[chilliad]

Hi All,
I recently got myself my first tenor, a 70's SilverSonic. So now I started to pay more attention to tenor sax playing and love Dexter, Zoot, Getz and the like.

What I want to know is how capable is a SS/S20. I know some of you guys get them in addition to what you already have, say a VI, because they can be loud. How about tonal wise?

Can someone list different SS/S20 tenor plays of the past that has different style and distinct tone that is not just LOUD?

And if you can also share how you use your SS/S20 in various setting would be great too.

 

[ChuBerry47]

One of the alto players from the KOLN Big Band plays a super twenty, I used to play one. I Believe that Charlie Parker played one as well, if I am not mistaken. They are great listen to michael brecker and Randy Brecker Live on their last album. The Alto player has a great solo in song Five.

 

[Martin Williams]

Don't worry, the Super 20 is loud sure, but still very versatile, like any other horn. I have a friend who is able to use his for quartet work when he wants.

There is a list of famous players and their equipment on Theo Wanne's site, and a few of those guys played 20s.

My advice is just don't worry, and play the horn!

 

[Al Stevens]

My Silversonic Super 20 tenor can indeed be loud, can outblow my Mark VI, for sure, but it doesn't have to be loud. I can play it quietly with nice subtones. It's a versatile horn. That's a great horn you have there. Play it. It has power and projection when you want it, and it can be a soft, sweet player, too.

 

[drakesaxprof]

My Silversonic Super 20 tenor can indeed be loud, can outblow my Mark VI, for sure, but it doesn't have to be loud. I can play it quietly with nice subtones. It's a versatile horn. That's a great horn you have there. Play it. It has power and projection when you want it, and it can be a soft, sweet player, too.

Agreed--both my S20 alto and tenor are extremely responsive to player input, and capable of whatever you ask of them. Most of my Johnny Griffin recordings are from when he played his S20 tenor, while Bird and Cannonball are the obvious references for alto. "Loud" isn't the first thing that comes to mind when I think of any of these players--fast, maybe...great, for certain.

 

[Michael Ward]

Check out any classic Roland Kirk or Yusef Lateef albums both King players also James Moody.
In a different genre Jon Smith from the Edgar Winter band and Jim Horn.. Here in the UK the late great Dick Heckstall Smith always played a Super 20 as do Evan Parker and Lol Coxhill when these mainly soprano players play tenor.

 

[Kritavi]

Wilton Felder too!

 

[sopranosaxman]

Check out Charlie Ventura

 

[Michael Ward]

I forgot my favourite Booker Ervin although he switched to a V1 as did Griffin.

 

[chilliad]

Thanks guys.

Michael Ward, I downloaded some Dick Heckstall Smith's songs, cool.

drakesaxprof, do you have recordings playing S20 other than those very nice classical ones on your web? And what are the albums that Johnny Griffin played S20?

Again, thanks guys.

 

[RootyTootoot]

I wouldn't get too much into the idea that a Super 20 is a "loud RnB type sax" or something like that. It's a really versatile instrument, i think, as long as it's in good condition and well-serviced. It'll do whatever you ask of it. I just think there's a danger sometimes of having too many preconceptions about equipment and these preconceptions place a limit on one's playing. All the best and congrats on acquiring such a great sax.

 

[drakesaxprof]

Thanks guys.

Michael Ward, I downloaded some Dick Heckstall Smith's songs, cool.

drakesaxprof, do you have recordings playing S20 other than those very nice classical ones on your web? And what are the albums that Johnny Griffin played S20?

Again, thanks guys.

I've got a few recordings as lead alto on the Des Moines Big Band playing the S20 alto--nothing recorded yet on that tenor. PM me and I'll send you something. Johnny Griffin played his S20 tenor on Introducing Johnny Griffin, The Congregation, A Blowin' Session (with Trane and Hank Mobley), and The Little Giant. I believe all of those are late 1950s to early 1960s.

 

[Michael Ward]

Please try to hear " A Blowin' Session " as mentioned above. It is an amazing record and to hear Griffin cut Trane and annihilate Mobley ( who drops out of the blistering pace) is real gunslinging scary stuff and totally exilarating.
Dick can be heard to great effect on Jack Bruce's " Things we like" album. He plays a great ballad written by Milt Jackson with a nice unaccompanied intro.

 

[Yellowhorn]

Chiliad -

Ask not what your King can do for you, but what you can do with it.

 

[milomo]

Sonny Rollins played one in the late '50's (the CD's Trio and Brass and Sonny Rollins and The Contemporary Leaders, and HERE and HERE and HERE). Also, Hank Mobley plays one on THIS Art Blakey record. The cover shot from THIS record is from that same Blakey session (though the music is from much later), and it give a better view of the Super 20 that Hank was using.

 

[Grumps]

What Can SilverSonic/Super 20 Tenors Do?

I don't know, but I can't wait till mine comes back from the shop so I can find out!

 

[chilliad]

I will try to find those CDs mentioned above.


And I will try my best to server the King.

 

[hgiles]

S20s can be really nice horns. A friend in town here has one and he can be deadly or downright sweet on it. I tried it on a couple of occassions and I found it to be exceptional.

It really doesn't give up anything (that I could tell) to any horn I've ever played. The keyboard is a little different than more modern horns, but nothing to get upset about.

Enjoy your horn!

 

[shmuelyosef]

I forgot my favourite Booker Ervin although he switched to a V1 as did Griffin.

I thought Griffin played a Buescher Aristocrat his whole career?? I recall seeing a picture once.

 

[Michael Ward]

He was a King S20 player until he left to live in Europe. Then he played on a V1 in the Clark Boland big band with Don Menza, Ronnie Scott, Sahib Shihab all on V1's. Then he got involved with the design of the V11.( he wasn't perfect)