Will anybody admit to playing an LA Sax??

[Keith Ridenhour]

I went to a local music store and tryed out a slew of tenors from vintage to new. Tryed out a Buffet Super Dynaction, Conn 10 M, Yamaha 62, a newer vintage The Martin from the one I play now, a Series 3 new Matte, and an LA Sax. I play a The Martin tenor from 1948 and was looking for faster action and a more modern sound. The Buffet was real nice and the other horns either didn't have as good of action as my the Martin or the tone wasn't what I was looking for. I minidisked them all and have listened a few times. I am still intregued by the L A Sax. Frankly when I picked it up I expected it to be junk. It played much tighter than anyhorn except the Yamaha 62. Very good alt and a full tone. So , for 875 bucks I'll try one from WW and BWs and see if I like it at home or if it goes back. The one I played at the store was a black nickle finish with gold keys. The one I'm going to trial looks to be a light reddish tinge to the color. (might glow in the dark, who knows). Anyway a friend said these horns were based on the BnS 1000 horns. Any info appreciated. I had a 25 dollar gift coupon from WW and BWs so If I ship it back I'm out nothing. thanks for any info. K

[Steve J.]

Years ago when LA Sax was centered in Barrington, IL I spent a couple hours with the owner and founder and play tested the woodwinds. The quality of the alto and the tenor was quite positive and nice horns for the money....... the colors still seem silly to me but I'm probably in the minority.

The soprano was abysmal and the bari was lacking. The flute was a nice value for the money. I did obtain a combination L.A. sax stand (flute, tenor, alto, clarinet/soprano) - I still use this and enjoy it currently. Sturdy and comes apart for packability.

[Morry]

I think only the Chicago Jazz series of horns by LA Sax is based on the B&S. The regular line LA Sax instruments are built by someone else. I'm not sure if it is an Asian horn or what.

[Randall]

Morry is right on the B&S production of the Chicago Jazz horns....if that is what you played.
If it was in adjustment, I dare say it could play rings around the Yamaha.

OK, I admit to playing LA Sax.....but only once in a music store in WV!

The horn was so awful that I could barely get a sound out of it.
I understand that this was more of an adjustment issue....but it left a bad taste in my mouth.

I wouldn't mind giving them a go again, in adjustment.

[Morry]

I'm sure the Chicago Jazz horns are great players, but I'd buy the identical B&S 2001 or Medusa instead and save about $750.

[CashSax]

OK I admit I'm gonna..got suckered in with a ridiculous low Ebay price..This is an 850 "Pro" model Tenor..was a custom for somebody..it's called "burnished brass" (remember the '57 T-Bird dash).. with a hideous GREEN translucent "molecular coating" ..looks like an Alligator/Bullfrog or something !?!?!...well, I need something for the club dates when I can't risk a cherry vintage horn, I wore out a bare brass Cannonball Tenor that I liked a lot and then sold..probly shoulda kept it, but I played the hell out of it over 2 yrs and made a hundred on it when I sold it..Anyway I hope this LA Sax plays, and actually I love the color. Oh yeah and did I mention the High G key..? :D

[SilverAlto875]

If you want a big name pro that plays L.A. Sax, here it is. Richard Elliot. Yes, I've seen him live in concert twice. Aside from being a fantastice tenor player in the jazz ballads, he's incredible in a live performance ... really plays to the audience.
Once in Ft. Lauderdale, Florida he was playing a L.A. Sax ,white laquered and gold keys, tenor. At another concert in Halandale, Florida he was playing on a L.A. Sax, black with gold keys, tenor.
I was only about 35 feet away both times and also had my Leupold binoculars (10x50) and was able to read the engraving on the sax when it was in the stand.
If you've never seen him in concert, he's worth seeing.

[Randall]

Anyone here aware that Steve Goodson is now in partnership with LA Sax and is working on a new model with them?

[hamilton]

There is a player here in buffalo that has the endangered spieces horns(SATB) and each one looks like a different exotic animal skin.He sounds great on all of them.I've seen his posts on this site sometimes.I think his name is Jack P.

[Jerry K.]

Anyone here aware that Steve Goodson is now in partnership with LA Sax and is working on a new model with them?Oh, please say it isn't so!!! Just what we all need - another SG driven drama. All I can say is that if this is true he must be one hell of a saleman if he can sell himself to yet aonther company after the Unison fiasco. If you asked the Unison executives if they would do it all over again what do you think they would say? I doubt they feel that the past few years have been productive ones for their company!

[CashSax]

OH MAN..This is gonna get good!! well, I got mine before the Soap Opera starts..can't wait for the little Green devil..hey you guys know i got some of the finest horns on the planet and if this thing sucks..well, you know. :x

[CashSax]

Well Boys and Girls it don't suck, the horn arrived yesterday..I took it to the gig tonight unplayed and did a couple of shows on it and it's still in one piece. The thing has a strong sound, really rich and full. I got a little scared for a second when it stuffed up mid tune..but the new plasticover I put on it had quit.. a(nother) new reed and the horn started singing again..Got great reviews on the color scheme too. Now if I can just find a screwdriver to tighten up the thumbrest. :?

[Bill Mecca]

great to hear a decent review Cash. I palyed a buddies leopard print one a few years back, the first neck had a funky angle, but they replaced that (he was an endorser) it sounded good, played easily, even though I'm not a big fan of Selmer type keylayouts...

no screwdriver, try a dime, I use it on my video tripod all the time...unless of course you won't want to sink any more money into it...:lol:

[CashSax]

The thumbrest fastener is CACA on this horn. The design has too short of a screw. It won't stay gripped with so few threads. It loosens immediatly. I tightened it the last time to the max without stripping it..oh well,Guess that's why god invented EPOXY..The GREEN HORNET lives..

I did some live recording this week-end at my shows and Like they say the tape don't lie.

The LASax really has a powerhouse tone. Just hope the rest holds together.....without GLUE... :(

[Bill Mecca]

maybe a trip to Lowes' or HD and find a longer screw? or loctite? ;)

Cash, would love to hear you on the Green Hornet, any plans to post a tune or two?

The thumbrest fastener is CACA on this horn. The design has too short of a screw. It won't stay gripped with so few threads. It loosens immediatly. I tightened it the last time to the max without stripping it..oh well,Guess that's why god invented EPOXY..The GREEN HORNET lives..

I did some live recording this week-end at my shows and Like they say the tape don't lie.

The LASax really has a powerhouse tone. Just hope the rest holds together.....without GLUE... :(

[CashSax]

Hi Bill, there's not enough threads to trust loctite..so I hope epoxy will make permanent fix..don't know yet how to post a sound clip but I'll try and get a friend to help me do it.We're gonna press a few tunes to CD for a demo.. 8-)

[Super 20 Player]

Pictures man! We need pictures! :lol:

[CashSax]

I got the thumbrest tight seems I needed a bigger screwdriver. Gave it a good twist nothing broke and it seems tight.I have to have the neck fitted also as it's not as tight as it should be.
Pics might still be on Ebay item7318260265

[DirkW]

That looks cool, but isn't it a little unobtrusive for Vegas?

Here's the complete link: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=7318260265

[Jerry K.]

Two words come to mind - The Mask!

[CashSax]

looks particularly good with my shiny Razzberry colored suit and red snakeskin boots (ex-Dynatones outfit).. :twisted:

[Super 20 Player]

Holy cow...that's either the ugliest or most beautiful thing I've ever seen... :shock:

edited:
I grabbed the pics from the listing and added them to my photobucket album (http://photobucket.com/albums/y82/super20player/Green%20LA%20Sax/). Here are a couple. Beware!!!

