[saxmanjack]

Does such a horn exist, vintage or modern? It's becoming clear that VI ergonomics just aren't working for me anymore, and a lighter horn would be less of a strain on my bad neck. Going to check a VII today (I know - it's probably heavier than my VI), but I'm actually thinking that these 'concave' key pearls are also a problem - noticed during Friday's long, hard gig that I'm hitting the uncomfortable edges of the pearls all the way down near the first joint of my fingertips. And from playing my 6M alto, I know that concave key touches are not necessary for me...

 

[Enviroguy]

The Selmer Series III tenor I tried out a few months ago seemed very light compared to my Buescher tenors. I don't know how that compares to a VI.

I'll bet there's less than a pound difference between most major brand tenors. A different neck strap might help. Also, the newer Yamaha tenors have some wonderfully comfortable keywork.

 

[swperry1]

I haven't played a lot of vintage tenors, so can't speak for how heavy they feel on the neck. As for modern horns, Rich Maraday's Viking Legend Series is the lightest tenor I have ever played. I gave one a brief test run right out of the box a while back while visiting my tech...He hadn't even done anything to it yet and it sounded great! The dark "cognac" finish was beautiful too. Don't remember if the touches were concave, though you could have different pearls put on any horn if it suited you.

Short of buying a new horn; Could moving the neck strap ring, or putting a three ring holder balance it so the perceived weight is different?

 

[Swaman]

I have a Selmer SA80 tenor which is quite heavy. I purchased a BG saxophone harness which has taken the strain off my neck quite a bit. Why not try it? Good luck.

 

[Grumps]

And from playing my 6M alto, I know that concave key touches are not necessary for me...

And I was going to suggest a 10M. I've also got rather large hands and when I was in the market for VI some time ago, found that the G and G# keys were just too close for comfort. A 10M gives me flexibility in spacing and I haven't looked back since going in this direction about eight years ago. My 10M also seemed much lighter than the VII tenor I had at the time (since sold).

 

[guido]

+1 on the 10M

Fits you needs on both counts.

 

[JL]

Try a Buescher Aristocrat 156 tenor (or the later Big B 156). These are noticeably lighter than my MKVI. I don't know if they are easier for big hands, though, but they have very good ergos (not to mention a great sound). Make sure it's the '156' because the earlier Aristocrats are heavier.

I seem to recall that a Super 20 is also fairly light in weight, but I'm not certain about that.

 

[adamk]

Try playing a vintage Buescher C Melody for awhile. Your tenor will feel huge (and heavy).

 

[Dr G]

Try a Buescher Aristocrat 156 tenor (or the later Big B 156). These are noticeably lighter than my MKVI. I don't know if they are easier for big hands, though, but they have very good ergos (not to mention a great sound). Make sure it's the '156' because the earlier Aristocrats are heavier.

+1 for the Big B - I have one right now and it does seem light in the hands. I prefer its left pinkie ergos to the TH&C (although I prefer the presence of the TH&C).

Funny, Jack, that you mention an awareness of pearls - the only horn whose pearls really put me off was a J-K SX90R.

 

[artstove]

I found my 1960's 10M to be fairly heavy, and for some reason I could never get comfortable playing it sitting down, although standing up it was fine (and it sounded lovely). My King Cleveland is noticeably lighter than the 10M.

 

[dogster]

My Keilwerth Sx 90 Nickel /Silver is light and powerful

 

[saxmanjack]

Thanks for the replies! But hey, time for a diversion: The reason why I went to check out the VII today is that, while perusing craigslist for a new alto, I noticed an ad for a Berg Larsen tenor piece. Described as 120/1 SMS with original cap & lig, with a few fuzzy photos. But the lig & cap were brass. Looked again, and thought, Hmm... that shank looks too short for the length of the table - couldn't possibly be a 'very vintage' longtable slant-sig Berg in THAT big of a tip, could it?

Drove up around the beltway and deep in to the bowels of the Takoma Park area at lunchtime today.
Kinda lost interest in the VII when he handed me the original condition old slant Berg!

So cheap, it almost makes up for missing the FREE Martin alto posted on craigslist a week ago...

 

[Dr G]

Drove up around the beltway and deep in to the bowels of the Takoma Park area at lunchtime today.

Ewwww...

 

[skatkat]

Agree with Dr.G. I had a 156 Tenor that was quite easy to handle and great ergos. Wish I still had it :-(

 

[JL]

Agree with Dr.G. I had a 156 Tenor that was quite easy to handle and great ergos. Wish I still had it :-(

I think you're agreeing with me....

But aside from that, now saxmanjack is off on a tangent about Bergs....... Looks like we're just spinning our wheels here.

 

[ThreeSixTwoFive]

If you don't mind vintage ergos, you might like a later Conn tenor. I can say from experience that the Conn 16M is lighter than a 10M or a Chu. In one crazy year, I had three 10Ms of different vintages, a 16M and a Chu stencil. The 16M shooting stars horn had a great response and a very pretty tone. Got many compliments on its tone.

 

[gary]

Ewwww...

Is that Ewwww for Takoma Park or for the Berg. Because I used to live in Takoma Park, dude. . . by choice. :twisted:

So saxmanjack, you kind'a lost me. Are you still interested in ergos for large hands? If you live where I think you do, you should take a trip to Chuck Levin's Washington Music and check out a Keilwerth. I don't think the ergos are restrictive for small hands, but I think the keywork is a little more spread out than on many Yamaha/Selmer styled layouts and may be more comfortable for you.

 

[Dr G]

I think you're agreeing with me...

Yepper, JL wrote it first... (even if I was already thinking it) :twisted:

 

[Dr G]

Is that Ewwww for Takoma Park or for the Berg. Because I used to live in Takoma Park, dude. . . by choice. :twisted:

Neither. It was the "driving into the bowels... at lunch time" part.

 

[Kelpie]

Definitely a Keilwerth nickel silver. Lightweight, palm keys are adjustable, but the side keys (RH) are a little low for me.