My Super 400 is here
saxxsymbol
out of the box but i did some very minor custom tweaking to my taste.
I opened the lower stack and G# key just a little bit. Absolutely
stunning looking horn with a flawless finish. Almost looks as if it is
glowing. Largest bell I have seen on a tenor. Build quality seems
beefy and solid, much like my previous Model Six.
This sax has most every improvement Steve has put on his horns.
Seems like he put to use what he learned from some of his and others
previous models.
Intonation is within 5 cents on all notes with no apparent
embouchure adjustment. Middle D and E 5 cents sharp, middle C perfect.
A2 perfect, palm keys same. High F# and G# within 5 cents and same
timbre and resistance. You can really push the high G and not worry
about it cracking. Ergonomics feel perfect. I don't have to reach for
anything. Very smooth and fast action with the easiest transition from
middle C and C# to anything above the break, that I've seen. I can
slur at trill speed from C# to D with the normal fingerings ( open C#
to normal middle D ) with no jump or break in the tone. The horn plays
faster than I can play it.
The tone reminds me of the finest tenor I ever blew ( my teachers
early Mark VI ) without the associated problem notes. Can be very full
and sweet and woody or you can peel the paint with the edge you can
push thru it. Absolutely the best tone I have ever produced on a tenor
sax.
The F# helper bar has been redesigned ( you'd like this one henry)
the very good G# no-stick system has been borrowed from Keilwerth.
Adjustable stack keys, Saxgourmet RH thumbrest, redesigned LH
thumbrest, 2 necks, high G key, interior threaded neck tenon, abalone
key pearls etc.... make this one option laden sax.
I sold my Model Six and my Steve Goodson Model tenor to afford this
horn and a Orpheo BB tenor as backup and am glad I got them when I
did. Both have the high G key and the ergos and intonation are close
enough to switch seamlessly between the two when needed.
Anyone traveling thru central Florida and wants to try this puppy out
just drop me a message here and we will work it out. I'll also be at
the Florida Strawberry Festival for 11 days doing three shows a day
from March 4th - 14th, 2010 in the Sweetbay tent at 11am, 2pm and 5
pm.
I hope everyone has a safe and Happy Holidays.
saxxsymbol
As my point of reference the tenors I have owned as follows:
Selmer Balanced Action my first tenor
Late Mark VI , my main axe for 20 years, sold to a young navy musician
in early 1990's.
Yamaha 62 replaced my six
Yamaha 23 backup
Keilwerth SX-90 R replaced my 62 when I had an unfortunate accident
with my axe
Yamaha 82Z replaced the keilwerth
Saxgourmet Model 6 replaced the 82Z
Vespro replaced the 23 as back up
Orpheo Pro replaced the vespro, has high G key !
Saxgourmet Super 400 replaced the Model Six
I also played extensively on a friend's Selmer SBA, nice horn, and
his 36,xxx Conn Naked Lady Tenor in gold plate. The Conn had the best
intonation of any vintage tenor I have played. Terrible ergonomics.
I kept the Orpheo Pro and the Saxgourmet Super 400, both have the high
G key. A coincidence, I think not.
ansermetniac
<saxxs...@yahoo.com> wrote:
>Keilwerth SX-90 R
Bavarian umpah horn
Bore too large for Jazz or much else
It sold because of the Black Finish
Keilwerth wanted to make a Guardala horn. I visited the factory. They
are assemblers , not manufacturers. They could not make the changes I
wanted. I killed the deal. Dave was pissed. I told him to wait and a
better deal would come along. That is why I was CEO and not Dave.
How long did it take Dave to fall after I left?
How many new mouthpiece models were there after I got sick in 1997?
As Frank Burns said to Hawkeye who was under tent arrest,while
straddling the doorway--I can go in , I can go out, I can ....
Abbedd
saxxsymbol
> On Fri, 25 Dec 2009 07:58:26 -0800 (PST), saxxsymbol
>
I sold the keilwerth because of intonation issues with middle D and C.
Middle D was 25 cents sharp and middle C was 20 cents flat. I did not
have the skill necessary to play it in tune. I did love the sound and
power of that horn though.
jbtsax
a nice Christmas Chuck.
John
saxxsymbol
You too, John. Have a great new year too.
Hopefully, I'm done with new horns for a while. I really like what I
have now.
Chuck
saxxsymbol
I will have this horn with me February 1st, 2010 at the Mohican Sun
Casino in CT. with Rick K and the Allnighters for one performance at
7pm. If you are in the neighborhood stop by and say hey and give this
horn a blow. I expect it will be really cold for a Florida boy like
me. I haven't seen snow in 15 years.