[Saxydude]

Anyone have any experience with these Chinese-made eBay specials: the Eastern Music "Power Neck"? Seen here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-neck...-saxophone-neck/223466111781?var=522222806452. There's a video demo on YouTube w/ a Series III tenor, but there's next to no change in sound.

Listing says it's made with "Germany [sic] Copper" and then silver plated - an intriguing combo. I'm generally skeptical of anything Chinese-made, but I understand that China has been producing some better instruments and accessories in recent years. Perhaps these necks fall into the "surprising" camp? Then again, I also don't want something made with lead or, perhaps worse, something that makes my tenor sound/play worse.

I currently play a YTS-875B (original Custom, not the EX) with the original M1 neck. I love the horn, but I'm looking for a little more "punch" for my R&B gigs. My other thought is a silver-plated G1 neck.

Thoughts? Other suggestions? Thanks!

 

[coltrane22]

I have a silver plated G1 on my 875s which has plenty of punch. I bought a V1, so if you’d like a G1 for $150 plus shipping let me know.

 

[mmichel]

Like anything else, how well it works will depend on your horn.

I'm currently using one (a silver-plated brass one) with my Keilwerth ToneKing alto.

I originally got it as a stopgap, because I thought my stock neck might be leaking (the tenon needed to be expanded).
I since got the stock neck fitted and checked, but the "power neck" still works better for me. Functionally, it differs in two ways from the stock neck:
1. It responds more easily and produces less back pressure.
2. It raises the pitch of the "short tube" keys (i.e., c# and palm keys).

In my case, both of these results are desireable (e.g., the short tube keys play flat with the stock neck), but they may not be for your horn/mouthpiece combo.

The main physical difference with my stock neck, as far as I can tell, are that the power neck has a considerably larger inner diameter at the mouthpiece end. My stock neck has a narrower outer diameter and, additionally, has one of those brass inserts brazed in.

 

[Saxydude]

Functionally, it differs in two ways from the stock neck:
1. It responds more easily and produces less back pressure.
2. It raises the pitch of the "short tube" keys (i.e., c# and palm keys).

In my case, both of these results are desireable (e.g., the short tube keys play flat with the stock neck), but they may not be for your horn/mouthpiece combo.

The main physical difference with my stock neck, as far as I can tell, are that the power neck has a considerably larger inner diameter at the mouthpiece end. My stock neck has a narrower outer diameter and, additionally, has one of those brass inserts brazed in.

Very helpful - thank you.

 

[whaler]

I bought the lacquered “German copper” Chinese power neck for my BA and I hate to say it but it plays better than the original.
For $80 shipped and a return policy you can’t really go wrong trying it. It sure beats the other guys selling Chinese necks for $800 which I doubt play 10 times better. That’s one helluva mark up just for having the factory change the badge.

 

[J.Max]

Anyone have any experience with these Chinese-made eBay specials: the Eastern Music "Power Neck"? Seen here: https://www.ebay.com/itm/Power-neck...-saxophone-neck/223466111781?var=522222806452. There's a video demo on YouTube w/ a Series III tenor, but there's next to no change in sound.

Listing says it's made with "Germany [sic] Copper" and then silver plated - an intriguing combo. I'm generally skeptical of anything Chinese-made, but I understand that China has been producing some better instruments and accessories in recent years. Perhaps these necks fall into the "surprising" camp? Then again, I also don't want something made with lead or, perhaps worse, something that makes my tenor sound/play worse.

I currently play a YTS-875B (original Custom, not the EX) with the original M1 neck. I love the horn, but I'm looking for a little more "punch" for my R&B gigs. My other thought is a silver-plated G1 neck.

Thoughts? Other suggestions? Thanks!

Get a V1. I have the same horn and the V1 neck makes it so much better.

 

[Saxydude]

I bought the lacquered "German copper" Chinese power neck for my BA and I hate to say it but it plays better than the original.
For $80 shipped and a return policy you can't really go wrong trying it. It sure beats the other guys selling Chinese necks for $800 which I doubt play 10 times better. That's one helluva mark up just for having the factory change the badge.

