Sax on the Web Forum

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Cannonball or Yamaha

tim
User ID: 8095633 May 29th 1:16 PM
I've narrowed by bari choices down to two brands.
Cannonball Big Bell Bari or Yamaha YBS52?
The difference in price is $300.00. Yamaha is cheaper, both are new. I am not going to chance a used horn.

I'm soliciting advice? Anyone?

Merlin
User ID: 8931733 May 29th 1:36 PM
If the Yamaha is cheaper, buy it. They're both good horns, but the Yamaha will maintain a better resale value.

tungp
User ID: 0952054 May 29th 2:00 PM
I actually carry Cannonball, but would second Merlin's point: Yamahas do retain better resale value, especially at the pricing rung of baritones. Would not equate the two, though, in terms of performance, and would not make Yamaha the favorite in terms of voice. If you feel you're going to commit to the horn you buy for a period of at least 2 years, perhaps resale value becomes less a priority....

Have you played both yet, tim? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on your playtest, or in particular on the Big Bell bari -- not just for my reference (other players' opinions are more important to have, and to relate, than my own) but because I'm thinking about ordering one for myself.

justsaxes@att.net

tim
User ID: 7789183 May 29th 11:10 PM
To tungp...
I haven't played either one of the Bari's. I really like the look of the Cannonball as opposed to the Yamaha, but the Yamaha would be a smart play.

I will probably end up keeping this horn for a while, so not only do I want a good sounding horn, but I want a horn I'm not going to get bored of. I also enjoy the "underdog" aspect of the Cannonball. Just because everyone thinks Yamaha, Selmer, Keilwerth, & Yanni's are the best doesn't mean someone can't come along a make a good sax. Those company's all had to start somewhere.

manofsteel
User ID: 9084913 May 30th 1:32 PM
Hey TungP,

Long time no speak. As you know, I've been on the quest for a bari. On the way, I played a Yamaha 52 and test drove a Silver plated Cannonball Big Bell with both a Silver plated neck and a brass neck (the silver neck was much better).

I didn't do an A/B comparison but I would put them in the same category sound wise...solid, but nothing remarkable. Key wise, they both felt very similar...very comfortable. The Cannonball had double strutted arms on the bell keys and would probably stay in adjustment better over time. In addition, the spread of key touches on the lower stack was a bit larger on the CB for me (ML cadet golf glove size if that helps). But overall, I couldn't say one stood out over the other soundwise.

Tim, if you are interested, the Yamaha 52 (very good condition) is for sale, $1900. Email me at manofstl@pacbell.net if you are interested.

BrianA
User ID: 2657944 Jun 4th 1:26 AM
I did own a Cannonball bari and did not care for it compared to any of the Yamaha and Yanagisawa models for the following reasons and I hope that Cannonball has corrected these reasons. I am a bari player, it is my main horn and it is what I do. The Cannonball I owned was the Royal Crown in black nickel and I also play tested a Silver big bell bari.. on both horns I found the same things that I did not care for. first the sound was more of a "thin student horn sound" compared to the former mentioned Asian brands. I did not care for the feel of the lower keys and I have large hands and they both (both models ) felt very large and uncomfortable, although I am sure if you wanted to you could have a decent repair person bend some keys to make this more livable.. Lastly and most importantly, although I am sure the Cannoball folks have gone to great pains to make the bari blow so easily, which it does, on bari I found that more resistance is needed and this is NOT a mouthpiece adjustment. The bari's by Cannonball blow so easily with such little resistance that the low notes are very hard to whisper and play low with the same rich sonority as the other brands. The lack of resistance makes the lowest notes bounce harmonically far too easlily sort of like an unwanted multiphonic effect when you least want it..I am sure a lot of work went into taking out the resistance yet I thing this is the most serious shortcoming of the Cannonball bari saxes. The overall construction and intonation was fine and I was easlily able to find these horns in like new condition for under 3K.. well under in some cases..
Brian

tungp
User ID: 0952054 Jun 4th 11:25 AM
Ha! MoS - "cadet size" - that threw me back about 25 years, to little league & shopping for batters gloves (not just once or twice, but every day, peering into the glass case, the little tiger's heads on the backs of the the gloves, ruminating on a dollar).

Thanks for this input on the baris - both useful & valuable, at least to me. Would love to hear more, corroborating or otherwise, pos or neg.

