yaucante
05-03-2005, 02:19 PM
Hello,
This is a follow up to several questions we raised about later Dolnet and how they sound. I recently purchased a M70 from approximately 1975. This is the model with a sharply offset bell (left angle), which requires to be played on your right-hand side. As usual with ebay purchases, there is some adjustment needed (pads, keys, rods and springs) but it is playable (with some problems in the lower register though). It is a very nice instrument and I test-played it with a Meyer 8, a Lebayle jazz Ebony 7, a Berg 110 and a Vandoren T75. Let's add that I am originally an alto and Baritone player, with little prior experience of Tenor apart from listening (I played a tenor Selmer SA80 for a little while). However, I had the opportunity to put it against a brand new reference 36 just for the fun of it (the comparison was not fair because the Dolnet is not at its best). First, the intonation is very good and even over the whole register, and even with the lack of adjustment. Second, it is a versatile horn that responded well to all the mouthpiece, except the Meyer (but that's my personal taste. I don't like Meyer generally). The best result was obtained with the Lebayle : rich subtones, powerful but also nuanced, bright highs. The berg was OK and the T75 as well but more difficult to control soundwise (more sensitive to the adjustment problems I described). The ergonomics is confortable, with the very responsive Dolnet octave mechanism and I think it has the potential to play fast enough once properly set up. Of course, you have to get used to the offset bell (and neck angle to compensate). I guess you must look like a very twisted fellow on stage! But it allows to play the horn very close to the body.
Last, I played the reference 36 with the Lebayle and though very confortable to play, it did not have the edge and complexity of sound that I found on the Dolnet. It was a bit buzzy, and not so impressive. As I said, this is an incomplete and unfair comparison. Like putting a brand new cadillac against a California that has slept in the garage for years. But what I heard made me think it was worth a rebuild. Here it is for the primary impressions. It is a beautiful horn with art deco handgraving (I can send pictures upon request).
I will try to give further impressions when I have time.
Yohann
This is a follow up to several questions we raised about later Dolnet and how they sound. I recently purchased a M70 from approximately 1975. This is the model with a sharply offset bell (left angle), which requires to be played on your right-hand side. As usual with ebay purchases, there is some adjustment needed (pads, keys, rods and springs) but it is playable (with some problems in the lower register though). It is a very nice instrument and I test-played it with a Meyer 8, a Lebayle jazz Ebony 7, a Berg 110 and a Vandoren T75. Let's add that I am originally an alto and Baritone player, with little prior experience of Tenor apart from listening (I played a tenor Selmer SA80 for a little while). However, I had the opportunity to put it against a brand new reference 36 just for the fun of it (the comparison was not fair because the Dolnet is not at its best). First, the intonation is very good and even over the whole register, and even with the lack of adjustment. Second, it is a versatile horn that responded well to all the mouthpiece, except the Meyer (but that's my personal taste. I don't like Meyer generally). The best result was obtained with the Lebayle : rich subtones, powerful but also nuanced, bright highs. The berg was OK and the T75 as well but more difficult to control soundwise (more sensitive to the adjustment problems I described). The ergonomics is confortable, with the very responsive Dolnet octave mechanism and I think it has the potential to play fast enough once properly set up. Of course, you have to get used to the offset bell (and neck angle to compensate). I guess you must look like a very twisted fellow on stage! But it allows to play the horn very close to the body.
Last, I played the reference 36 with the Lebayle and though very confortable to play, it did not have the edge and complexity of sound that I found on the Dolnet. It was a bit buzzy, and not so impressive. As I said, this is an incomplete and unfair comparison. Like putting a brand new cadillac against a California that has slept in the garage for years. But what I heard made me think it was worth a rebuild. Here it is for the primary impressions. It is a beautiful horn with art deco handgraving (I can send pictures upon request).
I will try to give further impressions when I have time.
Yohann