Barone Classic Tenor Top Ten Review

[BBMozee]

Fellow Saxophonists,

My Top Ten List regarding my new Phil Barone Classic Tenor Sax:

1. What matters most to me is the sound, and this horn delivers. Akin to the best SBA and Mark VI I've played (and I've known a few outstanding ones in my 40+ years as a player}. With Phil's Jazz mouthpiece on, I felt the love at first bite. I couldn't stop playing for an entire day. I just wanted to keep hearing myself through this marvelous instrument.

2. Next most important for me is intonation and the ability to shape the pitch. Two words: Spot On. Much better than my Yamaha 82z (which had to have 3 necks exchanged before I was placated). Too many previous horns took several months to dial in, creating too many distractions even, at times, self-doubt. I have damn-near perfect pitch and this new Barone does too.

3. The third priority for me is how it feels. Ergonomics is a big reason I have played top shelf Yamahas year after year. The 82z is quick and smooth. So is the Barone. But the Yamaha took numerous tweaking sessions to get right. I now do all the fine adjustments myself, having infinite patience with things I love (and decades of experience). I had the Barone easily adjusted in a few hours.

4. The fourth and final major consideration comes down to the bottom line. What Barone offers is an amazing price on an un-compromised pro-quality sax. Believe it. Had the price been a thousand higher I would still say it was a good deal. Then again, I may not have been able to click the "Buy" button so easily.

5. Everthing else is sweet icing on the Birthday cake, e.g., excellent looks overall (Mother of Pearl - not plastic) and nice hand-engraving.

6. Well-assembled. I found zero manufacturing flaws. No leaks to fix. While oiling the horn I came across only one slightly loose screw. Corks and pads immaculate.

7. Definitely sturdy. Not a tank. The metals used are beyond reproach.

8. Even the case is great.

9. Phil is great, too. Communicating is easy via email, his advice is priceless, and what he delivers is a dream come true. I can trust him 100%.

10. Here's the kicker: the music coming from me through this horn is like a breath of fresh air (no pun intended). What I've strived to create and hear myself playing all these many years is really happening. The sound of surprise indeed.

So my fellow saxophonists, if all I've posted here sounds over the top, I must confess... it's just a start!

Ben Mozée

[gary]

Nice review, Ben, thanks. Quick question: I notice you play Yamahas on tenor, alto and soprano. I personally find the Yamahas on the bright side for me. Does the Barone have the same degree of tone weight (bright/dark) as your Yamahas? How would you describe the sound in comparison to your Yamaha Zs? Thanks.

[BBMozee]

I agree that the Yamahas sound brighter. Next to the Barone the Z tenor seems thinner as well. Although the Z alto has plenty of meat the Z tenor is on the lean side. Basically Yamaha tenors are more Classical than Jazz in my book. The Barone is a jazz beast. I can fill the Barone with enormous amounts of air and it won't choke like the Yamaha does eventually (especially the upper register). I could easily compare the Barone to a very nice SBA or Mark VI with a larger bell and better intonation. Quite a revelation. Originally I bought the Barone as a backup to the Yamaha but now it will be the other way around. I'm a classic jazz player more than a smooth jazz guy anyway. The Barone is the real deal - and a really good deal as well!

[rleitch]

Nice review Ben! Another A+ for the Barone Classic. Can I ask why you opted for the classic vs vintage?

[saxguy007]

Thanks for the review. Glad you like the horn!

[BBMozee]

I opted for the Classic over the Vintage as I tend to favor an older Selmer sound over a Conn or King. Phil knew this and headed me in the direction of the Classic. No regrets. Now if the Vintage is on the same level as the Classic it sure would be tempting... Any Vintage owners want to chime in?

[Augman]

Nice review. I agree with your order of importance for sax attributes. With one exception . number 3 should be : ease of finding replacement parts. Is it easy?

[Dr G]

Nice review. I agree with your order of importance for sax attributes. With one exception . number 3 should be : ease of finding replacement parts. Is it easy?

I don't understand why this would be an issue. In 40+ years of playing, I've never had to replace a part on any of my instruments - 'cept cork, felt, or pads.

[Augman]

Good point. So are pads and springs and stuff interchangeable ?

[evan1]

Great review Ben and congratulations on saving yourself a packet, and getting a great playing Taiwanese horn in return. Now that you have played the Barone could you forsee yourself getting another ?

[BBMozee]

I'm thinking... Thinking...

[BBMozee]

No Brainer.

[saxguy007]

I opted for the Classic over the Vintage as I tend to favor an older Selmer sound over a Conn or King. Phil knew this and headed me in the direction of the Classic. No regrets. Now if the Vintage is on the same level as the Classic it sure would be tempting... Any Vintage owners want to chime in?

I posted a review of what Phil currently calls his "Vintage" tenor, that Phil professes is the same horn that used to be called a MAC 8. You can find it here:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthr...hensive-Review

..in the new Barone sub-forum. At the recent SOTW gathering in Maryland, a few other SOTWers gave it a blow as well...

I'm still pretty happy with the horn over a year later. It's focused sound took some getting used to, coming from big boomy Cannonballs and a Ref 36, but it grew on me....

Jim

[rleitch]

I don't understand why this would be an issue. In 40+ years of playing, I've never had to replace a part on any of my instruments - 'cept cork, felt, or pads.

IMHO, the whole "you can't get parts for them" argument was pretty well obliterated here (some good reading, with a touch of Old Al)

http://www.woodwindforum.com/forums/...ead.php?t=2685

[Dr G]

IMHO, the whole "you can't get parts for them" argument was pretty well obliterated here...

It doesn't require "obliteration", it is a non-issue.

[rleitch]

It doesn't require "obliteration", it is a non-issue.

Sorry G. I guess I'm too much of a Renaissance man: I'll take rhetorical obliteration to categorical denial every time!

[saxguy007]

Categorical denial? Reminds me of the three critical steps for successful damage control:

1) Admit nothing
2) Deny everything
3) Make counter-accusations

Seriously, my tech did not want to work on my Barone at first out of concern over spare parts. He related some bad experiences when something went wrong. Even though it may be a non-issue in reality or probability, it IS a real issue when dealing with perceptions. He still works on it (for now), but with reservations.

I think the bigger non-issue factor is that both Phil and Mike Crouch have assured me by phone that if anything DID happen, a replacement part would be available.

[Dr G]

Sorry G. I guess I'm too much of a Renaissance man: I'll take rhetorical obliteration to categorica denial every time!

Please check your spelling. Remember: Every performance is an audition for your next (editing) gig.

It is not merely categorical denial if one speaks from experience.

[Dr G]

Seriously, my tech did not want to work on my Barone at first out of concern over spare parts. He related some bad experiences when something went wrong. Even though it may be a non-issue in reality or probability, it IS a real issue when dealing with perceptions. He still works on it (for now), but with reservations.

Does your tech tend to break a lot of horns? I don't understand why he should be concerned about replacement parts to the point of "having reservations" when working on your tenor.

[Augman]

these posts influenced me. I am considering one of these horns for my son. Ive been told "dont buy an orphan horn that you cant get parts for" but come to think of it all ive ever needed is pads , springs felt and cork (and this chair) are these parts interchangeable?