Anji
User ID: 8234713 Jun 4th 9:19 PM
Hey Tim,

I think you would find some terrific, reliable instruments over on some of the online sites specializing in 'pre-loved' horns.

If you are already thinking about the resale of an instrument, these can be relative bargains.

The posters on this board are particularly sensitive to customer satisfaction... not so much risk as you may think.

At least give these guys a chance before you spend a fortune... who knows, the Yamahopper of your dreams may be available for a fraction of retail!

Tim
User ID: 0735934 Jul 22nd 7:48 PM
I bought the cannonball. It rules!

Bootman
User ID: 1676554 Jul 23rd 4:08 AM
Tim,
Can you describe how you found the horn to play. Which model?

BrianA
User ID: 9725373 Aug 1st 1:43 PM
Tim,
please don't take this negatively but could you include, along with your opinions, how long you have played and what level your play is along with your "review".
thanks and enjoy your new horn..
BrianA

tim
User ID: 9106183 Aug 1st 4:28 PM
Bootman-
I found the Cannonball Big Bell Bari on their website after reading some posts on this site & some pro players comments on the cannonball site.

Brian A.-
I've been playing sax since I was 9, I'm now 30.
I'm in a punk/ska band called Say Uncle (www.sayunclemusic.com)and I'm a solid player on alto & tenor and have added the Bari recently to add some new sound to the band. I like the cannonball better than my alto & Tenor which are a Selmer(Bundy) and a Monique respectively. (I know, the dreaded Monique, but it's been kind)
I have tested Yamaha 52 & 62 Tenors & liked my Mo better. It played better at the top and bottom although my middle e is very sharp. I tested a Cannonball BB Tenor & liked it very much as well.
It played top to bottom and was better than the Yamaha in my opinion. The cannonball is my first Bari and I can't compare too much else yet, but I still think it rules.

Ian
User ID: 9997253 Aug 2nd 10:41 PM
Check out some Selmers if you're looking for resistance. Yikes.

Bootman
User ID: 1676554 Aug 2nd 11:27 PM
Tim,
I have a Cannonball Arc sop and it plays great. I haven't played a Cannonball Baritone so I really can't comment.

