is very round and centered. Quite different from my SX90 I think. The timbre is very even from the bottom of the horn to the top, although I didn't really play as much as I would have liked, not having the opportunity to be alone in the room with the horn. Since coming off of a 7 year hiatus, I haven't been playing in front of people, and prefer private time with the horns. I found that the low notes didn't fall out of the bell quite as easily as with my JK, but that is likely due to the reed. I took mouthpieces, but failed to take a reed brand and strength that I commonly use. The reed I bought was a 1/3 strength (RSJ) harder than normal, so this most likely explains the low notes. Subtoning with the slightly harder reed was nice though.

Overall, I like the horn a great deal, and will probably own one soon. I don't think I'd trade my plain lacquer Keilwerth even for it, however, as I like the palette of the JK a bit better. I think I can get the same focused sound with the proper mouthpiece and, after returning home to blow the SX90R again, I like the common keywork across soprano, alto and tenor.

What I did decide, however, is that I really like the black nickel. I recently bought an SX90II BN soprano, and I think I'm going to try to sell my plain lacquer tenor and get a black one. This is solely an asthetic thing, but I like the look of it, and the sound picture that it generates in my head, if that makes any sense.

Anyone looking for a B&S in the Southeast can pick up a fine one in Atlanta, and I think they were asking $2995. I don't know if the price is negotiable at all, but you can check. All-in-all, quite a nice playing tenor sax.

[Joe Jazz]

I knew there was some reason I hated salespeople! Just remember Morry, once you go black nickel you can never go back! Sounds like it would've been more fun if I'd have gone along to distract the manager by pretending to steal a curved soprano stand or something..... :wink:

[Randall]

Talk about de ja vu! I had almost forgotten about pushy sales people in the USA!
Morry's report reminds me of the podunk music store I used to deal with back where I grew up.

Sure am glad I don't have to deal with them anymore!!!

Morry your comments about the 2001 were right on the mark when compared to my experience. I am sure your harder reed inhibited the response you got...when you use your regular set up, you will find it has a WONDERFUL low end.
I really wish youcould get your hands on one of those sterling 2001's or Medusas.... :shock:

[Joe Jazz]

Morry-The good news is I heard that music store manager just quit to become a security screener manager at the Atlanta airport(please step this way Mr. Morry for your body cavity search). The bad news is I wouldn't fly out of there any time soon! Randall-so, you're saying they don't have podunk music stores in Japan? No wonder you own enough saxes to sink a battleship....... :USA:

[Randall]

Well Joe, "podunk" in the sense I mean.....I can answer unequivocally, "no" (at least not around where I live).

And contrary to popular belief, I don't have enough saxes to sink a battleship.
Destroyer escort....maybe. :wink:

Actually it looks like I am about to get a few lighter....
and get a new one.... :roll:
If the wife finds out, I am dead meat....good thing I have an office where I can hide a few!

[Joe Jazz]

So it's like with years, out with the old, in with the new......when you spoke of a new one is that the sterling B&Syou ordered? I'm trying to turn over a new leaf and clear the decks, and then KEEP THEM CLEAN! That's the hard part. No sooner do I say I'm standing pat from here on out Morry keeps talking about getting a new tenor. Then I start looking around at Keilwerth tenor prices.....it's a sickness really.... :dazed:

[Morry]

As much as I'd like to get that new Keilwerth SX90R Black tenor from Stephan, WW&BW has it for $3199 with no shipping. And, the setup on the SX90II soprano I got from them was spot on.

I just need to sell my plain lacquer tenor. Anyone want a mint condition SX90R tenor for $2400? That's about $900 under most stores price, and $500 under WW&BW's best price.

[Joe Jazz]

Morry-
I was just looking at Saxforte's Rampone & Cazzini R1 Jazz tenor on e-bay....WOW! I'd buy it from Roland though...... :D

[Morry]

Roland is $500 plus shipping more expensive than WWBW on the black nickel JK. I'm gonna take a beating on my gold lacquer tenor anyway, so I can't spend an extra $600-700 by going with him. I'd really rather get it from Stephan, but I'm guessing he'll want at least $3600 or more for it also.

[Joe Jazz]

No, no, I was talking about getting the R&C from him....can't beat the 12 months same as cash from WW&BW! :D

[Morry]

Ah, does that mean the silver 62 tenor may come up for sale then? lol

[Joe Jazz]

Ya never know, you know? :lol:

[Joe Jazz]

Dr. Jekyl say's "don't worry, be happy with what you have :D ", while Mr. Hyde says "variety is the spice of life, swap saxes every year or so so you can try them all :twisted: "

[Joe Jazz]

If I sold my silver 62 I'd have to change my e-mail address, because I will have sold all three silver saxes....... :Shocked:

[Hurling Frootmig]

I think the saxshop is a B&S dealer. www.saxshop.com.

[Morry]

I have never had so much trouble getting info about a product I was eager to purchase. I have filled out the B&S online catalog request a dozen times, and have spoken to the U.S. importer in Chicago himself twice.

The website doesn't even show a picture of anything but an alto, so I guess you just have to use your imagination.

Man, they could use a college class in Marketing.

[Joe Jazz]

Naw, they're just trying to create a pent-up demand....!!!! :dazed:

[Randall]

Morry you hit that RIGHT on the head!!!!!! :!: :!: :!: :!: :!:

[Joe Jazz]

Youse guys should quit yer whining and either buy a Chicago Jazz sax or buy a B&S from Roland in Germany! That'll teach em! :wink: