[J-Moen]

I recently asked Eastman to confirm if they were in fact making an updated version of the 652 (52nd St horns). Here was there response:

---------------------------
Jared,

Some day there will be an 852 tenor, but we are a ways off from releasing it. I would say it';s something we may be releasing early 2021, but not likely that many will be available until well into 2021. The main difference is likely going to be upgraded keywork - the body tube, bell, and overall sound will probably be similar to the 652.

Hope that helps!

Shane Deuel

Regional Sales Director

Eastman Music Company

Cell: (435) 640-8850
-------------------------------------

As a fan of the 52nd St horns, I thought this was pretty exciting. If you hadnt seen the 850 - Rue Saint George's - it is supposed to have greatly upgraded keywork, which is probably going to be transferred to the new 852s.

I already love the keywork of my 652, and the sound and tone are superb. Any upgrades could make for an even more fantastic saxophone! I'll be hopeful and excited to try one when they come out!

 

[JayeLID]

Could be interesting, although I have to say...there's nothing 'wrong' with the 652 keywork at all, lol....so actually, I would not expect there to be any dramatic modifications for the 852, more likely to be some tweaks to the design. IOW I don't see how or why the 652 'needs' 'greatly upgraded keywork', and I wouldn't expect the resulting model to actually exhibit something wildly different.
Personally, I hope the don't mess with it too much; there can be a point where a manufacturer succumbs to 'flavor of the month' mentality in trying to market their wares....while it would have been wiser not to mess with a good recipe.

It DOES seem that many more people are familiar with 52nd St's (or even just with recognizing the model name) than they are with the 6XX models...which is sorta too bad because personally I found the latter to be a very impressive product...so maybe the company is trying to boost the second model more....

 

[SimonJazzSax]

I was lucky enough to play the prototype 850 multiple times in the process of it's production and I'm very familiar with the key work differences.

It was made in conjunction with a Flute designer/maker, so the mechanisms are more like a flute. It's a totally different feel. It's not better or worse, just different.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

 

[J-Moen]

Could be interesting, although I have to say...there's nothing 'wrong' with the 652 keywork at all, lol....so actually, I would not expect there to be any dramatic modifications for the 852, more likely to be some tweaks to the design. IOW I don't see how or why the 652 'needs' 'greatly upgraded keywork', and I wouldn't expect the resulting model to actually exhibit something wildly different.
Personally, I hope the don't mess with it too much; there can be a point where a manufacturer succumbs to 'flavor of the month' mentality in trying to market their wares....while it would have been wiser not to mess with a good recipe.

It DOES seem that many more people are familiar with 52nd St's (or even just with recognizing the model name) than they are with the 6XX models...which is sorta too bad because personally I found the latter to be a very impressive product...so maybe the company is trying to boost the second model more....

Good point Jaye - The 850 - Rue Saint Georges - is specifically meant to be the upgrade to the 650 model. You can see some reviews of that model now. Schmidt music did one with a comparison of the 850 and the 652 altos and talked about some of the keywork upgrades. From my understanding, there were many requests about improvements to this model, namely keywork. So Andreas Eastman acquired the Haynes Flute company, and used the wonderfully smart people there to adapt and upgrade their keywork system on the 650, which resulted in the upgraded 850 horn. Now they want to adapt this newly improved system for the 52nd St Horns, so I say why not!

I do love the keywork on my 52nd st, super quick and low. Fastest I've ever been able to comfortably play! I'll be happy to try the 852 upgrades to see if I like it even more. If not, then I just keep loving the horn I have and save some cash on buying a new horn!

 

[SimonJazzSax]

Could be interesting, although I have to say...there's nothing 'wrong' with the 652 keywork at all, lol....so actually, I would not expect there to be any dramatic modifications for the 852, more likely to be some tweaks to the design. IOW I don't see how or why the 652 'needs' 'greatly upgraded keywork', and I wouldn't expect the resulting model to actually exhibit something wildly different.
Personally, I hope the don't mess with it too much; there can be a point where a manufacturer succumbs to 'flavor of the month' mentality in trying to market their wares....while it would have been wiser not to mess with a good recipe.

It DOES seem that many more people are familiar with 52nd St's (or even just with recognizing the model name) than they are with the 6XX models...which is sorta too bad because personally I found the latter to be a very impressive product...so maybe the company is trying to boost the second model more....

It's pretty significant changes in the mechanisms. It's unlike any saxophone ever made that I know of. Think saxophone made with flute mechanisms.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

 

[J-Moen]

It's pretty significant changes in the mechanisms. It's unlike ant saxophone ever made that I know of. Think saxophone made with flute mechanisms.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

Exactly! I completely forgot to include the Haynes Flute acquisition in the OP and newly developed keywork from their brilliant minds.

