New Unison Alto

[Dave Dolson]

I bought the new Unison alto today from repairman Rheuben Allen in North Hollywood, CA. I've been playing it at home for over an hour, after trying two of them at his shop. Present were Rheuben and Geoff Nudel, who is pro-player and teacher in L.A. Geoff said he'd first heard me play when he was a young teenager at jazz jam sessions!! (Oh, the aging process - I remember him and have admired his playing ability through the years).

Rheuben asked me not to quote the price, but I know the MSRP is about $2200.00, with probable discounts. I did not pay retail for it.

The horn is marked "S300 Series". It is the premium model featured on the Unison web-site as the S300GGS. It is gold-plated (they call it "satined") with the body being a matte finish and the keywork, hardware and neck in a shiny gold finish. The engraving on the bell has a shiny finish inside the designs. It came with a plastic mouthpiece (that played but was very weak for me), a silver-colored ligature, a black plastic mouthpiece cap, a neck bag, in a nice case with a vinyl case cover (including a zippered pocket).

The two horns were one number apart (xxxxx5 and xxxxx6). Mine is number 6. Curious enough, it has pearl touches on the side F# and hi-F# touches (don't know if they are actual perals or not - some or all cheap Taiwanese horns have an imitation material resembling pearl). Number 5 had polished metal surfaces on those keys!!

I played both horns with one neck and my Meyer 6S Medium Chamber piece. They liked number 5. I liked number 6 - not for the pearl touches, but because of the tone. They both know I'm a mouldy-fygge type and both agreed about why I liked the one I chose. They agreed the one I chose was more vintage in tone while the one I did not choose had a more modern tone. These differences were subtle but noticeable.

This horn is not only striking in appearance (yet a third guy at the shop getting two tenors repaired was struck by how great the Unisons looked), but it plays like a dream. This is the first modern alto I've played that has that sound. It is resonant yet focused - and spot on from bottom to top. It reminds me a lot of my old MKVI and my truly vintage altos, but with none of the keywork or intonation issues.

The last thing I intended to buy was another alto, but this horn changed my mind. Just like my Antigua soprano, this is a top-flight instrument. I cannot believe I'm turning into a Taiwanese-made-saxophone player!! The true test will come at my gig this Sunday, but right now, I'm convinced this is THE alto for me. The rest of them go back in the closet. DAVE

[dolphyo]

a serious and honest evaluation. indeed! good luck. my only experience with a taiwanese P.O.C. is with a double neck soprano that gives me no joy! but when i get the intonation just right by mpc and reed plus adjustment of the soft keywork(sic) i'm happy but only as a emergency backup horn. i only like it for classical. it seems to lend itself better for that for some strange reason?

[goodsax]

Dave - so you couldn't stand it. I'll bet your wife was thrilled with your adding the Unison to an already impressive stable of saxes. I've seen the satin gold with polished key work and engraving you've so eloquently described and know you must be a proud new owner of a beautiful horn. Are you playing at Steamers tomorrow? If so, I'll try to stop by to get a first hand look at, and hopefully a listen to, your new acquisition.

Dolphyo - Is it P.O.C. or R.O.C.? In any case, no-name Tawanese sop's are on another planet compared to Unisons and Antigua Winds sop's. My first experience with a Chinese sop was horrific, but I've since owned and thoroughly enjoyed playing both a Unison S100GG 2-neck sop and a straight one-piece Antigua 582LQ sop, both of which were outstanding players with top level quality construction, super intonation and striking good looks. Both had a quality feel when you first picked them up, too. There was no comparison to that first bad example I stumbled into, but I'm glad I had the experience and discovered the tremendous contrast in quality between sop's (and altos) coming from the same country. Unison, Antigua Winds, Jupiter and Cannonball (partly done in the R.O.C.) have their quality act togther as abundantly manifested in their new sax lineups.

[Dave Dolson]

Rob: Yes, we'll be at Steamers (in Fullerton, CA) tomorrow - Sunday, 2PM to 5PM (for other readers, the Golden Eagle Jazz Band, a New Orleans-style ensemble). My wife actually encouraged me to buy the Unison. So I did. I'll have it with me tomorrow.

My first experience with Taiwanese saxophones was a few years ago when I bought a WW&BW-stencil curved sop. Not too good. I also looked at a new "Buescher" Taiwan soprano a few years ago and was not impressed by the workmanship. But then, we all started to read where quality was on the upswing - and the latest versions of some brands are terrific. DAVE

[goodsax]

Great, Dave. I'll try to bring my wife with me this time. I'd like her to meet you and your lovely wife. Maybe she can pick up a few pointers on the fine art of sax collecting. :lol:

[WriterMom]

That new Unison sax sounds pretty impressive.