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/super20player/Green%20LA%20Sax/right_side.jpghttp://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/super20player/Green%20LA%20Sax/left_side.jpg

How a man can put down the horn pictured below and pick up that thing is beyond me. :wink:

http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/super20player/Green%20LA%20Sax/Cash.jpg

[Brendan Muse]

He probably needs to wash his hands afterwards. With steel wool. :D

[Bill Mecca]

I believe Cash says he uses it at gigs where he doesn't want to risk his "good" horns, and let's face it, I don't think Cash has ever been one whom you could describe as "shy"
;)

[Brendan Muse]

Point taken.

[Jerry K.]

Let's all admit there is a certain cool factor to this horn. What with the burnished brass and the bright green it really stands out. I would bet that Cash has more listeners approaching him with this horn versus any of his other axes. If I have half the cool factor that Cash has by the time I've passed the half century mark, I'll be happy!

[Super 20 Player]

Actually, I'm green with envy. :D

[CashSax]

Holy COW they're giving these LA horns away..saw one weirder (wait til you see it) than mine on Ebay they want 500 and change..guess what gang..!?!?!? this thing plays..and Bill is right..I play every day and I can wear a horn out fast..my trusty VI is running on borrowed time and my mint 49 SBA !?! don't ask.. Well,I pretty much only record on that one...my Super 20 is practically just a New Yrs eve horn too and my old TH&C is just too fine to beat up... I like having this little bar horn Green beater tho..and I'm not kidding it plays !!..yeah I save the good ones..
Those nice little corporate ballroom $$$ gigs are nice for a top horn.. :D

[Super 20 Player]

Cash, I don't see it. I searched for 'la sax' and 'l.a. sax' and couldn't find it. How are you finding them?

[CashSax]

Dan put LA Sax..no periods

[Super 20 Player]

I found them under the seller you bought from:

http://search.ebay.com/_W0QQsassZorfeo0414

[CashSax]

Whoops didn't mean DAN ..So SollY..

[CashSax]

This guy is a good dealer..guess I paid too much ..but hey it's only $$$ plus it's GREEN :D :D :D :D :D what do you think of the "color" ??

[CashSax]

The one that caught my attention was the "rainbow" model..man $575. if it's like mine (looks identical, same description) it's a steal. The hi G is lots of fun and actually plays nice.

[Super 20 Player]

Whoops didn't mean DAN ..So SollY..I gotta change that user id...http://i3.photobucket.com/albums/y82/super20player/Smilies/nono.gif

Cash, I like your green gator tenor better.

[Bill Mecca]

hmmm, I could use a back up horn....

but then my wife would kill me! :lol:

Interesting look on that one... A friend of mine has an SA80 that he had LA Sax lacquer iridescent, so it shifts color, but pictures don't do it justice. He has been trying to sell it, but it requires just the right buyer... as a base color it looks kinda purple, shifts to black and green and a differnt purple.. it's whacky.

Unfortunately I can't afford it and I'm not a big Selmer fan anyway.

[Jerry K.]

Thanks for the link. This seller "had" a Chicago Series (B&S) Black and Silver alto that was played by Tom Scott for the past year for $1500. Horn was described as new condition and if Scott played it for the last year, I'm guessing it's well set up. As a B&S fan I'm really looking forward to getting this alto!

[Jerry K.]

Here it is:

http://i4.ebayimg.com/01/i/04/01/7e/17_3.JPG

[CashSax]

Well the Green Devil is back in the news. Over the weekend she went south on the low C B & Bb..couldn't see a thing in the club except the G# would open when I hit low C. Hmm..well grabbed my trusty VI & finished the shows. Arriving in the shop yesterday, Steve at kesslers looks at it for a minute says you're missing a piece..we fold the adjustable G# linkage gone..long story short he fabricated a beauty for me. A little drilling and screwing and she purrs again.Oh yeah Steve remarked on the great sound of this funky Tenor, Dave K thought it was the WORST looking thing he'd ever seen, And Chuck, well he was ranting about me ruining Western civiliazation, 'cause all the kiddies will want colored-horns. I got out of there quik, I know they were trying to sell me a Pink Yanagisawa too. :oops:

[Jorns Bergenson]

we found that the adjustable G# linkage was gone...
This seems to be a common problem on some Asian-made saxes. The set-screw backs out and the linkage (rolller, whatever you want to call it) falls off. A spring washer or Loctite can keep it from backing out. This happens on the low C# adjustment, too.

[saxboy]

From what I hear the Chicago is the Guardala Sax with little change and it sounds and feels like it to me. I don't care for Chicago Saxes and never liked Guardala's saxes either. They feel like the dont ring or vibrate - too much work for very little sound for me.

LA SAX Burnished was my favorite of these models. It is a solid Alto/Tenor for a really decent price. I have sent people out to get one more than once on limited budgets.

The old LA SAX was a total dog, but now; just about anyone can make a decent sax if they try.

SAXBOY

[CashSax]

They're a great alternative to some of the junkier Taiwan/china horns. Mine gets great reviews on tone and looks.I shoulda bought the black sparkle one too..

[Mark5047]

Hey Cash, you gonna get that new Alto painted to match your green tenor now? Let me know what you think of the alto once you get it. I was looking at getting one of those.

[CashSax]

Mark I'll let you know..the alto I'm getting is the bare Burnished Brass w/hi G.

Gvsaxboy, I tried the Guardala tenor when the first models came out and wasn't overly impressed either. I thought it looked great but sounded somewhat bland and colorless next to my benchmark VI tenor.It's likely a great horn for the right player but it sure didn't crank my tractor. I dug my CBall mad meg Tenor a lot, although the huge tone is fairly one-dimensional to my ears. the CB Alto not so much.I sold 'em both to fund a Super20 alto.

To me the LA tenor has a more complex tone and feels more flexible sound-wise than my CB did..the closest clone so far to my vintage tenors.

[DirkW]

To me the LA tenor has a more complex tone and feels more flexible sound-wise than my CB did..the closest clone so far to my vintage tenors.
Considering your collection and your chops, that's quite an endorsement!

[LarryG]

I sat in one night with the Springsteen Tribute Band "B Street Band" from Jersey, and the regular sax player, Jimmy Casale, was playing an LA Sax tenor, in red. It was heavy, and it sounded great. He let me play it a while, and I was quite impressed. If I could find a deal like the one that CashSax found, I would buy it if it plays like Jimmy's. Especially in the green, it would be great playing it at "Murphs Irish Pub" on St Patty's day!

[Bill Mecca]

Larry,

I met Jimmy a few years back while covering an election night at Dick Zimmers headquaters in Princeton, they were the band for the party that never happened, so I really never got to hear him play as the band never really got to do more than a couple mellow tunes ...Zimmer lost if you didn't figure that out. I remember talking with him he plays a Claude Lakey, is he still?

I've got some other stories but will keep them to myself. I talked with Willie, the keyboard layer, I remember seeing them as Star in the 80's, he told me not to say it too loud,. makes them feel old... well guess what guys? ;-)

[shmuelyosef]

This guy is a good dealer..guess I paid too much ..but hey it's only $$$ plus it's GREEN :D :D :D :D :D what do you think of the "color" ??
The color of money...works in Vegas. Despite the reputation, it's pretty conservative here in SF...I would be 'shunned' with such a horn!! (many Selmer snobs...)

[CashSax]

I'm from the Bay Area..don't remember too many horn snobs..I remember Vince Wallace one time bring a beat up old copper colored tenor to the session in a paper sack and smokin' everybody in the joint.. :twisted: But yeah all the cats I know up there generally (as everywhere) play Selmer..Mel Martin of course plays Yana's..and our own Dr K prefers the P Mauriat..Oh well I got 5 Selmers just in case.. :?

