Need some candid opinions...

[jazzsax24]

So which tenor is better for jazz (all styles):
Cannonball Mad Meg
Selmer series II/III
Yamaha Custom Z
If not one of these, any sugestions :?:

[Balladeer]

jazzsax24:
I don't believe there is a single saxophone brand/model that is recognized as the best for any musical genre. I will say that I have owned a Cannonball Big Bell Tenor. Notice the use of the past tense. The CBall was free-blowing (not resistant), played with a big sound, and intonated very well. The action did not have that nice 'lived-in' feel that my old Mark VI alto or my new Guardala tenor have. But most important to me, the CBall had a one-dimensional sound that lacked the texture and complexity of my Selmer and Guardala. The comparisons I like to use are the differences between party wines and fine dinner wines; or the differences between naughahyde and real leather. BTW, the tone differences I heard are less apparent with the alto, but for real jazz with a tenor, I'd try some other horns. Guardalas and Selmer Mark VII's are currently good buys.

[jazzsax24]

thanks, i'll look into those

[noelpaz]

jazzsax24:
Guardalas and Selmer Mark VII's are currently good buys.
Guardalas and B&S maybe - but Selmer Mark VI -- good buy??? If you can get a tenor Mark VI without any damage for less than 3,000 -- you are lucky tell me where to get those.

[Morry]

I play Keilwerths (formerly Yamahas), but the B&S is probably the best buy. Most any horn can be used for any genre, given the proper reed/mouthpiece combination.

[Balladeer]

noelpaz: Can you read? I said Mark VII not Mark VI.

[noelpaz]

Balladeer,

My bad --- Sorry. Still I havent found a Mark VII below 2000 while B&S are found for 1000-1600

[Knight Ender]

I have done some more comparisons between my 10M and my CBall, and I find that they both rip at louder volumes. The difference I do notice is at softer volumes, the CBall right now is not quite as good. I haven't had it worked on recently, so that may be it. But the Cannonball is definately a nice horn. Mine's a 23xxxx, so it's a 96-97 Royal Crown series. Haven't tried the big bells, although I am sure they are worth looking at.