[KeithL]

Well written review thanks.

I have a PB Classic tenor which actually pre-dates the "Classic" & "Vintage" monikers so at the time I bought it in 2008 it was the only PB tenor. It's been my main gigging horn for 10 years now replacing the YTS-875 that I played for the 15 previous years and still own. I originally bought the Barone to use at bar gigs and for the occasional road trip but it didn't take long for me to realize I sounded better on it than I did on my Yamaha. I still like the quick easy response and silky keywork of the 875 but my sound, especially up in the palm keys, is better on the Barone.

As far as brands disappearing I think that's more a function of the amount of competition and the expectation. Despite sounding like a cab driver from NYC Phil's a very shrewd businessman who has been involved in the saxophone marketplace for decades making mouthpieces long before he began selling horns. I think he has a very good understanding of the marketplace, his customers, managing costs, and providing a level of service that puts his product in a very strong value position.

 

[KeithL]

I played a new silver plated Barone Classic a few weeks back at Sax Alley and it felt pretty similar to my horn. Mine feels a bit "worn in" by comparison since it's been played at a few hundred gigs and thousands of hours. That's one of the things I've been most pleased with though not overly surprised by; these horns seem to hold up really well. I had the G# pad and one palm key pad replaced otherwise the rest are original. The slider mechanism (don't know what that thing that connects the Bb and C# table keys that allows the Bb to tilt is called) needed tightening and the Eb (right hand pinky) has developed a little click so that needs an adjustment but otherwise this horn has been very solid for me.