Brushed & Gold Lacquered Series III

[Angle Tears]

Clean Gold Lacquered Series III
Brushed engraving Series III


Just compare with sound, I would like to know if any significant difference between these 2 tenor?

For price, how much is a Brushed engraving Series III more than a gold lacquered version?

Thanks.

[mattsax]

You will get different opinions on the question of sound. Some will say that finish makes no difference at all. There is a strong opinion, though, and one that has plausibility, that the finishes do matter, and that the matt finished horns (brushed or not) have a darker tone. The reason usually given is that the surface of the horn is buffed less, leaving more metal on it, and deadening higher partials in the tone. Usually those of this opinion also think that the brushed finish tenor is better for jazz.

The brushed finish usually costs a few hundred dollars (US) more. Some places to see prices posted: www.saxquest.com, www.saxshop.nl, www.saxophones.co.uk. There is a non-brushed matt finish out as well on altos (I'm not sure about tenors), and this can be cheaper or more expensive (oddly) depending upon the seller.

[Dr G]

I've played both matte and lacquer finish tenors (one each) over a fairly long time. My lacquer III was much clearer speaking than my friend's matte tenor. Some of that could have been in the neck or setup but whatever it was, I preferred the lacquer III. The matte finished horn just sounded muddy to me - and that was chronically characteristic with a variety of mouthpieces.

[Roger McWilliams]

I play a matte tenor and tried quite a few of the various finishes before settling on the matte. It is my impression that finish does not matter sonically on the body of the horn, but it may make a difference on the neck, this is largely conjecture at this point. I did find the matte horn to be slightly darker in tone than the gold lacquer horns and this difference I prefer. However, the difference in tone was within what could be changed by altering mouthpiece/ligature/reed setups. And I moved away from the stock matte neck to the Selmer aftermarket red brass neck quite satisfactorily. So, I went with the matte finish slightly for tonal reasons and also because I liked the more subdued look compared to the regular finish. My wife could tell the differences blindly in the horns when several were tried with her listening with her back to me. However, these were all tried with the same setup, so while I found what I like, I'm not attributing body finish to the reason.

[Angle Tears]

Is that mean the Brushed Series III has rich & more warm sound than the clean gold lacquered Series III ? I'm not a big fan of bright tenor sound. To get dark sound, I think can use a metal Link N.Y or STM MP. However, the natural tone color is hard to be changed. If I prefer more dark, rich & warm sound. Is that mean the Brushed engraving Series III should be my choice. I can't test this horn because not available in my area, must mail order. So, I have to make detailed consideration.

Then, what about the Ref 36 sound compare with Brushed Engraving Series III? I mean only compare with tone color - Warm, rich.

Thanks
:cry:

[Dr G]

Then, what about the Ref 36 sound compare with Brushed Engraving Series III? I mean only compare with tone color - Warm, rich.

Thanks



After owning a lacquer III for a few years and playing a friend's matte III during that time, I bought a Ref 36. After hearing the difference, my friend sold his III and bought a Ref 36 also. We both seek much the same sonic attributes as you name - warm, rich, etc. It has a very full sound - lush at lower volumes, punchy when pushed. I love its dynamic response. I use mine for classical (Morgan 3C .095") and jazz (Morgan "L" .110").