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I received my Phil Barone tenor about twelve weeks ago and I’ve put it through its paces long enough to write about it. I’ve done gigs in different size rooms with and without a mic and the sound really travels. In fact, people have told me how much better I sound and one person that heard me play who doesn’t know anything about saxophones or sound told me I never sounded better. It’s an amazing horn, better than my Mark VI in every way. I bought it as a backup but now it’s my primary so I’m considering selling the VI, pocketing a bunch of cash and buying a Classic model of Phil’s which he tells me is like a fantastic Mark VI but with a fatter upper register. So enough, here’s my review:
Sound-I just have to say that it’s incredible. The low register is huge, in fact the whole register is, and I can get all of the harmonics out effortlessly. The high notes are fat and the middle D is much more clear and less stuffy than my VI. I’m using a metal Link mouthpiece on it which has been my only mouthpiece now for over ten years and this sax just enhances the sound of the mouthpiece. I actually have two mouthpieces, the Link and a D chamber Dukoff which I use on occasion and the horn sounds great with both of them.
Finish-I bought the antique bronze finish and it’s beautiful to look at if that’s important to you. It isn’t to me, but it does inspire me to play more since it’s such a beautiful instrument. It also has turquoise abalone mother of pearls which are beautiful and make the sax unusual and stand out. The horn itself is of great quality and there’s no rough edges to the finish and everything is obviously well put together. It’s great quality stuff, as good as my Selmer, maybe better.
Ergonomics-Fantastic, the horn fits like a glove in my hand and the spatula keys are easy access and I can move around on them easily. The right and left hands also are very comfortable unlike a Conn I once had. The high D, Eb, E and F are just right in my palm and I can play more freely than my VI and don’t struggle with playing them. The Mark VI just wasn’t big enough in the left hand although my hands aren’t very large at all. The position of the high notes is just right and I’m using it more now that it’s so comfortable. The horn also has a metal thumb hook and metal thumb rest, the metal thumb hook is very comfortable.
Accessories-The sax came with a beautiful and rugged flight case which is very compact and easy to carry. It also came with a strap to carry it, a neck strap, polishing cloth and one of Phil’s mouthpieces of which I had a choice of two, either the Vintage or the SoundMaster. I chose the Vintage which normally sells for $250. It’s a great mouthpiece but I’ve been playing my Link for so long that I don’t think I’ll ever switch and I don’t like hard rubber and I never switch mouthpieces nor do I have any interest in switching. Been down that road.
Service-Right on par with the sax. Phil promptly answered my emails and when I was ready to buy I called him at which time I asked him more questions. He was very polite and direct which I like, and I was a pain in the neck. Phil is obviously from New York. Phil’s website is elegant and easy to use and he takes major credit cards. By the way, I received my horn in three days from the time I ordered it.
Value-Nobody does it better. These horns are very similar to the P.Mauriat. However, I looked at Mauriat’s and they were more than a thousand dollars more and didn’t come with a nice case or mouthpiece and Phil’s horn plays just as good if not better. I have to admit that I was suspicious when I looked at them and I was afraid that they were Chinese but they’re not, they’re from Taiwan and I understand that there’s a big difference. Phil apparently just sells to the public, no stores. I guess that’s how he keeps his prices down.
That’s about it, the horn is an easy 10 out of 10. If you’re looking for a sax check him out on the net. I’m very happy with my purchase. Next, I’m getting one of his Vintage alto’s.
Kristy
Sound-I just have to say that it’s incredible. The low register is huge, in fact the whole register is, and I can get all of the harmonics out effortlessly. The high notes are fat and the middle D is much more clear and less stuffy than my VI. I’m using a metal Link mouthpiece on it which has been my only mouthpiece now for over ten years and this sax just enhances the sound of the mouthpiece. I actually have two mouthpieces, the Link and a D chamber Dukoff which I use on occasion and the horn sounds great with both of them.
Finish-I bought the antique bronze finish and it’s beautiful to look at if that’s important to you. It isn’t to me, but it does inspire me to play more since it’s such a beautiful instrument. It also has turquoise abalone mother of pearls which are beautiful and make the sax unusual and stand out. The horn itself is of great quality and there’s no rough edges to the finish and everything is obviously well put together. It’s great quality stuff, as good as my Selmer, maybe better.
Ergonomics-Fantastic, the horn fits like a glove in my hand and the spatula keys are easy access and I can move around on them easily. The right and left hands also are very comfortable unlike a Conn I once had. The high D, Eb, E and F are just right in my palm and I can play more freely than my VI and don’t struggle with playing them. The Mark VI just wasn’t big enough in the left hand although my hands aren’t very large at all. The position of the high notes is just right and I’m using it more now that it’s so comfortable. The horn also has a metal thumb hook and metal thumb rest, the metal thumb hook is very comfortable.
Accessories-The sax came with a beautiful and rugged flight case which is very compact and easy to carry. It also came with a strap to carry it, a neck strap, polishing cloth and one of Phil’s mouthpieces of which I had a choice of two, either the Vintage or the SoundMaster. I chose the Vintage which normally sells for $250. It’s a great mouthpiece but I’ve been playing my Link for so long that I don’t think I’ll ever switch and I don’t like hard rubber and I never switch mouthpieces nor do I have any interest in switching. Been down that road.
Service-Right on par with the sax. Phil promptly answered my emails and when I was ready to buy I called him at which time I asked him more questions. He was very polite and direct which I like, and I was a pain in the neck. Phil is obviously from New York. Phil’s website is elegant and easy to use and he takes major credit cards. By the way, I received my horn in three days from the time I ordered it.
Value-Nobody does it better. These horns are very similar to the P.Mauriat. However, I looked at Mauriat’s and they were more than a thousand dollars more and didn’t come with a nice case or mouthpiece and Phil’s horn plays just as good if not better. I have to admit that I was suspicious when I looked at them and I was afraid that they were Chinese but they’re not, they’re from Taiwan and I understand that there’s a big difference. Phil apparently just sells to the public, no stores. I guess that’s how he keeps his prices down.
That’s about it, the horn is an easy 10 out of 10. If you’re looking for a sax check him out on the net. I’m very happy with my purchase. Next, I’m getting one of his Vintage alto’s.
Kristy