Cannonball made in Salt Lake City, Utah

[Big Jim]

There is an ad on Ebay that says Cannonball Sax Big Bell for sale and is made in Salt Lake City, Utah. I can't remember if it's a Tenor or Alto Big Bell. I didn't know they were made there. Is this correct? Thanks,
Jim :?:

[colibri]

The Cannonballs get parts from Taiwan and are assembled in Utah. That's all I know. The folks at Cannonball don't talk too much about the production of their saxes. They're afraid of other manufactures learning their "trade secrets" and make better horns then they do, not that they make excellent horns already.

[Jerry K.]

I understood that Cannonballs were made in Taiwan to their speciifications with some neck modifications done here.

[Morry]

I don't believe that they are assembled in Utah, although I could be mistaken. I think the company is based there, and that is about it, although they may get a tweaking at the corporate office.

[Big Jim]

Now, the real question...Are all Taiwan Saxophones created equal. I have a DC Pro Tenor, from Dominic. It plays good and stays in tune all the way up and down. The only thing is the finish on the left thumb Octave key is wearing off and it's only one year old. I am contemplating a Cannonball Alto. They are higher in price than the DC Pro. What would make them better if they are made in the same Country? Hey Everyone, I really appreciate your advice and I really enjoy this site. Thanks again, Jim :D

[Riff]

The only thing is the finish on the left thumb Octave key is wearing off and it's only one year old.

This has happened to both my Selmer Series III alto and Keilwerth SX90R tenor. Both happened within the first year of ownership. I think it has more to do with contact with your thumb than quality control at the factory. The heat, body acids and friction from your thumb is bound to cause some wear on the finish. This key in particular is in constant contact with your thumb. The other keys have pearl touches to protect them. The next spot to wear off will probably be the left and right hand pinky keys. Or maybe the right hand thumb rest if it is brass as opposed to plastic.

[Dr G]

What would make them better if they are made in the same Country?

Oh, I don't know. Might they be made in different factories to different designs, materials specs, and quality standards? Are all products produced in the U.S. (or any other country) equally good? :?

[Big Jim]

Thanks Dr. G. Makes sense. OK, so the rest is left up to me to get the tone I want. Thanks again to all. regards,
Jim :D

[Balladeer]

Big Jim,
What makes one horn better than another would be that you like the action, tone, resistance(more or less), durability, or finish of one horn more than another. It is quite possible that a lesser known brand/model sax could be the one that you love.

Like Dr G says 'Go for the tone' plus the action and feel. The finish really doesn't matter, and if you're a player the resale doesn't matter. Durability is a factor, though, as you wouldn't want a sweet playing horn to be so delicate as to bend under your touch and grip.

(p.s. - I'm about an hour from you in Kingwood)

[Big Jim]

Thank you, Balladeer. Email me sometime. jsnedeker@houston.rr.com
Regards,
Jim

[Phred168]

I love my Cannonball tenor big bell. They are assembled in Taiwan, with parts from most of the world(Italy, South America, Taiwan...) and the necks are finished and every horn is play-tested in Salt Lake City. They make sure all the adjustments are right and the neck is good, but they don't actually assemble them there. Look at a Cannonball neck sometime. They have some attention paid to them.