Olds Parisian Bari to learn on?

[Jeff Flatt]

Hey there,

What would you think of this bari to learn on?

http://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=80063036

I already play the alto (pretty badly) and am intrigued by the bari. Thoughts? I'd eventually upgrade when I got comfortable with the bari as a horn - that's the plan anyway. BTW - NZ$1.00 = US$0.70.

Cheers :)

[AhCheung]

Hi Flatt

I have a Parisian Ambassador bari which is more recent than the model you are interested in. It has very good intonation and is well built (although I had a few modifications made, eg moving the thumbrest up a bit, adding a pants guard).
However I test played last week a Parisian bari (currently on ebay) which is not quite as good (but for that price, a dent free bari that plays!) : it has a couple of intonation issues, one of which (flat high E) would require some effort to correct (or maybe hunting the right mouthpiece). Also it is built a bit differently (the posts differ from mine, not as sturdy).
If the seller could send you a close up of the palm keys I could let you know, because it is possible that even if it is a Parisian it could share some characteristics with mine. (Pls PM me if you get close up pics that you would like me to look at).
I'd say test play it or make sure you get a trial period to check its intonation before you commit to buy.
For that price, if the horn is in tune from top to bottom, I'd say go for it. I've been using mine regularly in a big band setting for almost a year and it didn't deregulate, although I've carried it most of the time in a gig bag. I got compliments repeatedly about my tone although I am using the cheapest mouthpiece you can get (Rico Royal B3).

Good luck, hope that helps!

[Jeff Flatt]

Thanks for that, the seller lives about 8 hours away, so no chance to test it first unfortunately. I've read elsewhere that the structure of the mechanisms is not a strong as it should be on these. Lots of TLC would be the way to go I guess. I'll try and get a photos put up of the palm keys. Thanks for your help

[johnb]

Hi Jeff. This brings back memories - an identical instrument to this one was the first ever sax I owned so I'd say it's a great student instrument. I paid £35 (around US$70, NZ$100)(!) for it in 1971, played it regularly and had it until 1988 when I needed the money. My recollection is that mine did not have "made in France" engraved, just "foreign" possibly an early far eastern import/stencil? Maybe earlier or later ones were indeed French made.