[xax]

I've got a split key Pan tenor (33XXX). Satin silver/gold wash bell; needle springs (very light action) It really rips with my vintage Berg 110/0 and sounds great with my "straightwall" Hollywood BD.
So, my question is what's the difference between these "Pans" and "Chus", aside from no front F, nail file G, rolled tone holes and the short Bb pinky key. In other words, is the sound/action pretty much the same.

 

[bruce bailey]

You pretty much covered it except the plating on the Conns is usually a little better lasting, the PA altos didn't have the microtuner and the PAs don't cost as much. Great values.

 

[xax]

Hey Bruce, I was surprised at how light the action feels...is that the norm? Do the split bell keys have a lighter action than the same side bell keys? Also this horn feels much lighter than i how remember my silver 10M of many years ago... As i recall, that thing weighed a ton!

 

[bruce bailey]

All my Conns have pretty light action and I think the opposing bell keys may have a slightly lighter low B, they are pretty equal.

 

[bfoster64]

How's the intonation on the Pan Am, and what is a fair price for a silver tenor in very good condition with good pads? There's one for sale locally.

 

[bruce bailey]

Opposing bell key models should be at about $400-600 and the LH bell key ones in silver should be at about $100 more. These aren't that many tenors around so the prices vary.

 

[xax]

I'm finding that a large chamber mpc is preferred but the intonation seems very good, regardless...

 

[Doc Frazier]

I use a Berg on my Pan American custom tenor and intonation is dead on. It was the sax I started on in 1974!

HIS,
Doc
www.JandJWoodwinds.com
[email protected]
1-866-996-6394

 

[xax]

Doc, Is there a "solution" to the short low Bb key touch? I'm having a difficult time with that one.

 

[BlueTrane2028]

My no-name conn stencil alto has the same short Bb key, no bis, no front f... You really just have to learn the keywork the best you can. It would involve a LOT of custom work and scavenging parts off of other vintage horns (that are also worthy players) to make these stencils more ergonomically "correct." Mine is functioning mainly as a way to keep playing alto while I save up for a full overhaul on my 26M. Don't get me wrong, it's a fantastic horn, but I dont know if it's worth chopping apart other saxes to get it to be a little bit easier to deal with.

 

[Doc Frazier]

BT2028,

When I do the mods that XAX is referring to, I can get new parts for new horns to adapt to the keys or if I rob an older horn, it is because the donor horn had been scavanged to start with.

I'm currently doing custom mods to a left side bell key Pan American (10M) to update the bell key table and move the bell keys from the left (holding the horn) to the right and the right hand stack is being converted to a Keilwerth right stack as the hinge tubes were worn out beyond anything I have ever seen. It is also to receive new silver and gold plate (all in house), Roo pads, stainless springs and all of the anti-friction goodies you can think of. I'll put some pics on my site soon.

HIS,
Doc
www.JandJWoodwinds.com
1-866-996-6394

 

[xax]

Here's a pic of my "Pan". I also have a Pan bari and a New Wonder (Series I) "C" sop. On those two, i don't have a problem with the "short" Bb...