Got my Allora bari today...

[Joe Jazz]

Received my new Allora bari today and am very impressed. I'd say it's a very nice "intermediate" bari, a bargain at the $2,700 I paid. Comes in a very nice case with a Zinner mpc and a B&S neckstrap. Nice gold lacquer finish, seems to be built very solid. Sounds good, though I've never played bari before. I would recommend it highly for doubling or for a student. I'm sure I'd rate a Yani B991 or Yamaha YBS62 higher, but if you don't have $4,500-$5,000 this would be the way to go. Forget the cheap Taiwanese saxes and GO GERMAN!

[Anji]

There are only so many German makers, including the former East German Verks...

Who makes Allora?

Is it a B&S stencil?

[Joe Jazz]

Anji-

VMI makes the Allora's. They also make B&S saxes, the LASAX Chicago saxes, and they used to make the Guardala saxes. This is a "sleeper sax". Good quality, sound and professional features at a price that's a couple of hundred bucks more than the Taiwanese bari's. Music 123's been offering them on e-bay lately and they're a great value. Because not many people know about them I was the only bidder and snagged one for $2,700. It came with a Zinner mpc, a tough BAM style case, a B&S neckstrap, and B&S polishing clothes. If you don't like it you have 45 days to return it. I'm thrilled with it!

[Anji]

Howzat Zinner mouthpiece, that comes with?

[Joe Jazz]

Anji-

It's pretty good! I just ordered an Otto Link(metal), a Hite(rubber), a Bamber(rubber), and a Meyer(rubber)to compare it to. FUN, FUN!