[saxoclese]

This is one of a series of videos made by Curt Altarac and the folks at Music Medic. It clearly demonstrate the different "tonal colors" of various modern and vintage saxes played side by side by a professional player. As a teacher and repair tech I especially liked the reviews of the Wilmington and student Chateau saxes at a price point that is accessible to many young players just starting out.

 

[saxoclese]

Here is a comparison of the same passage played on 10 different altos back to back.

https://soundcloud.com/jbtsax%2Fwilmington-alto-comparison-with-max-snyder-live-from-musicmedic-sax-proshop
1. Wilmington with standard pads
2. Wilmington with Schmidt gold self leveling pads
3. King Super 20 leather pads
4. Conn 6M black roo pads
5. Conn 6M white roo pads
6. Selmer Dorsey Model chocolate roo pads
7. Selmer Reference 54 leather pads
8. Selmer S80II leather pads
9. Chateau Intermediate Pisoni pads
10. Chateau Student Model Pisoni pads

 

[J-Moen]

Thanks for sharing Saxoclese! This is indeed a great comparison. Definitely shows how similar a pro player can sound regardless of gear :lol:

But in all seriousness, those Chateau and Wilmington saxes are probably some of the best values in the sax world

 

[zxcvbnm]

Here is a comparison of the same passage played on 10 different altos back to back.

https://soundcloud.com/jbtsax%2Fwilmington-alto-comparison-with-max-snyder-live-from-musicmedic-sax-proshop
1. Wilmington with standard pads
2. Wilmington with Schmidt gold self leveling pads
3. King Super 20 leather pads
4. Conn 6M black roo pads
5. Conn 6M white roo pads
6. Selmer Dorsey Model chocolate roo pads
7. Selmer Reference 54 leather pads
8. Selmer S80II leather pads
9. Chateau Intermediate Pisoni pads
10. Chateau Student Model Pisoni pads

Thanks!

I put the first Wilmington first, the first 6M second, and the Ref 54 third. These three all seemed like very good horns, but for the tone the player was going for, the edginess/buzziness of the Wilmington fits better.

The Super 20, the second 6M, and the S80II were unexpectedly not good. Probably it has to do with being out of adjustment, though.

Chateau intermediate was meh, but honestly not far off from the rest of the pack. The Chateaus student sounded noticeably less full and resonant than the others. Definitely was the odd one out.

 

[saxoclese]

This is a bit off topic and I don't know where to post this question. Can someone tell me how to "embed" a video or a Sound Cloud file in a post? Thanks.

 

[lydian]

This is a bit off topic and I don't know where to post this question. Can someone tell me how to "embed" a video or a Sound Cloud file in a post? Thanks.

If you Go Advanced and click the film icon, the linked video will be embedded. Click the Soundcloud icon for Soundcloud (2 over from the Yahoo icon on the bottom toolbar).

 

[mmichel]

Thanks!

I put the first Wilmington first, the first 6M second, and the Ref 54 third. These three all seemed like very good horns, but for the tone the player was going for, the edginess/buzziness of the Wilmington fits better.

The Super 20, the second 6M, and the S80II were unexpectedly not good. Probably it has to do with being out of adjustment, though.

Chateau intermediate was meh, but honestly not far off from the rest of the pack. The Chateaus student sounded noticeably less full and resonant than the others. Definitely was the odd one out.

I agree that the Wilmingtons sounded better for this player. However, you should keep in mind that (1) the player (Max) normally plays on a Wilmington, so it's what he's used to and (2) he plays on a pretty extreme mouthpiece (Jumbo Java) that may not be well matched to some of the other horns.

He seemed to struggle with intonation on some of the others, especially the Super20.

 

[skeller047]

I actually had a different conclusion. I thought that the Selmers sounded better (no accounting for taste!). The surprising thing for me was that the 6Ms did not have that round sweetness I am used to hearing.

I agree that the Jumbo Java was not my idea of a good alto sound. However Max sounded great, again no accounting for taste. There is a wide spectrum of good sound!

 

[Jerry K.]

Favorites were the Ref 54 (just a shade darker) followed by the first Wilmington. Amazing how good pros just sound like themselves, regardless of their horn or other bits!

 

[KeithL]

They all sound pretty similar to me. It seems like we're hearing a lot of the room (large open, concrete floors, etc.) in this video as well as maybe some of the limitations of the miking being used. I suspect there would be more difference to hear if you were there in the room than the video suggests.

 

[milandro]

If you Go Advanced and click the film icon, the linked video will be embedded.

that works, for youtube videos and maybe vimeo, not every video wil be embedded this way ( and certainly not a video not on a hosting site)

 

[Zephyrwolf]

I liked all the vintage horns and the Ref 54.

 

[J-Moen]

I liked all the vintage horns and the Ref 54.

Man some of those vintage horns were pretty rough sounding though... Hard setup with the Jumbo Java

 

[saxoclese]

Being intrigued by the look, the sound, and the price point of the Wilmington I "bit the bullet" and ordered one. I had it shipped to my former repair apprentice who now lives in New Orleans who plays professionally to get his opinion as to how it plays before he sends it to me. I am going to go through it with a "fine tooth comb" on the repair bench. At the end I will report "our" conclusions and opinions in this thread.

 

[J-Moen]

Being intrigued by the look, the sound, and the price point of the Wilmington I "bit the bullet" and ordered one. I had it shipped to my former repair apprentice who now lives in New Orleans who plays professionally to get his opinion as to how it plays before he sends it to me. I am going to go through it with a "fine tooth comb" on the repair bench. At the end I will report "our" conclusions and opinions in this thread.

I would be very interested in a thorough review from you! This horn has tempted me on multiple occasions as well! I was hoping they would release a tenor, but got impatient and got my current tenor instead. I'd love a fine tooth comb repair review and your (and your former apprentice) thoughts on how it plays!

 

[Zephyrwolf]

Man some of those vintage horns were pretty rough sounding though... Hard setup with the Jumbo Java

The Jumbo would not be my choice. That silver Conn was not rough. I think the video is partly designed to sell Wilmington. No problem with Music Medic. They have superb costumer service.

 

[Reet McVouty]

Sorry, but I couldn't get past the poor recording quality on this video clip. There wasn't a microphone in sight, so one has to assume the mike was somewhere in the room catching all the sound bouncing all over the place. Or, maybe this was done on a phone. I couldn't ascertain much from this at all.

 

[BrentB]

Being intrigued by the look, the sound, and the price point of the Wilmington I "bit the bullet" and ordered one. I had it shipped to my former repair apprentice who now lives in New Orleans who plays professionally to get his opinion as to how it plays before he sends it to me. I am going to go through it with a "fine tooth comb" on the repair bench. At the end I will report "our" conclusions and opinions in this thread.

I just came upon this thread and was going to ask if you had played one.

I look forward to what you and your ex-apprentice think about it.

 

[mikerudd2]

I’m looking forward to checking these out in detail. Max is a GREAT player and I’m proud to calm him a close friend.

In the past Max played an old Vito w/same mpc setup, with great success. His sound in person is huge, bright and vocal; a consummate lead alto tone. That said, I’m very interested to hear what he does with a Conn 6M.