What's your opinion?

[SAXISMYAXE]

First of all, let me start off by stating that to some this post might sound like the same old "What should I buy" question; however, since I have come upon some extra cash, and now I'm the one buying, I want some fresh opinions none the less. In short, what do you love and hate about your SX90R Tenor? What would you change about their tone, mechanics, playing charactoristics etc.? I have in my collection a: Conn 10M, Selmer SA80 I, Selmer Ref.36 and I love them all. BUT, I am still looking for a modern horn with more of the Dark, lush, senorous tone and resonance of the Vintage Conns and Martins (like my Conn 10M) but with modern keywork and less maintanence worries etc. I've checked out the Keilwerth SX90R in Dark laquer over nickelplate-I have my own feelings about the horn, but I'd like to hear the opinions of others who own them, or are contemplating purchasing one for the same reasons as myself. Cheers.

[Tenor66]

I am going to buy a modified Keilwerth SX90R Tenor Saxophone from Stephan Boesken next week, and I am torn between the Brushed Nickel Silver, and the Nickel w/Dark Lacquer finishes!

As I will have a modified saxophone this is a big decision to make.
Given that each saxohone/player has it's own voice (if I may put it that way) I still wish that there were some sound clips of the above finishes on the web where one could evaluate the sound.

If anyone knows of such a site or has a evaluation of the above finishes that are different from Keilwerth's factory descriptions I would apreciate you insite.

[SAXISMYAXE]

Among the Keilwerths that I tested, the gold laquer over Nickel plate, and Nickel plated (both Black nickel and regular nickel) gave the darkest tone, where as the plain laquer over brass gave the brightest. I haven't yet tried the solid nickel bodied model yet. I don't want to give my opinion of these, as I'm trying to collect the untainted opinions of others first. May I ask what type of modification you are having done to your new SX90?

[Tenor66]

I found Subtone Sam's site & it has sound samples of a SX90R Nickel Silver Tenor Saxophone and that of a JK Black Nickel 'Ponzol' Tenor. http://www.kolumbus.fi/timo.haanmaki/

Saxismyaxe,
Could SX90R Nickel w/Dark Lacquer Tenor be compaired with the JK Black Nickel 'Ponzol' Tenor that is on that sound clip?

I lost 25mm of my left thumb and I need the octave valve key lever
extended, and thumb rest move to the left of their original position!

Stephan Boesken agreed to perform the modification while still in the production stage before they solder on the thumb rest in the normal position.

German ingenuity you got to love it.:)

[SAXISMYAXE]

To be honest, the Tone color and resistance etc. between the Nickel finishes and the Gold Lacquer over Nickel is marginal at best. Something that only the player himself can feel/hear. With all that goes on with the mouth piece/reed/ligature/breath control variations etc., the color of the nickel finish is going to make only the slightest impact. The difference in tone between that horns played on SUBTONE SAM'S web sight has a lot more to do with the Mouthpiece set up than the finish of the horn. I have been told by several top sax techs and players that the SX90R actually sounds and performs better with a round chambered HardRubber mouthpiece (I.E. MEYER, OTTO LINK RUBBER, VANDOREN etc.) than a metal one, but this is just a matter of opinion. I would go with the color finish that suits you. I might as well "let the cat out of the bag" at this point and say that I, too, am going to go with the Vintage look lacquer over the Nickel plate. I felt that it met all of my requirements best.

I still want to hear from all of you regarding your opinions of this model horn-especially those seeking a vintage sound etc.

By the way, thanks for sharing the links to sound files, and the modifications you're having done. Not nearly as extreme as the horn I once saw that was made for a one handed player! Now THAT was one modified horn! Cheers.

[Tenor66]

Thank you saxismyaxe for sharing your info.

I have made my decision to go with the SX90R Brushed Nickel Silver Tenor Saxophone and man dose if feel good!

[SAXISMYAXE]

Great choice! The brushed nickel horn looks great, and I was very impressed with the model I played with that finish, as well. It was among the top three finishes that I juggled with before settling on my preferrence. I guess I'm old fashioned, I really favor the vintage look, as long as I get the sound and playing charactoristics I'm looking for along with it. I thought briefly about ordering it with a raw brass finish actually, as I really love the sound and responciveness of unfinished brass. I have a few vintage horns that have gracefully weathered the ages and are now in that state. It can be a bugger to clean etc., though. Mike S.