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I received yesterday a Phil Barone gold-plated tenor saxophone, which is affectionately nicknamed, the "Maurone." This is my review of the horn.
The nicname is because Phil tells us that this horn is the same as a P. Mauriat, made at the same factory from the same materials using the same assembly line. Another member at sotw suggested the name. The only difference we are told is that this horn comes with a Barone gold-plated neck.
The finish is beautiful. Gold is gold, and there is no prettier finish in my view. Being new, the horn is, of course, spotless. Engraving is sparse, Phil's logo (shown below) on the right side of the bell, and a simple floral pattern on the front.
The price from Phil is $1150 plus shipping. This price includes a Barone neck and HR mouthpiece. I chose to save a few bucks and take it without the mouthpiece option. I already have a Barone Jazz 8 and don't need anymore mouthpieces. Even so, Phil sent me the plastic (I guess) piece that comes from the factory (I guess) along with its shiny gold-colored ligature and black plastic cap. The mouthpiece is unmarked, but it kind of plays like any solid student piece. It goes into the mouthpiece drawer.
The horn also came with a pretty little engraved apertif class. That glass goes in my wife's china closet. After I drink a toast to Phil, that is.
Phil told me the horn came to him direct from the factory and might need some setup by a local tech to check for leaks, adjustments, etc. I'll do that, eventually, but I gave it my own leak light test this morning and found no leaks. Everything seems to work and there are no intonation problems.
The best way to compare this horn is to put is side by side with another contemporary tenor sax. I have a Selmer Reference 54 Limited Edition, also pristine. The current price for this horn from saxforte is $5,139.
Side by side, both horns look great. But gold is gold, and the PB's gold finish is more pleasing to my eye than the 54's rose-gold lacquer finish.
But how do they stack up when when played?
First, they feel almost the same. The layouts are almost identical. The 54's front F key is a round, MOP button, whereas the PB's is an oval brass button. The PB's low Bb LH spatula button is a bit larger with a raised curved lip at the bottom, which the 54 does not have, but something I don't really notice when I play. Someone with a larger hand might tell a difference.
Both horns have high F# keys in the same location and the same shape, but the PB's key is split into two keys, high F# and high G.
One thing I prefer about the 54's keywork is that its octave key is flush with the LH thumb button, which is more comfortable to my hand than the PB's which rides a bit higher. I'll see if my tech can adjust it.
Playing? Both horns are monsters. Intonation up and down are excellent. The tones are similar. A player with a more refined ear (as in no hearing loss) might find the Ref a shade darker. Sometimes it seems that way to me and other times not. The two horns are so close, that, except for that octave key, I don't know whether I could tell you blindfolded which one I'm playing. Both horns project well and have solid core sounds. They both handle low note subtones very nicely.
I cannot speak about long term durability or how each horn will hold its value in the marketplace. I can't even guess. Both horns are way too new to achieve any mystique or aura of collectibility just now.
But if you are thinking about buying a new tenor saxophone and the Reference 54 has caught your fancy, I know where you can save about $4000.
View attachment 2502
The nicname is because Phil tells us that this horn is the same as a P. Mauriat, made at the same factory from the same materials using the same assembly line. Another member at sotw suggested the name. The only difference we are told is that this horn comes with a Barone gold-plated neck.
The finish is beautiful. Gold is gold, and there is no prettier finish in my view. Being new, the horn is, of course, spotless. Engraving is sparse, Phil's logo (shown below) on the right side of the bell, and a simple floral pattern on the front.
The price from Phil is $1150 plus shipping. This price includes a Barone neck and HR mouthpiece. I chose to save a few bucks and take it without the mouthpiece option. I already have a Barone Jazz 8 and don't need anymore mouthpieces. Even so, Phil sent me the plastic (I guess) piece that comes from the factory (I guess) along with its shiny gold-colored ligature and black plastic cap. The mouthpiece is unmarked, but it kind of plays like any solid student piece. It goes into the mouthpiece drawer.
The horn also came with a pretty little engraved apertif class. That glass goes in my wife's china closet. After I drink a toast to Phil, that is.
Phil told me the horn came to him direct from the factory and might need some setup by a local tech to check for leaks, adjustments, etc. I'll do that, eventually, but I gave it my own leak light test this morning and found no leaks. Everything seems to work and there are no intonation problems.
The best way to compare this horn is to put is side by side with another contemporary tenor sax. I have a Selmer Reference 54 Limited Edition, also pristine. The current price for this horn from saxforte is $5,139.
Side by side, both horns look great. But gold is gold, and the PB's gold finish is more pleasing to my eye than the 54's rose-gold lacquer finish.
But how do they stack up when when played?
First, they feel almost the same. The layouts are almost identical. The 54's front F key is a round, MOP button, whereas the PB's is an oval brass button. The PB's low Bb LH spatula button is a bit larger with a raised curved lip at the bottom, which the 54 does not have, but something I don't really notice when I play. Someone with a larger hand might tell a difference.
Both horns have high F# keys in the same location and the same shape, but the PB's key is split into two keys, high F# and high G.
One thing I prefer about the 54's keywork is that its octave key is flush with the LH thumb button, which is more comfortable to my hand than the PB's which rides a bit higher. I'll see if my tech can adjust it.
Playing? Both horns are monsters. Intonation up and down are excellent. The tones are similar. A player with a more refined ear (as in no hearing loss) might find the Ref a shade darker. Sometimes it seems that way to me and other times not. The two horns are so close, that, except for that octave key, I don't know whether I could tell you blindfolded which one I'm playing. Both horns project well and have solid core sounds. They both handle low note subtones very nicely.
I cannot speak about long term durability or how each horn will hold its value in the marketplace. I can't even guess. Both horns are way too new to achieve any mystique or aura of collectibility just now.
But if you are thinking about buying a new tenor saxophone and the Reference 54 has caught your fancy, I know where you can save about $4000.
View attachment 2502
