Rolled tone holes and large diameter bell...what tonal differences?

[Jbroad572]

I am considering 2 different P. Mauriat saxophones, the 67 and the 67R. The R model has rolled tone holes and a large bell diameter. What sonic qualities will I hear with it? There is a $300 difference and I just want to know if it is worth it.

[Saxysmarty]

I have researched Keilwerths and am soon to get one. Supposedly, the rolled tone holes lengthen the life of the pads. But, they could also stick easily because the pad covers more of the tone hole's surface area. As for the sound, the rolled tone holes are supposed to resonate better and seal better for a less "airy" sound.

[Dave Dolson]

Jbroad: This subject is much like the finish-affects-tone discussions. I don't know that anyone can say exactly what benefits derive from rolled tone holes or larger bells. I've owned both (admittedly not a valid sample for objectivity), but was unable to attribute ANY playing qualities to either or both of those features.

I believe that a myriad of factors in combination affect how a horn plays, responds, and sounds and isolating rolled tone holes or big bells as a cause is just more myth.

I've heard about the sticky-pads issue with rolled tone holes but never experienced that with mine. My smaller-belled Big B alto sounds and plays better to my ears than my TH&C alto (with a bigger bell). I have a B&S Medusa alto with a really small bell (not measured, but by looking at it one can see the smallish size of the bell), yet it plays terrific - as good as most modern altos. Who knows why? DAVE

[Chu-Jerry]

I would hypothesize that rolled tone holes should smooth the airflow over the edges of the tonehole so that it might enhance playability or projection. Also soundwaves should refract/reflect differently around a smooth radius edge than a sharp or square edge. Most of the sound comes out the toneholes so so it should have an effect.

The bell is supposed to have the most effect when low notes are played. This is because thats when most of the sound is projecting from the bell and the air velocity is lowest. So it enhances projection of those low notes. In theory.

Whether it has an audibly noticable effect I have no idea.

[saxsociety]

With larger bell I feel more projection

[Morry]

If the 67R alto is similar to the 66R tenor, then both the bell and bow are larger. The larger bow section makes the low end speak easier. That is one of the things I really liked about the 66R.

[drewdavies]

i had a beuscher aristocrat tenor - small bell - now i have a mk7 - slightly bigger and i'm gonna be buying a 66r -big bell?? bigger than the mk7?

what im thinking is - I could hear the aristocrat (with no wall in front of me) better than the mk7, could this be due to the bell?
if the 66r is bigger will it possibly send more sound forwards and less sound back to me

i'd be interested to know if other players have experienced saxes which give more or less sound back to the player

[GAS_Wyo]

Joel,
I played both the 67 and 67R when I decided on my alto. Here are my impressions on your 2 issues.

Rolled Tone Holes:
To tell the truth, I loved the difference in the feel of the rolled tone holes...it is buttery smooth. To me, it made no difference in the sound.

X vs. S Bell:
I may just perceive this (therefore it may be colored by the prism of my soul), but I believe the larger bell does give a little more projection on the lower end. However, I've noticed the SJVI neck gives me less response in the low notes as compared to the standard neck. That said, it may have more to do with the neck than the bell size! The same is true on my 66R with the 2 necks. This doesn't present a problem unless I'm playing really softly with the SJVI necks...since it's the Jazz neck, I'm usually playing mezzo forte or above, so no problem!

If money is not the issue, go for the rolled tone holes and larger bell on the PMXA-67R. Beautiful and great sounding alto with wonderful ergonomics...that's my $0.02