C Sopranos...
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actually Benedikt Eppelsheim also had one produced (in China) and then was no longer interested, and it was NOT a rip off design
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?133575-New-Eppelsheim-amp-Reese-C-soprano-saxophone
I think they are made, just not very big on the market
https://www.amazon.co.uk/soprano-saxophone-straight-Saxophone-instruments/dp/B01NBCQFFC
https://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?133575-New-Eppelsheim-amp-Reese-C-soprano-saxophone
I think they are made, just not very big on the market
https://www.amazon.co.uk/soprano-saxophone-straight-Saxophone-instruments/dp/B01NBCQFFC
Considering how many C sopranos already exist, and how few of them are actually bought and used, I think there's no question that the market can't support mass production. For full disclosure, I own and enjoy very much a C soprano (Holton to high F, approx. 1925).
When was the last time you saw any saxophone player, in any genre, performing on a C soprano?
When was the last time you saw any saxophone player, in any genre, performing on a C soprano?
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I agree the market is very small for mass production.
I play a King C soprano as my main soprano. I would love to try an Eppelsheim.
You can listen here:
I play a King C soprano as my main soprano. I would love to try an Eppelsheim.
You can listen here:
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In many of my performances either with chorus, or with my trio of Flute, saxophone and piano, I will often use a C soprano, depending on repertoire. I used to use my early Evette-Schaeffer, then a Conn, then my Mark VI era (77xxx) C soprano, and now my original Eppelsheim C soprano (which uses a Bb soprano mouthpiece).
Paul Cohen
Paul Cohen
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Thank you (I think) for the designation of "outlier". But my choice of instrument with which I concertize is determined by my role as professional performer, and not as historian and explorer. I do have mp3s, if anyone is interested, of my Eppelsheim C soprano in a chamber situation.
Paul Cohen
Yes, are these posted, or they have to come by PM? I'd like to have a listen.
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Thanks all for your comments. I agree there is probably not much demand for a C-sop but i doubt there is much demand for the C-Mels these days either yet the Chinese suppliers continue to offer them up for sale.
Others may agree or disagree but IMHO, the round warm sound of the C sop is generally more pleasant that the Bb cousin. I have a 95 year old Holton C sop that was overhauled several years ago. Plays great but i would probably try a modern one like the aquilas if they were available at a reasonable cost. In fact would rather take it on gigs than the Holton as to not risk damage.
Others may agree or disagree but IMHO, the round warm sound of the C sop is generally more pleasant that the Bb cousin. I have a 95 year old Holton C sop that was overhauled several years ago. Plays great but i would probably try a modern one like the aquilas if they were available at a reasonable cost. In fact would rather take it on gigs than the Holton as to not risk damage.
To me the C soprano has a noticeably lighter sound than the Bb, more delicate yet always definably a saxophone.
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I have a King C Soprano, and I agree with your comments above. Maybe the real opportunity would be a CURVED C soprano. I would love to try one, since I enjoy my Buescher curved Bb much more than the straight one.
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I play out my Buescher c-sop maybe half a dozen times a year, there is an Irish folk song group who keep inviting me (suspended right now) because the "light" or "playful" sound fits right in with what they are doing. And aside from the sound, it is also the weight of the instrument that is very different from a Bb sop and which makes it much less of a thumb strain to play.
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Just curious, but do they do covers from Riverdance? It wasn't until I saw that onstage that I realized how well a soprano can blend with that genre.
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I never know what in the world they are going to do, they all have a binder with about 100 Irish songs and it's usually two guitars, two fiddles, an acoustic bass and a mandoline. Most of the time they play songs I've never heard but once you get the feeling for the genre it's really easy to play a "solo" (technically not correct of course because they are playing on) and it has very little do do with a typical saxophone improv but just adding that kind of "wind-instrument extra" and it's a lot of fun even if it is just a simple melody. We haven't met since February but I'll check with them as soon as they start regrouping. And of course, right now, any wind instruments have a stigma ...
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I just learned recently that Morgan is now producing mouthpieces for C-Melody Sopranos. Just an fyi
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WOW, I would like to try one but for now, the Yamaha is the best of the lot for me.
Interestingly enough, though many have said only a true C soprano mouthpiece will work properly with a vintage C soprano, I have good results for both tone and intonation with a S-80 C* and a Rousseau 4R. I had to cut the shanks of both to get them on far enough.
It may be, of course, that the standards of someone like Professor Cohen are higher than mine, so what I think is "working" would not pass muster with better players of the C soprano.
Anyway, though I rarely use the C soprano, I like playing it very much, despite the kind of weird keywork (Holton keyed to high F).
It may be, of course, that the standards of someone like Professor Cohen are higher than mine, so what I think is "working" would not pass muster with better players of the C soprano.
Anyway, though I rarely use the C soprano, I like playing it very much, despite the kind of weird keywork (Holton keyed to high F).
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