[Jazziswaswillbe]

I’m looking at 4 tenors on ebay. Looking for opinions. Right now: a near mint Barone Classic with that brushed gold finish or whatever it’s called. Satin, maybe? Listed at $1200. A Viking M21 Super Sonic, silver bell and neck, bidding at $1500 now. An RS Berkeley Virtuoso, in very good condition for $1750 and an Antigua Pro One in excellent condition for $1990. The latter is too high for me and is in competition with a Committee 3 with complete overhaul at the same price, if I had the money. But realistically I’m looking at under $1600 unless everyone says the Pro One is the no brainer.
my main horn is a RTH 10M and I have a B&S blue label that is occasionally my favorite of the two. I also have a very good Ida Marie Grassi but it won’t be my back up so I have it on eBay. I’ve owned and sold both of the top line Mauriats, many Vikings and a Barone Classis (but I didn’t give the Barone Classic much of a chance — and so many people here rave about them that I’m considering giving it a second chance.). I haven’t tried and can’t find the virtuoso or the Pro One to try. But again. Raves from many people. So anyone who wants to jump in, please do. All opinions welcome.
My natural preference in a main horn is the big spread 10M. The B&S is - for me - right between spread and focused (kind of perfect) but I miss having a focused, but not bright,Taiwanese tenor. My Grassi is very rich and focused but the pinky ergos are too different for me and it has a little too much resistance for me to work with at 70. Thanks for any experience shared with any or all of these horns.

 

[1saxman]

I think that Viking is a Swing Sonic with 'nickel silver' neck and bell. They were made to resemble the old King Silver Sonic. For only $6000 more, you can get a Yanagisawa that does the same thing in Sterling. And of course, you can get a real Silver Sonic for around $4500.

 

[soybean]

Why don't you just get a modern B&S?

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

Why don't you just get a modern B&S?

That's another option I'm considering. Usually over my price range. So. I'm asking here about people's experiences with those others. Plus. I've never played the newer B&S tenors. Tell me your take on the 2001 if you've tried one.

 

[lostcircuits]

That's another option I'm considering. Usually over my price range. So. I'm asking here about people's experiences with those others. Plus. I've never played the newer B&S tenors. Tell me your take on the 2001 if you've tried one.

Can't do much better than the 2001 Tenor, I have two and they would be among the last things I'd ever let go

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

Can't do much better than the 2001 Tenor, I have two and they would be among the last things I'd ever let go

Have you played the Blue Label B&S tenors? Any comments on the differences or similarities?

 

[DarrellMass]

Why don't you just save your money, since your "natural preference" is the 10M, which you already have?

 

[milandro]

I am not sure of why you would need another horn since you already seem to have quite a few.

Anyway, I would buy a Viking between the few that you propose to buy. On your second thoughts about buying a more modern B&S.

B&S blue label are excellent saxophones but there is no doubt that later models showed mechanical improvements which make them different enough to justify buying another B&S.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

Why don't you just save your money, since your "natural preference" is the 10M, which you already have?

I played the Conn almost exclusively for a couple years, keeping the B&S as a really good backup. I have liked them a lot over the years. But I started missing having a more VIish sounding horn. (I tried a Radio Improved tenor at a tech's shop and flipped out. I just I couldn't come close to affording it) .. I recently bought the nickel silver Grassi online, after a few friends said it sounded like what I was looking for, and it was inexpensive. - it has a nice sound but is a bit too heavy, a bit too resistant and I dislike the left hand pinky table. .... so.
Many people here say 'I bought my Barone and sold all my Selmers and never looked back.' ditto with the Virtuoso and Viking and Pro One. And I am comfortable with the weight and resistance and ergos of most Taiwanese horns. That is the reason I've started looking to see what is available.
I like having three tenors. I always take a back up to a gig and leave it in the car ever since having two incidents when something went wrong with the 45-60 year old vintage horn I was playing!!!
And I've decided that I'm selling my Grassi.
I MAY stretch, if I can, and buy a B&S 2001. I've just never been sure that the sound would be significantly different from the Blue Label. I WOULD love to buy a Viking M60 or evening one of Rich'S first two horns. The M21 is described as being on the bright side, which is the only cautionary thing for me with that one. I usually like horns that are described as warm and slightly dark.
It's helpful listening to what others here say.
Thanks.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

I am not sure of why you would need another horn since you already seem to have quite a few.

