[SaxPedalGuy]

Hi Everybody!

To clarify, I'm not paid to promote this company, but they were really nice and easy to work with AND they made me a ridiculous custom branded, tiger engraved tenor sax and delivered it to my doorstep for just over $600 so I like them and am a little biased.

I got this ridiculous horn for fun, attention, and so I wouldn't have to subject my Referance 54 to anymore busking or $50 bar gigs. Of course I also made an unboxing video.

In the video I was still skeptical of the horn, but after some minor adjustment (spring tensions, neck reciever opening, and neck cork sanding) it plays great and has almost paid for itself. It also does draw attention and frees me from worrying too much about it being stolen or damaged, so I'm happy.

Cheers!
SaxPedalGuy Dave

 

[Currawong]

Thanks very much for this video, too. I can see why some are tempted to go down that road, though I wouldn't do it myself.

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

Thanks very much for this video, too. I can see why some are tempted to go down that road, though I wouldn't do it myself.

You're very welcome. Do your thing!

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

For anyone still interested, the Chinese tenor still works! I had a repair tech lighten the action when I first got it and that helped immensely. A key pearl fell out and I super glued it back in. The case hardly lasted a year. All of those little things aside, I'm still using this horn regularly. 20 minutes at the repair shop this weekend tweaking the key seals and neck fitting and the horn is playing better than ever. I just finished a series of videos comparing this horn to my Selmer Referance 54. Yes the tone is thinner, but the horn plays and for the ridiculously low price the horn has served me well!

Cheers,
SaxPedalGuy Dave

Dave Dolengewicz on Instagram: "Epistemology is the study of knowledge, or stated in the form of a question, "how do we know what we know?" If you're still with me on the fourth take of the same solo transcription congratulations! You have some understanding of the rigor it takes to actually know something. If you just like to trust your gut and make quick decisions like some action movie hero, that's cool too, but you probably shouldn't pursue a career in science. This time around I'm using the Robert Carpenter mouthpiece and @rico.reeds Jazz Select reed from the first video on the $600 Chinese tenor. Compare it to the first video to observe the effects of the horn itself. Is your observation consistent with the change of horns using the @syosmusic mouthpiece and @legerereeds plastic reed? if so we can conclude more confidently that these observations coincide with the effects of the horn itself, and not other outside factors. Also to be as transparent as possible, the Robert Carpenter mouthpiece didn't cost me any more than the 3d printed mouthpiece (I purchased it from the man himself). It could very well be more valuable by now however because I'm not entirely sure where, or if I could find another one just like it. All the more reason to not use it in unpredictable situations like live gigs in small, stageless bars. #sax #saxo #saxofón #saxophone #colossus #sonnyrollins #gear #madness #comparison #scientificapproach #objectivelysubjective #propercomparison #mindyourvariables #whatistherighthanddoing"

14 Likes, 2 Comments - Dave Dolengewicz (@saxpedalguy) on Instagram: "Epistemology is the study of knowledge, or stated in the form of a question, "how do we know what..."

www.instagram.com

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

Further update on the state of my tenors! I just got a used Kessler Custom off of Craigslist today, and I gotta say, for only $100 more than the Binzhou Xingue tenor, it's a much better horn. Better build, better feel, and better tone. However it lacks the custom tiger engraving and logo. Do with this information what you must!

 

[Dr G]

Tenor - it’s all that matters, it’s what’s for breakfast.

Enjoy the ride!

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Hi Everybody!

To clarify, I'm not paid to promote this company, but they were really nice and easy to work with AND they made me a ridiculous custom branded, tiger engraved tenor sax and delivered it to my doorstep for just over $600 so I like them and am a little biased.

I got this ridiculous horn for fun, attention, and so I wouldn't have to subject my Referance 54 to anymore busking or $50 bar gigs. Of course I also made an unboxing video.

In the video I was still skeptical of the horn, but after some minor adjustment (spring tensions, neck reciever opening, and neck cork sanding) it plays great and has almost paid for itself. It also does draw attention and frees me from worrying too much about it being stolen or damaged, so I'm happy.

Cheers!
SaxPedalGuy Dave

Mrs. Vicki Gong is awesome and the company is at or better then Eastern Music which is actually TIDE music.

 

[JayeLID]

Further update on the state of my tenors! I just got a used Kessler Custom off of Craigslist today, and I gotta say, for only $100 more than the Binzhou Xingue tenor, it's a much better horn. Better build, better feel, and better tone. However it lacks the custom tiger engraving and logo. Do with this information what you must!

IOW...you get what you pay for.....

A gaining-a-good-reputation-over-the-years brand.... sold by a respected shop/business.... which costs only a few hundred dollars more than an asian cheapo....ends up being a better horn.

I did with your information what I must.....

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

Further update on the state of my tenors! I just got a used Kessler Custom off of Craigslist today, and I gotta say, for only $100 more than the Binzhou Xingue tenor, it's a much better horn. Better build, better feel, and better tone. However it lacks the custom tiger engraving and logo. Do with this information what you must!

IOW...you get what you pay for.....

