So I bought a Kessler tenor...

[DixieSax]

And I am awaiting eagerly its arrival. I was browsing e-bay last week, and there was a Kessler tenor listed by a gentleman who had bought it new a year ago with the intention of relearning, but then never really got around to it. I wrote him during the auction, because I felt his price was a bit over market value for the horn, and at the end of the auction this was borne out, as he received no bids, so I followed up with what I thought was a reasonable offer (and about what I had in my horn fund - fortunately I played an extra gig over the weekend).

So, anyway, I now have a year old antique finish Kessler Custom on the way, and I'm looking forward to trying it out. I won't be able to keep three tenors around though, which means that within a few weeks either the Kessler or my current backup tenor will go on the market and I'll give first shot to the SOTW crowd. (My Super 20 isn't going anywhere. :D ) Regardless of what horn I keep around though, I'll post a review of the Kessler once I receive it and have any minor adjustments done that it requires after it arrives.

I'll still be in the market for a soprano before the end of the year - but of course buying this horn will push back the projected order date by a couple of months. Should also be a determining factor on ordering the Kessler sop. Next weekend should be fun. 8-)

[Noj the Terrible]

Congratulations! Please let us know how it is when you get it.

[ratracer]

Looking forward to your observations, and congrats!

[bluesaxgirl]

Yay!!! Congrats!
I know you'll have fun. :)

[DixieSax]

Well, according to FedEx, the Kessler will arrive tomorrow. It is on a plane somewhere.

Meanwhile, I got a mild case of GAS, and I picked up a vintage SML Gold Medal tenor (see the thread with pictures on the SML board).

This means that by the weekend I will have four (yikes) tenors sitting around the house. At least two will have to go. If I had to venture a guess it would be my current backup tenor (a modern stencil of some sort marked "Capitol") and either the SML or my King Super 20. A lot will depend on how much work will need to go into the SML - I absolutely love its sound, and it's the first horn I've ever played that has made me even think about selling off the King.

Once I decide what goes, the ads will go here on SOTW first, so if anybody wants a good tenor, you might want to PM me and tell me which sax I should sell you and why. :D

Just call me oversaxed. 8-)

[saintsday]

Just call me oversaxed. 8-)

Ain't no such thing.

[DixieSax]

The Kessler tenor arrived about an hour ago. An excellent showing by the e-bayer who sold it to me. Here are my initial impressions. The seller used a LOT of packing material. He definitely made sure that the horn was not going to be damaged in transit. Well done. When I pulled the sax case out of the packaging material, I swore that I was looking at a brand new case and opening it for the first time. It's a first rate saxophone case, but my pleasure didn't stop there.

I opened the case, and the tenor also was like new - and it is stunning. It is in the "antiqued" finish, which from looking at Dave's website, I felt that would be my last choice if I had my choice of finish, but I have got to tell you, this is a gorgeous instrument. I picked it up from the case and looked it over for quite a few minutes, checking for any obvious flaws, dents, dings, bad alignment, etc. The only thing I found was a tiny bit of stray solder at the base of the neckstrap loop. Otherwise, the horn is cosmetically flawless. It's well built too - it does not feel like a lightweight inexpensive asian horn. Don't get me wrong, it's not as heavy as my SML or even my King, but this is a solid sax.

Now came the fun. I assembled the neck and pulled out a Selmer C* mouthpiece that I use as a reference point when trying out a new horn. It always gives me a baseline for direct comparison to other instruments. Then I just started playing. The horn went with me effortlessly, and right out of the case was easily capable of the full range - down to Bb with no gurgles and none of the effort that is sometimes necessary with a new horn or one where attention to detail is not present. Up to the top F# as well, with good solid intonation. I popped a few altissimo notes, but that's really not my playing style - was just seeing what the horn could do.

Then I tried the mouthpiece that came with the sax, which I believe to be the standard Kessler mouthpiece supplied with this tenor. The horn responded well, and the Kessler gave me a more open, brighter sound, but without the dark richness of tone that came from the Selmer piece. Again, that is a first impression, based solely on about half an hour with the horn. My Meyer is unfortunately at the shop with my Capitol tenor that I am getting adjusted to sell, so I have not tried it yet. I did discover that the neck octave key is just a bit out of adjustment, failing to seat on some decending passages resulting in that dreaded squeal that happens when the octave vents don't swap out precicely at "G." I'm sure a few minutes with my tech will resolve that issue quickly.

I'll post more when I have more time on the horn, but I am pleased to say that the Kessler Custom tenor is a fine saxophone. Much better than what I expected, and a joy to play, from the top end to the bottom. It looks fantastic, sounds great, and based on first impressions, it's a horn I would not be ashamed to gig with anywhere. Well worth Dave's asking price on the Kessler website, and an excellent value. (An even better value for me, since I paid 625.00 for one hell of a horn)

I'm going to go play it some more now.

[ratracer]

More congratulations are in order! Successful eBay purchase and delivery and it sounds like you and the horn are getting along well! So far so good. And, looks like like you got a pretty good deal as well. Well, tally-ho and carry on. Cheers!!

