Amati Baritone ABS - Opinions

[brutlix]

Hey, guys!

Does anybody own ABS 64 or has played it? What are
your opinions? Im in a market for a new baritone and Im
considering every option; but i know Amati's aren't very
reputable horns...

Any comments?

[DTGAZ]

Brutlix,

As the self-appointed SOTW Amati shill; I have to clarify your comment 'aren't very reputable horns'.

In fact most of the comments on SOTW, from owners and players tend to be quite positive. Based on my own new ATS 83P Tenor and my AAS63 Alto I believe you will find the ABS 64 an outstanding horn, and excellent value.

Try it and compare, let the horn speak for itself.

Dennis

[cymru97]

I played one several years ago, but it had been damaged and needed attention. The horn felt fairly decent and looked pretty good, but sadly I didn't get to play it except for a few honks and squeeks.

I'm with Dennis though, my expereinces with Amati horns have been fairly positive. I'd love to try that 83P. If there's an ABS near you go give it a honk.

[Felipe53]

I own a ABS 64 (Andromeda series) for nearly four years and I am very satisfied with it.

I bought it brand new so I had to go through the break-in process wich took me about three months, playing long notes every single day.

This horn can give you any sound you are after , depending on the mouthpiece. I use a Otto Link metal 6, and it gives me a full dark tone which I prefer since I play in a sax quintet. The horn is very powerful, but you can play it softly too. Low notes, like D, B, Bb and low A are very easy, both loud and soft.

The only stuffy note is medium A , and needs a special attack. Otherwise, ok.

Ergos are very good (I have small hands) as these are copies of the Yamaha mechanisms (I play a YAS 82Z and a YTS 62, so I can tell). The only difference is the spatula position. Although keys and rollers design of the spatula are the same as any modern horn, it is placed slightly higher (so G# is just under your pinky) and low Bb is a little further down, so I have to stretch a little bit more than with my YAS or YTS to reach it since my fingers are not very long.

This horn is very well built (actually i'ts a tank) , with extra braces and adjusting screws were you need them most.
Lacquer is excellent, and has not scratched in four years of use, so that tells you something. I expect to have this horn for a least ten more years.


I recommend this horn but you have to go through the break-in porcess if you buy it new.

[SaxPlayer1004]

For your A problem. Try pushing the G# key down. I know this isn't practical for fast passages, but a quick way to eliminate the stuffy A's and D's is to depress the G# and C# keys respectively.