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Well, at long last the much anticipated new Aqulia sax C-melody arrived!
The following are my initial impressions:
First, the case is nice. While some would call it a semi-hard case, it is indeed hard and has a nice full length pocket , ruck sack straps and velcro closure to hold both handles together. It has ample space inside, a neck slot and mp slot.
MP is the metal #7 (not stock with the horn). Also well made silver plated and has a nice cap and lig, all silver plated. Seems to be open enough for me on the first few toots.
I will probably move to rovner lig as I don't like two screw type ligs. Nothing wrong with the original though!
And now the horn!
First I took it out of the cloth bag and fully inspected it for blemishes. It is really a very handsome horn and the engraving is very tastefully done. Not overblown, like I usually get done on my horns
. I looked top to bottom, and it is flawless. The horn is black nickle plated with silver plated keys. I could find no rough edges or bad milling on the keys or posts, and all the keys seemed to seal well on first inspection.
Pearls are the fake paste ones, but still look quite nice. The thumb rest is indeed very comfortable, as Steve advertised, and is made of beautiful paua shell. I am going to replace all the pearls with paua shell eventually.
I filed on one of the Aquila sax reeds that I purchased and made it ready to play. To get the horn to play in tune I had to push the mp pretty far in, but when I got it in tune (pretty much), it had a very nice, full dark tone. It was totally unlike my Martin C mel in every way.The staff C seemed a little hard to get in tune, but I am attributing that to adjustment and MP right now.
It seems easy to play so far, but I must add that I haven't had the horn inspected for leaks yet and I am sure it is leaking a little somewhere. So off to the repair shop tomorrow to get it tuned up and banging on all 8 cylinders.
The highs and lows were a little hard to get out today, but once it is in perfect adjustment I expect it will be much easier to play. I will then give a detailed account of the playing characteristics.
Ergos are great, although I must say I think the straight neck (which I am waiting to receive) will be more confortable and easier to play.
I must say though, that my opinion of Chinese saxes has drastically changed after seeing this horn! It is WELL made. Steve has delivered what I think initially, is a very good product. If I can go by this horn, then I wouldn't hesitate to order another Aquila sax.
The following are my initial impressions:
First, the case is nice. While some would call it a semi-hard case, it is indeed hard and has a nice full length pocket , ruck sack straps and velcro closure to hold both handles together. It has ample space inside, a neck slot and mp slot.
MP is the metal #7 (not stock with the horn). Also well made silver plated and has a nice cap and lig, all silver plated. Seems to be open enough for me on the first few toots.
I will probably move to rovner lig as I don't like two screw type ligs. Nothing wrong with the original though!
And now the horn!
First I took it out of the cloth bag and fully inspected it for blemishes. It is really a very handsome horn and the engraving is very tastefully done. Not overblown, like I usually get done on my horns
. I looked top to bottom, and it is flawless. The horn is black nickle plated with silver plated keys. I could find no rough edges or bad milling on the keys or posts, and all the keys seemed to seal well on first inspection.Pearls are the fake paste ones, but still look quite nice. The thumb rest is indeed very comfortable, as Steve advertised, and is made of beautiful paua shell. I am going to replace all the pearls with paua shell eventually.
I filed on one of the Aquila sax reeds that I purchased and made it ready to play. To get the horn to play in tune I had to push the mp pretty far in, but when I got it in tune (pretty much), it had a very nice, full dark tone. It was totally unlike my Martin C mel in every way.The staff C seemed a little hard to get in tune, but I am attributing that to adjustment and MP right now.
It seems easy to play so far, but I must add that I haven't had the horn inspected for leaks yet and I am sure it is leaking a little somewhere. So off to the repair shop tomorrow to get it tuned up and banging on all 8 cylinders.
The highs and lows were a little hard to get out today, but once it is in perfect adjustment I expect it will be much easier to play. I will then give a detailed account of the playing characteristics.
Ergos are great, although I must say I think the straight neck (which I am waiting to receive) will be more confortable and easier to play.
I must say though, that my opinion of Chinese saxes has drastically changed after seeing this horn! It is WELL made. Steve has delivered what I think initially, is a very good product. If I can go by this horn, then I wouldn't hesitate to order another Aquila sax.
