Winnendens, in general

[hornimus]

Anyone play one of these? I'm curious about the construction of the LH table keys, whether they are comfortable. Articulation? General build quality? I had a later-model Kohlert stencil tenor until recently. Never got around to rebuilding it, sold it as-is in playing but not optimal condition. But it was exceptionally well put-together, and the keywork had a great feel/fit for me (though I didn't like the LH table.....). I looked at all the Winnenden pics at saxpics, but none showed the LH table in any detail.

Sure are cool-looking horns, though, with LH bell-keyguards that remind me of a The Martin or one of those Indiana-based Olds Ambassadors, and a neck and bow plate that look like they're from a True-tone.

Sorry for the ramble, how good is the intonation on these Winnendens?

[bassax]

First of all I should say that I don't play tenor much. I mostly play baritone, bass and large clarinets.

But I just found an old Winnenden tenor for a bargain price, around $170 (!), so I thought it was well worth a try.

About 15-20 years ago I had one of the older Czech made Kohlerts, I didn't care for that sax at all and traded it for a keyboad. That said, my expectations for the Winnenden was not very high.

But then I tried it! Wow! It has a great full and loud sound. I compared it to my old Conn Pan American, the Kohlert is much louder and free blowing. I have now sold the Conn and the Kohlert Winnenden stays.

I was lucky, the sax was in very good condition, no leaks and pretty well adjusted. I do admit that it doesn't have that "high quality" feel in the keywork, but I can live with that.

The intonation is definitely good enough. I've mostly been using my Meyer Bros 7LM, with that mpc the top register gets a bit sharp. When I tried it with my hr Lawton 8 it was not far from spot on.

All in all, it's a very good sax and I'm really happy with it. And it looks cool too!

[hornimus]

I've seen Winnendens go for almost nothing on ebay... I bought a Winnenden tenor stencil, labeled a "Silvertone" (probably distributed by Sears in the day....) for about the same as yours, but it is not set up.

I'll get around to rebuilding it someday, as it certainly does hold promise in the tone department. Right now though the upper range plays sharp. I wanted to see the LH table because the horn I bought had the low Bb keytouch replaced with something unoriginal.

Overall these things are very well made and feel "right at home" in my hands.

[David Spiegelthal]

A bit off-topic, but for years I've been playing Kohlert-Winnenden bass clarinets and a few soprano clarinets (bass clarinet is my main instrument). I consider their bass clarinets to be the equal of Selmers of similar vintage (which I believe is mid-1950s to late 1960s).

[soreliprick]

Staying a bit off - I've only had one alto clarinet - a Winnie, and one oboe, also a Kohlert but a Graslitz{sp} and I have no complaints about their quality. I picked up a '54 Winnie tenor with Martin style toneholes and the maninthemoon neck. The damned thing weighs a ton, but the tone down low rivals my Buescher 156. The left table is unarticulated G# but easy enough to bridge when you need to, some diminished arpeggios are easier, so I didn't bother getting it altered. The palms are nice and high so they don't need risers. I think the intonation is fine. Weak backs need not apply. And I'm keeping my Pan Am, only cost $100, just in case I slip a disc.