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Maxtone vs. P.Mauriat Models?

67K views 221 replies 23 participants last post by  swperry1 
#1 ·
As I have been looking around for inexpensive saxes, the name "maxtone" has been coming along for quite some time. They are described as great horns, or rather the beast of the best for the price. One of my pet peeves (well, not too much) is when someone is reviewing a horn; mostly horns made in China or Taiwan and they say that it is a really good horn or the best FOR THE PRICE, but don't really put it up with real pro level horns or well known horns. It doesn't happen as much on SOTW, but lots of people say "This is a great horn", but would never consider using it as one of their real horns even if blindfolded, they could not tell the difference. But, nobody get mad, because that doesn not apply to all people, just some. Anyways, I looked at Maxtone's website and on their "e-catalog" and saw plenty of well made horns. But, I want to know which specific models are designed exactly like P. Mauriat Horns and which Model they are designed like. I know I saw one on eBay 2 or 3 days ago that was an exact copy of the 1st edition system 72 alto. It even had some P.Mauriat components on them with the actual logo! So, I just wanted to know if Maxtone model "X" is the same as P. Mauriat model "X"...
 
#101 ·
If its not to spendy, I would actually really love to have a brushed or unlacquered sterling silver bow and bell on the tenor for that awesome resonance as well as killer look, but I know how much ANY horn with just a little sterling silver hurts the pocket.
 
#102 ·
Sorry man but I've asked Annie to do their different finishes on an SX-63T I want and I'm pretty much forced to get the SX-63T/ABE which is still a nice looking sax
Cool thing is they are so good in price I'm going to get another SX-63T in a Nickel Plated finish for my bother.
:D
 
#109 ·
I was under the impression that Maxtone do not usually sell direct to the public, they make saxophones and like many companies will customise them and put your brand on them. They are not geared up to sell single items, though if you are a distributor they can arrange small quantities for you as a sample. This is my understanding of their policy, but they may do different deals from time to time depending on who you are. There is not much point in asking here what their policy is, as they may change it depending on who they are dealing with, the only reliable way to get information is to speak to them. I have been in email contact with them and have been offered various things, but I am not going to discuss that here as I respect their confidentiality. If you are setting up in business with them, they are the only people who can really answer questions about prices, availability.

I was interested in one of their horns as a back up, it seemed to be the only model of theirs worth considering IMO but had what I would call a very specialised sound - not a horn I would use very often. Besides I have since found some better horns, but will definitely go to see the Maxtones again at the Frankfurt exhibition.
 
#112 ·
Well, i called them and spoke to them in Chinese. I'm from Singapore anyway. Well she was glad that i could speak chinese because it was easier to communicate. She asked me if i just sent an email and say out my name. I was surprised because she said she was about to email me. However, she did reply me and told me see what we can work out.

anyway, I just email them about my finishes for my SX55T. How long do i have to wait for my new sax then? anyone know?
 
#115 ·
. How long do i have to wait for my new sax then? anyone know?
I asked Annie how long it would take my SX-63T/ABE and SX-63T/N and told me it would take 1-2 weeks of production for the two tenors, and like 3-4 weeks for it to get here. Your looking at around 30-45 days
 
#121 ·
my experience showed me... eat in silence and don´t tell the whole world you get such food for so a small price.
the result could be what we are seing.

price increased already and the penalty has been introduced.

they are getting a storm of sample purchases since this has been threated on SOTW.

SOTW is a marketing machine people, a huge one.

so stop commenting, otherwise until end 2010 a Maxtone will cost the same as PM:(
 
#122 ·
I highly doubt that a Maxtone TW will cost as much as a new PM Tenor costing near $3K for many years to come regardless of the "penalty". That said, Maxtone is probably enjoying the publicity and might be more inclined to drop the single order restriction all together.

B
 
#124 ·
They have already stopped accepting orders on single orders (at least the "Special" finish and options models)
That hammer fell this week. They require 10+ minimum for special orders that are not part of the normal product line.

You 'may' be able to order 1 or 2 horns at a time that are listed in the catalog (normal run models).
I have not inquired on those. I imagine you can still get the upgraded case with those and small upgrades (key touches etc..)
Prices will increase soon (not sure when)

Glad I got my last 4 horn order in as that will be my last with the special finsihes and options. :(
Fun while it lasted

C'est La Vie
 
#128 ·
Jeez,
The impact of this thread and others is great for maxtone and horrible for all of us who are inquiring purchase. I was gonna order an alto and tenor 3 weeks ago, but I must have "Worded the e-mail wrong" as stated earlier in here. Even if I send a proper e-mail to them through a different account, I will still have to pay much more for their models now. And no customization anymore for just 1 or 2 horns!With shipping, this is now in the Bauhaus Walstein and Kessler Custom range for quality taiwanese horns, but at least those ones won't budge for a while! It is amazing how quickly this company has risen to fame in the world of sax players.
 
