super classic

[dutchy]

This weekend I bought a second hand Amati Alto, super classic.
Made in the late 80's, I did not expect much.
Trying it however revealed a beautiful tone, especially in the high register.
Very melancholic, although also rather loud.
Took it home, adjusted a few regulating screws (plastic) and it plays like a dream.

There is a snag, it has a bad smell.,I think it are the new pads, that, according to the seller, where part of a overhaul 6 months ago.
Whatever, it where 190 euro's very well spent.

[DTGAZ]

Dutchy,

Congratulations on joining the Amati Family. As I have said before, these are great horns and really undervalued by the market.

Regarding the bad smell, two things you might try. Leave the horn out in a room overnight with good air flow from the outdoors. This should help dissapate the odor.

If it is available buy some Febreeze air freshener, and spray around the horn, repeat if necessary.

I have had really good luck with Febreeze on difficult odors.

Good Luck
Dennis

[milandro]

there's only one thing worse than any bad smell in a saxophone and that is Febreeze smell in a saxophone or a case .
Fresh air is your best friend, just air your horn leaving it on a stand in the fresh air . Maybe drop a couple of drops of lemon oil in the bore or the bend (don't worry is not gonna corrode your sax all that much, if at al,l and will leave a pleasant smell behind which will soon loose power and still smell and taste (yes you will also taste the bad smell) natural.

[dutchy]

Thanks for the input guys.
It is, however not my first Amati (see my previous posts).
This one, tonewise is nicer for my taste, that is.
The smell, after being in it's stand outside the case for 4 days, has almost disappeared.
It is smell, because I use my own Amati mouthpiece, which does not smell.
Once the credit crisis has subsided I will invest in another Selmer mouthpiece.

My taste for Amati has only just developed.

[milandro]

It can't be that bad! I'll sell you an old but good Selmer S80 for very little or another of my alto pieces for sale on marktplaats ! Come to play them in my place and take your pick ..... starting from 25 euros!

[AhCheung]

A repadded Super Classic for less than E200? congrats!!

I've played one from 1975 (dated by the Amati people) and share your views above about sonority -- A close relative to the Bundy Special (Keilwerth stencil) IMO, ie quite powerful horn, a bit on the bright side. Definitely underrated!

[dutchy]

BIIIG OOPS.

Once my initial enthusiasm turned to normal, I took a closer look in the case.
Turns out that inside there are a selmer C mouthpiece and a Yamaha mouthpiece.
After a thorough cleaning and desinfection, I put on the selmer piece.
It will probably take a long time before I even consider cleaning the Yamaha piece...

BTW, a professional sax restorer valued it 2 weeks ago at about 800 euros.
Won't sell though.

[Canadiain]

BTW, a professional sax restorer valued it 2 weeks ago at about 800 euros.
Won't sell though.

Holy Cow....I learned on a "Corton Super" by Amati alto...bought it in about 1983 I would guess. I gave it to a kid at commuinity band who wanted to learn.

At that price maybe I should get it back!

[milandro]

BTW, a professional sax restorer valued it 2 weeks ago at about 800 euros.
Won't sell though.

When asking for an evaluation to a professional valuer, always ask if they would buy it for the price that they estimated for the horn. Most of the times they will say no........and they would say no for even 1/2 of that price.......maybe they would give you 1/3 of what they said that your horn is worth..........

The marketplace is a strange place!