Antigua tenor

[gonza07]

I Know there is different models of Antigua tenor saxophones, like 535, 550, 550SP, 550BC, etc

Is this specified in each one? Were can I see the model in a Antigua sax?

[goodsax]

Dave Kessler, http://www.kesslermusic.com sells Antiguas and has some photographs of them on his website. He also points the viewer to the Antigua website for more info, if needed.

[DaveKessler]

The 535 is no longer made. It was made in a different facility for Antigua then the rest of their horns. The 535 was more Mark VI stylewise in design. The 550 series is a Super 80 Series II clone. The differences in the models you listed is finish:

LQ: Lacquer
BC: Black Nickel Plate body, lacquer keys
SPC: Silver plate body & keys with clear lacquer coat over silver
SP: Silver plate body (no lacquer coat), lacquered keys.

[captain blowhard]

Anyone tried any of the Antigua tenors? Just wondering if they were in the same league as the sporanos?

[goodsax]

Anyone tried any of the Antigua tenors? Just wondering if they were in the same league as the sporanos?While you're waiting for an answer about the tenors, I can assure you that the 520LQ alto is in the same league as the sopranos, in my opinion. It matches the cosmetics of the 582/586/590 series sop's and has top notch intonation. Although the tone is not as colorful and resonant as vintage Martins, for example, it is very pleasing and should exceed anyone's expectation at that price point. I also felt keywork ergonomics was comfortable although there might be a bit more key movement, a little looser action, than on "big four" models.

[Canadiain]

I am more than happy with my 520LQ alto too. Took a chance on Ebay, by the time it was shipped up to Canada, and a pad replaced the whole deal was still less than $300US.

Intonation is perfect which is more than I can say for my Corton Super (made by Amati) from the 80s. Tone is very solid, balanced between upper and lower registers, and the low notes (as well as the rest) blow freely.
I'm very impressed with the build quality, and there is barely a scratch on the thing, let alone a dent.

Very happy I can tell you, even more so as it came with a Selmer S80 C* and rovner lig, Plus a Neotech neckstrap (should have got one of those years ago!!!). Nice, But I'll stick to my Selmer Metal D mpc for most stuff I play :) I now actually sound like I might know what I'm doing ;) Just have to get used to the spatulla key placement..shouldnt take long.

Sure, I'd love to have a big 4 horn, but as a weekend warrior with more important things to spend the money on, this made sense, and frankly a $2k+ horn is not going to make me a better player any time soon.

Where else am I going to get this kind of quality for only $300.

Anyway, I'm curious if anyone knows roughly when a serial number around A312xxxx would have been made?

Cheers...cant stop grinning.

Iain