[JayeLID]

Really excited about this one we have just finished up !!!!...a Borgani "Orfeo Borgani Tenore" tenor in bare brass. Serial # preceded by "OBT"...

Given the works: chem bathed, soap bathed, completely repadded with MM Tan pads with gold domed resos, rods and screws cleaned, holes leveled, keys swedged, reassembled, regulated.

Body arrived in fine, fine shape, just a few small dings we attended to. The neck had a single dent which we removed, there is still the slightest sign of the dent rollout if one chooses to be uber-picky. The horn arrived with a nice patina having developed but also had some water spotting here and there, so we decided to chem bathe the body but not hand-polish it afterward, in order to keep the sheen down towards a more matte appearance. As you see in some pics, the majority of the spotting is gone but there are some areas where very, very slight remains of it are still visible. UPON request, we will do a hand-polish on the body so those 'spot shadows' will be gone - just keep in mind the body will then have more of a 'shiny sheen' appearance (which will still patina over time).
If you look at the neck pic, you can see how much she has already patina'd down in hue - the horn body was chem bathed 8 days before the neck was, so that can give you an idea of where the aesthetics of the bare brass is going.
The keys, absent of serious spotting or water/moisture marks, etc, was left with the original patina (all keywork was soap-washed, of course).

Tube plumb, holes level, body and neck in excellent shape, keywork and rollers are free & snappy. Incredibly well-made instrument, was truly a pleasure to service.

This horn is really special. Just a nice big, dark, well-balanced tone with a nice focus to the sound and very rich in harmonics. Lush, smoky, with good edge...and she really opens up when pushed. Free blowing. Ergos are very good, keywork is nice and slick and easy to maneuver around.

Comes with a really NICE case, a BAM case...seemingly indestructible, actually.

$2895 plus shipping. Ships from NM. International sales not out of consideration.

Paypal, US Postal MO, Bank Cashier Check. Paypal F&F will get you a significant discount.

 

[JayeLID]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

Case....

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

I had no idea Borgani made such a beautiful tenor.

 

[Waver]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

I have the sister or very close relative of this horn. Bare brass, looks identical. Ser # 1952XXJ.

I've owned (still own some) Conn, Buescher, and King tenors, and this Borgani is the one I play!

 

[Dr G]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

I have the sister or very close relative of this horn. Bare brass, looks identical. Ser # 1952XXJ.

I've owned (still own some) Conn, Buescher, and King tenors, and this Borgani is the one I play!

Yours is a close relative, Waver. They share the same improved mechansim, but this one has a few differences: The OBT has a smaller bore/bell and is a lil' quicker responding in my experience, the bow-to-body connection is soldered rather than clamped, and there is no high F#. These are all the same details as my OBT. You can see the differences in the image that I just posted in the "Post Your Saxophone Family" thread. It still has the bold yet lush sounds typical of a Borgani - I liken the OBT vs J relationship to the Buescher Aristocrat vs Top Hat & Cane.

Bottom line: You need both! :borg: :twisted: :bluewink:

 

[JayeLID]

Thanks for the details, Dr....:salute:

 

[chubarry]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

Yours is a close relative, Waver. They share the same improved mechansim, but this one has a few differences: The OBT has a smaller bore/bell and is a lil' quicker responding in my experience, the bow-to-body connection is soldered rather than clamped, and there is no high F#. These are all the same details as my OBT. You can see the differences in the image that I just posted in the "Post Your Saxophone Family" thread. It still has the bold yet lush sounds typical of a Borgani - I liken the OBT vs J relationship to the Buescher Aristocrat vs Top Hat & Cane.

Bottom line: You need both! :borg: :twisted: :bluewink:

So, I'm intrigued Dr G - what would you say are the relative advantages of having both an OBT & a J series tenor? (I haven't played an Aristocrat or a TH&C). As you know, I have a Lovano J series that pretty much seems to check off all the boxes on my checklist..... What would/could an OBT add? Thanks...

 

[Dr G]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

So, I'm intrigued Dr G - what would you say are the relative advantages of having both an OBT & a J series tenor? (I haven't played an Aristocrat or a TH&C). As you know, I have a Lovano J series that pretty much seems to check off all the boxes on my checklist..... What would/could an OBT add? Thanks...

More! Hah!. :twisted: :bluewink: :borg:

I went through some soul searching and horn binging/tenor hoarding a few years ago, and decided that I wanted/needed more than one tenor. I had a King Super 20 (full pearls), Big B, TH&C, and FIVE (!) Borgani Jubilee tenors of various finishes and flavors. When all was said I done, I determined that a) I wanted a backup tenor that a different voice, and b) I preferred a similar mechanism. I really dug the two Bueschers that I owned - both were recently overhauled, and played really sweet... but I really didn't care for either pinkie table (the Big B was my least favorite in a long time). I did, however love the contrast of their voices and response. The OBT offers a similar complement to the J - Where the J is big and free-blowing, the OBT is quicker to respond and seems to slot notes better. The neck tenons are measurably different - the J tenon will not fit into the OBT receiver, bows are different, bells are different, the J is a bigger bore horn, but they share the exact same mechanism throughout. You can see the comparo in the recent thread "Post Photos of Your Saxophone Family".

