Saxophone car equivalents

[Frank D]

A friend of mine just found a YAS-23 in his girlfriend's closet, and they decided to sell the horn since her kids are grown and nobody plays anymore. He had no idea of its value or how to sell it, so he asked me for advice. I told him he had the Toyota Corolla of saxes, meaning it's well made, reliable, easy to repair and does what was designed to do pretty well, but is not a professional model.

I started to wonder what the automotive equivalents of other horns might be? Balanced Action is some kind of vintage sports car (old, exotic, high performance in its day). 10M is like a 70s Mustang Mach I (sturdy, high powered, not as agile as some contemporaries but if you challenge one, you'll probably get shut down!).

What do you think about Mark VI, Mark VII, Keilwerth, etc.?

[Bill Mecca]

MkVI, let's see, kinda like an SUV, Everyone's gotta have one because everyone has one, but they never take it off-road. ;-)

[brassnaked]

Borgani Vintage Unlacquered brass tenor:
Like a Ferrari Testarosa, both fine Italian hand-crafted intruments with unmatched performance, reliability, and a sound-all their own...and, they look good doing it!

Always & Never the Same

[averageschmoe]

yamaha custom... acura nsx: impeccably designed and expertly manufactured. a testament to japanese precision in manufacturing. the leblanc system horns... vintage jaguars, beautifully designed, curiously implemented, and spend more time in the shop than on the road.

[xuanvu]

B&S Medusa alto sax = BMW since it's Euro engined, designed, beatiful...

[JL]

I don't know. My expensive vintage horns travel in the trunk of an old, rusty Toyota, that's worth about a tenth of what the horns are worth, at best. But it gets me to the gig and I can park it in some pretty bad neighborhoods (where many of the gigs are) and nobody gives my car a second look, while they're breaking into the BMW down the block!

[Stacey]

My newest sax: Cannonball Big Bell Global Series in black nickelplate... Gorgeous finish. Astoundingly low price. Taiwanese-manufactured horn, much better quality than reputation of Taiwanese hornmakers would lead you to expect. Gets good reviews, even side-by-side against top offerings from Selmer and Yamaha. I look GOOD playing it.

My newest car: Kia Amanti in "carbon gray"... Gorgeous paint. Astoundingly low price. Korean-manufactured car, much better quality than reputation of Korean automakers would lead you to expect. Gets good reviews, even side-by-side against top offerings from Toyota and Cadillac. I look GOOD driving it.

[Morry]

B&S Medusa alto sax = BMW since it's Euro engined, designed, beatiful...

Nah, B&S is well-engineered, but lighter and more nible than the Keilwerth, which I consider the BMW of saxes. The B&S is more like an Audi, methinks.

[gary]

Keilwerth, which I consider the BMW of saxes.That was my thought, too. This is what went throught my mind when I saw the thread topic:

Martin - Bentley
Mark VI -1960's Mustang
Conn Lady Face -De Soto
Yamaha -Honda RX7
Yanigasawa -Datsun 280 Z
Keilwerth -BMW
King -Studebaker

I drive an Opel (Vauxhall/GM) Astra. Small, not expensive but not embarrasing. And me? I look like a John Deere :shock:

[Vortex]

My takes of a few popular ones:

Yanagisawa A9937 Solid Sterling Silver - Lexus
Mark VI - Corvette
Yamaha 62 - Honda Accord
Series III - Ferrari
Keilwerth Shadow - New VW Beetle
Bundy - Broken down old Chevy

[silverghost]

Beat-up bundy Bari=53' semi-tractor trailer with smoke stains down the side and a nasty rattle every time the throttle is opened up...

[Kareeser]

hehe, silverghost...

My Jupiter 869SG - Toyota Camry. Good reliable car. Not on the small side for a car, but not too big for the road. Looks nice, too, ;)

[pknight]

A comment on one of the Yamaha comments:

The RX-7 is a Mazda, not a Honda. It also has a rotary engine, which would imply some unique innovation in the Yamaha line that I don't see. Of course, I don't see ANY sax with an innovation equivalent to a rotary engine.