[GHawk]

I ordered a soprano from WWBW a few years back and I sent it back...didn't like it. That being said, there's a local player, Kelly O'Neal, who plays on the exact same horn and he's KILLIN'. Kelly toured with Bebe and Cece Winans and has recorded with Brian McKnight...one man's treasure..... :D

[CashSax]

The LA Sop is the least impressive of the bunch action-wise (kinda tiny).Tone and intonation are decent tho.

[goodsax]

I received my GL850 tenor today and it was much more than I expected. It's the same as new and played right out of the case with no adjustments needed. I like the hard shell case, too. It has modern closing snaps (like a Samsonite attache case) and plenty of room for accessories. I like the key action and feel of the GL850 and the sound is excellent using my newly acquired Rousseau gold metal mpc.

[Randall]

Just curious Rob,
What tenors have you tried (meaning bought and played for a while), to date?
I know you had a Yamaha....

BTW, those Samosonite-like cases are standard with the Antiguas over here.
I love em.
The bari case is a killer! It has rollers and is well balanced when you pull it.

[goodsax]

Randy, I don't remember all of the tenors I've tried, but recently it's been, as you mentioned, the YAS-875 Custom, a Jupiter Artist Series 889SG, an Amati Kralice Classic, and a The Martin Indiana (I still have this one.).

[Randall]

Interested to know what you thought of the Amati....
BTW, didn't you have a Kessler tenor too? Maybe I am mixing you up with someone else.
(If you did have one) How'd it stack up?

[goodsax]

Interested to know what you thought of the Amati....
BTW, didn't you have a Kessler tenor too? Maybe I am mixing you up with someone else. (If you did have one) How'd it stack up?Did not have a Kessler tenor. The Amati made me think student level too much and my boat didn't even get out of drydock with that one. However, the Jupiter 889SG with solid silver neck was another story. It was good to look at and felt like good solid quality. That said, recognizing I just got it today, I still like the LA Sax GL850 at least as much as the Jupiter, and maybe more, but that remains to be seen. The 875 stands tall among the lot, but so does its price. It's not in the same league as the others.

[Randall]

off topic here, but at a big shop in Tokyo I tried an Artist bari against a MK VI 5 digit and the Jupiter slayed the VI, much to my surprise and the store clerks.

I LIKE Jupiters.

[Ralph Grant]

I just bought a Burnished Brass Alto off ebay as well. I'm looking forward to getting the thing and comparing it to my Yamaha's. Mine isn't green though!

[saxophrenic]

This may be OT, but I bought an L A Sax GL850 online 6/21 and haven't received it yet. Also, I haven't received even so much as a tracking number!
I've e mailed two or three times to Jerry Atencio at Orfeo and called. No joy.
How are the rest of you guys doing with shipping from L A Sax lately?

[goodsax]

This may be OT, but I bought an L A Sax GL850 online 6/21 and haven't received it yet. Also, I haven't received even so much as a tracking number!
I've e mailed two or three times to Jerry Atencio at Orfeo and called. No joy.
How are the rest of you guys doing with shipping from L A Sax lately?I was singing the same blues tune just a few days ago in another thread about LA Sax altos and lo and behold the GL850 arrived just short of a week from the night I paid for it. It would have arrived sooner, but got delayed by a late train, according to the UPS tracking info. Jerry sent me an email with UPS tracking number two days after I paid for it. Btw, I'm very pleased with 850 as was my private teacher when I took it for the first time to a lesson last night. Of course he plays a Selmer Balanced Action tenor, but WTH, we can't all be rich and famous.

[saxophrenic]

That's the problem Goodsax, I can't get them to send me a tracking number, and it's been a week.
Oh, well at least it sounds like it will be a good horn.

[saxophrenic]

The sax arrived just now at my door - at 9:30 PM. Didn't know Fed Ex delivered that late.

[Pannonia]

Well, my black alto just arrived. I can't say that I am impressed with the sound. I am especially unhappy that the bell keys aren't closing all the way and subsequently it does not play in the lows. :x
I will have a tech take a look at the regulation this weekend. When comparing its sound to my Martin makes me glad that I did not pay full price for this sax. But it may just scream after it gets set up properly. It looks way cool though. :D

[goodsax]

Well, my black alto just arrived. I can't say that I am impressed with the sound. I am especially unhappy that the bell keys aren't closing all the way and subsequently it does not play in the lows. :x
I will have a tech take a look at the regulation this weekend. When comparing its sound to my Martin makes me glad that I did not pay full price for this sax. But it may just scream after it gets set up properly. It looks way cool though. :DI doubt it will sound as good as your Martin, any Martin for that matter. My LA Sax GL850 doesn't have that wonderful resonance that my The Martin Indiana tenor does, but I still like the LA Sax for its ergo's and the sound isn't bad, just not up to the Martin. It's a bit brighter, which might be useful in my swing band setting.

Saxophrenic: Did you get a chance to play test yours? When you do, let us know whether it meets your expectations. I'd like to know.

[Ralph Grant]

I sent an email to Jerry asking him to hold off on shipping mine until after the 4th of July so it wouldn't sit on my front porch while out of town. Also I figured if I blew a finger off I could cancel the order :D He called me on my Cell and told me that they shipped it before he could tell them not to. It should be here by Friday. I couldn't believe the fast ship of mine after reading some of the other replys. Jerry said that there has been a huge response from Sax on the Web guys buying these horns. I told him that Cash should get a sales commission or at least a discount on another Green horn! I'll call UPS and have them hold it until I can pick it up! I'll never complain about instantaneous shipping!

[Super 20 Player]

Well the Green Devil is back in the news. Over the weekend she went south on the low C B & Bb..couldn't see a thing in the club except the G# would open when I hit low C. Hmm..well grabbed my trusty VI & finished the shows. Arriving in the shop yesterday, Steve at kesslers looks at it for a minute says you're missing a piece..we fold the adjustable G# linkage gone..long story short he fabricated a beauty for me. A little drilling and screwing and she purrs again.Oh yeah Steve remarked on the great sound of this funky Tenor, Dave K thought it was the WORST looking thing he'd ever seen, And Chuck, well he was ranting about me ruining Western civiliazation, 'cause all the kiddies will want colored-horns. I got out of there quik, I know they were trying to sell me a Pink Yanagisawa too. :oops:Just saw this post....What's Dave Kessler know anyway? I like the Screamin' Greenie! :D

[CashSax]

My stuffed up Curvy Sop went in for a look-see and it turned out to be way out of whack. Took it to Kessler's and they'll doctor it up for me..I don't blame Orpheous for the bad set-up, these are discount axes. The LA sop has a lot of similarities to Kessler's Asian Curved. I asked Chuck if the LA was a lamp and he chuckled and said naw let's fix it. Got some 1 1/2's for my Bari Hawk mpc, that oughta loosen things up.. 8-)

[goodsax]

Cash: Did you say a couple of keys on your green LA Sax tenor were sluggish? If so, were they the right pinky keys by any chance? The reason I ask is that mine are not only sluggish, the D# key tends to stay open some of the time, causing D1 and D2 to be sharp until I force the pad closed. This is on a like new (demo model) LA Sax GL850 tenor that I just got Monday.

[saxophrenic]

A quick report.
Haven't had a chance to play the tenor much.
First impressions:
The build doesn't impress me. It seems kind of cheap and slap dash. It has lots of leaks so I will have to have my tech go over it this weekend. The upper octave key is not sealing. When you press it down the left hand notes aren't too bad. The ergos are not real comfortable for me - but I haven't played it much yet. Doesn't look like it could stand up to hard use like a Yamaha or my Medusa could. Definitely was not set up before being sent out, but like everybody says doesn't look bad for a budget sax. The quality reminds me of an Amati I tried last year - but cheaper to buy of course. More later.

[Pannonia]

Yep, mine is leaking top and bottom too. The neck rotates nearly freely even when tightening the screw completely. This is gonna cost me another couple of hundred to get working, but it is still far less the the wwbw price.

