System-76
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They are lively, well built horns. I just got an alto (tk melody- same as P. mauriat) yesterday. Exact model as the system 76 w/ blue abalon keys, larger bell etc..
It is currently at the tech to get adjusted/regulated as mine was direct from manufacture/reseller and needed set-up.
My initial impression was very postive. Once I get it back this week I hope to post a follow up.
The P. Mauriat is well worth the money (seeing that selmer/yamaha pro's) now command 4000.00+ (insane)
You may also want to check out Phil Barones and TK Melody's new line up (P.Mauriats also) and well under retail prices...
Shoot Phil a PM from this board and he will respond. (Or check in the Misc. Saxophone Manufacturers ) Forum
It is currently at the tech to get adjusted/regulated as mine was direct from manufacture/reseller and needed set-up.
My initial impression was very postive. Once I get it back this week I hope to post a follow up.
The P. Mauriat is well worth the money (seeing that selmer/yamaha pro's) now command 4000.00+ (insane)
You may also want to check out Phil Barones and TK Melody's new line up (P.Mauriats also) and well under retail prices...
Shoot Phil a PM from this board and he will respond. (Or check in the Misc. Saxophone Manufacturers ) Forum
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I have the System 76 in an alto, tenor and soprano. I love the 76 alto, hte intonation is rock solid, I can project as much as I need to without overblowing the horn. the scale is even, and the feel is just awesome. The bore sizes are different than on the TK melody and the Barones, but they too are decent horns. Try the 76, you will love it!
Patrick Trahan
Patrick Trahan
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Hmmm the YAS62II is what around 2200.00 The 82Z 2700.00 The custom EX like 2900.00 Where do you get Yamaha's going for 4000.00?wogeax said:
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I believe that the recent price hike of P Mauriat horns puts them right up there with the big fours! (There is a long-winding thread on this very topic in the selling/buying advice section).
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I just got a system 76 tenor! It sounds like a big papa bear on steroids!...
...I'm happy.
...I'm happy.
Got a chance to try one of the other Mauriat altos. For me the 76 was far superior. To be fair though I think the other one I tried was not up to par with Mauriats standards. I would like to give the tenor a go round. Did you find it to have Mark Vi type characteristics?
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My 76 has a larger bore that the VI, so it feels slightly bigger in my hands. Plus,soulysax said:
the key tensions are still factory stiff, as I haven't lightened the spring tensions. I might not; it feels really amazing. Plus I want to earn the action.:twisted: Everything about this sax has been thought out BIG TIME. The palm keys are just right. The high F# key is just right. It seems more free-blowing than the tenor VIs I've tried, probably due to the larger bore and "super jazz" neck. I've only played it with the included mouthpiece (Hermes) which is a medium/large chambered low baffle composite plastic/HR, but it sounds REALLY big and rich in tone. However, I did open the tip facing and round out the lip baffle some (easy to do). The lig. seems heavy/durable. I use a piece of felt between the reed and lig. as Ben Webster is said to have done. It is really easy to play, and I was running scales and arpeggios in no time. Everyone should give the 76 a test run at least. But, just know in advance that by doing so you'll be damming yourself to another case of GAS!
I like mine better than any VI I have played and I still haven't gotten a proper mouthpiece for it. I'll probably go with a NY STM or a copy. I got it yesterday and I've already put over ten hours on it!
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Ben: Not to be argumentative, but how do you know your new horn has a bigger bore than some other horn? I am suspicious of big-bore/small-bore claims, especially if the info comes from the manufacturer.
No one YET here on SOTW has actually measured their horns to substantiate or refute those claims. I've had PM's with Kymarto and discussed this issue. He said he would do so but couldn't do it right away. I am awaiting his results.
I recall measuring three of my altos (modern and vintage) with calipers for outside diameters at three different places on the body and all three were the same. Same with three of my sopranos. DAVE
No one YET here on SOTW has actually measured their horns to substantiate or refute those claims. I've had PM's with Kymarto and discussed this issue. He said he would do so but couldn't do it right away. I am awaiting his results.
I recall measuring three of my altos (modern and vintage) with calipers for outside diameters at three different places on the body and all three were the same. Same with three of my sopranos. DAVE
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I plead GUILTY and throw myself on the mercy of the court. Go easy on me, guys and gals . . . I am an addicted skeptic. DAVE
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MY TK Melody tenor has a big colorfull sound and is very responsive. I really enjoy it. It actually has a bigger sound than my Mk Vl, BUT the Selmer is still more flexability and a bit more color/core. I have small hand however and the my Mk Vl is still much more comfortable. The TK is laid out for someone with somwwhat larger hans as the pinky plateaus are a bit of a strech for me.
