I have a soprano dilemma!!! Calling all soprano afficianados

[G_WannaBe]

I have played the alto for 20 years or so off and on. More so off since I got out of high school. Well I started playing again recently. It was my dream to play soprano and tener also. I purchased a laquered 351xxx Buescher Aristocrat tenor and could not be more happy with it. I picked that one mostly for the great reviews it gets on this website. Love it. I also picked up a silver Buescher TT alto with a gold wash bell. It also is excellent.

Well my wife purchased a www.wwbw.com house brand soprano sax for valentines day last February. The brand is "The Woodwind". It has a decent tone, but the intonation is horrible. It leaves me very frustrated. I can tell you that it has almost met my wall on numerous occasions. Well now the low C pinky key is really bend from normal play. That was the last straw. I am now in the market for a new soprano. I feel I will never get any better when I am constantly lipping notes into tune.

Well, here is my question. I don't want to spend a ton of cash, but I want a quality sax. I would love to have a Mark VI or SA80, but I don't think I can afford it. I love the buescher TT's, and this is probably what I want, but the Antigua craze has got me wondering.

I am not able to play test either TT or Antigua as they are not available in my area. So which one would you guys get? Which one has a better scale?

[Dave Dolson]

G_Wannabe: If you've read my other posts, you know I have both models (two TTs and a new Antigua dual-neck in lacquer, plus other sops). I suppose a good TT straight sop will end up costing a few bucks more than the Antigua. I'd also guess that the Antiguas (across the line) will probably have a better scale than a cross-section of TTs.

Still, there is NOTHING like a good-playing TT. Both of mine have good scales, great tone, and great response from bottom to top. They are the best of all my sops.

For consistency out of the box, you'd probably be better off taking a shot at the Antigua. I got mine from Dave Kessler in Las Vegas.

I know what you mean about The Woodwind sopranos from WW&BW. Been there - done that. Good sound, awful scale (mine was curved). DAVE

[Paul Coats]

I test played the A590 prototype, and immediately ordered one when the production models were available. I have not regretted it in any way. I have had this soprano for about two year now, and it has played fine, no issues, no adjustments.

My sister liked mine so much, she ordered the A590 in all silver plate. She preferrs curved necks, and I prefer straight, so we swapped my curved lacqured neck for her straight silver neck. Now both of us have backups, hah!

Everyone who has bought one of these has had nothing but good comments.

The A590-LQ (-LQ means lacquered) has two necks, and keyed to high G.

The similar A586-LQ has two necks, keyed to high F#, but otherwise is the equal of the 590 in fit and finish.

The A582-LQ has a one piece straight body, keyed to high F#.

All three are of equal quality, just different features. I think the A586 to be the "best buy" of the three.

The high G key is of no real advantage. It can only be used to play high G in conjunction with the palm keys. The problem is, the hands are now out of position to play into the altissimo range.

High G can be played with several fingerings using the high F# key (write me for a chart) that leave the hands in position to go higher. So, that is why I say the A586 will do everything the A590 will do. When you look at my chart, you will see that these E, F, F#, and G fingerings play easily fron one to another, much better fingerings than the palm key fingerings.

[G_WannaBe]

Wow, I can't believe the support these Taiwan horns are getting. If I can't find a good buy on a TT. I guess Dave Kessler will be getting a call from me.

Thanks Paul and Dave, you guys are the reason I posted this. I wanted your opinion.

Thanks again.

[DaveKessler]

G_WannaBe,

Also keep in mind that should you decide to try one of the Antiguas from me, I do a true Risk Free Trial on them.

1. Free UPS Ground shipping to you.
2. If you dont love it, I will send a UPS Call Tag to pick it up at MY expense.

This way, you can try it and if you dont like it, you arent even out any shipping charges.

I just got completely re-stocked on all the models so availability is not a problem.

I will second Paul saying that the 586 is the best bang for the buck. I sell more of the 586 then all the other models combined. Also, I will have 12 of the 586 in the Black finish in about 7-10 days hopefully that Antigua is making only for me.

[SaxyAcoustician]

I tried the Antigua 582 soprano and could not believe the quality (I've played a Selmer 80II and III during the last 12 years). They are not only exact replicas of Yanagisawa sopranos but they're built and manufactured just as well as Yanagisawa's horns. You can not go wrong with these. I began to think myself whether or not it was worth it to pay $2k-$3k anymore for a horn. They're that good.

[Dave Dolson]

I concur about the use of the hi-G key. It is there but I never use it. The only reason I bought the model with the hi-G key was because those were the ones Dave Kessler brought out for me . . . and I liked the LQ, so I bought it. I guess I coulda asked for other models, but I didn't even think about it - I was satisfied with the 590LQ, so why waste time? DAVE

[goodsax]

Realizing I can't come close to the influence of Paul and either of the Daves, I'd still like to add that I couldn't be happier with my 582LQ. It was one of the first "keepers" in my SBAT collection. I knew the first few minutes of playing it that it was here to stay. You just can't beat the value, and the satisfaction guarantee of Dave Kessler's is unmatched as I don't know of any other dealer who will pick up the return shipping if you're not satisfied. You can't really go wrong.

I've also seen and heard Dave Dolson's Buescher TT straight sop and it's very impressive in both departments, looks and sound. But, it's hard to find one of these collector's items in as great a shape as his. Whereas a new Antigua is just an email or phone call away on any given day.

I also owned a vintage (1925) Conn straight sop which had a great quality sound but I couldn't get comfortable with the key configuration or the thumb ring. The Antigua, OTOH, is a comfortable fit and is easy to play from low Bb to high F#. I find a Yanagisawa mpc works best for me, but that's one of those YMMV issues.

Best of luck in making the choice that's best for you.

[G_WannaBe]

Thanks so much. You guys are great! After the first of the year I may be vacationing in the Las Vegas area. If I do, I will stop in and see you Dave. If not I will definately give you a call

[Tim Wolfe]

Dave Kessler,
Does the 586 come in silver plate?
Thanks,
Tim Wolfe

[Dave Dolson]

I don't mean to contradict Rob (goodsax), but I have TWO TTs and both are wonderful instruments. About 20 years ago, I had yet another TT straight sop and it too was a great player and a nice example of the genre. They can be had.

For instance, my silver TT alto was an eBay purchase, sight unseen. Rob, I showed you that horn - it was the alto I was playing last Sunday. When it first arrived, it was awful (but intact). A competent overhaul by Rhueben Allen and it plays (and looks) great.

Anyone in the market for nice examples of vintage saxophones should check out Gayle Fredenburgh's vintagesax.com (and there are other sites, as well).

Are the TT sops better than my new Antigua? Hard to say at this point, the Antigua is a wonderful example of a low-cost soprano that has held its own (so far) with my vintage sops. DAVE

[DaveKessler]

Dave Kessler,
Does the 586 come in silver plate?
Thanks,
Tim Wolfe

Tim,

No it doesnt. As a general rule, the black and silver are Only available to dealers on the 590. However, I was able to fanagle them into making a dozen of the 586 in black for me. We did this because:

1. The 586 is by far our best seller
2. between the silver and black finish, the black is the better seller (and we prefer it over the silver as well).

Those 12 586BC's should be coming in about a week (hopefully).

[G_WannaBe]

Hey Dave, are the key touches mother-of pearl or are they imitation mother-of-pearl (pearloid or whatever)? Thanks

[DaveKessler]

Hey Dave, are the key touches mother-of pearl or are they imitation mother-of-pearl (pearloid or whatever)? Thanks

Definately imitation.