Review of TK Melody Sopranos

[gary]

Two years ago, I had to part with my YSS 475 soprano, which I thought was an excellent instrument. Only now have I been looking again at getting another soprano, but only if 1.) it was an excellent instrument which I could use with complete comfort in various professional/semi-professional situations, and 2.) which was inexpensive enough for me to purchase. After reading several discussions in threads here, I decided to play-test a couple of TK Melodys, two Yardbirds and a basic gold lacquer model I'll call the "Z". Since they all played very similarly, I'm giving this review as if they are the same horn and will only make a distinction when there was one between the horns. So you'll know where I'm coming from, this is listed in the order of my priorities:

Tone: clear, full and warm in the Yardbirds, with the Z a slightly purer and simpler sound. Warmth was my primary goal and I have it with these saxes. Tone was my biggest concern because, even in an economically priced instrument, if corners had been cut in the tone, it would do me no good at all. I won't play an instrument in public if it has a mediocre sound, just to save a few bucks. Also, when I do play soprano, it's in a variety of situations, like wind ensemble, big band, instrumental pop (cough), and jazz combo, so it's important for the tone to be flexible, as well. I preferred the Yardbirds' sounds but, again, I can see blowing Monk as well as Percy Grainger with any of these sopranos.

Intonation: as good as I can imagine. By that I mean, I have no problems on any of the notes or intervals. And, since I'm as likely to play this in ensembles as in solo-voice situations, intonation is absolutely critical. caveat - I personally still find anything above Eb3 a bit treacherous on soprano: ain't gonna lie to ya.

Ergonomics: most excellent. What more could I say. This is a perfect compliment to my Serie III tenor. I don't feel any awkwardness switching back and forth between horns. Action is good and even. The wrist position is actually more comfortable to me than the YSS 475 I had: No playing fatigue because of this.

Projection: carries very well with no effort or shrillness. Has a nice presence to it.

Build quality: appears excellent. Here is one area where I admittedly am somewhat lax. I am not anal-retentive about what adjustment screws my saxes have or not, or certain other mechanical features. I just play my horns and if there aren't any problems playing, well, to me, there aren't any problems.

Appearance: The Yardbird is un-lacquered, and it looks it, LOL. But then, it's supposed to, right? The Z has a beautiful golden colour. The Z is not engraved, while the Yardbird is engraved with a floral design. Engraving is cut deeply and feels great to the fingers. Saxes come in a choice of simple or extensive engraving and white or blue MOP keys.

Accessories: the sopranos all come with two necks, straight and curved. The curved necks seemed to give me a slightly softer, or warmer sound and the upper register seemed to be a bit easier and with more body up there than the straight neck.

They also come with one of two cases, a basic fiberglass (I guess) case, and a ProTec styled case with outside pocket and back straps. Which you would want depends on your needs. I think if you were lugging around several instruments, the basic case might be better because it's more compact and a bit lighter. If you are only carrying the soprano, then the other case is probably a better choice because you can carry more items and music in the case, as well as back packing it.

The stock mouthpiece had too much resistance for me. Don't know what size it is, but I will definitely be playing another mpc. The lig looked a bit like a BG inverted copy. It might be good but I didn't use it on my test mpc. Also comes with a generic neck strap. No white gloves, though.

Vendor satisfaction: outstanding. I dealt with Terje Oddon, who is the TK representative in the US and coordination and communication were excellent as well as his doing everything in a timely manner. Very high marks here.

I would also like to call your attention to modmansaxplayer's (or whatever the hell his name is this week ) posts where he compares very favourably the TKs to all the Selmers he's played through his lifetime. Making an advance search of T.K. Melody will uncover many more pertinent comments about these saxes.

Like always, I encourage potential buyers to try as many horns as they can and become as informed as they can before purchasing a sax. But I have to add that, for what I am aware are the needs of the majority of those posting on the forum, I‘m sure these will satisfy most of their requirements. In summary, this soprano is really an excellent instrument, great tone, outstanding intonation, comfortable ergos and attractive in appearance. SOTW soprano seekers really should put this at the top of their list of saxes to look at. And the vendor (Terje) is top calibre.

[modman]

Gary its "modman" for ever.

I like my TKM Ipanema soprano also.

B

[martysax]

Thanks Gary! You make it sound good for someone like me too!

I've been thinking about a straight soprano for a while now since a Californian called me a name for playing my curvy in public.

Every time I consider one of the Terje's saxes I'm reminded of his first avatar with the horns on his head. He scares me. Would you wear such a hat on stage? Just curious.

[modman]

Thanks Gary! You make it sound good for someone like me too!

I've been thinking about a straight soprano for a while now since a Californian called me a name for playing my curvy in public.

Every time I consider one of the Terje's saxes I'm reminded of his first avatar with the horns on his head. He scares me. Would you wear such a hat on stage? Just curious.

Actually he sends you a viking helmut with every order! B

[gary]

I've been thinking about a straight soprano for a while now since a Californian called me a name for playing my curvy in public.

So that was you in the park across from the Beverly Hilton.

Every time I consider one of the Terje's saxes I'm reminded of his first avatar with the horns on his head. He scares me. Would you wear such a hat on stage? Just curious.

