The 66 or the 66R?

[Jimmy O]

I live in an area with NO saxophones except for a few student horns and havent had a chance to play a P yet. I was wondering how the 66 and the 66R compare. The rolled toneholes in the pics I have seen look to be a soldered on ring and it didnt look very clean. It looks like the rolled holes and the key touches are the only change, the spatulas, keygaurds, finish, keywork and pads are all the same as the 66. The price is 15-20 percent higher for the 66R. I will be ordering one or the other.........leaning towards the 66. Is the price difference worth it?

[Morry]

I don't think the rings on the 66R are soldered on. I reached up inside the bell of the one I used to own, and felt inside of the chimneys with my fingernail. I didn't feel any ridges that would suggest a soldered-on ring. I could be wrong, but it just didn't feel that way.

The 66R also has a larger bell and bow section, giving it a very responsive low end. When I can afford one again, I'll be getting the R model.

[Joe Jazz]

Admit it Morry, we're hopeless!:D I'm getting a shadow so I won't be tempted by the black pearl!

[Morry]

Admit it Morry, we're hopeless!:D I'm getting a shadow so I won't be tempted by the black pearl!

That's like buying a Lexus so you won't be tempted by a Taurus.

[Daktion]

That's like buying a Lexus so you won't be tempted by a Taurus.

i dont think anyone can be tempted by a Taurus tho.


as with Morry, the RTH are actually rolled and not soldered in.

[GAS_Wyo]

This link (http://www.pmauriatmusic.com/PMXT-66R-mainpage.htm)is a newer part of PM's official website. Here's a clip of their explanation for the toneholes.
Rolled tone holes offer the following very important advantages. Because the edge of the tone hole is round and not sharp, pad life is dramatically increased. The wider seat in the pad insures greater security against air leaks, and results in a much quieter mechanical action and greater sound emission.

P.Mauriat tone holes are fully extruded from the brass, unlike other brand's tone holes, which are soldered-on to the body and bell.
It appears the 66R comes with some engraving now. Mine, made in January '06, is plain-jane...but it's the most comfortable sax I've ever played. And the sound is absolutely awesome. :D

The 66 is described as having "a more focused vintage American sound". The 66R is simply described as having a "vintage American sound". To me, if you're into Yamaha's, you'll like the 66 better. However, the 66R has a more spread, darker sound. Since I played somewhat brightly anyhow, the 66R gave me the less focused sound I was looking to make. :D :D

[Jimmy O]

Thanx everyone....now all I need is the extra $350 for the 66R. (I just wont tell the spouse, is that lieing by omission?)

[Morry]

Jimmy,

Are you the guy from Savannah that had contact George Prewett at Alabama Music Center about a Mauriat? Just curious.

[Jimmy O]

I spoke with a gentleman in Birmingham about a month ago at the recommendation of Tim at Saxalley. I got a few details about a 66R as I recall and then started sifting through the mountains of vintage saxophones out there. Now I am back to the "P"s again. I really should call him.....was a pretty good deal as I recall, and he is only 400 miles from here. Thanx for the reminder!

[Jimmy O]

BTW, is he pretty good at setting them up or would I need someone else to handle that?

[Morry]

He drops a leak light in the horn and play tests them. I'm not a big believer in the "custom setups" that places claim to do. The Mauriat that I bought from him was set up just fine right out of the case. I was the first one to play it, and it had no leaks and needed no adjustments.

[Joe Jazz]

Anybody notice where I left my Lexus? I hate these big mega music store parking lots!;)

[BigDaddyJ]

After trying more than a dozen P. Mauriat tenors right out of the box, I think they do need to be set-up. They varied from playing pretty damn good to leaking like crazy. On top of that, key heights and spring tensions were not very even on any of them. When I first tried out the 66R that I eventually bought, I just wanted to take it home immediately; it played that great. Tim made me leave it and gave it his "Pro" set-up. All I can say is that it was worth the wait. It was absolutly smokin' after Tim set it up.
later

Joel

[Yellowhorn]

JimmyO,

When I was dealing with a salesman from PM to order my black pearl tenor, I did ask him about the rolled toneholes on the 66 and 66R, and he confirmed that they are not soldered on.

Meanwhile, I am counting down everyday for the arrival of this horn. Of course, as I have promised Joe Jazz, I will do a report on it and post it here.

[Joe Jazz]

Thanks again, YHB!:)

[brasscane]

I hope the rolled tone holes are finished better that the straight ones. I tried two mauriats without rolled tone holes but came away with the impression or horns built more for show than quality. The metal around the tone holes had nicks in them. One of the two tenors actually had a notch in the tone hole that made it leaky to point of that it was visible without a leaklight. Granted this was a nickle silver finish som maybe they are having problems there. On both horns the soldering of the posts were sketchy. Also, the vintage finish seems cheap. The thumbrest is spay painted perhaps along with the rest of the horn. It moreover seems rather odd to me that the system 76 is made without rolled tone holes, that double arms on low keys come and go without connection to the price of the horn etc. Either these features are important and should come together on the more expensive models or they are not important so leave them out. Finally, fake abalone key touches just doesn't do it for me. For less expensive horns, I would go for a Keilwerth EX, Yamaha 62, Yani 901 that are in the same price range.

[Jimmy O]

Well........I decided not to get the P until I have a chance to play one first....got http://www.junkdude.com/saxes/bt296500.htm instead. Its sweet and a bit cheaper. I will be going to see a 66R next month. Thanx for the advice all.

[brasscane]

Looks beautiful. Great intonation on those horns. Congratulations!

[renaissance_man]

That's like buying a Lexus so you won't be tempted by a Taurus.

:laughing: That is hilarious! I gotta write that one down...