#130 ·
. And no customization anymore for just 1 or 2 horns!With shipping, this is now in the Bauhaus Walstein and Kessler Custom range for quality taiwanese horns, but at least those ones won't budge for a while! It is amazing how quickly this company has risen to fame in the world of sax players.
Maxtone has actually been around for 40+ years I believe. (mainly in Asia)
 
#129 ·
If someone can become a dealer for maxtone, the prices of their horns could be better priced, as then they wouldn't put any of the 'fees' they are placing on us. Old saxer was the closest thing to a maxtone dealer i know of :). If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love to hear what you have coming old saxer and how great your new customizations will be.
 
#131 ·
Old saxer was the closest thing to a maxtone dealer i know of :). If it isn't too much trouble, I'd love to hear what you have coming old saxer and how great your new customizations will be.
Alas, I won't be in the mix anylonger. The last few horns I have coming are spoken for. I may have 1 or 2 leftovers, but wont know for a month or so.
You can still get great horns thru them (Just not with added goodies). I always had them add "engraved" logos, made in taiwan / serial numbers, hand engravings (no laser) etc..). It did add to the cost, but worth it.
They have a fairly good selection of the ready made horns and finishes at reduced prices. Take a look at the catalogs and inquire.
Enjoy ! :cool:
 
#136 ·
Ok I received the last Maxtone from Oldsaxer today and will be giving it a good playing tonight for a few hours. I will be able to compare it with my Mauriat 66R and will report back here. I bought this horn as a backup to the Mauriat and as long as it's even in the ballpark I'll be more than happy.
 
#137 ·
:treble: They were at NAMM in Cali recently. They have low end and higher end horns like most taiwan manufacturers.
Sure, there are alot of other Taiwan horns out there, but at the price I got mine at (Half of most others) then can't beat it.
If I had 1500.00 to throw around, then yeah I may consider another brand. but ain't gonna happen.
Do I think the others are worth the extra 700-800? Probably not. Esp. for what I use it for. Happy as a clam with my SX58 :)

quote: [[ Ok I received the last Maxtone from Oldsaxer today and will be giving it a good playing tonight for a few hours. I will be able to compare it with my Mauriat 66R and will report back here. I bought this horn as a backup to the Mauriat and as long as it's even in the ballpark I'll be more than happy. ]]

Oh, I think you'll like it . Mine needed some minor tweaking from shipping. But once I had it setup- It blew my old yamaha outta the water.
From the pics, yours looks like a killer horn!
 
#140 ·
I received my Maxtone last night but it definitely needs a setup from my tech before I feel I can give it a proper review. So it goes tomorrow, and hopefully I'll be able to give it a good test run next week sometime and then I'll give it a proper review. To write anything about it right now wouldn't be fair.
 
#142 ·
I had the chance to try a SX55 tenor saturday night.
It was the unlacquered version. Very powerful growling low end and built like a tank. The owner had it for 6 -7 months now and he says it is his main gigging horn. I only had a 5 minute test on it, but action was snappy (alittle tight) and actually fairly heavy horn. A bit more powerful and gutsy than my SX58. He also had a Bauhaus (one of the earlier models). But I was not all too impressed with it. Perhaps it was in need of adjustments. Maybe the newer versions are better? There was also a super 20 alto , but I couldn't get my grubby little hands on it.
From my brief encounter.. thumbs up for the SX55.
 
#145 ·
Has anyone tried their sops or baris? I haven't heard anything about either, their curved sop looks well made. Their straight is a bit harder to tell and their saxello I'm guessing is the same as their straight with a detachable tipped bell instead. Don't really know about their baris, but they had on in their catalog that said it was keyed in Bb? The TB-88/BL. Looks like it's built to be a compact bari because the bell is situated pretty low, but I wouldn't know. Just wondering though.
 
#147 ·
I'm probably wrong in thinking this, but I noticed that on their catalog they have two woodwind and brassiwind catalogs and their saxes are under different model numbers. For example their altos are under SX-** in the first catalog, while their altos are under SXC-** in the second. This may seem silly, but I am guessing the SXC horns are Chinese made because of the "C"; kind of like SaXChina-**. But, I have heard no comment on these horns. I have noticed the bell diameter on those horns is smaller than on the SX horns and generally bigger (i.e. 160 MM) on their SXC tenors. Plus, on their curved sopranos the lower keys are situated on the front side of the bell (except for their new SSX sop.) in the first catalog and placed on the rear on the second. That deosn't necessarily make the horn better or worse, but it does indicate that even if their sops are made in the same factory, they are made from a different model/mold. Does anyone know anything about their SXC Horns?
 
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