Yeah, that was scary. But every sax comes with a pound of Lutefisk in the accessory compartment. What more could a guy want - gefilte?

[martysax]

Thanks Gary! You make it sound good for someone like me too!

I've been thinking about a straight soprano for a while now since a Californian called me a name for playing my curvy in public.

Every time I consider one of the Terje's saxes I'm reminded of his first avatar with the horns on his head. He scares me. Would you wear such a hat on stage? Just curious.

Actually he sends you a viking helmut with every order! B

I could never wear one. It would reinforce the King James version.

[terjeo]

Gary,
Thanks for the great review and nice words.

...and just for the record; it's LUTEFISK.

Be careful, or I'll bring back that avatar

[jmoen3]

Thanks for the review gary.

Its great to know what other people think, and I really do look forward to owning a SATB set, and this was definitely on my list.
I want to find the time/ability to test one sometime .

[modman]

I've been thinking about a straight soprano for a while now since a Californian called me a name for playing my curvy in public.

So that was you in the park across from the Beverly Hilton.

Every time I consider one of the Terje's saxes I'm reminded of his first avatar with the horns on his head. He scares me. Would you wear such a hat on stage? Just curious.

Yeah, that was scary. But every sax comes with a pound of Lutefisk in the accessory compartment. What more could a guy want - gefilte?

Gefilte vs. Lutefisk Hmmmmmmmmm

Marty. You should at least trial one. Once you play a TKM you will be amazed at how far the Taiwanese saxophone manufacturing process has come, and that there are other choices besides Cannonball, and dare I say Jupiter.

Terje also serves up the best customer care I have ever seen in this business.

http://www.viking-instruments.com
http://www.sbv.com.tw

B

[terjeo]

Just to clarify; the mystery "Z" Gary mentioned was a model we planned to introduce as a student line; it's basically an Ipanema without engraving. In the end we decided we didn't need another model as we couldn't (or wouldn't...) compete in the low end market. You can however order the Ipanema without engraving if you so desire.

If anybody's interested in buying this demo model at a very favorable price please let me know!

[modman]

Just to clarify; the mystery "Z" Gary mentioned was a model we planned to introduce as a student line; it's basically an Ipanema without engraving. In the end we decided we didn't need another model as we couldn't (or wouldn't...) compete in the low end market. You can however order the Ipanema without engraving if you so desire.

If anybody's interested in buying this demo model at a very favorable price please let me know!

Buy it before I do!

Terje did the Harlem Nocturne finally go to its new owner, and be approved?

B

[Grumps]

I personally still find anything above Eb3 a bit treacherous on soprano: ain';t gonna lie to ya.

A more open tipped mouthpiece can help with that.

[NissanVintageSax]

I personally still find anything above Eb3 a bit treacherous on soprano: ain';t gonna lie to ya.

A more open tipped mouthpiece can help with that.

It can help, but nothing will beat voicing practice! I used to have a hell of a time on getting higher than D3 on w/my Pomarico crystal #3. Now I can hit high F no problem (could even hit altissimo G when I still had my straight soprano. I need to teach myself new altissimo fingerings w/the Conn curvy).

[Grumps]

It can help, but nothing will beat voicing practice!

There are certain sopranos that tend to have this issue; that is, more difficulty voicing the notes above Eb3. VI's and Keilwerths, come to mind in this regard; even for very experienced players. Considering how many off brands are based on a VI design, I figured I'd offer my own solution to the problem that I overcame myself with my VI soprano by simply using a more open tipped mouthpiece rather than struggle and adapt myself unnaturally to hit certain notes.

[NissanVintageSax]

It can help, but nothing will beat voicing practice!

There are certain sopranos that tend to have this issue; that is, more difficulty voicing the notes above Eb3. VI's and Keilwerths, come to mind in this regard; even for very experienced players. Considering how many off brands are based on a VI design, I figured I'd offer my own solution to the problem that I overcame myself with my VI soprano by simply using a more open tipped mouthpiece rather than struggle and adapt myself unnaturally to hit certain notes.

oh, I didn't mean to imply it was bad idea (I went more open myself, and rarely, if ever, played my Pomarico, simply because the high palm keys wouldn't speak), just to give voicing practice a try first.

In all fairness, my Pomarico works much better on my Conn, than my old Winston, but days before selling the Winston, the Pomarico was working great!

I found out what I was doing was no different than altissimo/overtone voicing.

So, keep the closed mouthpiece for use later, buy a more open one for now. You MIGHT be able to go back to the closed at a later date. You might not.

[Kyle Largo]

you really, really don't want any lutefisk..

[NissanVintageSax]

I can't get near enough to Lutefisk, let alone eat it! Stuff stinks!

[modman]

Looking over this thread after a years time.

Gary what is your impression now, and would you still recommend the T.K. over the Yamaha?

B

[gary]

Looking over this thread after a years time. Gary what is your impression now, and would you still recommend the T.K. over the Yamaha?

My recommendations are the same, but the caveat is that I have not had much occasion to play soprano since I left Germany over a year ago. I don't recommend it over the Yamaha. I recommend test-playing one before buying a Yamaha, though.

[martysax]

I still haven't tried lutefisk, but I dated a girl from Jersey. Is that close?