Anyway, I would buy a Viking between the few that yu propose to buy. On your second thoughts about buying a more modern B&S.

B&S blue label are excellent saxophones but there is no doubt that later models showed mechanical improvements which make them different enough to justify buying another B&S.

Well. I like having three tenors. The 2001 is something I'm considering as well as the above ones. They are usually well over $2000 and I was trying to find something under $1600.
I probably should wait until I can afford a Selmer. But for the money (which I may NEVER have) and considering that I have found them to be either WONDERFUL or so-so, I wouldn't be comfortable buying without trying first.

 

[milandro]

well, I think that if you go to 2 tenors only you may easily be able to afford a modern Selmer.

I would rather have the one horn of my dreams rather than 3 horns.

 

[whaler]

Sell the two you have and upgrade. It sounds like you’re looking for something like more of a Selmer design.
If you can get anything for the 10M you could probably just put the $1500 you’re planning on spending and get a Series II or III.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

I am not sure of why you would need another horn since you already seem to have quite a few.

Anyway, I would buy a Viking between the few that yu propose to buy. On your second thoughts about buying a more modern B&S.

B&S blue label are excellent saxophones but there is no doubt that later models showed mechanical improvements which make them different enough to justify buying another B&S.

Well. I like having three tenors. The 2001 is something I'm considering as well as the above ones. They are usually well over $2000 and I was trying to find something under $1600.
I probably should wait until I can afford a Selmer. But for the money (which I may NEVER have) and considering that I have found them to be either WONDERFUL or so-so, I wouldn't be comfortable buying without trying first.

 

[TSax80]

I also have many more tenors and mouthpieces than I need, just for the fun of it.
I got an early series 2001 for low money, early meaning fewer adjustment screws and no G# lifter. It needed only some minor work from a tech, and now plays beautifully up and down. I would compare it to a Yamaha 62, just a bit broader and sweeter. Very good mechanics, it feels solid, fast and precise. They do not have much in common with Weltklang and Blue Label built in the former DDR before the wall came down. Completely new design, much better built, nothing cheap about them. Still, I like my SX90R more, I am definitely a big bore guy.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

Oops. Don’t know how I posted that twice. Apologies.

 

[extradarcafe]

There are two members selling B&S 2001 tenors now at reasonable prices. One is like new.

Funds don't seem to be an issue. Why not make an offer and buy one of them? You don't like it, sell it for the same or at a small loss.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

There are two members selling B&S 2001 tenors now at reasonable prices. One is like new.

Funds don't seem to be an issue. Why not make an offer and buy one of them? You don't like it, sell it for the same or at a small loss.

I know. I bought my B&S from Jerry k. And it was a perfect transaction from description and communication to delivery! So that is in the mix. I just didn't want to buy it without also considering these others.
And funds ARE an issue or I'd be buying a Selmer Radio Improved for $6000. I usually don't buy before selling something I have. And I'm unsure about the Grassi moving. Thanks

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

Has anyone here played the Viking M21 Swing Sonic? I’m cautious because two comments I’ve heard are ‘bright’ and ‘great rock horn. Which isn’t my taste. But Rich’s horns (M58, M40, M60) have all drawn high praise. I haven’t heard much about the Swing Sonics.

 

[saxcop]

I own a Swing Sonic. Mine has a silver body. I would not describe the M21 as bright. I think that has more to do with the mouthpiece. I also own several B&S horns.

 

[Jazziswaswillbe]

I own a Swing Sonic. Mine has a silver body. I would not describe the M21 as bright. I think that has more to do with the mouthpiece. I also own several B&S horns.

Great!! Can you tell me about the Swing Sonic? And compare and contrast it with the B&S? Anything would help.