I have played these (although not in a few years) and they are just mediocre second-rate horns. For similar money, I would recommend something like a Kessler, where you are still getting a horn from a developing country, but with north american setup. The EX90 is NOT made in Germany as the ad implies, and bears no resemblance to the SX series.
Considering Keilwerth EX-90 from "Dominic's"
Hello, folks, first-time poster here, so please forgive me for restating the obvious questions.
Anyway, my to-be-7th grade son is hating his Yamaha YAS-23 to death and wants to upgrade. When his 23 was being fixed (for the 100th time), the repairman lent him a Keilwerth student model that he found a lot easier to play.
I've been looking around for deals on instruments, and have found one on Ebay that I'm wondering over its legitimacy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-KEILWERTH-E...ryZ16232QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
The price for this is far lower than anywhere I've seen. I've seen some comments about Dominic's on this forum that aren't too complimentary, but those tend to be about these "Monique" saxes he sells. Considering the number of instruments he's sold, his rating is pretty good (over 99%) and the ratings on this particular Keilwerth by buyers are pretty good as well.
Does anyone know anything about this particular model, and does this price seem suspicious? The model number seems to match up to what I've seen on Keilwerth's own web site.
I'm in Massachusetts, so I could visit his store (which, of course, isn't open on weekends) but I was hoping I might get some response from any Keilwerth experts in the field. Thanks!
Jeff in the Boston area
Anyway, my to-be-7th grade son is hating his Yamaha YAS-23 to death and wants to upgrade. When his 23 was being fixed (for the 100th time), the repairman lent him a Keilwerth student model that he found a lot easier to play.
I've been looking around for deals on instruments, and have found one on Ebay that I'm wondering over its legitimacy:
http://cgi.ebay.com/NEW-KEILWERTH-E...ryZ16232QQrdZ1QQssPageNameZWD1VQQcmdZViewItem
The price for this is far lower than anywhere I've seen. I've seen some comments about Dominic's on this forum that aren't too complimentary, but those tend to be about these "Monique" saxes he sells. Considering the number of instruments he's sold, his rating is pretty good (over 99%) and the ratings on this particular Keilwerth by buyers are pretty good as well.
Does anyone know anything about this particular model, and does this price seem suspicious? The model number seems to match up to what I've seen on Keilwerth's own web site.
I'm in Massachusetts, so I could visit his store (which, of course, isn't open on weekends) but I was hoping I might get some response from any Keilwerth experts in the field. Thanks!
Jeff in the Boston area
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
If D is selling it you can count on it being hyped and overpriced.
for only a few hundred $ more you can buy your son a used SX-90 or SX-90R that will last him all the way through high school and college
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Earlier-Ke...ryZ16232QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and by the way -- I would not buy a horn from dominic's music - the prices are way too high .
http://cgi.ebay.com/Rare-Earlier-Ke...ryZ16232QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem
and by the way -- I would not buy a horn from dominic's music - the prices are way too high .
I'll tell you what, for 1150, that Chicago model LA Sax in earthtone at WWBW someone posted the other day was a hell of a buy for the same money. do a forum search for "earthtone" and you'll find it, it's the Chicago series of LA Sax, basically a B&S stencil....for the same money. Damn nice horn...=)
- Pat
- Pat
From www.saxforte.com:
EX-90
These saxophones feature a large body and bow diameter and a long-radius bow curvature for a dark sound. Made in (formerly East) Germany. There are several deficiencies this model has with respect to the SX90 and SX90R. Cosmetic fit and finish is mediocre. Pearls are made of plastic, synthetic material. Table keys are awkwardly placed very close to the G key. Palm keys are not adjustable. Most importantly, these saxophones do not play as clearly nor project as well as their professional caliber siblings. saxƒorte does not offer these models for sale.
Rory
EX-90
These saxophones feature a large body and bow diameter and a long-radius bow curvature for a dark sound. Made in (formerly East) Germany. There are several deficiencies this model has with respect to the SX90 and SX90R. Cosmetic fit and finish is mediocre. Pearls are made of plastic, synthetic material. Table keys are awkwardly placed very close to the G key. Palm keys are not adjustable. Most importantly, these saxophones do not play as clearly nor project as well as their professional caliber siblings. saxƒorte does not offer these models for sale.
Rory
Another vote here to skip the EX-90. I am a huge fan of Keilwerths, but I don't consider the EX series "true" Keilwerths- made in a different factory (I know they say in former East Germany, but they sure look Taiwanese to me), overall not a good quality horn, and I would go so far as to say the Yamaha 23s are far superior.
My advice is do some research and ask some questions around here (most of us are happy to help) and take your son to playtest some horns. Just as an example, I have seen fully repadded Conn 6Ms from the 1950s go for around $1000 (and these are pro horns!) on this very message board. They are great horns, although his teacher may flip out when he sees it because it is definitely not a Selmer. I myself sold one a while ago for $1100 that I had completely overhauled.
If that 23 is getting badly beaten by an EX-90, I think that it might have some problems that are still not fixed- especially since a 23 that has been repaired tends to stay repaired unless your son is using it as a drumstick.
My advice is do some research and ask some questions around here (most of us are happy to help) and take your son to playtest some horns. Just as an example, I have seen fully repadded Conn 6Ms from the 1950s go for around $1000 (and these are pro horns!) on this very message board. They are great horns, although his teacher may flip out when he sees it because it is definitely not a Selmer. I myself sold one a while ago for $1100 that I had completely overhauled.
If that 23 is getting badly beaten by an EX-90, I think that it might have some problems that are still not fixed- especially since a 23 that has been repaired tends to stay repaired unless your son is using it as a drumstick.
Thank you for your responses. You've convinced me to skip this.
Jeff
Jeff
Which series of EX90 are being implied here? I? II? III? all?
The picture of Dominic's horn is a series III. That would be a Chinese horn, I think no?
Yes, that's my understanding...Morry said:The picture of Dominic's horn is a series III. That would be a Chinese horn, I think no?
I don't know where these horns are made, wether by Amati or Jupiter. Its meaningless, The design of the horn is made by Keilwerth, and these horns are phantastic players, and have good ergonomics. I have an EX 90 III Tenor and i bought it some weeks ago. I compared it to other Keilwerth's, Yamahas and Selmers and found no weakness except for the sticky Bb pad. So, if you are not too much prejudiced by big names why not buy this horn?The picture of Dominic's horn is a series III. That would be a Chinese horn, I think no?
Genau!bluesax said:I don't know where these horns are made, whether by Amati or Jupiter. Its meaningless, The design of the horn is made by Keilwerth, and these horns are phantastic players, and have good ergonomics. I have an EX 90 III Tenor and i bought it some weeks ago. I compared it to other Keilwerth's, Yamahas and Selmers and found no weakness except for the sticky Bb pad. So, if you are not too much prejudiced by big names why not buy this horn?
It's my understanding that these are made by Jupiter. Jupiter makes good saxes. If it's designed my Keilwerth and made by Jupiter, it's got to merit at least an honest play-trial. Forget the prejudices.
However, I've got to ask what's wrong with the YAS 23 that a new horn will cure? I picked one up in a pawn shop for $400.00 for my daughter and wound up playing it for two or three straight days with my new Selmer Serie II sitting in its case. They're not the same, of course, but my point is that the 23 is a kick-arsch little horn and I would think a good reason would be in store before going out and buying another "student" sax.
If you're going to upgrade, I would save the money and get a professional-level horn (i.e. take a look at the new Yamaha YAS 62 II - professional level at a bargain price).
1 - 13 of 13 Posts
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