[mostly alto guy]

This is a tough one to do while keep nationalities in line, since the French have made and still make some great saxes.

JKs are definitely analogous to BMWs; I'd say my 75th Anni alto is like an M3.

My vintage Buffets are not at all like French cars, but more like Jaguars.

There are surely others we could think of.

[Frank D]

Gary - Conn Ladyface = DeSoto? You had me laughing on that one.

I like Vortex idea of the Mark VI as Corvette, but it would have to be a 70s Corvette.

Bundy as Nova also seems right on target.

[RS]

Low Bb Mark VI bari=Rolls Royce Silver Cloud.

[gary]

The RX-7 is a Mazda, not a Honda.Oh mannn. And I used to own one.
Just goes to show you that anyone who can remember what a DeSoto was is surely not going to be remembering other things!

[bruce bailey]

Being a Wankel engine, the RX-7 would probably be a Grafton.

[Forty5]

King - Studebaker

This is nothing short of prophetic. My first car was an old Studebaker, ( a long time ago ) and a few weeks ago I purchased my first sax, an old King. My King however, is a 40 year old Cleveland, so I like to think of it as a Ford pick up from that period. It's solidly built and if well cared for will take me on this journey, providing that I don't expect high performance or superb handleing and don't plan to go too far.

[/quote]

[The Martin]

Martin The Martin Tenor = Aston Martin

[Bootman]

Conn 12M = Mercedes Straight Eight or V12 E Type Jag.
Buescher = Alfa GTV V6 or Any other classic Italian Monster car.
Yamaha = Subaru Liberty.

[Martin]

Conn Baritone - Dodge 440 Charger with sixpack carbs.

Buescher tenor - AC Cobra

Keilwerth Straight tenor - Streched Mercedes SL55 Limo

The Martin alto - Porsche 928 V8

Buescher Big B alto - Subaru WRX turbo

Conn Curved Soprano - New Mini Cooper S

Any Mark 6 - Fiat Bambino

[Martin]

Boot, I thought I'd beaten you to the punch but I was wrong!

Buescher = Alfa huh? I was waiting for that.
Actually Bueschers are more versatile and reliable..... :lol:

How about Weltklangs being Lada Nivas? (total junk)

[gary]

Any Mark 6 - Fiat BambinoHa, ha. The Italian Beetle? The Trabi? Just how does one interpret that?

I think we're about to embark on the dark side. :twisted:

[Martin]

I was being mean, the mighty 6 is a great horn for some.

Would the Mark VII be considered a bit of an Edsel ? Or even De Lorean?

[Sigmund451]

I liked the Martin=Bentley suggestion. Big and heavy with lots of presence. A smooth cruise with ample power and a lush interior.

Yamaha 62: Nicely equipted Camry. Factory made to exact specs. One much like the next. Always reliable but wont turn heads unless you drive on the sidewalk (live on the edge).

Buescher 400: A loaded STV with heated seats and a leather interior. It will go anywhere, do most anything you like and not B&*#H about it.

Buffet SDA: BMW with a deviated septum.

[larry]

King -Studebaker

I'd like to apply an exception for Super 20s: '68 Mustang
Hard to find a good one; hard to maintain; but, Daddy-O, if you're hip enough to drive one, you're the coolest, Jack!

[DougR]

And who makes (made?) the Citroen DS equivalent?

[pknight]

Being a Wankel engine, the RX-7 would probably be a Grafton.

That's probably as close as we are going to get, although I think that to be as differnt as an RX-7, you would have to have a trombone mouthpiece, or perhaps provide air via a bellows.

[mostly alto guy]

Would the Mark VII be considered a bit of an Edsel?

