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View Full Version : Antigua winds 520BC Black Nickel Professional Alto Sax

dee-nice1969
05-19-2004, 05:58 PM
Ok, here we go. Has any one checked out this horn or owns one? I'm ready to buy, but I do want to hear from a actual owner who has used it on a gig. Thanks.
saxybeast
05-19-2004, 09:52 PM
As i'm only a student, i haven't used it on a gig, but i have used it on at least three dozen jazz band performances. response, tone, intonation, everything is great about this horn. i really like it a lot. i think paul coats has a silver 530, which i believe is actually about the same as the 520. he's currently using it on gigs, if i'm not wrong
dee-nice1969
05-19-2004, 10:53 PM
I hear it is a computer copy of a selmer horn. Thanks for the information i appreciate it. :wink:
JMac
05-20-2004, 03:51 PM
I am a returning player who purchased one (520 BC) from Dave Kessler. I do not gig yet myself, however, my private teacher does in several styles (big band, jazz, fusion, classical). I have been impressed with the build quality, intonation, and tone. He was very impressed with those items as well, and was very surprised I could get such quality for such a reasonable price. He normally plays vintage horns (Conn 'Chu' Alto and Selmer Tenor) just for reference. The Antigua is a copy of the Selmer Super 80 Series II if I am not mistaken.

FWIW, I also bought one of Kessler and Sons NY50 mpcs. - a 50% HR / 50% plastic copy of the old Meyer NY mpcs. [made for them by Babbitt] and feel that it is an excellent value too. It has a great tone and projection.

I was so pleased with the Antigua Alto that I purchased a matching 586BC Soprano from Dave a few months later. It has also exceeded all my expectations. Many posts in this forum will say that finish does not have an effect on overall tone. If you believe that, then you can save a few dollars and go for the lacquer model.

I know Kesslers also has an Antigua model (505 - 3 left) made just for them that is a computer copy of the Selmer Mark VI. It can be purchased for much less than the 520 and Dave has posted elsewhere that he prefers it to the 520. You may wish to contact him to find out why - he is, in my experience, a very honest and forthright person whose opinion I would trust.
saxybeast
05-20-2004, 10:10 PM
JMac,

yes, the antigua 520 is a copy of the SA80 II. i love mine, even though it still doesn't have that selmer core sound. it's strange that the 505 is preferred by kessler even though it's listed on their website as an intermediate horn and the 520 is a pro horn. to each his own... although i'd love to give that 505 a try someday.
DaveKessler
05-22-2004, 01:59 AM
JMac,

yes, the antigua 520 is a copy of the SA80 II. i love mine, even though it still doesn't have that selmer core sound. it's strange that the 505 is preferred by kessler even though it's listed on their website as an intermediate horn and the 520 is a pro horn. to each his own... although i'd love to give that 505 a try someday.

We only listed it as an itermediate because of price.

We are no longer having it made because the price has come up on it quite a bit. Plus, we are liking our Solist AS441 much better which is what is replacing it in my inventory.
saxybeast
05-30-2004, 09:25 PM
What's better about the Soloist other than price as far as response, tone, intonation, etc. go than the 505?
DaveKessler
06-01-2004, 05:17 PM
What's better about the Soloist other than price as far as response, tone, intonation, etc. go than the 505?

Well first of all, availability. Antigua no longer does the 505. They havent done it for years and were only doing it for us upon request. So we have to order a large number of them at a time.

Secondly, the price. I can buy my Solist horns for less and sell them for less then the 505.

Also, we like the overall ergonomics and overall playability of the Solist over the 505.
beginner's_luck
10-19-2004, 02:49 AM
I know this is an old post, but does anyone know where I can get this horn, preferrably for under $1K?
saxybeast
10-19-2004, 03:18 AM
Check ebay. Also keep an eye out in the "For Sale" section of the forum. I believe I saw a 520 lacquer alto in the FS section not too long ago.
DaveKessler
10-19-2004, 05:16 AM
I dont have any left at my old sale price ($900) but I do have the next model up, the "Power Bell" which I am going to do on a Christmas Special of $995.

Take a look at the horn here: http://kesslermusic.com/html/sax/AntiguaPowerBell/alto.htm
goodsax
10-19-2004, 06:02 AM
beginner's_luck: You should take a look at the Antigua Power Bell on Daves' website, it is absolutely gorgeous, with mucho engraving on the bell, bow, body, neck and bell lip. And all at a great price, too. If it plays as well as the Antigua 520LQ I had for awhile, it would be a killer alto at that price.