Great point, Whaler! Definitely worth a shot at the price point and with the return policy.

Get a V1. I have the same horn and the V1 neck makes it so much better.

I gave a lot of thought to the V1, but I'm concerned it's a little too far in the MOAR POWER direction.

 

[mmichel]

Very helpful - thank you.

No problem.

FWIW, I just went back and measured the difference in the inner diameters that I referenced above.

It's 12.75 mm for the Power Neck versus about 11.0 mm for my stock neck. In this video, Curt Altarac describes how the neck dimensions can alter tuning. Based on this, it makes sense that my palm key pitches were raised. You may want to measure the inner diameter of your Yamaha neck and check your tuning to make sure that the Power Neck is not likely to exacerbate any existing tuning issues.

 

[saxcop]

I think there is no risk at the price point with the power neck. The return policy is not worth much. Are you really going to ship it back at your expense to china over 80 bucks. No, you will probably sell it for 50-60 and take the loss.

As to the V1 neck it is not way more powerful. It more flexible. I have an 875 as well and have the V1 and M1 necks.

 

[Saxydude]

I think there is no risk at the price point with the power neck. The return policy is not worth much. Are you really going to ship it back at your expense to china over 80 bucks. No, you will probably sell it for 50-60 and take the loss.

As to the V1 neck it is not way more powerful. It more flexible. I have an 875 as well and have the V1 and M1 necks.

The return of the Chinese neck would be to CA, so I'm prepared to take advantage of the policy if I'm dissatisfied with the neck. In that event, I'll pursue either a G1 or V1. Thanks for your insight on the V1.

 

[1saxman]

Eastern Music is improving rapidly and they seem committed to doing what we want - they just have to know what that is. I bought an Eastern Music soprano direct (on ebay) for $410 counting shipping. I wasn't expecting much but it does play. Naturally I had to do some tweaks and find a mouthpiece for it which turned out to be one of the Chinese metals, a #12. A 12 is not actually big - they use a different system. It was bigger than the #8 I tried first. Some things that really work well with the horn; The shank bore is larger so it goes farther on easier - this is important because the horn plays flat, like all of them I have seen. The mouthpiece is also physically shorter which also helps tuning up. It has a modified rollover baffle which produces a fairly mellow tone, particularly with the curved neck.
I would try the 'copper' neck if I were you. One thing stood out in your post - a video showed it being compared to a Selmer Paris neck, and the result was 'no difference'. Think about that - if a Paris neck would improve your horn, you probably would use it, so why not the neck that was the same as the Paris neck on a Selmer? The Chinese are not playing. They have the tech to totally convert any sax part or whole horn to numerical equivalents, then manufacture those items to be exactly like the originals. What trips them up is the attention to detail in the finishing/setting-up process, but they are learning what it takes to be high-quality in the music world. They are already doing contracts for all of the 'Big 4' makers - how long before it becomes 'Big-5'? The answer is, probably never, because there is no one brand in China that is taking over as the #1. This is because of the nature of their manufacturing, where the major assembler gets parts from many smaller concerns. This works pretty well for tractors, but sax players want that 'boutique' quality where the major assembler makes everything in-house and has the highest artistic standards. If they ever get that, look out, but I don't see it coming.

 

[Saxydude]

I would try the 'copper' neck if I were you. One thing stood out in your post - a video showed it being compared to a Selmer Paris neck, and the result was 'no difference'. Think about that - if a Paris neck would improve your horn, you probably would use it, so why not the neck that was the same as the Paris neck on a Selmer?

This is a great point. I had a similar thought: well, if it plays comparably to a Series III neck, how bad can it possibly be?

I popped on the silver-plated copper neck I linked to in my first post. I'll follow-up with my findings here. A little concerned about possible tuning nuances based on mmichel's posts, but I'm always in the process of refining my embouchure and airstream as it relates to consistent tuning, so a boost of a couple cents in the upper stack and palm keys might be welcomed.