[goodsax]

Yep, mine is leaking top and bottom too. The neck rotates nearly freely even when tightening the screw completely. This is gonna cost me another couple of hundred to get working, but it is still far less the the wwbw price.I guess I should be feeling very lucky about now. There are no leaks in mine, and the neck fits very nicely. My only problem, so far, is the sluggish right pinky cluster. I hope it all works out for everyone. I'm using a Morgan 6M with FL lig on mine and it sounds fairly decent.

[CashSax]

Pannonia, shouldn't cost near THAT much, :? my tech tightened (expanded)my tenor neck in about 3 seconds. :twisted: Also..My Green tenor started creakin' from NO oil..(she got real slick after a dose of 10-50 tho) ;) ..these new old stock(?)horns are really dry I think..chasin' a few leaks, oh well..Every sax I get to re-sell I gotta do the same thing.!! :evil: ..gotta remember boys we pay more for mpcs than we did for these things :D ..I better go grease my Alto while I'm thinking about it. :x

[CashSax]

I should say seriously that luckily my alto neck was a perfect fit..so far the horn hasn't been in the shop and it's still playing mighty fine. Nothing has loosened up either..although I went over it pretty thoroughly (only a coupla loose screws) after my tenor experience (har har)..No fellas, IMHO these replicas aren't "real" horns.. but great stuff when you need them.Hey just did a smooth jazz (arrghh) concert deal for 1500 screaming folks..and guess what??..my GREEN LA SAXmachine got more attention than I did..

[Mark5047]

They may not be 'real' horns for a pro, but us hobbyists on a budget can sure take advantage of a great value!
I see complaints from owners of brand new selmers costing 5 (or more) times the amount of these horns that they were not set up properly and had to go to a tech, so that is no cause for concern (IMO)
Orpheus has stated they are providing a one year warranty with these instruments, if there is a problem with them (sticky pinky cluster, loose neck etc) I would contact them and ask for reimbursement for the repairs, or at least try and find out what their procedure is for getting the repairs made.
Like Cash said though, there are mouthpieces that cost as much as these horns, and they seem to be doing the job for me!
By the way, I received my tenor while I was out of town - it came in about 4 business days after I ordered it. No complaints there. I will play test it tonight and let you know how it goes.

[goodsax]

Also..My Green tenor started creakin' from NO oil..(she got real slick after a dose of 10-50...I better go grease my Alto while I'm thinking about it...Were the keys in the right pinky cluster of your green tenor sluggish from no oil? I added oil to mine and so far it didn't seem to improve much.

[Pannonia]

I see complaints from owners of brand new selmers costing 5 (or more) times the amount of these horns that they were not set up properly and had to go to a tech, so that is no cause for concern (IMO)


That is very true. I have ordered a sax in the $2k+ range that needed a good bit of work before it was really playable, but not as much as this one.
I noticed that when you start putting more air through it the sound becomes more likable. I am positive that after a good setup it will be a fun player and just ordered a metal otto link to go with it.

[Mark5047]

The burnished tenor came in that matches my alto and maybe I am just living lucky or something, but it plays top to bottom without any problems and seems to be leak free. The key action is as smooth as the alto. I am still going to take both to my tech to have them checked out, to be sure, but I am very satisfied with the value of these instruments.
I would not try and convince anyone they are the equal to one of the big 4, but for my needs they are very suitable.
My wife even commented on how nice they both sound.

[CashSax]

My new LA Curved Sop was real stuffy and the pinky was a little sluggish when I got it. My tech found a missing cork adjusted a stack for the princely sum of $20. she now purrs..this sure isn't a Series III but the LA seems to have a solid scale to and a very decent tone for what it is.. :rolleyes:

[Pannonia]

Mine had a bunch of leaks. Five tone holes had to be leveled. At the beginning I clamped the keys, put the leak-light through the sax and it lit up like a Xmas tree. The bell had been installed rotated to the left so none of the bell keys had a chance to seal. It is interesting how little glue is used to install these pads, almost as if ithe glue was just sputtered on. They are usually not enough to do quick adjusts so you have to take them out and add goop.

[CashSax]

I got lucky on my Sop after minor tweaking.The thing is a killer thru my delay.The horn plays great. Wish I had a hi G on it. :D

[Pannonia]

At last the setup has been completed on this horn. Overall it is a good quality construction. My only complaint is about the softer alloy used on the keys (but hey it will bend instead of breaking, perhaps better this way). It plays in tune and it sounds fantastic. I specially like the fast key action and the ergonomics of the instrument. It is a looker too. :)

[CashSax]

Good to hear you like the horn..my burnished Alto is Killin'. :twisted:

[Pannonia]

So I got this metal Otto Link 7 for my LA Sax alto thinking it will be ripping, but it has just the opposite result. It gives a very veiled soft tone using three different brand reads I tried, mostly 2.5 strength. My Meyer 6 gives a sharper and more versatile tone than the OL.
I must be doing something wrong. Also, there is that blue protection sticker on the mpc that WW&BW puts on to make them more "returnable". Could that mess up things?

[Grey]

So I got this metal Otto Link 7 for my LA Sax alto thinking it will be ripping, but it has just the opposite result. It gives a very veiled soft tone using three different brand reads I tried, mostly 2.5 strength. My Meyer 6 gives a sharper and more versatile tone than the OL.
I must be doing something wrong. Also, there is that blue protection sticker on the mpc that WW&BW puts on to make them more "returnable". Could that mess up things?

I don't have an LA sax, but I have both an Otto Link 7* and a Meyer 5, and I find that the OL has a much sharper and more versatile tone! Weird. I'm probably just used to using the OL and you're used to using the Meyer. I find my Otto Link can be really mellow and soft if I want, and it can absolutely peel paint if I want (I recall the guys in my rock band (bass, drums, guitar and me) saying that I was the loudest guy there after one practice). So maybe you just need some work on the OL? I definitely need some work on the Meyer, but whenever I think that I might pull it out, I think of how much more fun for me it is to play the OL, so that's what I play.

What do you find about the Meyer? I'd be interested because we have virtually the same setups. Also, what reeds did you try? The saxes might have something to do with it, as I have a Serie III and you have an LA sax. Thanks.

[CashSax]

For the record I'm using a hand faced DG laser SKRB mpc on my Green 850 tenor .On that DG I use a Lig that came with my handmade DG Alto pc (studio model I think (?). Anyway,It's the lig that has those moveable dot/bumper things that suspend the lig away from the pc and reed..
Funny thing I played a FL lig on my tenor DG for long while now and it was a killin' set-up producing the easiest and best tenor tone I ever got..
On the Alto I could never easily adjust the bumper lig, it was also very cranky tone-wise on the DG alto pc.
Long story short, I recently switched the 2 ligs. and it improved both pcs greatly.I use plasti-cover 2's mostly and cannot find any cane reeds I like better sound-wise, although the consistant quality(?) compared to years ago is absolutely DISMAL.Oh well the reed holders they come in are WAY better.

[CashSax]

good grief a "PEARL" fell off @#$%^&*()**....(it won't again after the super-glue)..can't kill this horn tho..great tone, hi d/e still a little edgy but good ear training anyway..still glad I bought it. :D

[goodsax]

Following your lead, Cash, I'm now the satisfied owner of a matched set of LA Sax tenor and alto saxes, LA-850 and LA-750. I have no problem with either of them, so far. Thanks for your periodic updates in this thread about your experiences with the 850.

[CashSax]

Congrats Goodsax..hella horns for the dough,my Emerald Green burnished (the "Alligator") Tenor usually gets more attention than I do.. :D

[Mark5047]

My matched set burnished brass alto and tenor are awesome - especially for the money. For my needs, they are just what the doctor ordered. Thanks so much Cash for the updates - it swayed me to at least check them out. Very well built and great tone.