 

[J-Moen]

I was lucky enough to play the prototype 850 multiple times in the process of it's production and I'm very familiar with the key work differences.

It was made in conjunction with a Flute designer/maker, so the mechanisms are more like a flute. It's a totally different feel. It's not better or worse, just different.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

Very interesting Simon. I'd love to hear some of the specifics of what was different about it.

 

[Guto]

I was lucky enough to play the prototype 850 multiple times in the process of it's production and I'm very familiar with the key work differences.

It was made in conjunction with a Flute designer/maker, so the mechanisms are more like a flute. It's a totally different feel. It's not better or worse, just different.

Sent from my HD1925 using Tapatalk

I found this video about it very interesting:

 

[10mfan]

That video was very good. I will definitely like to try this horn!

 

[swperry1]

That video was very good. I will definitely like to try this horn!

Agreed, He certainly does a great job giving a little insight into what they're doing differently and a look into their approach as they continue to develop their lines. I love that RH pinky spatula set up!

 

[J-Moen]

I found this video about it very interesting:

Wow! Awesome video Guto, definitely some very interesting stuff. That's all from the 850 on a mkvi style instrument, so when/if all those features are added to the 52 line on the 852, it may finally be a super keywork upgrade to the vintage Conn vibe he spoke about on the 52nd at line. I know there have been many talks about that over the years!

That LH pinky cluster was amazing, as well as all of the right hand clusters. I'm truly interested in seeing the pinless keywork he showed too! Will be trying one in person as soon as I can find one lol

 

[soybean]

Very interesting.

 

[J-Moen]

Some good updates here! Here is a review of the upgraded 852 52nd St model!

The Beast From The East

Headwind Music is a saxophone specialist Woodwind & Brass store based in Bristol, also offering instrument repair and tuition.

headwindmusic.co.uk

They discuss most all the changes (and there are lots). To summarize:

• Factory Made in China - Private Eastman Owned and built facility that isn't producing any other companies horns (previously Taiwan)
• Neck slightly lower angle
• Eb/C Keys smaller
• Single brace key arms (previously double).
• Fixed palm keys (Previously adjustable Keilwerth style ones)
• Bell to body brace round profile 2-point one.
• Alternate F# round pearl (previously oval)
• Nickel silver neck tenon receiver clamp and G & high F# key rods.
• No lyre box (Sorry Klang Owners)
• Low C# key guard
• Key-touches are now a traditional white pearl previously: dark 'smokey' pearl style
• Smaller Left Hand Pinky Cluster.

Basically everything is moving to more MarkVI stylings. And according to the first link, so is the tone - much less Conn. I was always happy to tell people to try the Eastman as modernization of the 6m/10m.

That all said, I spoke with Tim Glessman of Sax Alley, and his employee Jack about this new 852 model horn. They were not pleased. They said the parts were lower quality and malleable, tone was far less prominent, and it wasn't a good experience for them. I don't think they intend to stock the new one.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Now that is super sad. Even thier GAS and GTS series are great. Why would they mess that up?

 

[J-Moen]

Now that is super sad. Even thier GAS and GTS series are great. Why would they mess that up?

It is a shame. I am now hanging onto my 52nd st Tenor for life! Love this thing!

 

[Olaf1]

Another Mark VI copy?... :/ What a disappointment.

 

[Pete Kelly]

Will go over well in Hong Kong.

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

It is a shame. I am now hanging onto my 52nd st Tenor for life! Love this thing!

Time will tell about that :0 but if the GAS/GTS series are any indication of what quality can be achieved then the 52nd Street will be top notch pro horns.

 

[J-Moen]

Time will tell about that :0 but if the GAS/GTS series are any indication of what quality can be achieved then the 52nd Street will be top notch pro horns.

Yeah, Tim Glessman at Sax Alley loved the old 652, 650, 640 and the Giardinelli, made by Eastman horns! A shame they didn't stick to all that. Although I suppose I would still like to try an 852 and the Rue St Georges model (850).

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Yeah, Tim Glessman at Sax Alley loved the old 652, 650, 640 and the Giardinelli, made by Eastman horns! A shame they didn't stick to all that. Although I suppose I would still like to try an 852 and the Rue St Georges model (850).

If I were interested in changing my staid set up of B&S CJS tenor, and Kohlert alto and tenor I could definitely be persuaded to trial these. However, I'm not changing anything but that doesn't mean I don't want to try new product. This is on that list.