IW661 bass sax

[Chuck]

I've owned the IW661 bass sax for about a month and a half now. Having some experience with the older Conn and Buescher bass sax gives me a reference point for the performance of the IW661 bass. I have to say it is a jewel! I have done my own sax repair and restoration for about 5 years now and have worked on many brands and have become familiar with quality sax mechanics and some not so quality. I find the IW661 to be the best in terms of the quality of it's construction. Ample bell to body bracing, good tight hinges and pivot pins. No need to find alternate keying as with the older style bass sax. Playing the IW661 is as easy as any of my baritone sax. Bottom line, I love it.

[sycc]

Thanks for the report Chuck!!!! Someday I'd like a bass and $13,000 to $15,000 for a new Keilwerth or Selmer is very cost prohibitive!!!!

[bluesaxgirl]

Lets see some pics of this bad boy...:)

[Bass saxmann]

for pictures and sound samples go to
www.internationalwoodwind.com

[tobykarlin]

I have played it, it is a great horn!!! It is currently for sale at Woodwind Brasswind, Sam Ash, and Hollywood Music World in Los Angeles. The introductory sale price is $9,499.00

I have played their line of horns at NAMM, and they make excellent sopraninos, curved sopranos, and a SWEET black nickel baritone sax.

Their website is wwww.internationalwoodwind.com and they have a bunch of pictures up of it.

I currently own the IW 601 CS Curved soprano in gold with a silver bell. It is a fantastic soprano, with punch and tenderness. I couldn't be happier with it.

[bluesaxgirl]

A bass sax for under 10k isn't that bad...

[tobykarlin]

:twisted:

I just stopped by their store again today, because we were talking bass sax and I got an urge. And I live close by. What a great freaking horn. Its sooo bassy. I played it with a Vintage Florida link metal piece.

I with i could buy one :(


someday!!! :)

[Sasquatch]

I keep telling the guys in the band if we had more, bigger equipment, we wouldn't suck so bad. I just need to come up with 10K to add this jewel to the bottom end of the rack-o-sax.

Maybe someday

[acti0n_jacks0n]

*Drools*

The IW602 is only 8 grand at Sam Ash..

Next time I am strolling down Sunset Boulevard (and happen to have 8 grand handy) I'll go in and buy one :D

I like how I said ONLY 8 grand >> Well.. seeing as the have the Selmer Model 56 Paris Series II for sale for 19 grand.. sure.. only 8 grand is a fair statement :D

I'll just be happy trying it.

[acti0n_jacks0n]

*Drools*

The IW602 is only 8 grand at Sam Ash..

Next time I am strolling down Sunset Boulevard (and happen to have 8 grand handy) I'll go in and buy one :D

I like how I said ONLY 8 grand >> Well.. seeing as the have the Selmer Model 56 Paris Series II for sale for 19 grand.. sure.. only 8 grand is a fair statement :D

I'll just be happy trying it.

Sweet. Me and my friends are going to Sam Ash this Friday to try one out. Boooooya.

...

Will a bari mpc fit on a bass?

[BlueTrane2028]

Yes, a bari mouthpiece will (or at least should) fit on a bass.

As to whether or not that is "ideal"... It can exaggerate the intonation tendencies a bit. Use the biggest chamber bari piece you can find if that's the route you wish to take.

[saxagenarian]

Can any of you folks familiar with these horns tell me the difference(s) between the IW-601 and IW-602 Models? They list at identical prices, $7999 at WWBW. And how do either of them differ from the IW-661? (Except that WWBW charges an extra $1500 for the 661).

The descriptions are pretty much the same both at the IW website and the WWBW website.

I'd much appreciate word from any of you who have had hands on experience with them.

[SaxophonicTektonic]

The IW 602 is similar to the 601 but with some improvements. It has an extra brace and some adjustments in the keywork and some intonation adjustments. Its basically the same horn with some prototype issues fixed.

The IW 661 is definitely a superior horn, patterned after a modern French style as opposed to the older vintage style. I find the vintage style horn more difficult to play because it stretches your fingers more than it should, though the bell is a bit bigger and honks a little bit louder. The 661 is easier to blow, control, and run your fingers down. Its saxy. sorry. :-)