Ro
02-07-2004, 01:38 AM
Several months ago I picked up a Kolhert 57 alto on ebay which has just come back from an complete overhaul. Let me say that the overhaul, which included a little dentwork and resoldering, cost three times the $300 I paid for the sax! Everything 'sax' in Japan is expensive. Still, I think it was worth it.
Let me compare the Kohlert with my Yanagisawa A993 alto (sterling silver neck and body tube). First thing I noticed was that I don't get quite the volume out of the Kohlert that I do on my Yani. This may be because the Yani has metal resos, but may also be because the key action is lower on the Kohlert. My alto setup was REALLY loud to begin with, so the Kohlert probably brings it back to about average. However, the Kohlert has a warmer tone that many have described as 'smoky'. I tend to agree. The tone also seems to be more flexible than the Yani. I can get a lush subtone down low and make it boom fat and juicy just as easily.
Some of my altissimo fingerings don't seem to translate to the Kohlert very well, so I'll have to work on that, and I will admit that I do miss my high F# just a little, but that's no big deal.
The overhaul was excellent indeed. The horn plays in tune from top to bottom, the key action is smooth and quiet, and not too different in feel from my Yani to present a problem. The angle of the pinky table is probably the biggest difference in feel. I suppose the real test is to see how well the adjustments hold up over several months of use. My Yani has required no professional attention over 5 years of casual use, but I wouldn't really expect to get the same mileage from a vintage horn.
In sum, I would say that the Kohlert allows me more expressive freedom in tone than the Yani, and I look forward to gigging with it in the months ahead.
Let me compare the Kohlert with my Yanagisawa A993 alto (sterling silver neck and body tube). First thing I noticed was that I don't get quite the volume out of the Kohlert that I do on my Yani. This may be because the Yani has metal resos, but may also be because the key action is lower on the Kohlert. My alto setup was REALLY loud to begin with, so the Kohlert probably brings it back to about average. However, the Kohlert has a warmer tone that many have described as 'smoky'. I tend to agree. The tone also seems to be more flexible than the Yani. I can get a lush subtone down low and make it boom fat and juicy just as easily.
Some of my altissimo fingerings don't seem to translate to the Kohlert very well, so I'll have to work on that, and I will admit that I do miss my high F# just a little, but that's no big deal.
The overhaul was excellent indeed. The horn plays in tune from top to bottom, the key action is smooth and quiet, and not too different in feel from my Yani to present a problem. The angle of the pinky table is probably the biggest difference in feel. I suppose the real test is to see how well the adjustments hold up over several months of use. My Yani has required no professional attention over 5 years of casual use, but I wouldn't really expect to get the same mileage from a vintage horn.
In sum, I would say that the Kohlert allows me more expressive freedom in tone than the Yani, and I look forward to gigging with it in the months ahead.