A gaining-a-good-reputation-over-the-years brand.... sold by a respected shop/business.... which costs only a few hundred dollars more than an asian cheapo....ends up being a better horn.

I did with your information what I must.....

I have played this horn along with alto and soprano from same company. Although you might not be getting a build of the major manufacturers these are actually built very well. The issue I have with these cheap Chinese horns is not build but sound. I do not feel like they a solid core and the tone they produce is somewhat hollow and bland. The best of the bunch is the soprano imho. I know for a fact that these horns do not go through as much hand hammering as its European counterparts which can be heard when played and compared to my B&S. At $600 they are priced to work for someone on a lower budget who might enjoy a new horn. That said, I play vintage horns and these $600 horns are in no way in the same league as my B&S Chicago Jazz Series (Medusa) which produces a warm deep resonate tonality and where the Chinese horns ring hollow.

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

Mrs. Vicki Gong is awesome and the company is at or better then Eastern Music which is actually TIDE music.

Vicki hooked me up for sure, and hey, if you look at my instagram post of this video, there are some who like the TIDE music (their website still says Binzhao Xingyue) tone better. Tone is really a subjective matter of taste, and if you want to cut through a rock band, it could be a better choice. Plus I lucked out finding the Kessler for only $700, new they're more like $1100 +tax. There's something comforting in knowing I can get a replacement Binzhao for $500-600 at any time.

Check out the comparison video and let me know your thoughts. Also let me know if anyone is interested in taking the Vito, Binzhao, or Harry Pedler off of my hands.

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

I have played this horn along with alto and soprano from same company. Although you might not be getting a build of the major manufacturers these are actually built very well. The issue I have with these cheap Chinese horns is not build but sound. I do not feel like they a solid core and the tone they produce is somewhat hollow and bland. The best of the bunch is the soprano imho. I know for a fact that these horns do not go through as much hand hammering as its European counterparts which can be heard when played and compared to my B&S. At $600 they are priced to work for someone on a lower budget who might enjoy a new horn. That said, I play vintage horns and these $600 horns are in no way in the same league as my B&S Chicago Jazz Series (Medusa) which produces a warm deep resonate tonality and where the Chinese horns ring hollow.

I really enjoy both my Kessler soprano and my Top_Eseller ebay soprano, and both cost me around $350! I think the Kessler is better built, but the ebay horn is heavier, has a darker tone, and I got it new. It's all for fun anyways right? Is anyone commenting on this thread currently paying their rent or mortgage with their sax playing?

 

[BrianMitchellBrody]

I really enjoy both my Kessler soprano and my Top_Eseller ebay soprano, and both cost me around $350! I think the Kessler is better built, but the ebay horn is heavier, has a darker tone, and I got it new. It's all for fun anyways right? Is anyone commenting on this thread currently paying their rent or mortgage with their sax playing?

Actually I'm living on a Navy pension that was the result of 21 years of service as a MU

 

[JayeLID]

I have played this horn along with alto and soprano from same company. Although you might not be getting a build of the major manufacturers these are actually built very well. The issue I have with these cheap Chinese horns is not build but sound. I do not feel like they a solid core and the tone they produce is somewhat hollow and bland. The best of the bunch is the soprano imho. I know for a fact that these horns do not go through as much hand hammering as its European counterparts which can be heard when played and compared to my B&S. At $600 they are priced to work for someone on a lower budget who might enjoy a new horn. That said, I play vintage horns and these $600 horns are in no way in the same league as my B&S Chicago Jazz Series (Medusa) which produces a warm deep resonate tonality and where the Chinese horns ring hollow.

Interesting comments and feedback. Good to know.

I guess my point was....as it would be with any $600 new Tenor of short track record and seemingly zero tech assessment/review available online....not picking on this one....

If Kessler has a Tenor available for $950, new, warrantied (they do)....and cut-price online retailers like Gear4 or whatever has reputed brand-name ones like Jupe or Buffet, new, with good track records in the $1300 range (which they do)...
.... and one can pick up a used version (in play shape) of either of the aforementioned plus Yamaha brand to boot ....for $600-900 (which one can)...

...the argument for buying the $600 new one...starts to fade considerably, IMHO.

 

[SaxPedalGuy]

Actually I'm living on a Navy pension that was the result of 21 years of service as a MU

Very cool and congratulations!

JayeLID, I think my argument for the Binzhao tenor stems from the idea that it was fun to have a factory make a horn for me, with a custom logo and engraving, for a price point where the horn could pay for itself on a reasonable number of $50-$100 gigs. If you're a professional/lucky musician averaging more than that you have all the reason in the world to invest in a reputable brand name. I've used my Binzhao for plenty of busking and outdoor gigs to the point where it has actually made me a profit. I keep it in the trunk of my car most of the time because I can safely lose it and not feel bad at all at this point. I could buy a new one for less than the price of paying a shop to repad it, or I could practice repadding it myself with no worries if I screw up. On the other hand, my Selmer is in need of an overhaul that will cost a grand or two and I'd be less confident practicing repair on something that valuable myself. Anyway, fun factor is my main argument here since all of the economic arguments apply to any inexpensive horn, most just lack the customization and ease of purchasing the same one same price. Cheers!