tim User ID: 8095633	May 29th 1:16 PM I've narrowed by bari choices down to two brands. Cannonball Big Bell Bari or Yamaha YBS52? The difference in price is $300.00. Yamaha is cheaper, both are new. I am not going to chance a used horn. I'm soliciting advice? Anyone?
Merlin User ID: 8931733	May 29th 1:36 PM If the Yamaha is cheaper, buy it. They're both good horns, but the Yamaha will maintain a better resale value.
tungp User ID: 0952054	May 29th 2:00 PM I actually carry Cannonball, but would second Merlin's point: Yamahas do retain better resale value, especially at the pricing rung of baritones. Would not equate the two, though, in terms of performance, and would not make Yamaha the favorite in terms of voice. If you feel you're going to commit to the horn you buy for a period of at least 2 years, perhaps resale value becomes less a priority.... Have you played both yet, tim? I'd be interested in hearing your thoughts on your playtest, or in particular on the Big Bell bari -- not just for my reference (other players' opinions are more important to have, and to relate, than my own) but because I'm thinking about ordering one for myself. justsaxes@att.net
tim User ID: 7789183	May 29th 11:10 PM To tungp... I haven't played either one of the Bari's. I really like the look of the Cannonball as opposed to the Yamaha, but the Yamaha would be a smart play. I will probably end up keeping this horn for a while, so not only do I want a good sounding horn, but I want a horn I'm not going to get bored of. I also enjoy the "underdog" aspect of the Cannonball. Just because everyone thinks Yamaha, Selmer, Keilwerth, & Yanni's are the best doesn't mean someone can't come along a make a good sax. Those company's all had to start somewhere.
manofsteel User ID: 9084913	May 30th 1:32 PM Hey TungP, Long time no speak. As you know, I've been on the quest for a bari. On the way, I played a Yamaha 52 and test drove a Silver plated Cannonball Big Bell with both a Silver plated neck and a brass neck (the silver neck was much better). I didn't do an A/B comparison but I would put them in the same category sound wise...solid, but nothing remarkable. Key wise, they both felt very similar...very comfortable. The Cannonball had double strutted arms on the bell keys and would probably stay in adjustment better over time. In addition, the spread of key touches on the lower stack was a bit larger on the CB for me (ML cadet golf glove size if that helps). But overall, I couldn't say one stood out over the other soundwise. Tim, if you are interested, the Yamaha 52 (very good condition) is for sale, $1900. Email me at manofstl@pacbell.net if you are interested.
BrianA User ID: 2657944	Jun 4th 1:26 AM I did own a Cannonball bari and did not care for it compared to any of the Yamaha and Yanagisawa models for the following reasons and I hope that Cannonball has corrected these reasons. I am a bari player, it is my main horn and it is what I do. The Cannonball I owned was the Royal Crown in black nickel and I also play tested a Silver big bell bari.. on both horns I found the same things that I did not care for. first the sound was more of a "thin student horn sound" compared to the former mentioned Asian brands. I did not care for the feel of the lower keys and I have large hands and they both (both models ) felt very large and uncomfortable, although I am sure if you wanted to you could have a decent repair person bend some keys to make this more livable.. Lastly and most importantly, although I am sure the Cannoball folks have gone to great pains to make the bari blow so easily, which it does, on bari I found that more resistance is needed and this is NOT a mouthpiece adjustment. The bari's by Cannonball blow so easily with such little resistance that the low notes are very hard to whisper and play low with the same rich sonority as the other brands. The lack of resistance makes the lowest notes bounce harmonically far too easlily sort of like an unwanted multiphonic effect when you least want it..I am sure a lot of work went into taking out the resistance yet I thing this is the most serious shortcoming of the Cannonball bari saxes. The overall construction and intonation was fine and I was easlily able to find these horns in like new condition for under 3K.. well under in some cases.. Brian
tungp User ID: 0952054	Jun 4th 11:25 AM Ha! MoS - "cadet size" - that threw me back about 25 years, to little league & shopping for batters gloves (not just once or twice, but every day, peering into the glass case, the little tiger's heads on the backs of the the gloves, ruminating on a dollar). Thanks for this input on the baris - both useful & valuable, at least to me. Would love to hear more, corroborating or otherwise, pos or neg.
Anji User ID: 8234713	Jun 4th 9:19 PM Hey Tim, I think you would find some terrific, reliable instruments over on some of the online sites specializing in 'pre-loved' horns. If you are already thinking about the resale of an instrument, these can be relative bargains. The posters on this board are particularly sensitive to customer satisfaction... not so much risk as you may think. At least give these guys a chance before you spend a fortune... who knows, the Yamahopper of your dreams may be available for a fraction of retail!
Tim User ID: 0735934	Jul 22nd 7:48 PM I bought the cannonball. It rules!
Bootman User ID: 1676554	Jul 23rd 4:08 AM Tim, Can you describe how you found the horn to play. Which model?
BrianA User ID: 9725373	Aug 1st 1:43 PM Tim, please don't take this negatively but could you include, along with your opinions, how long you have played and what level your play is along with your "review". thanks and enjoy your new horn.. BrianA
tim User ID: 9106183	Aug 1st 4:28 PM Bootman- I found the Cannonball Big Bell Bari on their website after reading some posts on this site & some pro players comments on the cannonball site. Brian A.- I've been playing sax since I was 9, I'm now 30. I'm in a punk/ska band called Say Uncle (www.sayunclemusic.com)and I'm a solid player on alto & tenor and have added the Bari recently to add some new sound to the band. I like the cannonball better than my alto & Tenor which are a Selmer(Bundy) and a Monique respectively. (I know, the dreaded Monique, but it's been kind) I have tested Yamaha 52 & 62 Tenors & liked my Mo better. It played better at the top and bottom although my middle e is very sharp. I tested a Cannonball BB Tenor & liked it very much as well. It played top to bottom and was better than the Yamaha in my opinion. The cannonball is my first Bari and I can't compare too much else yet, but I still think it rules.
Ian User ID: 9997253	Aug 2nd 10:41 PM Check out some Selmers if you're looking for resistance. Yikes.
Bootman User ID: 1676554	Aug 2nd 11:27 PM Tim, I have a Cannonball Arc sop and it plays great. I haven't played a Cannonball Baritone so I really can't comment.