Doug

[Spongebob Saxpants]

It's always good to hear success stories. Congratulations on your new purchase!

[Fred]

Those saxes are really good values. As a comparison, a local pawn shop recently sold (not to me) a YAS-52 for $599 plus tax (~ $650 total). Not a bad deal, you might think. But it needed a complete overhaul - I doubt that there was one good pad on it. So add about $500 for a local overhaul and another $50 for tax, and look at your price point for a used 52.

[DixieSax]

OK, I have some more time on the Kessler now - imagine that. I've gotten to the bottom of the octave key issue mentioned above - as designed, the octave mechanism relies on the spring that is on the neck key to pop open the lower octave vent when the upper vent closes, and the flat spring that does the job seems to be just a bit underpowered. I've also discovered that the C# pops open just a hair if I am not careful on the plateau when playing low B and Bb. The horn has a hold down and an adjustment screw to prevent this from occuring which is just a fraction out of alignment. I've played the horn for about 4 hours today, and that is it. That is all that I can find wrong with it. I don't want to sound like a Kessler shill, and this is not a MK VI but it is a great value. I want to have it set up a little bit more closed though.

I'll get the minor adjustments made tomorrow - I'm taking my SML that I picked up on Monday in to begin the first stage of what will end up being a complete overhaul and picking up my Capitol stencil horn that I took to have a couple of adjustments made before I sell it - yep, the Capitol is the odd tenor out, and is being sold (offer pending photos that I'll be taking tomorrow when I get the horn - if that sale falls through then it will be listed here). I need to get a couple adjustments done on my alto as well, so my tech is going to really love me this month - but it was an audible whistle when I told him about the SML I was bringing in. Wrong forum for that one though, for those interested, you can follow it's story over in the appropriate forum.

I'm keeping the Kessler as my new backup tenor. Decision on my King will be based on the result of the overhaul on the SML. I think I am likely to end up with the SML and the Kessler as my #1 and #2 tenors, and that ain't a bad thing at all. Based on this experience, I will feel very confident in buying a Kessler soprano later this year (that is if everything else falls into place before then.)

[ratracer]

Thanks for the update. Just those adjustments for a year-old horn. Not too bad. I would be interested to know if your tech finds anything else! Granted, sounds like the original owner didn't play much if any at all. But the horn did survive being shipped a couple of times. That alone has the possibility to throw it out of adjustment.

Cheers!

[AA3NK]

Was the Kessler previously based in the Houston area?

I had seen an ad on Craigslist for one in that general price band with similar owner situation.

I am well stocked with horns for the moment but, well, ya' know, if a nice flute came along.... I don't know how play one but that never held me back before!!

Enjoy the new horn! I'm pretty sure you'll like their soprano as well and the price is very easy to take.

Bob

[DixieSax]

AA3NK - No, it came from Georgia, my old stomping grounds, via ebay. If I had any flutes I'd help you out, I've enjoyed reading your soprano thread, but unfortunately, the only flute I have right now is a junker Gemeinhardt that I use to do some Riddle/Sinatra charts with my big band. But who knows - I'm always willing to lend a hand, and reviewing the gear that I play is only providing a service to other guys who are looking.

Ratracer - I know you have a Kessler.. How is yours holding up? Or more to the point, how does it hold adjustment. I have a sale pending on my old backup tenor, and I want to feel comfortable that I'll still be happy in six months.

[ratracer]

Ratracer - I know you have a Kessler.. How is yours holding up?

It's holding up very well, imho. In the 18+ months I've had it I've never had to take in in for any adjustment. It played very well right out of the shipping box. Got to playing around with it, lost any sense of urgency to take it in immediately, and have never looked back. I am going to take it in in the not-to-distant future for it's first ever check up/adjustment. It has been 18 months after all. I'm sure it needs some key oil. It may need a little cork/felt pad replaced that I suspect I knocked off while wiping it down but other than that there is nothing that I suspect going on with the horn that is affecting intonation or playability. So far, I have not observed any aspects of the horn that would change my opinion that it is a well built instrument.

Good luck with your Kessler! Cheers!!

Doug

[DixieSax]

Good to know ratracer.

I put this in another thread, but I'll put it here too for all you tenor maniacs.

The Three Tenors

http://207.44.194.112/users/WeR/threetenors/tt1.jpg

Left is the Kessler
Center is my SML Gold Medal
Right is the Capitol stencil

[ratracer]

Wow, saw that in the other thread. That's quite a stable/harem/collection of horns. :thumbrig: And, you've still got one missing from that pic!! :shock: Sweet! From the pic and your descriptions, I'd be hard pressed to decide upon letting two of them go!

[DixieSax]

Decision has gotten much easier. The SML is fantastic. My tech made about 15 minutes worth of adjustments and it came to life. It's absolutely incredible.

Selling the King will be easy though - a guy in one of the bands I play in has wanted it for years.