Help Please..Alfonso Rampone Alto History

[L Plates]

Hi,

I have recently acquired a pretty funky looking Alfonso Rampone alto which I am trying to get some history data on. It came in a very old and weathered case (which is kind of nice). I originally thought it came from R & C but they emailed me back saying it was one of Alfonso's. The serial number is 11761 and if anyone has any idea of its vintage I would be very grateful. It is currently in pieces at my local workshop and being rebuilt and I can't wait to get a hold of it for a good old blow.

Cheers..Michael

[onslow28]

Hi Michael.
I am selling a Rampone tenor. What a beast! Did you ever get your alto working, and how does it work? I'd be interested to know.
Mark

[stitch]

... if anyone has any idea of its vintage I would be very grateful.

His Langwill's entry reads:

Rampone, Alfonso (b Quarna 1900; d 1983) Woodwind Instruments, flourished Quarna 1932 - post 1950.

Clarinets, saxophones; 1932 established by Alfonso, a distant cousin of Egidio Rampone [of R&C]; in 1930s employed a workforce of 20.

If you can post photos, I'm sure there'd be many who would like to see them.

[al9672]

Got any pics ?

I picked up a A. Rampone alto earlier this year
s/n 12376

Beneath the A.Rampone engraving it has

QUARNA - NOVARA

Plays quite well (smallish leak)
goes nicely with my desidera tenor

Some pics of the A.Rampone here
http://www.alexthegeek.com/instruments/rampone_alto/

Pics of the desidera
http://www.alexthegeek.com/instruments/desidera/

[BaxSax]

Hi to all.

I started this thread as LPlates 6 months ago but one thing and another has kept me too distracted to get back to it.

I couldn't remember the password so thought I may as well re-register..the surname is Baxter...so it sort of works I guess.

The Alfonso Rampone alto is back from the workshop and although I haven't had too much time on it, one thing is totally clear, even to a novice such as me...this sax has a really great sound, the tone is very warm, rich and full and you can't help but be impressed. When you hit some notes...you just have to think..wow, that was a damn great sound.

Compared to the YAS 62, it is a more rich and mellow and full sound altogether. The thing is, it is a lot harder to play, not just the old style ergonomics, but the amount of effort to just blow the air through it. I would say it takes about half as much effort again (or maybe a bit more) to get it to play than what it does with the Yamaha.

I don't know whether this is normal for the older style sax's or whether it is a mismatch of mouthpiece to the instrument. I am currently using a Van Doren mouthpiece on it which produces the great sound but I wonder whether with the amount of effort required, perhaps it is not well suited to the horn.

Unfortunately, living in Tasmania, I don't have any music shops which carry any range of mouthpieces to try out, so if anyone has any ideas or advice on what may be a more suitable mouthpiece, I would be very grateful.

Originally I was using a Yamaha 4C on it which blows more easily but of course does not have anywhere near the same tone.

If you can help me out...let it rip.

Cheers..Michael

[MyMartinTenor]

Some vintage horns definitely take more air than some modern horns. My Martin tenor can really take some air -- I like that, but everyone's tastes are different. If you feel like its taking too much for your taste, look for a mouthpiece with a higher baffle, as that tends (for me, at least) to reduce the airstream required.

As for mouthpieces, what sound are you looking for? Bright, contemporary, dark, focused, spread, classical, blues, etc etc? Such taste preferences will greatly influence mouthpiece recommendations... There's no single right mouthpiece for a particular horn, and most mouthpieces have a range (not an infinite range, but a reasonable range) of possible tonal characteristics. So, if you give an idea of what sounds you want to hear more of, people may be able to help a bit.

Alternatively, spend some time reading on here about different mouthpiece reviews, etc. -- there's tons of information and advice already here. My advice would be that if you're looking for less air required, look for a smaller tip opening and at least medium- or high-baffle piece. But YMMV...

[pupparoo123]

Any idea of an Alfonso Rampone Tenor is worth? I too wrote to R&C and found out my tenor was a A Rampone from the mid 1960's. It's in good quality too.