 The Clarinet BBoard
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-12-19 18:57
Is this name familiar to any of us? A friend has a good looking, but needing repair, gold lacquer one with only that name and ?ser.# MS341xxx on it. Is there an SSO list similar to GBK's CSO list, on, perhaps, a Sax site ?? All help will be apprecillated. TKS, Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-12-19 19:07
Quite probably an SSO (Saxophone-Shaped Object), quite likely made in China (a photo or two would confirm or deny that). There are probably thousands of 'brand names' of Chinese-made saxes out, too many to list. Nearly every one is an external copy of either a Yamaha, Yanagisawa, or Henri Selmer design, and all are made of inferior materials with workmanship ranging from shoddy to more than adequate. Just my observations and opinions.
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Author: Chris P
Date: 2007-12-19 20:33
I was considering getting a SSO alto and tenor for marching with (as my Yamaha Customs don't have a lyre attachment, and I wouldn't want to play them out in the rain anyway), but I tried a couple - the tenor was alright playing-wise but the lyre wouldn't fit (so rendering it useless for it's intended purpose), and the alto's tuning was dire.
But I happened across a Yamaha 32 alto (which will need a repad, and a perfect candidate to try out Saxgourmet roo pads on), and a 20-year old Yamaha 32 tenor in immaculate condition (though it has had some pads replaced). Both for an excellent price, and both have lyre attachments.
Former oboe finisher
Howarth of London
1998 - 2010
Independent Woodwind Repair Specialist
Oboes, Clarinets and Saxes
NOT A MEMBER OF N.A.M.I.R.
The opinions I express are my own.
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-12-20 03:48
There are many, many good vintage saxophones out there in various states of repair, nearly all of which (when put in good condition) will outperform and outlast (by many decades!) most of the SSOs. I play considerably more sax than clarinet these days, and most of my playing is done on a 'fleet' of silver-plated King saxes I've acquired for few dollars, then overhauled. All of these (soprano, alto, C-melody, and tenor) play wonderfully in tune, with terrific sound and the quality of their materials and construction is far beyond anything made today (especially Asian horns). All these Kings were made in the mid- to late-1920s.
There is really no reason to waste your money on a 'bargain-priced' new Chinese-made saxophone, unless you just want to give something shiny to a child whom you know is going to quit playing in less than a year anyway (sad to say, there are probably many such children out there.........)
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Author: clarnibass
Date: 2007-12-20 05:49
David, when you say "Asian" do you mean Chinese, or only some specific countries? Some Japanese (Asian) saxophones are better quality than saxophones from many other countries.
Also what do you mean by "quality of their materials"? Can you give some examples? Although this is true sometimes I found that some supposedly decent instrument don't always have better materials than some Chinese saxophone.
It is almost always the build quality that is horrible for the SSOs, but I hear there are several Chinese instruments that are not SSOs eventhough they might seem that way at first. Here is one article from a trustworthy repairer in the UK Steve Howard http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Ultra_Cheap_horns.htm
These saxophones or equivilent ones with different names are not available here (or at least I haven't seen them if they are) but maybe you have them in USA.
Post Edited (2007-12-20 05:50)
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Author: David Spiegelthal ★2017
Date: 2007-12-20 10:54
Sorry, Nitai, I should not have said "Asian", but rather Chinese. You're correct, Japanese instruments are generally of very high quality, and recently saxes from Taiwan have been pretty good.
In my experience the metals used in Chinese saxes tends to be both soft (in bending) and easily broken (brittle), but that hasn't been the main problem -- the biggest issue has been poor soldering, causing key posts, braces, and keyguards to pop off. As with any generalization, there are many exceptions. Just as "made in Japan" used to be a pejorative back in the 1960s, "made in China" is presently not a compliment -- but their products ARE improving and will no doubt continue in that direction.
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Author: Don Berger
Date: 2007-12-20 14:20
Many TKS, BBoard friends, for discussion/advice in this "jungle" arena . Some time ago, I worked on an open-holed flute with the ?C foot, which seemed to be better than its name implied. Much the same is with this "heavy" sax, has a high F#, and the keying is similar to my Mark 6 [modern, in my thots]. The high F touch is not "pearled" if that helps define it. It has suffered "malicious-appearing" body and key damage, the worst is a "silver dollar" sized body dent in the thumb rest area, so repair cost will be quite high, making restoration questionable, well beyond my skills ! Will be appreciative of any/all advice. Re: old King saxes, Dave, a G F-saxer has one of those goodies [alto] and I put on a pad, with minor adj. and it sure was a good/easy player !! Regards and MC/HNY to all. Ho Ho. Don
Thanx, Mark, Don
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