[goodsax]

Well, I've taken it a step farther. As my revised signature (below) indicates, I came across an LA Sax LA-900 blue/gold baritone only a couple of years old at a great price and snapped it up. Now I have three LA saxes and one Antigua (sop).

[CashSax]

I'm betting the LA is a decent horn..I bought a new "Buescher" Bari a few yrs back and found it to be a great Bari for an Asian knock-off..yours has to very cool in Blue.. 8-)

[Randall]

Years down the road, this will be referred to as Rob's "Blue sax" period ;)

I am surprised you have gone all LA Sax, Rob! Which is your favorite of the 3?

[goodsax]

I'll know better about the cool blue Friday when it gets here, but for now I'm planning to call it the Blue Max. It gets here Friday and I go on vacation to my old high school band playing buddy's farm east of Salem, OR on Saturday.

There's no way I'm getting that horn on Friday and leaving it behind on Saturday morning, it's going with me along with my other LA Sax horns. He is a drummer and when I come up to see him he gathers all available, and willing, local musicians from the surrounding farming community for at least one jam session.

[goodsax]

...I am surprised you have gone all LA Sax, Rob! Which is your favorite of the 3?I really get a kick out of playing these horns, Randy. They feel good under my fingers and even my nit-picky sax section leader complimented me on the tone of the alto. But, my favorite, so far, is the tenor which I play in a concert and a swing band.

I've substituted for the bari player in another swing band a couple of times, and the tenor player once. But, after subbing for the bari guy last Wednesday and nailing a solo in Route 66, they've asked me to come back this week. The problem is, I've been doing the bari thing with a borrowed sax, so I decided to go for the LA Sax blue/gold beauty when it popped up as if by destiny last Saturday morning and I was on it minutes after it got posted on eBay.

I'll let you know in a couple of weeks whether it beats out the tenor as my favorite.

[Randall]

Sounds like a ton of fun Rob...I will be looking forward to hearing how it goes!

The bari IS addictive, isn't it?!

[goodsax]

I'm betting the LA is a decent horn..I bought a new "Buescher" Bari a few yrs back and found it to be a great Bari for an Asian knock-off..yours has to very cool in Blue.. 8-)Here's an advance look at it:

http://a2.cpimg.com/image/8A/CA/52542602-42ea-016E0200-.jpg

and

http://a3.cpimg.com/image/8B/CA/52542603-1794-0200014C-.jpg.

I can hardly wait to try it. Two more days!

[Mark5047]

So whats the verdict, Rob????? Do you like the bari?

[goodsax]

Absolutamente! The previous owner took excellent care of it, although it might have been more in the benign neglect (a little dusty) category.

I didn't know you could actually "whisper down to low Bb" before playing this baby and discovering it whispers down to low A. It feels a bit lighter than the two MK6's I played earlier this year (loaners), but I find it more comfortable to hold and play than those older high end bari's, and one of them was a low A 6.

Traditionalists would be put off by the dark blue lacquer and gold keywork, but it looks a lot better in person that I thought it would. Everyone I showed it to at work, and my wife, were stunned by its beauty and the way it sounds.

Needless to say, I'm very pleased with the latest addition to my LA Sax collection.

[Mark5047]

Now you just need to get the Soprano to go with the rest of your collection! Although the sop you have would be hard to beat!
Best of luck with your new horn. I am still really diggin the burnished brass alto & tenor. What a joy to play

[goodsax]

I hear you. And don't think I haven't thought about completing the collection. But, I like the 590LQ so much it would take one helluva horn to get me to replace it. I doubt I'll go there.

[goodsax]

Well, last night after concert band practice I had to endure grief from two brass players about how nothing but junk comes from Chinese (including Taiwanese) manufacturers after they knew all four of my saxes were made in Taiwan. These are very thoughtful and considerate (Not!) musicians who know zilch about saxophones, but are experts at which makes are worth buying/playing.

I know I should just let this pass, but the snobbery of it still troubles me. I couldn't help thinking that if they are such great musicians who play only the best instruments from the big four, and look down their noses at those who play, for whatever reason, Taiwanese-made horns, what are they doing playing in a mediocre community band?

I like my LA Saxes, especially considering what I paid for them, and don't intend to run out and buy something that costs 4x or more higher to please other musicians and play the image game.

[rispoli]

I like my LA Saxes, especially considering what I paid for them, and don't intend to run out and buy something that costs 4x or more higher to please other musicians and play the image game.

Snobism is a factor and I believe that another one is the mentality "You get what you pay for" which limits the thought of so many people.
That's what marketing is all about: making you believe the difference in price is always justified also from your point of view.
Until we start thinking in terms of what adds value to us and what doesn't, we might be completely misled. It surely makes sense for them to add a hefty amount to their procuring/manufacturing/distribution costs to cover marketing campaigns and to eventually boost their profits. But does this add value to us??? I have my answer.

So the key is not only to be able to try before you buy or to have a good return policy, but also and foremost to have a sufficiently open mindset to overcome those fear that if you save you'll eventually end up unhappy.

I believe that being able to differentiate between "cheap because cheaply made" and "cheap because of tradeoffs I can live with" (such as less recognition, visibility, etc...) is not a difficult thing to do. It requires mindset and availability of alternatives.
After we test all the alternatives it may be justified to buy a sax from the Big 4 if we really feel it is worth the difference. What I blame is the attitude of "I don't even want to touch it because at that price must be junk".
Prejudice is always enemy of a healthy mind.

I found very interesting the experience reported by SOTW member Pete Thomas in this thread:
http://www.saxontheweb.net/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=28020
As he noted, if you know how to spot a bargain you get a lot more than you paid for.

And let's also remember that if those less-recognized brands such as LA Sax will be ignored by the public we'll have no alternatives other than buying from the big 4 and paying for their overhead, marketing campaign etc. which I am not so sure we are indeed willing to pay for.

[cornific]

Well Boys and Girls it don't suck, the horn arrived yesterday..I took it to the gig tonight unplayed and did a couple of shows on it and it's still in one piece. The thing has a strong sound, really rich and full. I got a little scared for a second when it stuffed up mid tune..but the new plasticover I put on it had quit.. a(nother) new reed and the horn started singing again..Got great reviews on the color scheme too. Now if I can just find a screwdriver to tighten up the thumbrest. :?

ever since i saw this harmless looking post i followed this thread with interest
i recently started making my living with my saxophones, i'm kind of old school and have slowly been collecting horns to play but recently the horns have been making me nervous because i like to play them a lot, on the street or i leave them out on stands for long periods of time so they can be handy.
the nicer they are the more i want to play them, the more wear and tear etc. so about a month ago i snapped and bought three la saxes. the soprano-curvy with high G ... lol, and a burnished brass alto and tenor to go with it ... all for the price of ... well... less than i expected to pay for a tenor. due to the extensive postings here i was ready for the horns ... the soprano was the first out of the box ... i took it to my tech ... 20 minutes later i was playing it. in less than three hours, and a sore embouchure, it had over earned 180 dollars at the beer store busking ... later i figured out the reason the bis key was sticking lol ... oh ya !!! this horn loud, if you want it to be. the first note i played ... BAP!!!! hit me in the head so hard i literally jumped 'cause i scared myself... very accurate reports from everybody about the horns and potential problems... none of my horns ever had a mouthpiece on the corks ... only two bummers to report. the tenor case was a cheaper substitute compared with the other two and the neck straps have a very sharp edge to the hook... i was checking out the alto thinking to my self this could be the best of the lot ... it was smokin' ... wow, now i looked around for my neck strap . i have been busking a lot so i have been relying in a neoteck, bulky job, for just about every thing... it was not close at hand so i grabbed the LA sax strap but decided that i didn't want to scratch the horn so i switched to an old strap that i have had since ... well i can't remember how old this s+trap is ... over twenty years ... i hang the alto from it and play for about an hour ... nice, i decide to try and play with gloves on, to extend my busking year a bit, at this moment the hook breaks, the plastic failed and the horn dropped straight onto its bell from four and a half feet ... crunching sound of tinfoil accordian ...thud. folded bell rim bent bell brace, almost all of the impact was taken by the bell so it is being straightened out and will bear the scars of its sacrificial fall... so far this horn is doing its job!!!, i hope the tech can make it play as well as it did yesterday morning. now i would be happier with scratches. i did also notice how heavy the horn was half an hour before the hook gave out. i never really liked the offending traitor strap any ways. i just have never culled the straps as thoroughly as i am now going to !!! weakest link theory and all !!!
the tenor needed a good bit of fiddling 50$ but it is a fine horn and fun to play
... BTW my link sounds crappy on it too ... i'm on the hunt for a tenor piece... i'm very happy with these horns ... thanks cashsax et al. not perfect but a heck of a deal.

