[moontom]

just before the virus took hold here in the US, I went to a local shop for reeds. they had a PM system 76, version 2 with no high F# key and no lacquer. unusual configuration for a Taiwan horn. SN said it was made in 2015 -- it already looked like a used horn, with the patina developed and some weird splotches on the brass of the body tube. I'd played it six months earlier and liked, sorta couldn't believe it was still there. since I had my mp I asked to try it again. I've played lots of great horns from Taiwan including several Mauriats with rolled tone holes. this one (w/ straight tone holes) just surprised me completely. extremely rich, thick sound. super-resonant, vibrates in your hands and retains core into altissimo. for me, way different from the other PM horns. really debated about purchasing (I have 3 tenors already) and almost left without it. I have to say I'm super glad about this purchase -- it's been the daily companion for shedding, and if this craziness goes away it will be the workhorse gig horn.

I'm posting this b/c I know there's been lots of discussion here about workmanship w/ PM and concern about quality decline. I trust many of the voices who contribute to this forum but strive to keep an open mind. if one of these crosses your path after this interlude ends, it's worth checking out....

 

[Guest]

My experience with Mauriat 76 Tenors was like this:

I had a first edition. I also tried the second edition. It was blah in different ways.

 

[KeithL]

I had an original series Sys-76 tenor that played very nicely. I traded it and some additional $$ for a Tenor Madness Custom tenor a few years back mostly because it was nearly the same as my gold plated Barone and despite the fact that it didn't play any better and had a much less expensive finish it was worth twice as much on the used market. I own 4 saxophones of Taiwanese origin and find I like many of the horns coming from there though I know they aren't for everyone. The keywork isn't quite as refined as the Japanese or European brands in some ways but the horns respond better for me especially up in the palm keys which have always been a bit of a struggle for me on tenor.

The one you bought sounds like it may have been a special order for somebody with no lacquer or high F# and when it arrived they decided they didn't care for it. I think that happens a lot when folks get sold on the idea that these (and many others frankly) are "modeled after a Selmer Mark VI". I suppose in a general way this is true but these horns really don't feel or respond that much like a VI to me.

I've mentioned several times in other threads that perception about build quality often comes from lack of good setup. For the first 3-4 years Mauriats were available in the US the distributor was here in Colorado and all of the horns were sold through Sax Alley. When Mauriat changed business models to expand their reach and increase sales and distribution I think their factory finish work and setup actually got better but not to the level that Tim ans Shawna were (are) doing at Sax Alley. Many of these horns are now being purchased through places that don't specializes in saxophones or band instruments and online retailers like WW&BW and Amazon. In most cases (no pun intended) you aren't getting anything but the factory setup which is very "hit or miss" and simply not comparable to a professional setup by an expert tech at a wind instrument specialty shop.