[abadcliche]

I finally have a quartet of Keilwerths!

Soprano: SX90II
Alto: King Modell 3 (New King I stencil), Toneking Solo (New King I stencil, full pearls), Amati Toneking, New King Series II
Tenor: King Modell 3
Bari: SX90 black nickel

Got the SX90 bari today at a bargain price, and I have to say it has all the richness and fullness of sound I am used to with Keilwerths. It is also my first NEW bari. I really love Keilwerths- although the R models chafe me with what I feel can be a bad setup out of the box (definitely agitated by the uneven toneholes on the R models) they really are great horns. Of course these days the used market is the place to get 'em, as the new prices have gone up quite a bit in the past few years.

FWIW, I recently had a chance to talk to a few Keilwerth reps including the factory manager, and according the them they are aware of the rolled tonehole unlevelness issue and are working to correct it. Kudos to them- if they can do it. I sure hope so.

Now to the mouthpiece hunt for the bari...

 

[Joe Jazz]

No sooner do I get back to having a JK trio then you start talking foursomes! Baaad SOTWer!

 

[abadcliche]

Well if it helps, only 2 of the altos and the bari are in playing condition at the moment. I have a good relationship with my repair guy though...

 

[Joe Jazz]

Ok, I feel better...thanks!

 

[bari_sax_diva]

Ooo... I played one of those baris at the Namm show last January, and it was a treat. Congratulations!

-Leanne

 

[Morry]

Now to the mouthpiece hunt for the bari...

No need to hunt. Buy a Yanagisawa metal piece for it. You'll be pleased, if you are playing anything other than the straightest traditional jazz.

 

[rleitch]

A good one?

http://brassandwoodwind.ca/Mouthpieces/HCoufArtistBaritone/

Rory

 

[AmSaxPlayer]

Congrats on the bari!

Which alto besides the King Modell 3 did you get up and running? I'm really curious to hear about how the Amati Toneking and Series II turn out!

 

[shmuelyosef]

I count that as at least a sextet...size doesn't matter!!
I also concur that the Yani metal pieces are very versatile, and particularly good on Keilwerth baris. I currently have a quintet of JKs...none of them say Keilwerth on them...and no soprano (the JK sopranos have never floated my reed)

Alto - Conn DJH 108M, King Tempo (fresh overhaul, watch for sale soon)
Tenor - Conn DJH 110M
Bari - King Tempo Low A, Couf Superba I Bb

 

[abadcliche]

Cool- the yani and SR tech pieces are ones I think I can try out at work before buying them, which is always a plus. I will probably also try to get a used Runyon custom if I can. I've been playing the horn all morning, and I even placed an ad on Craigslist looking for other classical cats nearby who want to play. Needless to say, I'm pretty excited! I'm currently using a Vandoren Optimum BL3 on it that I have lying around- it works, but it doesn't float my reed as shmuelyosef says.

I played a New King Series III soprano that I liked, except this particular one was pretty messed up, and also the 2nd octave was a bit sharp relative to the lower one no matter what mouthpiece I played. It had a great tone, though. I can deal with the modern Keilwerth sopranos, but it doesn't set my world on fire.

Joe, the Amati Toneking is playable, but its not nearly in GOOD playing condition and I haven't overhauled it and therefore don't really enjoy playing it. I hesitate to make any judgements before it is in great condition, but it definitely seems like it will be a different beast than any of the series I horns I have played. Hopefully sometime early next year I can squeeze in an overhaul or two on some of my own horns vs. stuff for my website and get that Series II alto and the Modell 3 tenor going.

 

[AmSaxPlayer]

Hopefully sometime early next year I can squeeze in an overhaul or two on some of my own horns vs. stuff for my website

Not if I can help it

 

[abadcliche]

Hahaha tell me about it! You are up next on the list both for website work and repairs at work work- everywhere I go there will be a Amsaxplayer horn waiting for me.

 

[CiaranAudio]

I can only dream....

congrats!

 

[martysax]

Shhhhhhh...Now I have to buy a Super 20 Bari!:x

 

[LampLight]

A good one?

http://brassandwoodwind.ca/Mouthpieces/HCoufArtistBaritone/

Rory

Not to rain on the parade, but one of the side rails has a chip in it. OTOH, at least these guys are showing the chip to buyers.