In the meantime, I'd love to hear more first-hand experiences with Eastern Music products - specifically the necks.

 

[Bozman]

Another plug in favor of the Eastern Music Power Neck. I had a raw brass SBA style neck for my 94000 MK VI that I have now sold in favor of another tenor. I won't attempt to give as detailed a critique as some others have, but will simply say that the Power Neck provided a significant improvement in sound and response when compared to the original neck. The sound was bigger and less bright than the original. Also FWIW, during the 21 years I played the VI, I used at one time or another; a Selmer 'Sterling Plus' , and a Ponzol neck and neither of those and while they were also an improvement over the original neck, neither of them provided the improvement that the Power Neck did.

 

[whaler]

The return of the Chinese neck would be to CA, so I'm prepared to take advantage of the policy if I'm dissatisfied with the neck. In that event, I'll pursue either a G1 or V1. Thanks for your insight on the V1.

They only offer two tenon sizes, 27.5mm and 28.5 mm. At first they sent the larger one by accident. They emailed me a return label and had the other in the mail before I'd even returned the first one.
Really good customer service and communication through eBay.

 

[Tenor Mattness]

I got one of these recently. I thought the sound and response was actually quite good. My complaints are that it arrived with a few minor dings throughout, it must have been dropped on the octave lever because it's pushed in a bit, and the tenon is too small to fit any of my vintage Selmers properly. I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet, but I could see myself ordering another one down the road if I'm in need of a good, cheap neck. Hopefully, the quality control continues to improve.

 

[B Flat]

I ordered one just this morning prior to reading this thread.
I got the SBA copper model.
I’m hoping it’s a good match for my Selmer Super Series Tenor.
Although I have the original neck it has had a pick up plug removed and patched on the underside.
While I don’t believe this has had any negative affect on how it plays, a second neck that I can cork a little thinner would allow for the different bore sizes of my two main pieces.
If it doesn’t work, I haven’t broken the bank and it may just be the right neck for another horn I have here with a severely damaged neck.

 

[whaler]

I got one of these recently. I thought the sound and response was actually quite good. My complaints are that it arrived with a few minor dings throughout, it must have been dropped on the octave lever because it's pushed in a bit, and the tenon is too small to fit any of my vintage Selmers properly. I haven't spent a lot of time with it yet, but I could see myself ordering another one down the road if I'm in need of a good, cheap neck. Hopefully, the quality control continues to improve.

Mine came in perfect condition and was an exact fit on my 1938 Selmer Balanced Action. It's a 27.5mm and a little too small for my Mark VI.
As I said above, they have great customer service and more than likely sent another with no questions asked.
I'm not keen on Chinese sax stuff but something with one key I figured it was worth the shot.

 

[turf3]

Do you think they make one for my $100 Mexi-Conn?

 

[mijderf]

They only offer two tenon sizes, 27.5mm and 28.5 mm. At first they sent the larger one by accident. They emailed me a return label and had the other in the mail before I'd even returned the first one.
Really good customer service and communication through eBay.

The sizes I read from their Ebay ad were 27.5 and 28.2. The 28.2 is advertised to fit Conns.

 

[JayeLID]

Like anything else, how well it works will depend on your horn.

Exactly.

I know I have posted this 100 times before but...watch THIS:

FWIW I have slapped these necks on a couple of contemporary tenors (a Jupe and a Yama 21) and they worked well. Cannot say 'better' than the originals because I neither had their originals so I couldn't compare.

I would be VERY wary of it working well on a vintage Conn....although, heck if you wanna chance it perhaps it would. But I just gave it the vid test vs. an Elkhart 16M neck I have here , and it didn't pass the test (however it failed via its natural pitch being lower around a half-step than the Conn...so, possibly this can be corrected by cutting off a bit of the Chinese neck (at mouthpiece end).

I am actually surprised it worked well on a vintage JK.

If it doesn't fall into the ballpark of passing the above test, it'll likely be a fail intonationally....