Sax on the Web Forum

Keilwerth Saxophones / 1975 Toneking Sop

jotteff
User ID: 0805074 Oct 26th 8:21 AM
Hi all,

I knew I shouldn't have done it when I pressed that "buy it now" button...

I just got a Keilwerth Toneking Soprano Ser. 74953 (built in 1975, according to the Boosey web site).

Not exactly in as good a condition as described. In other words, it needs quite some attention from a tech, which I can't afford right now. On the other hand, I don't want to sell it on without even knowing its potential.

So, what's the verdict on these 70's Toneking sops? How do they compare to earlier Tonekings and New Kings?

Mine is laquered with chrome-plated keys and the engraving shows a crown, below that "Julius Keilwerth" in handwriting-like style, below that "Toneking" in capital letters (not the globe with ribbon accross it which the earlier ones had). Some ornamental motif as well. "Made in Germany" above the serial no., but not the JK logo. Also no "Keilwerth" on the LH pinky G#.

Construction-wise it seems identical to the Couf Superba II which jdumars had offered here a while ago (also in the 70k serial no. range), but am I comparing apples and pears here? What was the relation again between the Superbas and the different Toneking/New Kings models?

I mailed Boosey about another horn a while ago and got the general info that the New King was their standard model, the Toneking was the pro model and the Toneking Special was even more pro. From this forum I gather that many would in fact rate the New King higher than the Toneking?
I also heard the opinion that the quality of the Keilwerths had declined considerably from the 60s through the 80s, until they came out with the SX 90 / 90R series, true?

mostly alto guy
User ID: 0122954 Oct 26th 2:31 PM
I've played one ToneKing, and it is a superb if somewhat querky instrument. I can't tell you any more because someday, if my luck holds, I'm gonna buy it.

BigDaddyJ
User ID: 2623374 Oct 28th 9:41 AM
--"I also heard the opinion that the quality of the Keilwerths had declined considerably from the 60s through the 80s, until they came out with the SX 90 / 90R series, true?"--

The H. Couf Superba I is one of the finest horns I've ever tried, alto or tenor. The ones I've played KILLED any SX/SXR-90 I've tried.

winfried
User ID: 9259363 Oct 30th 6:25 AM
H.Couf Superba II == Toneking special
H.Couf Superba I == Toneking
H.Couf Royalist == The New King

jotteff User ID: 0805074	Oct 26th 8:21 AM Hi all, I knew I shouldn't have done it when I pressed that "buy it now" button... I just got a Keilwerth Toneking Soprano Ser. 74953 (built in 1975, according to the Boosey web site). Not exactly in as good a condition as described. In other words, it needs quite some attention from a tech, which I can't afford right now. On the other hand, I don't want to sell it on without even knowing its potential. So, what's the verdict on these 70's Toneking sops? How do they compare to earlier Tonekings and New Kings? Mine is laquered with chrome-plated keys and the engraving shows a crown, below that "Julius Keilwerth" in handwriting-like style, below that "Toneking" in capital letters (not the globe with ribbon accross it which the earlier ones had). Some ornamental motif as well. "Made in Germany" above the serial no., but not the JK logo. Also no "Keilwerth" on the LH pinky G#. Construction-wise it seems identical to the Couf Superba II which jdumars had offered here a while ago (also in the 70k serial no. range), but am I comparing apples and pears here? What was the relation again between the Superbas and the different Toneking/New Kings models? I mailed Boosey about another horn a while ago and got the general info that the New King was their standard model, the Toneking was the pro model and the Toneking Special was even more pro. From this forum I gather that many would in fact rate the New King higher than the Toneking? I also heard the opinion that the quality of the Keilwerths had declined considerably from the 60s through the 80s, until they came out with the SX 90 / 90R series, true?
mostly alto guy User ID: 0122954	Oct 26th 2:31 PM I've played one ToneKing, and it is a superb if somewhat querky instrument. I can't tell you any more because someday, if my luck holds, I'm gonna buy it.
BigDaddyJ User ID: 2623374	Oct 28th 9:41 AM --"I also heard the opinion that the quality of the Keilwerths had declined considerably from the 60s through the 80s, until they came out with the SX 90 / 90R series, true?"-- The H. Couf Superba I is one of the finest horns I've ever tried, alto or tenor. The ones I've played KILLED any SX/SXR-90 I've tried.
winfried User ID: 9259363	Oct 30th 6:25 AM H.Couf Superba II == Toneking special H.Couf Superba I == Toneking H.Couf Royalist == The New King