[goodsax]

Sorry about your mishap with the alto, cornific. I'm still using the OEM strap with my alto and have no problems with scratching so far. I use a fairly decent no-name strap with my tenor that has a plastic snap hook and sheepskin padding under the leather neck band, and a Neotech with my bari.

I used my LA Sax alto in a Veteran's Day concert at the Nixon Library East Room last Friday playing a "Someone to Watch Over Me" solo at one point which went very well, and I use the LA Sax bari in a local swing band that will be playing at the Buena Park American Legion post next Wednesday, I'm sitting in for second alto with my LA-750 with the Cyprus College jazz band tomorrow night, playing my LA-850 tenor with the Huntington Beach Concert Band Tuesday night and back to the alto and Antigua 590 sop (only non-LA Sax model I have) with the Placentia Symphonic Band Thursday night. I also play first tenor with the Valley Winds Swing band about once every other month. In each case, my LA Sax collection serves me well and I get a lot of compliments for them from fellow musicians and members of the audience.

I concede, as I have in the past, that if money were no object I'd probably have either MK6's or Ref 54's, or Custom 875's, etc., but money is an object and I have found LA Sax horns give me the best bang for my buck - with the Antigua sop being the one exception. The LA Sax sop might be a very nice horn, but I'm satisfied to the max with my Antigua and could never let it go.

I hope you have many hours of playing enjoyment with your newly acquired collection and also hope the damaged alto returns to a satisfying playing condition. If not - and this is not a sales pitch - I'll soon (next week) have another nearly new LA-750 alto I could let go for a very reasonable price, if interested.

[CashSax]

My GAS has just about come full circle..over the last few yrs. I've bought and sold numerous Altos, tenors, Sops and Bari's..Tenors mostly... Conns, Martins, Kings, Bueschers and several Selmers. I've made and lost dough and had a chance to really decide what works for me. My VI tenor does it for me. The action, response and overall tone to me are the best in the business. In fact I'm sticking for now with all Selmer Saxes SAT&B..over time I've sold virtually all my spare horns (except my SilverSonics)... My LA's ??. I do know the difference between very good horns and.. well you know..I still say they're a good replica and the horns continue to serve me well..I'm keeping them.

[goodsax]

I hear you, Cash. Last night I had the pleasure of substituting for a vacationing friend of mine at a local college jazz band practice playing 2nd alto. I used my LA Sax 750 and sat between two highly accomplished saxophonists: on my left, a young man from Long Beach State playing lead alto on a Dave Guardala silver-plated oldie with a fantastic sound and technique, and on my right, a middle-aged 1st tenor player on a Selmer 6. After the first warm-up piece, the alto guy looked over at me and asked what I was using for a setup. When I told him a Morgan 5M with a Superial 2-1/2, he said he was impressed with the sound.

My point is, I held my own with the LA Sax alto and a setup up that works for me but, if I wasn't about ready to retire on a relatively fixed income, I'd jump at the chance to have either of those horns I sat between last night. In the meantime I make the best with what I have after doing much the same as you, buying, selling and trading a bunch of fine horns until winding up with the LA Sax collection and one Antigua I now use in four different bands.

[Mike Ruhl]

My LA's ??. I do know the difference between very good horns and.. well you know..I still say they're a good replica and the horns continue to serve me well..I'm keeping them.Well, if you ever decide to sell the Green Gator, please let me know...:D

[cornific]

not bad ... well 110 CAD to have the accordion removed from the bell of my LA 750 ... there is a little fogging of the lacquer on the bell rim, i expect the lacquer to go first here, and the teeniest distortion of the bell. the timing took a few tries to get spot on but is is a killin' horn once again

yesterday i took delivery of a Leblanc system alto, i paid very little for this horn and it too, is amazing. the pads seal but will need new palm pads etc.. the corks are mostly there and this is going to be a great horn again someday soon, with research and fussing and money

but the point i wish to make is this.

the LA alto is solid, the key work is tight and precise and the over all feel is in a different league from this old, and many of the other vintage horns i have, there is something great about the low mileage, fresh, well thought out functional horn

the LA 750 shares something in common with the Leblanc and that is; unique acoustic and key work variations to improve performance. different personalities but both great horns to play

a good rebuild is more expensive than what i paid for my LA sax. but my LA saxes started making money for me from the minute they came out of the box ... my soprano has more than paid for itself in the first twenty hours of the busking it did with me and i was just working my embouchure at the time ... tone good, flexibility good, looks good to to every one but me, i think they are garish but i am a fuddy duddy. my LA saxes are paying for the improvements and up keep of not only me but my vintage horns as well

i love my vintage horns totally, how could i not?

yet now i love how the new ones just want to play with out any fuss or attention ... just don't drop it ... but, if you do, no problem ... there are more where they came from. bad attitude i know, but "the times they are, a-changin"

BTW i felt no dread when the alto hit the floor, just a little voice going ... "did this have to happen so soon?" I am so glad it wasn't the toneking? or the m6, or the Leblanc, or the couf

which horn i have in my mouth doesn't seem to matter to much for me. as long as the horn works, i tend to sound like myself. it is really a case of not fighting with making the horn work, so the ideas can get free from the mind and flow into the world at large ... what happens then is another thing, alto-gether... sorry 'bout that

play on dudes and dude-ettes

[CashSax]

Hey Mike, the "Gator" was a gift so I'll likely have it a loooong time..actually things are picking up for me here in Vegas (choicer gigs & some record sessions) so i've been putting a lot of miles on my VI tenor too.

[saxymanzach]

I will admit it. I tried the one that looks like an american flag and one that looks like richard elliot's sax. I am not proud of my self for it and I had to therapy and group sessions, the whole bit. But I have not tried the Chicago Jazz Series.

[BigZ]

The first step, admitting it, is the hardest. Only 11 more to go!

[saxymanzach]

Does This mean I have to apologize to everybody who heard me play it?

[goodsax]

Does This mean I have to apologize to everybody who heard me play it?Depends on your skill level. ;)

[Randall]

So Rob,
I am curious....are you in the "L.A. Sax period" or are you still in the "Martin period"?;)


I find myself straddling the fence a bit these days, period.:D

[goodsax]

So Rob,
I am curious....are you in the "L.A. Sax period" or are you still in the "Martin period"?;)...I find myself straddling the fence a bit these days, period.:DI'm in the process of moving from LA to Elkhardt and plan to make the transfer this coming Tuesday, the same day my 10M is being delivered. However, the bari is staying in LA.

