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Review Orpheo Signature Alto Copper Finish

6K views 19 replies 8 participants last post by  BrianMitchellBrody 
#1 ·
Purchased New Old Stock from Sotw member Oldsaxer.

Horn came to me still in plastic. Never adjusted nor played.

Brass with Bright Copper Lacquer. Additional Gold Lacquered neck. Not the lacquer finish for everyone. It WILL be a standout.

Double arms on low C, B, and Bb. Triple strap ring.

Multi-colored abalone keys.

Case is a Dark Burgandy Rectangular Fiberglass case with handles on side and top.

Initial impression is that it is visually breathtaking. Full engraving neck, body tube, bell, keys, and inside bell rim. Looks to be hand engraving not laser.

Pads are typical Pisoni with flat stainless resonators.

Blue flat springs throughout including neck octave pip and left hand palm keys, as well as blue needle springs throughout body.

I am unable to tell if the Orpheo Signature on the bell is an engraving or screen printed. There is a brace on upper stack that also is "embossed" Orpheo Signature and the top of the Octave Key is done this method as well.

Action is FAST and tight. Key height is not too high or low, just right for fast passage playing and keys snap open with precision. All pads are sealing all notes are clear and easy to articulate right out of the box.

Seems to be very mouthpiece friendly. I have tried a refaced OL STM and a high-baffle Jumbo Java A75 and as long as they are pushed in to the end of the cork the horn plays extremely close to 0000 on my tuner in all ranges.

Altissimo is nice and easier than on my TK alto and seems to be more stable.

The difference in tuning and playability between the matching Copper lacquered neck and the Gold Lacquered neck is not appreciable but it does look cool with the different color neck. :)

Yesterday I met up with sotw member Legitalto who is a smokin' legit and jazz player, a NTSU alumni and teacher in Dallas. He played the horn with various classical and jazz mouthpieces and he made this horn sing in the altissimo range and throughout the full range playing in a classical form.

Sometimes it is nice to hear it played by someone else. :) Thanks R.

I have played it twice on paid gigs and I am very pleased that it is different than my TK Melody in its overall tonal quality which I find (the OS) to be more spread and dark because I now have a reason to keep it other than looks.

I am serious when I say this horn is ALOT of horn for the money even at full retail. It just might just be one of the best Taiwanese manufactured horns on the market today.

My 2 cents worth.

B:cool:
 
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#2 ·
Thanks for the review Modman. I couldn't agree more on the value for the money and quality. These are (were :bluewink:) the best kept taiwan secret.

I sold my cannonballs (which cost more than twice as much).
My Orpheo Signatures are keepers and will serve me for years to come.
Play On !
 
#4 ·
Doesn't wanna rub it in.....
 
#10 ·
So - will we be seeing a change in your forum nom de plume any time in the near future? :bluewink:
 
#11 ·
Not getting rid of the TK Tenor as it suits me very well. The OSig alto I have is such a great player and
I need a Tenor backup while the TK goes out for some mods and I am getting the OSig Tenor as a "show band" horn
that I am currently starting to hit casinos with.

BB
 
#12 ·
That copper finish is just killer. I get a lot of compliments on mine from musicians and fans alike. Always positive.
 
#13 ·
Wish I could find a daylight shot of that finish. All the studio shot I came across are just crappy shots and prolly don't do the finish any justice.

Jr.
 
#15 ·
Right now the trade is shaky due to ProWinds (and I use the word "Pro" reluctantly at this point) dragging feet.

Just from this experience I would be weary of ordering anything from this On-line store.

BB
 
#18 ·
Right now the trade is shaky due to ProWinds (and I use the word "Pro" reluctantly at this point) dragging feet.

Just from this experience I would be weary of ordering anything from this On-line store.

BB
I will put this simply. DO NOT EVER ORDER ANYTHING FROM PROWINDS. They are unable to deliver the goods.

B
 
#16 ·
My only objection to these horns is the body-to-bell brace that is mounted lower than usual. I just got one in for repair and the brace is pushed into the bell. It's a very common repair job, and if the brace were in the normal position, the damage would have been less because the leverage against the brace would have ben less. If your Orpheo does not have this feature (I hope so!), ignore this post.
 
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