No way. My VII alto plays great and is versatile. It's no goat, and certainly no Edsel. If anything, I'd say it's more like about a '72 Mustang. Not as popular or valuable as the previous series (if you could imagine a '64-1/2 to about 68 as the MKVI) but when properly fitted out and adjusted can really romp.

I'd even go out on a limb and say mine's a convertible.

[Bootman]

Buescher Alto = Abarth Fiat or Lancia Delta.

Mk VI = Bambino, a little harsh. I would have thought at least a Commodore, some are hotted up but there still a Commy underneath.

Straight Tenor = XR6 Ute with the chip in it.

Buffet SDA is like the Citroen Cockroach.....lots of style but really bloody quirky.

Buescher tenor = V6 Alfo, lots of mid range grunt, smoth power across the range without peaking in any register!

[pat_27]

my Bundy II Alto: a 2nd-hand wheelborrow
my Grand tenor: a Peugeot MI 16------no one heard of the name and model, it has lots of power and great handling, and comes with a beautiful satin silver finish.

[stitch]

And who makes (made?) the Citroen DS equivalent?

Dolnet perhaps?
Idiosyncratic styling and looks cool as anything.

[Vortex]

Most bass saxophones - Panzer tank
Big 'n heavy, can't hide it in the garage, needs a lot of gas, and almost impossible to move around with.

The Jim Schmidt Sax - Honda Insight
Something totally different

[twowheels]

Mark VI- Like a fine 60's corvette!

King Super 20- GTO baby!

Conn Tranny- Stutz Bearcat (at least I think that's the name if it...you know, 1920's-era rich college-boy sports car, racoon tail on the antenna...)

[John Robinson]

SA80 Series II Tenor - Olds Allero? Any sopranino = Yugo...

[Randall]

Epoxy finish Bundy= Ford Pinto hatchback (pinto bean brown paint)

Need I say more?

[twowheels]

Epoxy finish Bundy= Ford Pinto hatchback (pinto bean brown paint)

Need I say more?

Aw come on....it rates at least GREMLIN or PACER status!

:twisted:

[Randall]

:mrgreen: :mrgreen: :mrgreen:
I was saving those gems for something truly awful.....A Moan-eek perhaps? :wink:

[Stacey]

Epoxy finish Bundy= Ford Pinto hatchback (pinto bean brown paint)

Need I say more?

Hey - that was MY CAR! From 1983 to 1988, I drove a 1980 Ford Pinto, in that lovely brown color, which was actually fairly metallic and quite nice. The car had an aftermarket sunroof, as well. I saw that car on the streets as late as 1995, making it one of the last few Pintos on the road. I suppose it's probably dead by now...

Even a BUNDY had more power than a Pinto, though. :roll:

[rsclosson]

What would be equivalent to the Corvair?

[vick]

What would be equivalent to the Corvair?

An older LA sax. It might get you there but it will probably break on the way.

[Carl H.]

RX7 - shouldn't that be a pro model japanese horn built to a german design spec?
Maybe the new yamaha big bell horns?

[Bootman]

The Rotary Engine is yet another Aussie Design. The old RX MAzdas can be a lot of fun but not enough Torque.

[Vortex]

Yamaha outta be a Chrysler Voyager - it loves to be in the repair shop

[pknight]

Yamaha outta be a Chrysler Voyager - it loves to be in the repair shop

What are you talking about?

[pknight]

Yugo = those Simba saxes that Sam's Club was selling for under $300 a while back.

[silverghost]

Epoxy finish Bundy= Ford Pinto hatchback (pinto bean brown paint)

Need I say more?
Refresh my memory--Epoxy finish=metallic-looking paint? I believe I had a loaner a few years ago that looked like it was made out of plastic....

[Randall]

I believe the best description would be from George Carlin describing the color of plastic, fake dog poop...chanpagne gold.
Actually it was a flat brown looking paint like affair...no sparkles in my memory.