Any chance you'd post a few photos of the sax here?

[Dave Dolson]

Martha: I admit to NOT being too computer-savy. If someone could tell me how to do that, I might consider posting a photo. I think the Unison web-site has a photo of their Premium horns, but it does not show the beauty of this horn. DAVE

[goodsax]

Dave, If you attach them in an email to me, I'll take care of it.

[Dave Dolson]

Rob: Thanks. DAVE

[goodsax]

That new Unison sax sounds pretty impressive.

Any chance you'd post a few photos of the sax here?

I posted them at:

http://a7.cpimg.com/image/55/F2/29791317-7a0c-02000180-.jpg
http://a8.cpimg.com/image/56/F2/29791318-4600-02000180-.jpg
http://a9.cpimg.com/image/57/F2/29791319-74d7-02000180-.jpg

Enjoy!

8)

[WriterMom]

Wow ... that's a beautiful sax!!

[Dave Dolson]

Rob: Thanks again for the extra effort. The photos don't even do it justice, in my opinion. The thing looks like a fine Breitling or Rolex watch. And it plays even better. DAVE

[Seraphina]

Oooooo baby!!! where do you live,I'm gonna come a callin' with an empty alto case under my arm. :twisted:

[altoist]

So how did your gig go? Still jazzed by the Unison horn?

I recently bought an S300 in black nickel for $1050. I don't think it's
quite as nice as an A991, but for $1K it's a damned nice horn.

Now that intonation on new horns is a non issue, the next thing to get right (besides *tone* of course) is those sticky pads....

[Dave Dolson]

altoist: The gig with the Unison went okay. I had other issues that day (mainly a head cold that plugged up my ears and everything I did sounded uninspired - to me). I've been playing the Unison almost every day and it is breaking in fine. No sticky pads - great sound and super intonation. In MY opinion, this Unison is superior to all the new altos I've tried over the last few years - even my A992. DAVE

[bradshawm]

Dave,

Have you played the Antigua 520 Alto and the Kessler Big Bell Alto? If so, how does your Unison compare in sound, quality and price? Are either of these decent instruments?

[goodsax]

Brad - You didn't ask me, but I own and play an Antigua A520LQ alto and I can tell you it's one of the best kept secrets in altoland. Paul Coats plays a 530 and assured me it had outstanding intonation and exceptional overall tone quality, so I bought a very reasonably priced 520 on eBay and have not regretted the decision. I use it in my community band and have received complements from other members of the sax section on its looks and sound.

I also owned an S300 Unison alto a couple of years ago and I frankly don't recall it being any better than my Antigua, but I didn't compare them head to head, so that's a subjective judgement based on memory. I know Unison S300 altos are higher priced than Antiguas. The last street price I saw for a lacquered S300 Unison was $1600, while a new A520LQ from Kessler Music is priced under $900.

[Dave Dolson]

Brad: I have not tested those horns you mentioned side-by-side. I have not played Kessler's "big bell", whatever that is. When I was at Kessler's store a couple of years ago, I saw some Taiwanese saxophones (altos and sops) with his name on them but did not play them. They certainly looked nice, though.

When I was there last November, I concentrated on Antigua sops (and metal Yanagisawa mouthpieces), not altos. I recall Dave Kessler told me he was not emphasizing the "Kessler" brand, but instead focusing on Antiguas. Of course, Dave Kessler may want to clear that up.

Also during last November while visiting Kalispell, MT, I tested a new Antigua alto at a local music store. I did not note the model designation. It was priced at around $1600.00, and was okay, but nothing to trip my trigger. To me, it sounded like every other new alto I'd tested over the past two or three years. My A992 was superior to it. But one version of one horn is certainly not an objective test.

When I saw and twice played that new gold-plated Unison, THAT was one that tripped my trigger. DAVE

[altoist]

Goodsax: I got a new black lacquered S300 for $1050, sales tax included. Since, like
Cannonball, Unison is adopting one of these annoying to the consumer "no web sales"
policies, you need to go to a storefront, and thus you need to negotiate. I believe that
every good new Taiwanese pro alto should be approx $1000 today. Thankfully, Antigua and
Jupiter do just that, which allows me to negotiate with a fallback position, since those
are good horns. Unison and Cannonball are good too, but they shouldn't cost 40% more.

Having tried them, I like the sound of the Unison better. Fit and finish on my S300 are first rate. Unlike Dave Dolson's horn, I didn't get the extra pearls.

