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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / The New Aquilasax C

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Lou
User ID: 9614573 Sep 17th 9:20 AM
Hi, Wade --
Been away for a while, and returned to find that the "new C" is close to available. As a busy band player (on the C) I'm naturally very interested in the newbie. Once it's out there, I would think that your forum will eagerly collect opinions from veteran C players on its playability and general quality. I'll watch the forum with great interest.
Any thoughts on your part at this stage?

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Sep 18th 11:35 AM
Lou - there are a couple of other threads running here about it, but they'll soon be full, and I suspect it'll continue here ! I don't think anyone has received a new C Sax yet.

I've put up links to all the latest pictures, and the ebay Aquilasax C at -

http://cmelodysax.co.uk/wpblog/?p=31
or
http://tinyurl.com/yoeot2

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Sep 20th 7:50 AM
Guess it's over to this topic now Lou, as the other one is full. I notice that the Aquilasax C on ebay still needs a few bids ! Come on all you moneybags ! Rev up that GAS !

jazzbug1
User ID: 0735934 Sep 20th 8:50 AM
I sent a suggestion to Tampa Dave that he stock C Melody cases. He will investigate. Sorry, Steve, but $45 to ship from China is a significant boost. Maybe you could sell to Dave in large lots and still get in on the $$. There are many players and sellers who would buy a decent case for $60--$80.

Lou
User ID: 9614573 Sep 20th 10:54 AM
Having seen no mention of mouthpiece in Steve's "new C" promotion, I asked him about it.
Answer: Due to cost overruns, you don't get one. So there's another $40-70 cost added to the horn itself and the shipping.
Don't think I've ever seen a new sax shipped without a mouthpiece. Seems kind of chintzy. But I guess this is a shoestring operation.

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Sep 20th 11:38 AM
Lou.
I hear what you are saying, but when you consider the low cost of the saxophone, the work that he has done and the financial risk that he is taking, surely the lack of a mouthpiece can be excused. The initial costing must have been of the "wet finger in the air" variety, so surely we can cut him some slack.
Most of his customers who buy his new C Mel. will already have their favourite mouthpiece anyway.
A few years ago I bought a very expensive R&C tenor which came with the usual ghastly student mouthpiece. All sax manufacturers do this, safe in the knowledge that the majority of their customers are experienced sax players...all with their favourite piece. Far better surely, with the exception of student horns, they all knock off the price of the mouthpiece and send the saxophones out minus mouthpiece.

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Sep 20th 1:07 PM
It's almost certainly complicated by the fact that since Steve did his original 'sums', the $US has slipped a little bit against other currencies - so has upset the balance a bit, as he originally priced everything in $US for buyers, but has to pay out to suppliers in other, probably currently stronger, currencies. And one thing in life is certain, as time goes by, costs, especially production costs for a new venture, will rise..... (Here endeth the economics lesson... :-))

And he's quite correct in saying, certainly for the initial batch, that most (if not all) will go to existing players who have their own favourite mouthpieces. Quite perversely, a proportion of those will have already bought the same Aquilasax mouthpiece, or the Metalpro version, that Steve would have supplied with the sax.

I'd much rather the prices were pegged around the original levels, than have either a mouthpiece that stayed in the case, or one identical to a mouthpiece already purchased. It's only another $37 for the Classic, incl. lig, if needed. Peanuts.

Crikey, I sound like a salesman ! Need to play a sax to restore normal state of mind...

Lou
User ID: 9614573 Sep 20th 3:11 PM
Captain and Alan, you're right -- I'm the one who's being narrow-minded here. After all, who else is taking the bull by the horns (pun intended) here and moving us toward a new C? Nobody! The prospect is exciting, for those of us who have nursed the oldies all these years.
I have a 1923 Lyon & Healy (Buescher)C which works well with a modern Runyon C mp, and a 1922 Conn C which works best with an alto mp. All the other mps I've tried with the C's have been old tenors. I'm obviously not a pro. I'd assume that you'd recommend that I obtain one of Steve's new C mps. I've never tried a metal one.

