New Soprano

[GHawk]

I'm getting an Antigua 590BC tomorrow! I ordered it from Kessler's last week and it's coming on UPS tomorrow. I have a Selmer Serie III that I've played for the last few years, but there are some things about it that I'm not absolutely crazy about. I'll post my review of the Antigua soon.

Greg

[GHawk]

This is a beautifully finished horn. It gets an A+ for looks.

As for the playing - here's my first impression after about two hours of playing today:

Mouthpiece: I ordered a Morgan J8 mouthpiece with this horn on Dave's (Kessler) recommendation. I played it and my "regular" piece, a Bari .064 HR. I used the Bari first and it really sang. After I got over my "play it quick because I'm so excited" fever, I put a reed on the Morgan (a Guardala #2 from an old box that's been in my sock drawer for years). I knew that the Morgan had a fairly open tip so I would need a softer reed. The sound was just slightly brighter than the Bari, but pleasantly so. There were some nice overtones present with the Morgan, also. I really like this piece with this horn.

Intonation: Intonation was easier than with my Selmer Serie III throughout the range. I'm not fighting this horn to play in tune on the ballads.

Tone Quality: Exceptional - it passed this test with flying colors. It doesn't lack the tonal complexities that are found on much more expensive horns. The Morgan mouthpiece with a soft reed provide plenty of character to the sound. Low notes and palm key high tones pop out effortlessly.

Ergonomics: The Antigua feels slightly different than my Serie III, but I'm sure that after a couple of days living with it, it'll feel "dialed in" to my fingers. The most noticeable differences are the left-hand spatulas (C#-B, specifically) and the octave key placement. Antigua (or, most probably, Yanagisawa) made a little rocker mechanism between C# and B that's a little different from the roller on my Selmer. It will probably be better in the long run after I've gotten used to it. The octave key is placed a bit more the right and I have to concentrate on getting my thumb over there and pressing it down all the way. Key height is just a very slight bit higher than the III.

Wifeability: My wife who absolutely loves soprano sax would be the final judge. After playing along with the trax from my last cd, I thought it would be interesting to hear if she noticed any difference in the sound of the two horns. Her response was a very big surprise....she's brutally honest. I asked her if she liked the sound of the new horn and she said that she liked it MUCH better than with the Selmer...kind of a shock.

Looks like this horn is a winner :) I would recommend Kessler and Sons and Antigua sopranos to anyone looking to buy a new horn.

More later.

Greg

[Tully]

Glad to hear you like it! I've yet to read a post by anyone dissatisfied with the newer-model Antigua. I've never owned another soprano, but I have thje same problem with the octave key (that is to say, I sometimes have to remind myself to press it all the way). Nevertheless, I consider that small nuisance insignificant, at most, on such a quality instrument. I've still got to compare it back-to-back with a Yani S991 just to satisfy my curiosity, but compared to the S901 I tried last year, the Antigua is definitely not inferior (certainly not in the tone department, anyhow), and I would have a hard time justifying spending $2000 more on a Yani.

[GHawk]

Yep...I'm probably gonna sell the Selmer. I played the Antigua live today and it was an absolute joy. The Morgan mouthpiece is definitely a keeper - it's my favorite on this horn, so far. The only thing that concerns me about the Antigua is the little plastic mechanism between the C# and B key. It looks a little flimsy...maybe it's not, though.

[Tully]

I've only had the horn for a few weeks, but the B-C# mechanism feels sturdy, and I've never heard of any problems with it, although as always, time will tell. I'm glad to hear you like the Morgan, since I'm sending my metal Runyon Quantum off tomorrow to trade for a 6J. When you played it live today, I assume that was at church? I have a lot of soprano playing to do at my church this summer, mostly in a fairly contemporary style, so that's my primary focus in choosing my set-up right now.

[folksax]

Yep...I'm probably gonna sell the Selmer. I played the Antigua live today and it was an absolute joy. The Morgan mouthpiece is definitely a keeper - it's my favorite on this horn, so far. The only thing that concerns me about the Antigua is the little plastic mechanism between the C# and B key. It looks a little flimsy...maybe it's not, though.


That mechanism is indeed flimsy. In fact, it was broken when I received my 590 LQ from Kessler a little over a year ago. Dave had Antigua send me a new one and I have had no problems since. Other than that minor problem, the horn has been fantastic and trouble-free.

[bamakevin]

And I was amazed at how it plays. It has been 3 yrs since I played a soprano, and I found that my chops were getting tired when playing in the upper register for about 30 min.( I have played up to 2 hours with my alto) This horn was much more playable than my Selmer SS Series II. I sold it to a place in Birmingham. Overall, this one will stay with me a while....

[mountainman]

This is a beautifully finished horn. It gets an A+ for looks.

As for the playing - here's my first impression after about two hours of playing today:

Mouthpiece: I ordered a Morgan J8 mouthpiece with this horn on Dave's (Kessler) recommendation. I played it and my "regular" piece, a Bari .064 HR. I used the Bari first and it really sang. After I got over my "play it quick because I'm so excited" fever, I put a reed on the Morgan (a Guardala #2 from an old box that's been in my sock drawer for years). I knew that the Morgan had a fairly open tip so I would need a softer reed. The sound was just slightly brighter than the Bari, but pleasantly so. There were some nice overtones present with the Morgan, also. I really like this piece with this horn.

Intonation: Intonation was easier than with my Selmer Serie III throughout the range. I'm not fighting this horn to play in tune on the ballads.

Tone Quality: Exceptional - it passed this test with flying colors. It doesn't lack the tonal complexities that are found on much more expensive horns. The Morgan mouthpiece with a soft reed provide plenty of character to the sound. Low notes and palm key high tones pop out effortlessly.

Ergonomics: The Antigua feels slightly different than my Serie III, but I'm sure that after a couple of days living with it, it'll feel "dialed in" to my fingers. The most noticeable differences are the left-hand spatulas (C#-B, specifically) and the octave key placement. Antigua (or, most probably, Yanagisawa) made a little rocker mechanism between C# and B that's a little different from the roller on my Selmer. It will probably be better in the long run after I've gotten used to it. The octave key is placed a bit more the right and I have to concentrate on getting my thumb over there and pressing it down all the way. Key height is just a very slight bit higher than the III.

Wifeability: My wife who absolutely loves soprano sax would be the final judge. After playing along with the trax from my last cd, I thought it would be interesting to hear if she noticed any difference in the sound of the two horns. Her response was a very big surprise....she's brutally honest. I asked her if she liked the sound of the new horn and she said that she liked it MUCH better than with the Selmer...kind of a shock.

Looks like this horn is a winner :) I would recommend Kessler and Sons and Antigua sopranos to anyone looking to buy a new horn.

More later.

Greg
I'm wondering GHawk have you tested and can you compare the Antigua to a P Mauriat and/or a Keilwerth or maybe someone else can chime in. Also where can I order your latest CD with " When we all get to heaven " on it?