[Pete Thomas]

Just wondering if anyone is familiar with this project. Karel of Adolphe Sax & cie has been collecting artillery shells to make saxophones from.

No, I don't believe it's got anything to with the myth about Selmer sounding better because they used cartridge shells, this is more a concept about peace, swords to ploughshares

I visited his workshop a couple of years ago and he mentioned the idea to me then, I didn't realise he is now getting very close to realising this. BTW, his current saxophones are great, among the best I've ever played. There was one there in his display I wanted to buy but it was one he didn't want to let go of...

 

[SaxBass55]

Peace, recycle and great sax.
What a future indeed.

 

[1saxman]

To me, it's a mistake to associate a fine instrument with some cause or another. Military shell casings of brass are probably not the best brass for a sax. Any alleged benefit from firing the shell in a cannon would be lost when it was melted down anyway. In other words I would judge any such horn based on its performance and attributes without regard to the 'story'.

 

[Pete Thomas]

Any alleged benefit from firing the shell in a cannon would be lost when it was melted down anyway. In other words I would judge any such horn based on its performance and attributes without regard to the 'story'.

Well, I doubt anyone would believe there is any benefit from firing a shell in a cannon. I also doubt anyone would actually be buying this instrument expecting its performance to be better because of the story. I don't think that is the point at all.

 

[bokagee]

So what are these horns like? I can't find any reviews.

 

[Pete Thomas]

So what are these horns like? I can't find any reviews.

They aren't actually available yet, pre-orders are being taken.

https://www.sax4pax.com/intekenen?lang=en

 

[pontius]

Cool concept symbolizing the idea of peace and love over war, hate and fear.

 

[soybean]

This is all new to me. So someone bought the “Sax” name and is making new saxophones? Is it any relation to Selmer design or a completely new thing?

 

[Pete Thomas]

This is all new to me. So someone bought the “Sax” name and is making new saxophones? Is it any relation to Selmer design or a completely new thing?

Nothing to do with Selmer, this is a Belgian company who own the trademark and are working towards a totally Belgian made saxophone. The sax4pax is just a part of it, their normal line of instruments has been around for a while, I've mention wed them a few times as I was very impressed.

 

[soybean]

That's very interesting Pete. I would love to see a new saxophone made in Belgium.

 

[CustomEx0315]

That is extremely cool! Hope somebody on here is going to get there hands on one and review it. I bet you get a lot of bang for your buck....ha...ha...ha....


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[1saxman]

Well, I doubt anyone would believe there is any benefit from firing a shell in a cannon. I also doubt anyone would actually be buying this instrument expecting its performance to be better because of the story. I don't think that is the point at all.

In reference to the old Selmer/cannon shell rumor, the thinking probably was that the shells would have been work-hardened by firing, which is true, but again, if that were a benefit, it would be lost when the shells were smelted to make sheet brass. I know what the point is, and its silly. Not to mention improbable in execution.

 

[click]

they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruninghooks

https://www.metalmenrecycling.com.au/blog/all-about-brass/

 

[Karel Adolphe Sax]

Military shell casings of brass are probably not the best brass for a sax. Any alleged benefit from firing the shell in a cannon would be lost when it was melted down anyway.

It is perfect brass (did analysis of the shell casings) and I have not suggested any benefits from firing it, so there is even no "alleged"
Happy to hear you would judge the horn based on performance. I would do that too. Yet my goal is to make more than just a good performing saxophone.

I wasn't inspired by any (debunked) myth that 5# MKVI came from shell casings. Just got inspired by an Old-Testament/Tenach passage and that was it.

Past months I set up a collection campaign in Belgium to gather the needed artillery shells. Next step: bring the shells to a specialized factory in The Netherlands to recycle and turn it into new sheet metal.

 

[B Flat]

In any case, you’d get a lot of bang for your buck with these horns.

 

[click]

Great projection.

 

[ZootTheSim]

Talk about your parabolic bore.

 

[BOPITY FUNK]

Killer horns-no doubt. Seriously though it's a damn good idea plus the fact military grade brass is good stuff.

 

[musekatcher]

I get it, cool idea. I'm too cost-conscience, and sympathetic to all great used vintage horns out their waiting to be restored, and sing again. But I salute those who want to carry an ironic symbol of peace.