Both have classic Borgani characteristic voice and vibe - if you dig one, you'll appreciate the other. Bottom line (IMNSHO): If you are going to have two tenors, and one of them is a Borgani, the best second horn to have is another Borgani.

 

[chubarry]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

More! Hah!. :twisted: :bluewink: :borg:

I went through some soul searching and horn binging/tenor hoarding a few years ago, and decided that I wanted/needed more than one tenor. I had a King Super 20 (full pearls), Big B, TH&C, and FIVE (!) Borgani Jubilee tenors of various finishes and flavors. When all was said I done, I determined that a) I wanted a backup tenor that a different voice, and b) I preferred a similar mechanism. I really dug the two Bueschers that I owned - both were recently overhauled, and played really sweet... but I really didn't care for either pinkie table (the Big B was my least favorite in a long time). I did, however love the contrast of their voices and response. The OBT offers a similar complement to the J - Where the J is big and free-blowing, the OBT is quicker to respond and seems to slot notes better. The neck tenons are measurably different - the J tenon will not fit into the OBT receiver, bows are different, bells are different, the J is a bigger bore horn, but they share the exact same mechanism throughout. You can see the comparo in the recent thread "Post Photos of Your Saxophone Family".

Both have classic Borgani characteristic voice and vibe - if you dig one, you'll appreciate the other. Bottom line (IMNSHO): If you are going to have two tenors, and one of them is a Borgani, the best second horn to have is another Borgani.

Thanks for the quick, informative and comprehensive answer!
I originally got the Borgani as a backup to my SML Gold Medal I that I've had for over 20 years. As you'd expect, the Borgani has become my main horn with its distinctive voicing but for me the 2 horns really complement each other. It may be that they share a Conn genetic connection but for now I'm set with both, using the SML as my "alternate" voicing horn. I also have a 1938 Martin that plays really well but its voice just doesn't fit with the other 2. It will be up for sale soon....

 

[Manitou]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

Thanks for the quick, informative and comprehensive answer!
I originally got the Borgani as a backup to my SML Gold Medal I that I've had for over 20 years. As you'd expect, the Borgani has become my main horn with its distinctive voicing but for me the 2 horns really complement each other. It may be that they share a Conn genetic connection but for now I'm set with both, using the SML as my "alternate" voicing horn. I also have a 1938 Martin that plays really well but its voice just doesn't fit with the other 2. It will be up for sale soon....

do you find that the gm 1 and 2 have a similar sound and how do they compare to the borgani sound wise.

 

[chubarry]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

do you find that the gm 1 and 2 have a similar sound and how do they compare to the borgani sound wise.

Never played a GM2 so can't answer that part. As for the GM1 vs the Borgani I can tell you my experience when I play them with my setup.

They both get the big, dark sound I'm looking for with similarly positioned in line keys (as opposed to the offset Selmer type) that I'm quite comfortable with. And they both project when I'm playing softly and just as well when I'm wailing. Projection is particularly important to me since I play mainly R&B, classic rock, and latin inspired rhythms so I'm often competing against very loud guitars. Finally, intonation is excellent on both.

I've been playing on my Lovano Borgani now for about 9 months and for me the reason it has become my main horn is that both the character of the note and how it's shaped is a bit more under my control giving me more of a sense of confidence in playing - lets me focus on the music coming out and less on technique. The Borgani feels a bit more of an extension of me, almost like I'm "singing" the notes as they come out the horn. But both get that warm, big enveloping sound that I hear in my head. I must say in a head-to-head comparison, the SML is a bit brighter when I play it. Still quite dark but a nice contrast to the Borgani. So, I mainly play the Borgani now and switch it up to my trusted SML as "my backup tenor with a different voice"....

I trust this the information you were looking for....

 

[Manitou]

Re: Borgani "OBT" Jubilee Tenor Sax, Bare Brass, Overhauled !

...
I trust this the information you were looking for....

yes, great, thanks for taking the time to respond

 

[JayeLID]

Horn still available folks. Developing a nice, even patina now and everything has 'settled in' nicely as far as regulation goes.

I'll even throw in some cork grease (new, at that !).

 

[JayeLID]

Still available.

$2775 plus ship; again we can discuss a discount if payment is Paypal F&F.

 

[JayeLID]

Amazingly.......this Borgani is still available. Price drop to $2675 plus ship.

 

[Dr G]

Is this still available?

Not hoarding, asking for a friend. Really!

 

[MaxTT]

Me too! Do you have any pics?

 

[ZootTheSim]

You can see pics at 2ndending.com. And it is a beautiful horn.

@Dr. G, I'm surprised you didn't like the Buescher pinkie table. Ergos are of course very personal, but I prefer the LH table on my TH&C tenor above all others.

 

[Hassles]

Pinky Tables - there of those us with short fingers, some with long and some with moderate. A little can mean a lot.

 

[Dr G]

You can see pics at 2ndending.com. And it is a beautiful horn.

@Dr. G, I'm surprised you didn't like the Buescher pinkie table. Ergos are of course very personal, but I prefer the LH table on my TH&C tenor above all others.

There was a lil' more to it, ZTS. I was looking to have a pair of horns with contrasting tone, and similar mechanisms. I did like the TH&C pinkie table, and did NOT like the Big B table - there is such a difference between the two (for me).