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metal resonators

5.4K views 10 replies 7 participants last post by  Ari  
#1 ·
Do metal resonators make your sound brighter? My mark vi seems to play a lot brighter than any other sax that I've tried out, and I was wondering if it was just me or the horn. :?
 
#2 ·
sh1k4i said:
Do metal resonators make your sound brighter? My mark vi seems to play a lot brighter than any other sax that I've tried out, and I was wondering if it was just me or the horn. :?
I've found that the size of the resonator seems to effect the tone more than the material it's made of. That being said, some horns are inherently "bright" while others are inherently "dark'. Changing resonators won't change the inherent nature of a horn. Many, many years ago I got to try out six brand new Mk IV's (all lacquered) at the same time. With the same mouthpiece they all sounded different. From bright to dark. I bought one of the ones in the middle. That totally convinced me that "Try it before you BUY it" is the only way to go with any musical instruments or their accessories.

You may just have a bright horn.
 
#3 ·
I have solid brass resonators in my mark VI alto, sized as large as possible while still allowing the pad to seal. They are on every pad except the octave pads and the top C pad (where no resonator was small enough to fit). The horn was inherently "dark" when I received it, when all the resonators were plastic. After having it fixed up, the brass resonators add a little extra something to the sound... it speaks more freely and is capable of a lot more volume than it was before. But I wouldn't describe it as a "bright" horn or one that is "Too loud" now. It's just capable of both of these extremes when pushed, whereas it wasn't really before.

My tech calls them "tone boosters". I think that's a good description of what they do for any given instrument.
 
#4 ·
Someone once posted an interesting idea on resonators. They mentioned that larger resonators will improve response. The leather on the pad is not hard, and so when the pad is closed is affects the air column, dulling the response. Large resonators minimizes the amount of leather in contact with the air column, improving response, or something to that effect. This person mentioned the material the resonator is made up of does not matter; rather its the size of the resonator that makes a difference.
 
#6 ·
Yeah there seems to be a lot of advertizing hype and myth surrounding resonators. The term tone booster is probably more accurate as they boost and not change the horn's inherent tone. Whether domed, flat, wavy gravy, metal or plastic it's size that counts most. Rock players seem to like the maximum oversized to get all they can out of their axes so as to compete with the electric guitars and such. The classical players that I've dealt with seem to like the smaller resonators leaving the horn a little more subdued. And jazz players like to be more in the middle great tone, sufficient cut but not totally over the top. Many times a player chooses their resonators on how it will look on their axe. That's not necessarily a bad thing either. If you like the way your horn looks you may well subconciously play better because of it.

Remember begging your parents to upgrade that banged up old Bundy you started on? I know I could make mine sound like pure crap on purpose! It got me my first real Selmer! :shock:
 
#9 ·
Stan said:
I agree with you especially for what concerns vintage saxophones.

Stan
This is where I'd disagree. Many vintage saxes came with either just rivets or plain leather pads. On those horns I like to use a generously sized riveted flat metal resonator. Not filling the whole tone hole but close to two thirds of it. I've never had a complaint on a vintage instrument with this setup. But, hey, we all have our own ways of doing things. :cool:
 
#10 ·
It was just to preserve to original setup and feeling...
I like my alto VI with original pads and I also like my tenor VI with metal resonators but I love how the original brown plastic resonators look :)

Stan
 
#11 ·
Use the technology

tbone said:
This is where I'd disagree. Many vintage saxes came with either just rivets or plain leather pads. On those horns I like to use a generously sized riveted flat metal resonator. Not filling the whole tone hole but close to two thirds of it. I've never had a complaint on a vintage instrument with this setup. But, hey, we all have our own ways of doing things. :cool:
I have to agree - the vintage horns sound great with the newer pads and resos. If you want original then you have to fool with poor quality leather, mildew prone felts, sometimes those godawful conn resopads, and no decent resonator to speak of. Don't forget to use the 0.01 facing mouthpiece to give a mournful 1920's sound.

Nothing against historical restoration - but the modern pads and resos give a more balanced sound and are more tech friendly.:)
 
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