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Sep 21st 9:04 AM
Probably the safest way to go Lou...it has had excellent reviews and it will hardly break the bank.
Really I am in no position to comment on C Melody mouthpieces as I am able to get my Buescher in tune with most of my tenor pieces...emphasising the tenor aspect of the C Melody...each to his own...who judges the Judges? :-)

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Sep 21st 9:27 AM
Lou, here are pictures and some comments from me about both the metal and ebonite (or whatever they use these days - it's not plastic) Aquilasax mouthpieces that I have. I'd recommend either for the core 'C' sound, and excellent intonation, it's just that I prefer the mini-tenor sound, so use tenor mpcs myself. The Metalpro has a clearer sound, and is available in more open facings, but the ebonite one is really good as a (better) modern replacement for the old smelly/stuffy 20's ones.

http://www.cmelodysax.co.uk/saxophones/aquilasax-mpcs.htm

(or) http://tinyurl.com/34nox8

(sorry, no hyperlinks on this forum :-()

Steve also has pics and prices at aquilasax.com

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Sep 21st 10:45 AM
Lou...There you go. One can always rely on Alan to give a more comprehensive and accurate answer.

jd68002
User ID: 1718124 Sep 22nd 8:54 AM
Hi guys, it's been a while since I posted anything here, but I still lurk. Anyway, I am on the list to get one of Steve's new C's and can hardly wait.

I have never bought a new sax before. All of mine are vintage and needed repairs and set up initially. Should I expect that Steve's new sax will be set up right out of the box. I assume I will need to send it to a tech for set up after I get it. Am I right?

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Sep 22nd 10:16 AM
It will play straight out of the box...it seems to be only the Americans who go to a "tech", whatever that is, to even change a reed. :-))

Lou
User ID: 9614573 Sep 22nd 10:38 AM
Captain, a Tech is a guy we Yanks go to after we screw up a re-padding or other work on our old saxes. He's also usually very good at "tweaking," too. He generally works out of a music store, and knows his stuff.
Alan, thanx for the mp pix mix. Will study carefully.

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Sep 28th 7:58 AM
First review of the new Aquilsax 'C' over on saxontheweb.

The SOTW Forum > General Saxophone Discussion > C Melody Soprano, Contralto & Tenor > Aquila Sax C Melody - Initial impressions!

ukebert
User ID: 7928263 Sep 28th 11:16 AM
Looking good...

Jim B
User ID: 9440113 Oct 3rd 7:50 AM
I talked to a local music store repair person and he said that it is standard practice in the USA that before a horn is sold by a music store that the "techs" go over it. Reasons given were many including that the instrument may have gotten some bumps in shipping. He also said all spring tensions are checked over.

It seems in the UK people either don't know their horns have been checked over or buy out of the box and then suffer through the leaking and out of adjustment horn.

Captain Beeflat
User ID: 1738604 Oct 3rd 8:32 AM
Jim B.
What else would you expect from someone who makes a living from repairing and adjusting horns. A major part of their training is to practice a sharp intake of breath and "tut tut" while shaking their head sadly.

alan (uk)
User ID: 0651814 Oct 3rd 9:08 AM
"all spring tensions are checked over" - good joke Jim ! If only you could be a 'fly on the wall' in your tech's workshop...

Certainly if a sax is being sold thro' a reputable store, then I would hope that it's already had a (free) test-play and any needed minor adjustments by the in-house tech. But to take along something bought over the internet, immediately it's received - you're just saying "here's some money, Mr Techie, tell me my Chinese ebay sax is OK". As Bb says, watch out for the sharp intake of breath...

WE adopt the sensible approach of playing a new instrument for a while, finding any faults for ourselves, giving the pads a chance to properly seat (maybe even gently corking them down overnight for a few days), and then - if there are still problems - taking the sax along to a trusted repairer with a list of exactly what needs fixing. That is, if we can't fix it ourselves...

jazzbug1
User ID: 0735934 Oct 3rd 10:08 AM
I always play a horn, leak test it. Let it sit for a day, then play it again. Before shipping, I often play it in performance so it is "pushed" at stage level, then leak test it again. My feedbacks are 100%. A shop should never sell a horn without a thorough playing test.

