[69193]

My first soprano arrived today.:mrgreen: I've got to say that I'm absolutely thrilled with it. I'd never played a sax smaller than a tenor before, so I was curious how it would go.

I'm a newb, where saxes are concerned. This "review" is far less technical/detailed than members of this forum are accustomed to...but I will attempt to provide my $.02 about this horn.

I don't have any points of comparison to comment on intonation or anything like that. What I will say is that this horn is a GREAT bang for your buck. I'll check in after the "honeymoon" period, but I don't see how that opinion could change. I can't imagine that you can find a better new soprano for $603 shipped (including Rico 'H' ligature).

I went with a 2.5 reed (up from the 2.0 I'm playing on tenor) based on Dave's recommendation. I think that's what I'll stay with.

Initial comments:

- Excellent packaging.

- Excellent setup. I LOVED the key setup. I was toying with the idea of having my tenor tuned up prior to this purchase. now I will definitely have that done.

-Ease of playing. I read here that going to soprano was some huge adjustment. I've only played my tenor a handful of times in the two months that I've had it. Other than that...I hadn't played a saxophone in 14 years. Despite that, I could play this right out of the case. There were some squeaks (big embouchure change for me), but other than that....I was thoroughly surprised/impressed.

-Build quality. I was surprised at how heavy it was. I could play this right after my old/antique German horn and not have the impression that I was picking up a cheap/inferior instrument.

-Mouthpiece. After speaking with Chuck, I decided to stay with the provided Rico mouthpiece. I have to agree that this mouthpiece works well with this horn.

-Summary. If you don't do the ligature upgrade (I would recommend doing it...as it works well with the supplied mouthpiece), you're looking at under $600 shipped. For a hobbyist (i.e. me) and/or someone that's not looking to spend $1,000+ on an instrument to double on...this is a great option. Price aside...I think this is a VERY solid instrument.

 

[Dave Dolson]

Congrats! Kessler knows how to do business. DAVE

 

[69193]

Thanks. I'm looking forward to becoming more proficient on the new horn. I'll have three whole evenings to myself in a week or so. I'll walk the dog, play the tenor and soprano, and play Battlefield 3 on Xbox 360.

 

[Little Sax]

Congrats!

 

[ratracer]

Congrats on the new axe! Encouraging to hear that the soprano isn't necessarily the torture stick for everyone!

Props out and a big well "duh" for Kessler's making the process so "uneventful". They've got a nasty reputation for doing that - consistently - time and time again! People are going to get the idea that that's the way they always do business before long!

Just want to point out that they've apparently raised the bar somewhat! I didn't get anything signed by Chuck "MR." Kessler (Dave's just the "net" dude really! :bluewink when I got my horn! You must be "special" or something. (Not that I'm bitter or anything! Just sayin! :mrgreen

 

[69193]

Congrats on the new axe! Encouraging to hear that the soprano isn't necessarily the torture stick for everyone!

Props out and a big well "duh" for Kessler's making the process so "uneventful". They've got a nasty reputation for doing that - consistently - time and time again! People are going to get the idea that that's the way they always do business before long!

Just want to point out that they've apparently raised the bar somewhat! I didn't get anything signed by Chuck "MR." Kessler (Dave's just the "net" dude really! :bluewink when I got my horn! You must be "special" or something. (Not that I'm bitter or anything! Just sayin! :mrgreen

Yup. My initial squeaks resulted (in part) from me trying to hold it more like a clarinet instead of bringing it up. If someone is capable of adapting through trial and error (i.e. tighten your embouchure and bring the horn up), they should be able to figure it out. The other thing is ensuring that you push out enough air in the low end of the lower register (slight gurgle below low D when not pushing enough air).

It was a good buying experience. UPS even cooperated by delivering it one day ahead of the original estimate. I'm looking forward to having the spare coin to make another purchase from them (I'd like to get a bari next).

Yeah....I'm kind of a big deal. :mrgreen: I thought that the signed card was a nice/personalized touch.

 

[69193]

I heard back from the local shop (I dropped the tenor off over lunch). The tenor needs to have several pads replaced (I'm not surprised). My $490 tenor (bought it two months ago) just turned into a $635 tenor. :|

 

[69193]

Just to follow-up...the local tech played the soprano this morning. Top to bottom...no issues. The gurgle is operator error. I'll order a bit softer reed and tinker with my embouchure.

 

[scargo]

I have a KCS2 I bought from a member of this board here, so I can't make a definitive comment about the set-up other than... it hasn't needed anything in 2 years of sporatic use and I did have it checked out by my tech. I do like the horn, all the problems are mine (still, IMHO, a sop newb, and probably always will be...so many trees, only one saw) except I don't like the Bb1 spatula, I find I can't stretch my pinky enough to really work it well. It is the horn I leave out the most (just to have a "grab" horn) and I do have to say it's modern keywork does help me out in trying to quickly learn tunes vs. my tenor 10M.

And, since I didn't deal directly with Dave (other than to call him at the beginning of the search, nice, knowledgable guy) all I can do is comment on the horn, the OP is correct, solid, great operator, looks good, sounds like...

me (which could be good or bad, depending upon your point of view)

 

[69193]

Just to follow-up...the local tech played the soprano this morning. Top to bottom...no issues. The gurgle is operator error. I'll order a bit softer reed and tinker with my embouchure.

Putting the mouthpiece way on there fixes the issue. (I'd have edited the last post, but this forum doesn't allow that). It plays great for me now from top to bottom. I prefer playing this to the tenor.

 

[Dr G]

Time for a new tenor! :twisted:

A good playing horn will trump a not-so-great, gotta-struggle-for-a-sound horn every time.

Tenor - It's all that matters.

Enjoy your sop.

 

[69193]

Time for a new tenor! :twisted:

A good playing horn will trump a not-so-great, gotta-struggle-for-a-sound horn every time.

Tenor - It's all that matters.

Enjoy your sop.

Yeah...I'll have to save up for a new tenor. While I enjoyed the vintage tenor (at first), I REALLY prefer the feel of the newer soprano.

I recently had eight pads replaced on the tenor, as well as a tune up. It's currently playing as well as it's going to (without springing for an overhaul). I find it amusing that having never played soprano before...I can play this horn better than my tenor.

 

[ratracer]

Well, what'dya know? I bet Kessler's could set you up with a matching tenor for your sop, ya think? :bluewink

(Pssst! My four year old Kessler Custom Deluxe tenor is still going strong. Nothing fallen off yet - but in sax years, it's still just a baby! Just sayin... :mrgreen

In the mean time, I'll ditto the Professor.