[VinnieSax]

Help!

I torn and need my SOTW friends again to give me their valuable input.

If you had the choice betweeen a Keilwerth SX90 in black nickel or a Yamaha YAS-52, whihc one would you choose? Yes, I know it is personal preference sometimes, but, unless I am incorrect, the Keilwerth SX90 (about 1996) is a pro alto and the Yamaha YAS-52 is in intermediate horn, but VERY close to a pro model.

I have heard Yamaha's and, to me, they are a bright sounding horn; I like this sound. I'm not sure on the Keilwerths and how they would compare.

Please, your thoughts and inputs?

Thanks,

Vinnie

 

[Raphyel]

Less than a week ago I had both of the horns you are referring to. I would say get the Keilwerth if you can spend the money. The 52 is a great buy in a saxophone (I have one for sale). The difference I found was the yamaha was brighter, I play metal mouthpieces on my Keilwerth horns. Keilwerths have a much darker tone than the yamahas, and in my opinion they need to be brightened up a bit. They were both great playing instruments, but the key action on the keilwerth was a little better to me personally. The yamahas are about half the price of the keilwerth, but the Keilwerths have more features. What are you planning to play on the horn?

 

[Hurling Frootmig]

The SX-90 should be the better horn. I've always felt that the 52 was a cheapened version of the 61 design.

 

[VinnieSax]

Thanks all!

Raphyel, I plan on planning more contempory music, leads. etc. Not so much jazz. Right now I've got an older Selmer Bundy II student horn. This, I believe, is a bright sounding horn as well.

I've also got a Conn 10M tenor sax. This has that husky, darker tone. However, I heard my cousin, the child prodigy, play an unlaquered Yamaha 82Z alto. Now, this kid (20 years old) is a brilliant player and could probably make any horn sound good, but the sound he got out of that Yamaha was clear as a bell. Bright and can cut through anything.

I can't afford the 82Z, but how would you compare (sound-wise) the Keilwerth to the Bundy and 82Z? My hesistation is I like that bright tone in an alto; I don't want my next step-up alto to be dark like the Conn. Would the Keilwerth sound be darker like the Conn? Or somewhat brighter like the Selmer?


Thanks,

Vinnie

 

[heath]

You have to try both. The JK is completely opposite from a Yamaha. You couldn't find two horns that are more different.

Personally if you want a great alto that is easy to play I'd look at getting a Yani. JK's always take more effort to play, but they do have a very fat tone.

 

[AmSaxPlayer]

Short answer: Keilwerth.
Long answer: Only you can answer this question.
Often times, the quick and easy path isn't always the correct one (hint,hint) .

 

[tenorsaxplayer04]

You have to try both. The JK is completely opposite from a Yamaha. You couldn't find two horns that are more different.

Personally if you want a great alto that is easy to play I'd look at getting a Yani. JK's always take more effort to play, but they do have a very fat tone.

it depends on what jk model it is to see how easy they are to play. the nickel silver models to me take the most minimal amount of effort to play, but that's just me...some other models i tried did take some effort though. with the nickel silver it just blows easily, but it also pretty bright.

 

[jacobeid]

I'd go with the JK if you want a bright tone. The JK is a darker horn and the yamaha is a brighter horn. Confusing right?

I have always found that if you have a combo of a dark horn with a brighter mouthpiece, you can still have a bright sound but still with all the thickness of a darker sound. If you have a bright horn, it can be weak and thin, even if you try and get a darker mouthpiece to combat it.

Old bueschers and bright mouthpieces are a prime example of this.

 

[JCBigler]

it depends on what jk model it is to see how easy they are to play.

Keilwerth SX90 in black nickel

He specified which model he was lookng at in his original post. Learn to read the question before posting a response.

the nickel silver models to me take the most minimal amount of effort to play

most minimal effort? You mean the least effort, or least amount of effort, or is the easiest to play don't you?

And yes, to the OP, the SX-90 will be a level above the YAS-52.

 

[J.Max]

SX90, no question.

 

[Connical]

As a Yamaha YTS-62 owner, and someone who had a Alto SX-90 variation (Conn DJH 108M). It's no comparison, the SX-90 is the better horn, Period ! Yamaha makes a great horn at the intermediate price point, (34,52,575) ,
but it's not in the same league as a 82Z , 875, or a SX-90. Why aren't you looking at a 61 or a 62. You should be able to find one for not a lot more than a 52. If the SX-90 is priced low, stop looking and grab it before it's gone. I agree with the other posts, you can brighten up the sound by changing the MPC. I'd rather have a top horn , and change my mpc (Seems daunting, but is actually great fun) instead of a cheaper horn.

 

[Yellowhorn]

The JK! The 52 is as good an intermediate horn as you can get, but as most have said here, the sound is brighter and less ballsy than the JK! I read in the JK catalogue last night that the SX90 series is made with "a reminiscence of CONN and Buescher of the forties".

The Shadow is JK's top horn - after the 75th (limited) edition.

To see this, go here:

http://www.saxophones.co.uk/keilwerthanniversary.htm

 

[VinnieSax]

Thanks, all! Sorry I'm a bit late with my thanks! As always, SOTW...best resource in the world!

Yep! Waited to long; the JK is gone! Darn-it! I'm too cheap for my own good sometime.

Back to the hunt!

 

[Dr G]

He specified which model he was lookng at in his original post. Learn to read the question before posting a response.

most minimal effort? You mean the least effort, or least amount of effort, or is the easiest to play don't you?

:x

Feeling a lil' out of sorts today?

I hope you are feeling better soon.

 

[mountainman]

it depends on what jk model it is to see how easy they are to play. the nickel silver models to me take the most minimal amount of effort to play, but that's just me...some other models i tried did take some effort though. with the nickel silver it just blows easily, but it also pretty bright.

Not just you tenorman. With the right setup The Shadow is the easiest horn there is to blow. I take the brightness out with a Link NY. My HR link was too dark! I'm getting antsy to add the alto!

 

[shmuelyosef]

Have you considered the Yanagisawa horns...good value and soundwise in between those two...also the best keywork

 

[heath]

You know I love the JK tenors, but I prefer the alto and soprano to be more of a french design.

Yani makes a really good alto. It will give you a heavier sound than the yamaha and be a little more responsive in the high register then the JK.....ergonomics on the Yani are second to none.

 

[Raphyel]

The keilwerth has a darker tone, butwith a metal mouthpiece, you have a mini monster on your hands. I much rather play a darker horn with a metal than a brighter horn on HR or metal...Keilwerth and HR dont mix though..IMO