Phil Barone Sax Necks

[Jason DuMars]

As a disclaimer, I am NOT being paid in any way by Phil, or asked to post this... I am writing this because I believe he has the best aftermarket sax neck on the market.

Phil contacted me last November and asked me to start engraving his sax necks, which I did. I was absolutely amazed at the quality of the brass (something that is VERY apparent when you are engraving), and workmanship. Unfortunately, I couldn't try one out at the time since Phil didn't send octave keys with them.

After completing a batch last month, he sent me an octave key, cork, etc. for an alto and tenor neck, and I kept one of each.

I corked it, assembled it, and then played it... crikey! It completely transformed my Selmer Reference 54 into a monster! It boosted the volume, focus, and presence of the sax so much, it was like the best sound of any Selmer I have EVER played. To test it further, I took it to big band rehearsal the next day, and I kid you not... even the trumpet players were asking me what the heck I did to change my sound. I played a ballad feature, and it was one of the first times in my playing career where the sound coming out of my tenor was the same as in my head. Altissimo popped out effortlessly, and those smoky low subtones simply filled the room. I simply can't say enough good things about these necks. The transformation on my Balanced Action alto wasn't quite as dramatic, but it definitely outperformed the stock neck, and other aftermarket necks I have tried.

I think it's important to note that Phil doesn't import these from Asia, and they're priced very reasonably. I hand-engrave each and every one of these, and every one is unique. This is something you definitely owe it to yourself to try.

[HonkBopSax]

If only he made one that fit a Couf / Keilwerth!!! I'd buy one in a heartbeat.

[jazaddict]

I couldn't find the "necks" section on his page. Would you post a link to a page that has prices and ordering info?

[Jason DuMars]

I guess Phil is having the page redone, and doesn't have any information or pictures on-line. Send him an e-mail and you'll get information. I think it's mailto:philbarone@philbarone.com I haven't even seen the ones that he had plated after I engraved them. I have heard they look outstanding. You can see a few pictures of unfinished ones here: http://www.saxophone.org/jde/samples.html

[SaxInTheRain]

As a disclaimer, I am NOT being paid in any way by Phil, or asked to post this... I am writing this because I believe he has the best aftermarket sax neck on the market.

Phil contacted me last November and asked me to start engraving his sax necks, which I did. I was absolutely amazed at the quality of the brass (something that is VERY apparent when you are engraving), and workmanship. Unfortunately, I couldn't try one out at the time since Phil didn't send octave keys with them.

After completing a batch last month, he sent me an octave key, cork, etc. for an alto and tenor neck, and I kept one of each.

I corked it, assembled it, and then played it... crikey! It completely transformed my Selmer Reference 54 into a monster! It boosted the volume, focus, and presence of the sax so much, it was like the best sound of any Selmer I have EVER played. To test it further, I took it to big band rehearsal the next day, and I kid you not... even the trumpet players were asking me what the heck I did to change my sound. I played a ballad feature, and it was one of the first times in my playing career where the sound coming out of my tenor was the same as in my head. Altissimo popped out effortlessly, and those smoky low subtones simply filled the room. I simply can't say enough good things about these necks. The transformation on my Balanced Action alto wasn't quite as dramatic, but it definitely outperformed the stock neck, and other aftermarket necks I have tried.

I think it's important to note that Phil doesn't import these from Asia, and they're priced very reasonably. I hand-engrave each and every one of these, and every one is unique. This is something you definitely owe it to yourself to try.
Jason,
I just bought one of Phil's copper tenor necks today with your engraving and I am really excited to try it for myself. I too will use this on a Ref 54, did you find that the octave key on the neck matched up with the octave mechanism on the horn or did you need to make minor adjustments? Nice job on the engraving!
DON

[Sigmund451]

I use a Barone unlacquered neck on a 54 with no adjustments to the octave mech.

[SaxInTheRain]

Thanks for the reply, I look forward to getting the neck.

[Sigmund451]

I think you will like it. The tenon may need to be adjusted of course. Let us know how you like it. I keep switching back and forth experimenting. The stock neck offers a rounder smoother tone but its hard to not pick up the Barone neck every time I really want to play. Be aware that you may have some initial intonation challenges so dont freak out. Its a bigger bore and more flexibile so your notes can be all over the place at first...at least it was for me with my limited experience....however, adjustment is a brief and now I can play either.

My only small disagreement with Jasons evaluation...and it could have to do with how one blows/mpc etc...is that I find the Barone more spread than focused in comparison to the stock neck. The sound strikes me as a cross between a Selmer and a vintage American horn. A quite pleasing hybrid (with the right setup it can start to resemble my Martin though Im not looking to do that). With added control you can aproximate the stock neck sound with the Barone also...just not quite as compressed. If feel like the stock setup is like having a sports car with a governor installed on the engine. Its a great horn held hostage! The ransom...the price of a good neck :D

Again, Im interested in your setup and impressions when you get going.

[Rubel]

Has anyone tried these in comparison to Glogger necks, or Mastercrafts? Which do you like better? And I know Phil's are WAY less expensive. Glogger's go for around 7-8 hundred! I don't know about mastercrafts. But I tried a friends neck on my tenor mark VI, and it was way better. I also tried a silver yamaha custom z neck on my alto mark VI, and it just sung! That's what opened me up to the world of different necks.

Any comparisons would be great, as I'm looking into new necks for both horns.

Rubel

[barisaxbeast]

I play Barone necks on alto (copper, un lacquered) tenor (copper, unlacquered) and a gold plated on baritone. I was a bit sceptical when I first looked into getting my first neck, this was for my bari, as I didn't think I could improve my set up. I play a Mk6 in silver plate with a Lawton 8*b. I've been playing this set up for about 25 years for every thing, pop, rock, bigband, small band jazz and in the theatre. When I got it and tried it, wow!!! I realised what I had been missing.The top end was so phat, easier to control .In fact the whole horn felt easier and much more responsive. I had already got one of Phils New York alto piece's, which I find excellent, so, next thing a copper neck. I play a S80 mk2 Selmer alto. Its was ok, tuning could be a bit iffy at times and a bit weak up top, but Phils neck solved that. It was like playing a new horn, powerful, rich and the tuning was spot on. A friend of mine thought I had got a Mk6 again.( I had one many years ago, but it was a bit of a pig, so it had to go....big mistake..) So, yes I got one for my tenor too!!! How do you improve a Mk6? Try a Barone neck. Oh yes, got a Barone rubber tenor piece too, but my wifes nabbed that for her Yanigisawa!!!

[supra97rx7]

anyone try a barone neck on a B&S?