Currently I am in the market for a new sax, having played on my Jupiter student model from 1994 for a good six years. Due to the price and reviews from other forum members, I am highly considering a Barone. I am concerned, however, if I am able to easily return the saxophone (for I had tried out a Yas-62II based on reviews here, and did not like it). I am also wondering about the difference between the vintage and classic models, because there is a solid difference in price between the two. I am going to buy an alto, and I am looking into the black nickel finish (recommendations on finishes accepted).
Classic Vs. Vintage and Returning
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Fair question. Yes, traditionally there has been a 7-day return policy, but as another poster said, best to talk to Phil directly. You can get him by phone and he's pretty free and liberal with helping people out. He's probably the best one to describe the horns as well. My own experience is that the Classic horns are slightly less conical, yielding a more focused sound, more similar to some of the best saxophones of the 60's and 70's. By contrast, the Vintage series is somewhat more conical, with a slightly wider body near the bell as a result (you can verify this simply by putting each into the same saxophone stand by turns and looking at the fit). The resulting sound is broader, more like a vintage horn, especially a Conn or an older Martin. Depends on your preferred tone. It would be easier to get close to a sound like Richie Cole or Cannonball on the Classic, easier to get near Getz or Desmond on the Vintage. Also bear in mind that the choice of mouthpiece has a bigger impact on your sound than the choice of horn. Hope this helps.
Thanks for the replies. Koumou, the YAS 62II could not hit high notes with the smoothness that I could get out of the store's own brand (ABI). The store brand had other problems that kept me from really enjoying and thus I returned to my search. Grimmel, thanks for the explanatory reply. Based on your explanation, I'll probably be looking at the vintage alto, but I'll contact Phil and see what he says.
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Grimmel is correct. I have owned and played both a Vintage model and a Classic model. I opted for the Classic model because it does have a more focussed sound, as opposed to the Vintage which was a more spread sound. I will say the Vintage model had the most unbelievable bottom end I have EVER heard. Verbatim.
The classic is a great horn. I have four of them now. The black nickel I have in a soprano, as well as a gold plate in a soprano, plus a vintage gold lacquer and satin lacquer in a tenor. My favourite finishes are the satin lacquer and black nickel.
I hope this helps you.
The classic is a great horn. I have four of them now. The black nickel I have in a soprano, as well as a gold plate in a soprano, plus a vintage gold lacquer and satin lacquer in a tenor. My favourite finishes are the satin lacquer and black nickel.
I hope this helps you.
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1,938 Posts
its nice and refreshing to hear grimmel, evan1 and others give simple clear and concise description of the sound of these two horns.
Believe it or not, if you look and read around, most people can't or won't describe the fundamentals of the tonal qualities of a horn; as if it is sacrilegious to have a subjective though highly experienced opinion.
Yes there are loads of caveats, "you create your own sound and sound concept", "mouthpiece affects the sound", "different people sound different on the same horn", "you have to try it out to see if it matches your sound concept" etc. etc. ....OK OK I got it. All true...but there are fundamental tonal qualities to horns and they aren't that obscure or mysterious to characterize. They are somewhat based on bore and shape which are more or less immutable traits and influences to tonal quality, projection, character etc.
It has cleared up for me which I'd be leaning toward. I don't like a focused and "dry" a sound and I get the clear sense that the Vintage would be the one for me with more warmth and hopefully not too much spread
Believe it or not, if you look and read around, most people can't or won't describe the fundamentals of the tonal qualities of a horn; as if it is sacrilegious to have a subjective though highly experienced opinion.
Yes there are loads of caveats, "you create your own sound and sound concept", "mouthpiece affects the sound", "different people sound different on the same horn", "you have to try it out to see if it matches your sound concept" etc. etc. ....OK OK I got it. All true...but there are fundamental tonal qualities to horns and they aren't that obscure or mysterious to characterize. They are somewhat based on bore and shape which are more or less immutable traits and influences to tonal quality, projection, character etc.
It has cleared up for me which I'd be leaning toward. I don't like a focused and "dry" a sound and I get the clear sense that the Vintage would be the one for me with more warmth and hopefully not too much spread
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