Trialing a BnS Tenor Codera from WW and BWs

[Keith Ridenhour]

Just opened the package today and pulled out the horn. I like the tone and the action on this horn alot. (Low end is easy and fat) It seems a little flat up in the palm keys and lower alt. Couple of questions to whoever has info on these horns. 1. The lower end speaks well so the Resoblade system is working well. Do these "resoblades" hold up over time and can a local repairman make adjustments??? 2. Does anybody know where this horn falls in the BnS line?? For the price it is a good horn but I wonder what improvements were made between this model and the new BnS horns which I guess would go under the BnS name and the LA sax names. Any info would be appreciated. I also assume that WW and BW would pay for leaks caused by shipping. Thanks for whatever info you have. K

[T.S.]

I've had my Tenor for about 14 months and have had no problems (knock on wood) with the reso-blades. The intonation on mine is excellent.
Replacement blades can be bought from Codera, AL Soskin is the rep in the US and is great to deal with (I ordered a Coder Nickel Silver neck from him and the service was quick and efficient.)
The B&S Codera horns were licensed and are no longer marketed as the license period expired.
However, Wolf Codera (who, on occasion, posts here) was getting ready to market two evolved designs under his own name, built by VML (owners of B&S) and based on the Medusa body (the Medusa is one of the best new tenor and alto's I've played). One version having Reso-Blades on the lower bell stack and his Vint-EDge sythetic pads on the rest of the horn, and the other being completely outfitted with Reso-blades (with the exception of the octave key vents.)
I've anxiously looked for someone to start carrying these horns (I would imagine they kick some serious butt!), but as of yet, have not seen any for sale.
If Wolf or Al are reading this, they can give us an update.
They make great necks (more or less a Selmer curve) out of Nickel Silver, Sterling and Silver plated gold brass and there may be one or more variations as well. They work great on the earlier horn.
I also own the alto and though I don't love it as much as the tenor, it's quite fine as well. (If I ever get out current tight finances, I will invest in a nickel silver or silver neck for it as well.)

Hope this helps.

[Keith Ridenhour]

One problem the tenor has is that the low Ebkey is too close to the D keycup causing it to touch and hang up if you go from E to Eb quickly. Might be a deal breaker. Also, the fork E is set way too close so the fork E and F notes are flat and the F# is dicey at best. For once I am trialing out a horn rather than buying it off ebay and discovering all this after the fact. Fork E is an easy fix, the low Eb key is something I'd have to have WW and BWs do. K

[Keith Ridenhour]

TS, I do appreciate your input and I like this horn alot. After reading my post I didn't want it to seem like I was contradicting what your experience was. Thanks K

[T.S.]

Didn't think it was in any way. The E flat problem has got to be an adjustment thing...mine has no problem like that at all. Neither does the alto...I think it's likely that the intonation quirks can probably be adjusted out as well...Hopefully, in any case.

Good luck!

[Keith Ridenhour]

I played it again today and it is sounding more and more metalic/bright to my ears compared to my The Martin. I'm looking for a modern horn with a little more edge but also a warm core to the sound. I emailed WW and Bws and told them about the key clinking between the Ebkey and D keycup and also how there are definately leaks in the upper stack that need to be fixed and they replied that it was sold as is "B stock". Okay , so I'll send it back. But why sell a horn with a one year warrenty that needs repairs from the start? Anyway, this is an interesting horn from alot of respects and I'd like to try another BnS horn. Maybe a Chicago?? K