[Randall]

Home is where the 'hart is....:)

[goodsax]

Randy, check my SOTW signature. Talk about an about face! After t/p'ing all my options, I finally decided to go LA Sax all the way and my latest purchase, an LA-660GL curved sop, completes the SATB set. All the cases are the same type and all the horns have the same basic features.

[Randall]

Now you have to line 'em all up and take a nice Christmas photo!:D
It sounds like you have found the horns that will keep you happy....congrads!
And Merry Christmas to you Rob!

[goodsax]

Randy: You may be right about my collection, and I do plan to take a photo shortly after the LA-660 arrives. Btw, I bought it from Scimonetti's and Jimmy's already shipped it - SAME DAY!

All the best to the Penningtons for a safe and happy holiday season and prosperous 2006.

[Mark5047]

Rob,

Be sure to post how you like the sop when it arrives. I would love to add a burnished brass sop to my alto and tenor. I would really like to hear how you think it compared to the antigua.
Thanks!

[goodsax]

Will do, Mark. It's scheduled for delivery today, so I should have a first impression under my belt within five minutes after getting home from work tonight, depends on how much intereference my wife throws up between me and the new horn. But, she knows better. I'm sure there'll be a clear path from the door direct to the sax when I get there. If she knew how, she'd even have my favorite mpc, lig and reed ready for the t/p. ;)

[goodsax]

Got it! And I love it! It feels really different after playing the straight sop for so long, but I'm getting comfortable with it already. What a tiny thing compared to the alto, for example. The sound is comparable to the Antigua 590, but it's more in your face because of the upward curve of the bell. That's not necessarily a bad thing, IMO.

The intonation is excellent, at least as good as the Antigua in both registers. I'd say that performance-wise, the LA Sax 660 sop is equivalent to the Antigua 590. I know my wife gives it flying colors, and that's from someone who's heard every horn I've played during the past 13 years with the last 5 being the most active in terms of searching for the best fit for me.

It came in the same Samsonite-like case as did my alto and tenor making the three, SAT, a perfect matched set. You set them side-by-side and they look like the three bears of saxophones: papa (tenor), mama (alto) and baby (sop). (The bari is in a class by itself being dark blue with gold keys while the other three are all gold-lacquered body and keys.)

As soon as I find a stand for the new curved sop, I'll take a photo of them all together and share it with you folks.

If you have any questions, I'll be happy to answer them.

Rob

[Mark5047]

Rob,

Thanks for the review. I was expecting to hear good things - I didn't think the sop would be that different from the alto and tenor in terms of quality and playability. I am kicking myself for not grabbing the burnished straight soprano that Orpheus had on EBay (same deal, demo for about 600 bucks) and I see Scimonetti's has one for about 850 new, - but I am kinda leaning towards a curved one.
I really do like those LA Saxes - for the money.

[goodsax]

I agree. I took a look at the straight burnished model being sold by Scimonetti's at the same BIN price as the LA-660 before deciding to go with the curved. I don't regret my decision now that I've had a chance to play the curvy. You can't beat the value. I'm very happy with all four of my LA Sax models.

I just added an Otto Link gold STM 5 to my bari and it plays as smooth and easy as butter, top to bottom. I mean, I can just breath into the mpc and a decent tone is produced in total control. Beautiful! I'm using a Morgan 3C on my tenor with another coming for trial soon, and I just got a Rousseau JDX8 for my alto that gave me a whole new appreciation for what I can do with it.

For the new sop, I prefer a Super Session G with Eddie Daniels Rovner lig, but also have a Rousseau SJ8, and a Jody Jazz red 9 w/spoiler. I think I'll keep the SS and sell the others.

[GAS_Wyo]

Goodsax,
I'm buying a new tenor within the next month...what say ye? Recommendation on the LASax's? I'm also considering an 82Z or a Serie III. Going to play a few before I decide, but I'm just a serious hobbyist so I'm looking for tone.

[goodsax]

Goodsax,
I'm buying a new tenor within the next month...what say ye? Recommendation on the LASax's? I'm also considering an 82Z or a Serie III. Going to play a few before I decide, but I'm just a serious hobbyist so I'm looking for tone.A limited budget was a huge factor in my opting for my LA Sax collection. I'm very satisfied with all my LA Saxes, but if I had unlimited funds, I would probably look into a Mark VI, Ref 54, or maybe even go back to a Yam Custom 82Z or 875 for alto and tenor and a Rampone & Cazzani gold-plated sop.

If you're just getting one sax, a tenor, go for the best you can buy that satisfies your quest for what you consider a good tone. I owned a Series III alto for a short while and traded it for a Custom 82Z because I wasn't happy with the tone. The best tone I've ever experienced is with vintage Martins. There's nothing like them, IMO. A good condition late 30's or 1940-something The Martin tenor sounds great, much better than any modern Taiwanese sax I've played.

But, I wanted an entire matched SATB collection, for reasons difficult to defend, and the LA Sax line turned out to be what the doctor ordered for me. If I were looking only for a tenor with no idea of owning and playing an alto, bari and/or sop, I'd go for the best The Martin tenor I could find.

That's my two cents on the subject...

[goodsax]

Now you have to line 'em all up and take a nice Christmas photo!:D...It's a little late for a Christmas photo, but I did finally get around to taking a
group shot of my LA Sax collection. I'm using it as my latest avatar and
share it with you below:
http://a2.cpimg.com/image/E0/62/55253472-ee0b-020001DF-.jpg
They all look and play great and I'm very satisfied with every one of them.
I'm using them all, one or more, in two swing bands, two concert bands and,
soon to be added, a college jazz band.

[goodsax]

This is another shot of the same instruments shown above:
http://a0.cpimg.com/image/5A/C9/55288410-94f1-02000180-.jpg

The bari case is one I bought from Kessler Music, the same that they use for their Kessler Custom bari's.

[Mark5047]

The bari case looks the same as the others - is it??? If so, how cool!
I decided I am going to work on the LA Sax collection myself. No reasonable explanation for it - its just something I want to do. And since it is MY hobby, I can do it that way if I want!
Thanks for sharing the pics, Rob!
Mark

[goodsax]

The bari case looks the same as the others - is it??? If so, how cool!...MarkIt's the same style, but not an LA Sax case. The others have "LA Sax" emblazoned on the top in bright yellow while the bari case is without that marking.

Good luck with your collection. I agree that one should be able to do what one pleases to scratch their hobby itches. The ultimate achievement for my woodwind-playing hobby turned out to be finding the right balance between actual need, funds available to satisfy that need, and sharing resources with my wife.

My need as a weekend warrior with limited funds playing in community concert and swing bands and a little known local big band, is being well-met by this collection of LA Saxes. As recently as yesterday at a swing band practice I received glowing compliments for the bari which I loaned to the band leader for the session because the regular bari player couldn't make it and was pleased to hear from another old-timer sax player that I play a "righteous" tenor. Of course, that could mean it's not nasty and get-down dirty enough... ;)

[danl522]

I picked up a 750 series alto off ebay in impact black finish. It should be showing up in the mail tomorrow. I'm pretty geeked, as it will be a nice step up from my 12 year old Armstrong student sax (I've picked the sax back up recently after not playing since my junior year of high school 5 years ago).

[goodsax]

danl522: Let us know how you like it after you get a chance to give it a good test play. The LA-750 is well-made with some neat modern keywork features. Enjoy!

[Mark5047]

I got a soprano that looks a lot like the LA Sax - Keywork is the same, it has real MOP on the key touches - the case is identical except for the LA Sax logo is missing from the new case. The accessories that shipped with it were the same as what shipped with the LA Sax's - the key for the case even fits the LA Sax case! The neck strap was the same, even the sticky letters that shipped with the LA Saxes were in there. Similar mouthpieces and lig. I am not sure who makes horns for LA, but this one was made my Tenon Industrial, Inc. and honestly it is as well made as the other horns I have. Now if it were only burnished brass..... Oh well, cant have everything BUT for what I paid, who can complain, right?
I realize there are several manufacturers in Taiwan and they all make about the same thing, but the similarities go beyond cosmetic to me.
Anyway, good luck with the 750. I could not be happier with mine!!