Maybe in a few years Walmart will have $300 pro altos.

[alsdiego]

Dave,

I saw some pictures of the gold-plated alto, and what a beautiful horn. I've got to get my hands on one :lol: There is (supposedly) a Unison dealer in San Diego, so I may give them a call.

As far as the keywork goes, is the action like a Selmer, with that positive feel?

Al

[Dave Dolson]

Al: I played a new Selmer Reference today (and posted about it in the Selmer thread). I played my Unison alongside the Reference. The only difference was the tone . . . the Selmer being much more focused than my Unison (not a good thing nor a bad thing to my ears - just different).

I really can't compare the keywork now - I didn't even think about it earlier today. Keywork has always been a non-issue for me, being just as comfortable with vintage horns as I am with new horns. The only keywork issues I've had involved straight sops with the MKVI-style palm keys.

Both the Reference and my Unsion are nice horns - the Selmer being thousands of dollars more expensive. I have several altos so the ol' pride-of-ownership thing is a non-issue for me. Hence, I'm happy with the Unison. But, that honey-gold lacquer on the Reference is certainly attractive to my eyes. It has a certain look to it, alright. Still, the matte-gold Unison is a looker, too. DAVE

[goodsax]

There is (supposedly) a Unison dealer in San Diego, so I may give them a call.
Al

If you don't find a Unison dealer in San Diego, contact Phil Bonnice by email at hornfixr at aol.com and tell him Rob Fleming sent you. He lives in Murietta, a bit north of Escondido and is an authorized Unison dealer and my woodwind repair tech.

[wianno]

It sure looks like Steve Goodson is selling Unisons on the Saxgourmet web site.

[goodsax]

wianno - I agree with your statement, as made. But, I think there's something to be said about being able to personally pick up your purchase from a local dealer and not worry about when a shipment is going to arrive - if you have the option and the price is right.

[alsdiego]

goodsax,

Thanks. If I don't have any luck in San Diego, I'll give your guy a call...

Al

[Jerry K.]

Al, Bertrands Music in Rancho Penasquitas sells Unison horns. John Bertrand is the owner and he is a nice guy. To get there take Ted Williams (56) west from 15 and exit on Black Mountain, go north and make a right into the shopping center on the right. They are located along the right side near a True Value.

[alsdiego]

Jerry K.

Thanks, Bertrands is actually listed on the Unison site, I think, as an authorized dealer. I'll check it out. In general, I've found San Diego to be a difficult place to play-test pro horns, since the dealers in general don't seem to carry much inventory because of relatively low demand... that's the cost of living in "America's Finest City" I guess :evil: On the other hand, there is a beautiful bronze Buffet S3 for sale at the Yamaha authorized dealer in North Park (forget the name), and it plays beautifully (much better than the clapped-out Mark VI they have in there).

Al

[saxgirl9]

Hi, I'm a Unison artist and I have an S300 alto. I didn't buy mine from Rheuben, but I am friends with him and he fixes my stuff. I agree that the Unison is a great horn. My sop, alto and tenor are all unisons and I have been playing on them for about 3 years.

[John Holifield]

Well saxgirl9, I'm a bit confused, first off I'm not being mean here just curious, you say you are a Unison Artist yet In the thread named Unison's on Ebay you stated that your horn fell apart while playing and that in less than a year of buying it and that you were looking to buy something else, then on your website your plainly state that you switched to Yamaha's because they are better and that you were not satisfied with the Unison's and that you had talked to others that had the same problems with there horns falling apart and not being satisfied. It just seems to me that your not being sincere here is all. If I'm seeing this then that means others are also. Like I said I'm not being mean here just bringing this to your attention.

[saxgirl9]

Well saxgirl9, I'm a bit confused, first off I'm not being mean here just curious, you say you are a Unison Artist yet In the thread named Unison's on Ebay you stated that your horn fell apart while playing and that in less than a year of buying it and that you were looking to buy something else, then on your website your plainly state that you switched to Yamaha's because they are better and that you were not satisfied with the Unison's and that you had talked to others that had the same problems with there horns falling apart and not being satisfied. It just seems to me that your not being sincere here is all. If I'm seeing this then that means others are also. Like I said I'm not being mean here just bringing this to your attention.

I did, and that was my alto. It was because I was using the horn in a musical, and I was playing on it about ten hours a day for several weeks straight. So, that is most the reason, and I posted that right after that happened and was pretty upset. If you read my later posts in that forum I took back what I said. Plus, I still do use Unison saxophones, I also have a Yamaha, but I do not use it nearly as much as I use my unisons.