Curved Sop?

[TMadness1013]

Anyone have a review of the curved soprano??

And does anyone know what finishes are available for these horns??

[Angel]

Glad someone will be giving Yanagisawa and Cannonball some competition. Maybe in a few years, someone will figure out the curved soprano.....

I was VERY interested in the Mauriat curved soprano until I saw that the neck is only a little bent and not fully curved like newest Yanagisawa, Cannonball, vintage Buescher, etc.

Angel

[Dave Dolson]

Angel: Why the concern about the degree of neck curve? I'll bet the curve of the Mauriat when compared to the other curved-neck curved sopranos is meaningless, especially when you actually play the horns. For what it is worth, I use a straight neck on my curved Yanagisawa soprano. DAVE

[deblcooper]

P. Mauriat's curved soprano has the patina (vintage) finish.

We haven't received ours yet but we did receive the semi-curved (saxello type) soprano today. This one has the high F# but does not have the high G, although it can be ordered (for an additional cost, of course.).

I tested it today for leaks but will have a better review tomorrow. First impressions, the two mouthpieces supplied were for looks. It was fussy. After getting my JJ ESP, it purred! Then a customer needed help.....

More to come tomorrow. This is actually sold to a professional player here in Norway so we'll get lots of honest feedback.

deb

[Angel]

Dave,

Two reasons why I prefer fully curved necks to slightly bent necks on soprano:

1) Comfort. Holding an instrument up or out requires arm/hand tension which will injure a substantial percentage of musicians. I am assuming that you do a lot of playing, and that your circulation, bone structure, and technique are more than good enough to withstand the physical beating that your setup gives to your hands.

2) Sound. According to a convincing acoustic study by Dr. Paul Cohen, the curves of the saxophone cause the instrument to be less bright. Other than the mouthpiece, the neck is the most sensitive part of the equipment. On my same mouthpiece/reed/lig setup, it is much easier for me to produce a warm tone on my new Yanagisawa (fully curved neck) than the slightly bent neck from the previous model on the same instrument.

These are just my personal preferences, and I do respect other soprano setups. I'm just at a loss as to why someone would go through the trouble of building a curved soprano without a curved neck.

[Dave Dolson]

Angel: Thanks for your well-written response.

True, I've been playing soprano as a first-instrument for 49 years and have adapted to the straight horns (and curvies, too) without using a neckstrap, etc. While I am not playing every day, I keep active and play steadily with a band. I've grown accustomed to holding the soprano in its various forms without distress.

Regardless of scientific studies, I still doubt that the degree of curvature in a neck will be heard or felt by a player. I will agree that a straight neck on a curved sop is not for everyone. I do it, and I correspond regularly with Vegaschris who told me he uses a straight neck on his Martin/Yana curvie. Other than that, I don't know of others who do so.

I have noticed the different curvatures among curved soprano necks (the curved neck supplied with my S992 does not have the same curvature as the neck that came with my SC902). I've tried them all on both the S992 and the SC902 and heard little if any differences. I still prefer the sound and response with straight necks, regardless of the horn's design.

I noticed no one has yet to address the opening question. Sorry I can't address it either. DAVE

[saxboy]

I did not care for the Curved Mauriat at all. I did not really like the straight one either and have not played the Saxello. They felt very resistant to me and like way too much work to get a sound.
I believe they have made changes in the Curved Sop since this new shipping of the horns. I really likes the Tenor and Baritone, and the Alto was pretty cool too. So, it was not just hating the horns alltogether.
I think the Cannonball Black Nickel Curved Sop Killed the Mauriat for the same money. ?
The only finish I saw was standard Lacquer.
Sorry but no review up on them yet at Sax Reviews. I really need to play one that is a production piece, and you only can be sure once a new company is actually shipping.

SAXBOY
www.saxreviews.com

[Ike Webkins]

Some more feed backs on PM curvies?

[Yellowhorn]

I think the PM straight sops or saxellos are better than its curvies.

I am no engineer, but I think the curved sop is much more difficult to make than the straight one. The Chinese can make gorgeous curvies, but they sound horrible, if they can make a sound at all. The Taiwanese can make curvies that play, but not too well.

What is more, the sop is not only difficult horn to make, it is also more demanding horn to play (read intonation) vis-a-vis its bigger brethen, the alto and tenor.

Put differently, the sop-making market is an oligopoly - in which only a few, Yani, Rampone, Borgani make great curvies.

[mosplace]

I got one and I love it. I think it has a very nice dark sound, plays great eventhough it has a bigger blow resistens than my other soprano. Don'T know, if it is because of the curved form or because it is pretty heavy.

I have a recording, which is not very good, but will give you a sound impression. I recorded it with a Lamberson Fmaj7 0.70 which I had here for testing, I realy love the combination.

http://www.simplysax.de/Soundbeispiele/Illbe160907.MP3

The passwords are : simplysax and mosplace

[TenorClef]

I play soprano in a sax quartet (SATB) and also would be interested in hearing some more reviews on the PM curved sop. I currently have a Yamaha YSS61 straight which has a lovely dark sound but am looking for a nice curved sop.

[shmuelyosef]

I think the Cannonball Black Nickel Curved Sop Killed the Mauriat for the same money. ?
SAXBOY
www.saxreviews.com

Agreed, I have a gold-plate Big Bell curvy from CB that is a wonderful example. The only complaint that I have had is the factory pads are a little soft and sticky...I have lived with them for years, but if I get a lull this winter, this baby will get roopads.