[danl522]

The 750 came in the mail today, and I've spent about an hour and a half on it. It's going to need a bit of adjust ment to get fully up to snuff (the low C is sticky. Thought it was a shot spring, but feels more like it needs a new rod or something? Don't know. Very stiff. Also, the G with the octave key is...weird). Even still, I'm very happy so far. After playing on my clunker of an Armstrong for so long, this plays like a dream. Quick and easy, and I like the tone a lot. Once it's tuned up and I can really get into it, I'm sure it'll be even better.

[SAXY RIC]

I have had my Diamond White Tenor for 4 years now. It took some time for me to set it up, but not because it didn't play well. I loved the way it sounded right out of the box, but wanted to readjust the lower stack a little. Once that was done, I went through the mouthpiece drill. Really thought that I wanted to change from my old Brilhart 5*. After trying a linc 8 and back to a 6, I endend up recorking the neck and went back to my 5* and wallah! I think in a lot of cases it's all about the neck, ie cork and mpc. They did do a shabby job on my paintjob and I sent it back after the first 2 weeks. They did redo it but really not much better. It seemed as though the purplish primer or undercoat was coming through too much. I decided to keep it and then I did the above work to it. I love it! I just inquired about the 750 alto, which I wanted in Diamond White also but It was discontinued. So oddly enough I got the Kameleon. LOL the paint job is rough in some areas, but the horn sounds great to me and I have as yet done anything about the setup except change mouthpieces. The stock one, forget it or just use it to practice with. I started with my Meyer 7, but ended up using a Berg Larsen 95 0 M. I still think I will recork this neck too! But yes I play them and I love them. By the way President Clinton used one too dubbed The Presidential series ( Red, White and Blue) as well as Richard Elliot and Kim Waters.

[whiteysax]

I finally found a proper forum to get some answers. I'm shopping for an alto. I sold my junker 1970s model Conn student horn to a student of mine 2 years ago and haven't had a need for a new horn since. I mainly play tenor, soprano, clarinet, and flute. But now that I've started gigging a little more, I'm finding a more demanding need for one.
I originally had my eye on a vintage Conn Wonder sax from 1927, but the rep at WWBW told me it would be a toss up since it wasn't marked A, B, or C stock. He said it was probably up for older horn collectors, and although it probably worked just fine, he couldn't attest to the tone quality or life left in the horn. So I asked him about the French Cuesenon horn from the 1960s... same story.
I'm looking for an alto with a darker tone for right around $1000. The rep suggested an L.A. Sax, Allora, or Keilwerth. I love the tone of the Selmers, but I've never liked their setup. I feel the key alignment is too far off center compared to my Yamaha tenor.
So my question is how reputable are the LA Sax Chicago Jazz series Earthtone alto? I've read mixed reviews from past models.
I'll post a proper question in the Keilwerth thread as well as I cannot recall their tone since I last heard one.
Thanks!

[Giganova]

I plead guilty as charged and play a LA-625 soprano. For a couple hundreds buxx, it is actually a very decent sax.

[lawmans yani]

Yes i would play one, if i had a Pearl White Soprano Cruvy, i have dreamed about this horn for a few months, but can't find one for a good price.

[cincysax]

I have a Barrington alto from WWBW and it`s a decent horn for the money.I understand they are LA SAX student models.

[Keith Ridenhour]

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29392-2357-0?uid=6182841&site=0&ver=EOIBSA080805&lk=ItemDescriptionANDimage&Item=330168462201
I hope it plays. I teach and am tired of my old Buescher. K

[goodsax]

http://cm.ebay.com/cm/ck/1065-29392-2357-0?uid=6182841&site=0&ver=EOIBSA080805&lk=ItemDescriptionANDimage&Item=330168462201
I hope it plays. I teach and am tired of my old Buescher. KWhat happened to the Holton Collegiate? I have an LA Sax 650 straight soprano and it's an excellent player. Good luck with your new acquisition. I was actually watching that one, but when I received my second Vito Beaugnier tenor today, I felt it was too risky to approach my Tai Pan with a request to buy another horn so soon. 8-)

[Keith Ridenhour]

My student is playing it and sounds great. I was playing my Buescher at his lesson today and made the decision to get a better alto. That thumb rest kills me on the B and the palms suck. I hope the LA is better. but for 200 I can't complain. K

[Giganova]

Speaking of: if anyone wants an LA-625 soprano, check out my Ebay auction (280157633543)

[Keith Ridenhour]

The seller is named Mephipps and says he plays so I hope the horn is in good condition to play when I get it. Weird to have to pay 60 dollars postage here in the Us to go to california but if it plays thats fine. I'll play it and post a recording on my webpage whenI get it. My Buescher plays very well but its a slow horn (for me) and I hate the left thumb rest and palm ergos. Its only a 260 dollar experiment. K

[Keith Ridenhour]

Update, this alto really is a winner. It took about a month and a half to find "my voice" but I really like everything about the alto except the chromatic F# is hard to find. I'm tempted to pick up an 850 pro black tenor to make it a set. K

[goodsax]

Update, this alto really is a winner. It took about a month and a half to find "my voice" but I really like everything about the alto except the chromatic F# is hard to find. I'm tempted to pick up an 850 pro black tenor to make it a set. K
And, if you'd like to complete that set with a 650 pro black soprano, I have one complete with Samsonite-like case I'll let go for a reasonable price. ;)

[gary]

The seller is named Mephipps and says he plays so...
FWIW, and I don't want to give away any anonymity, but "mephipps" is a first rate musician and was (is?) an LA studio guy. Not only that, but he's a reliable seller for anyone interested in doing business with him in the future. He usually sells mouthpieces here and his selection and prices, unlike some other sources, are very reasonable.

[Keith Ridenhour]

I don't want to give the wrong impression. He was very easy to deal with and since the Alto had major upper stack leaks when I got it, he split the cost of tech repair with me the same way I do for buyers of my horns. He was a good guy to deal with and I do like this alto alot. I've had lower ab stuff (groin) going on the last couple of weeks and playing alto doesn't aggravate it but tenor does so having a good alto at my disposal has saved my a@@> K

[Keith Ridenhour]

gary, you hit 10000 and went back? K

[gary]

gary, you hit 10000 and went back? K
Where you been boy, LOL? That happened a couple of months back.

[Keith Ridenhour]

I have been practicing trying to up my game. More practicing means less posting unfortunately. I am loving my equipment lately and that takes away from all the "this horn rocks" posts. My groin is almost gone but I'm gunshy with the tenor. Using a very easy lig and weaker reeds and being careful. K

[gary]

I have been practicing trying to up my game. More practicing means less posting unfortunately. I am loving my equipment lately and that takes away from all the "this horn rocks" posts. My groin is almost gone but I'm gunshy with the tenor. Using a very easy lig and weaker reeds and being careful. K
...then you are absolved, my son. :angel4:

And about your groin. Uh, let's not go there.

[Joe Jazz]

Anyone tried a 211 tenor? They don't come in the usual colors....WW&BW has them for a little over a grand....

[jordanreed]

Dont know anymore about this , but is this a good deal. if it plays decent??

http://minneapolis.craigslist.org/msg/858071932.html

[trahansax]

My funny LA Sax story, I was on the show floor at TMEA a few years ago, and Steve Goodson had a tenor that was decked out like a Mexican flag, so I couldn't resist. Funny thing was, jokingly I played it for a long time, with a super king, and people were just looking at me like I was crazy, it really took a lot of self control not to bust out in laughter.