[frankbiff]

Mk VI '55 Chevy
Old Cons Hudson Hornet
Buscher Mercedes w/ 3 speed manual.

[HC]

What would a Vito student model 7131R be compared to? :?

[Frank D]

"What would a Vito student model 7131R be compared to?"

An entry level Hyundai.

[pknight]

This is the Vito made by Yamaha. The only difference I have seen between these and a YAS-23 is that the thumb rest is not adjustable. So, look above for cars that are like a 23, and make the seat unadjustable.

[Pete]

Wait a second. Couldn't you compare a Yamaha to ... a Yamaha? (Well, not a car, but maybe a motorcycle.)

Let's see. My ex-wife and I have owned 50+ cars, so I think I'd be good at this ...

Moaneek: Pontiac Fiero. Looks nice and flashy, but underneath, it's really junk. It also costs less to replace it than to repair it. :lol: (I tried to work in the Chevy Nova, but I couldn't think of a good analogy.)

Buffet Dynaction: Reminds me most of my 1993 Buick Regal. Understated elegance and understated power -- I had the 3800 V6 version, probably the best 6 Detroit ever came up with.

[TWINE]

Yamaha outta be a Chrysler Voyager - it loves to be in the repair shop

.......yeah, like most 'poorly-made' Japanese items :roll:

[-TH]

Weltklang Bari = Lada Niva
Mark VII tenor = Renault Safrane :D

[SaxPlayer1004]

Conn 12M = Mercedes Straight Eight or V12 E Type Jag.
Buescher = Alfa GTV V6 or Any other classic Italian Monster car.
Yamaha = Subaru Liberty.
jeep liberty? or subaru baja, take ur pick neve rheard of a subaru liberty. my mom had a 56 desoto salmon pink witht he chrome teeth and cream trim.
prestini anyone. im thinking more along toyota avalon. wants to be like a lexus but hasnt quite gotten there yet. good reliable horn but nothing you wanna be at a car show with. not many repair shop trips, or engine problems. nice little horn thats not to expensive but classy.
can say the same about antiguas.

[pknight]

I had the 3800 V6 version, probably the best 6 Detroit ever came up with.

Indeed, but I also have a weakness for the old Chrysler Slant-6. I have NO idea what sax that would be like.

[Mango Birkie]

The Martin Tenor = yellow 1952 Buick convertible with chrome air horns on both front fenders.

[bigbadbarisax]

1914 Buescher Low Bb to high Eb Bari: Aston-Martn DB5. Techincally obsolete but still soooooo very sexy!

[Phantom 7]

Mark VII alto.......1976 Thunderbird....460 V-8

[Larry G]

My 65 MK VI tenor would be an older MGB with a twisted up motor and a bit rough paint that draws in the beemers and porchees and then this driver just motors away from the rest , only in the twistees that I run of course !! I love my old B. My 62 VI alto is sooo sweet that maybe I would compare it to a large v 12 touring auto with plenty of drive and that special sound , Also like a CBX Honda roadbike! ..........
my funky Holton Bari like the Honda 90 , fun to play with, but your friends always make fun of you if they see you on it. cool subject huh ..

[paulwl]

If Conn was the Ford of the instrument makers of their day (biggest output, household name), I would nominate Buescher as the General Motors of that era. Sopranos, altos, and tenors are analogous to roadster/coupes, tudor and fordor sedans.

The classic and ubiquitous Chus are contemporaries and counterparts to the Model A Fords. The Tranny and M series horns are as solidly engineered and powerful as the V-8 Deluxes of the 30s and 40s. Buescher's curved soprano is a nimble little Chevy six convertible. The Aristocrats, like the classic Chevy or Pontiac family cars, pack the horses and ride comfy, with maybe a slightly staid image. And the 400...shall I compare thee to a Rocket 88?

Baritones might be pickup trucks (a good analogy could be drawn between the 12M and the F-100 - both in their commonness and durability). The bass is obviously the GMC or Ford Truck product.