Dave Guardala comparsion

[MB-913]

1) Is there any big difference of Dave Guardala tenor in sound compare to their early & late period ?

2) What is the largest number for their tenor (16XXX, 17XXX, ...20XXX...etc) ?

3) I know the recent Chicago Jazz horn is almost same design with Guardala (same factory in Germany, VMI?). But I heard they are not sound as good as Guardala, is it correct?

[tonyg]

Some have said the differences are probably minimal at most, which seems to make sense. One thing that might be a difference is the copper content of the different Guardala models and the new B&S horns. For example the 500 and 501 Guardala's are supposed to have a different % of copper content. The B&S Medusa lines probably have the lower copper content according to Stephan, but he did not mention the exact amount, such as 72%. They do offer a goldbrass model in clear laquer with a higher copper content (maybe 85% copper), but the standard Medusa's in any finish such as black nickel, silver plate or sandfinish probably have the lower % copper.

[MB-913]

tonyg

For copper content, what is the differnet in sound for higher & lower copper content? Let say Guardala DG-500BN (72%) vs DG-501BN (80%) ?

[tonyg]

I believe the higher copper content will give a warmer sound, although I have no first hand experience to verify this. Sometime in the near future I am going to try a copper neck on my Tenor.

[phathorn]

It would make sense, as I have an early DG500, which I believe has an 85% copper content. It has a very warm sound.

[Balladeer]

DG500 is 72% copper. DG501 is 85%.