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I made a loose claim...
However, the grip and general handling do feel larger than that of the VI, but that could easily be related to other factors. My limited understanding does not come from actual measurements, but is rather a deduction based on my understanding-however limited-of sax acoustics, in addition to the wider grip, that it's freer blowing, and merchant claims. The claims are that the 76 does have a slightly larger bore, which accounts for a fuller, more vintage-type sound, a freer blow, as well as, a wider grip. I realize that such claims are often falsely made (just as the nature of a claim is potentially false) in attempts to gain adherence (sales, etc.), which in this case is via the big bore hype.
WHEW! After being shown not only that there is a bandwagon, but that I may or may not have been riding on it, I feel sheepish. But, I don't feel that my logic led me wrongly. The fact for me remains: The 76 I have has a really big, nice sound-definitely larger/broader than any VI I recall myself playing on. It seems to take a little more focus to pull the core in, or center, the broadness of the tone, but TO ME that makes the horn more versatile as I can go broad or centered. It's harder to do this with a VI. So, I apologize for making a sloppy claim; it happens to the best of us.:twisted: Dave, as ever, you are a wise voice. I also look forward to the measurement results. I may even make some measurements of my own.
Dave, you make a valid point such that I have cause to question my earlier claim. I should rather say that I ASSUME the 76 has a larger bore than the VI, because I was somehow convinced so.Dave Dolson said:
However, the grip and general handling do feel larger than that of the VI, but that could easily be related to other factors. My limited understanding does not come from actual measurements, but is rather a deduction based on my understanding-however limited-of sax acoustics, in addition to the wider grip, that it's freer blowing, and merchant claims. The claims are that the 76 does have a slightly larger bore, which accounts for a fuller, more vintage-type sound, a freer blow, as well as, a wider grip. I realize that such claims are often falsely made (just as the nature of a claim is potentially false) in attempts to gain adherence (sales, etc.), which in this case is via the big bore hype.WHEW!
After being shown not only that there is a bandwagon, but that I may or may not have been riding on it, I feel sheepish. But, I don't feel that my logic led me wrongly. The fact for me remains: The 76 I have has a really big, nice sound-definitely larger/broader than any VI I recall myself playing on. It seems to take a little more focus to pull the core in, or center, the broadness of the tone, but TO ME that makes the horn more versatile as I can go broad or centered. It's harder to do this with a VI. So, I apologize for making a sloppy claim; it happens to the best of us.:twisted: Dave, as ever, you are a wise voice. I also look forward to the measurement results. I may even make some measurements of my own.
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Ben: Thanks for being gentle with an old man. You wouldn't be the first player lured into marketing hype.
Another claim is a horn's weight. That subject took many of us around and around not too long ago . . . and there still is no proof that one soprano weighed more than another, at least to the degree that it really mattered. The variances were mere ounces. And I think the same could be said of most saxophones, although I'll agree that with the bigger horns, added keywork MAY make more of a difference than on smaller saxophones.
But I digress - I think the bore-size thing comes from long ago and many folks just bought into it without giving it much thought, just like finishes (plating, lacquer, no-lac - you get the idea). Ah . . . marketing . . . DAVE
Another claim is a horn's weight. That subject took many of us around and around not too long ago . . . and there still is no proof that one soprano weighed more than another, at least to the degree that it really mattered. The variances were mere ounces. And I think the same could be said of most saxophones, although I'll agree that with the bigger horns, added keywork MAY make more of a difference than on smaller saxophones.
But I digress - I think the bore-size thing comes from long ago and many folks just bought into it without giving it much thought, just like finishes (plating, lacquer, no-lac - you get the idea). Ah . . . marketing . . . DAVE
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I agree with Dave and oddly, my limited experience is just the opposite from the "general wisdom". I own a 1950 Buescher 'Crat that is much smaller where the neck connects to the body and several onces lighter then my early '90's Yamaha 875 Custom (probably do to the ribbing on the Yamaha). However, it does have that sort of compact, dark vintage sound. So while I agree vintage horns have a certain sound I'm not convinced it is because they are "big-bore" or heavy.
That being said I like the System 76 tenor. I tried one at Sax Alley a few weeks back and the only thing I like near as much is the Yani T992.
That being said I like the System 76 tenor. I tried one at Sax Alley a few weeks back and the only thing I like near as much is the Yani T992.
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