Next 20 Messages Newest 20 Messages

Lou User ID: 9614573	Sep 17th 9:20 AM Hi, Wade -- Been away for a while, and returned to find that the "new C" is close to available. As a busy band player (on the C) I'm naturally very interested in the newbie. Once it's out there, I would think that your forum will eagerly collect opinions from veteran C players on its playability and general quality. I'll watch the forum with great interest. Any thoughts on your part at this stage?
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Sep 18th 11:35 AM Lou - there are a couple of other threads running here about it, but they'll soon be full, and I suspect it'll continue here ! I don't think anyone has received a new C Sax yet. I've put up links to all the latest pictures, and the ebay Aquilasax C at - http://cmelodysax.co.uk/wpblog/?p=31 or http://tinyurl.com/yoeot2
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Sep 20th 7:50 AM Guess it's over to this topic now Lou, as the other one is full. I notice that the Aquilasax C on ebay still needs a few bids ! Come on all you moneybags ! Rev up that GAS !
jazzbug1 User ID: 0735934	Sep 20th 8:50 AM I sent a suggestion to Tampa Dave that he stock C Melody cases. He will investigate. Sorry, Steve, but $45 to ship from China is a significant boost. Maybe you could sell to Dave in large lots and still get in on the $$. There are many players and sellers who would buy a decent case for $60--$80.
Lou User ID: 9614573	Sep 20th 10:54 AM Having seen no mention of mouthpiece in Steve's "new C" promotion, I asked him about it. Answer: Due to cost overruns, you don't get one. So there's another $40-70 cost added to the horn itself and the shipping. Don't think I've ever seen a new sax shipped without a mouthpiece. Seems kind of chintzy. But I guess this is a shoestring operation.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Sep 20th 11:38 AM Lou. I hear what you are saying, but when you consider the low cost of the saxophone, the work that he has done and the financial risk that he is taking, surely the lack of a mouthpiece can be excused. The initial costing must have been of the "wet finger in the air" variety, so surely we can cut him some slack. Most of his customers who buy his new C Mel. will already have their favourite mouthpiece anyway. A few years ago I bought a very expensive R&C tenor which came with the usual ghastly student mouthpiece. All sax manufacturers do this, safe in the knowledge that the majority of their customers are experienced sax players...all with their favourite piece. Far better surely, with the exception of student horns, they all knock off the price of the mouthpiece and send the saxophones out minus mouthpiece.
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Sep 20th 1:07 PM It's almost certainly complicated by the fact that since Steve did his original 'sums', the $US has slipped a little bit against other currencies - so has upset the balance a bit, as he originally priced everything in $US for buyers, but has to pay out to suppliers in other, probably currently stronger, currencies. And one thing in life is certain, as time goes by, costs, especially production costs for a new venture, will rise..... (Here endeth the economics lesson... :-)) And he's quite correct in saying, certainly for the initial batch, that most (if not all) will go to existing players who have their own favourite mouthpieces. Quite perversely, a proportion of those will have already bought the same Aquilasax mouthpiece, or the Metalpro version, that Steve would have supplied with the sax. I'd much rather the prices were pegged around the original levels, than have either a mouthpiece that stayed in the case, or one identical to a mouthpiece already purchased. It's only another $37 for the Classic, incl. lig, if needed. Peanuts. Crikey, I sound like a salesman ! Need to play a sax to restore normal state of mind...
Lou User ID: 9614573	Sep 20th 3:11 PM Captain and Alan, you're right -- I'm the one who's being narrow-minded here. After all, who else is taking the bull by the horns (pun intended) here and moving us toward a new C? Nobody! The prospect is exciting, for those of us who have nursed the oldies all these years. I have a 1923 Lyon & Healy (Buescher)C which works well with a modern Runyon C mp, and a 1922 Conn C which works best with an alto mp. All the other mps I've tried with the C's have been old tenors. I'm obviously not a pro. I'd assume that you'd recommend that I obtain one of Steve's new C mps. I've never tried a metal one.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Sep 21st 9:04 AM Probably the safest way to go Lou...it has had excellent reviews and it will hardly break the bank. Really I am in no position to comment on C Melody mouthpieces as I am able to get my Buescher in tune with most of my tenor pieces...emphasising the tenor aspect of the C Melody...each to his own...who judges the Judges? :-)
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Sep 21st 9:27 AM Lou, here are pictures and some comments from me about both the metal and ebonite (or whatever they use these days - it's not plastic) Aquilasax mouthpieces that I have. I'd recommend either for the core 'C' sound, and excellent intonation, it's just that I prefer the mini-tenor sound, so use tenor mpcs myself. The Metalpro has a clearer sound, and is available in more open facings, but the ebonite one is really good as a (better) modern replacement for the old smelly/stuffy 20's ones. http://www.cmelodysax.co.uk/saxophones/aquilasax-mpcs.htm (or) http://tinyurl.com/34nox8 (sorry, no hyperlinks on this forum :-() Steve also has pics and prices at aquilasax.com
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Sep 21st 10:45 AM Lou...There you go. One can always rely on Alan to give a more comprehensive and accurate answer.
jd68002 User ID: 1718124	Sep 22nd 8:54 AM Hi guys, it's been a while since I posted anything here, but I still lurk. Anyway, I am on the list to get one of Steve's new C's and can hardly wait. I have never bought a new sax before. All of mine are vintage and needed repairs and set up initially. Should I expect that Steve's new sax will be set up right out of the box. I assume I will need to send it to a tech for set up after I get it. Am I right?
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Sep 22nd 10:16 AM It will play straight out of the box...it seems to be only the Americans who go to a "tech", whatever that is, to even change a reed. :-))
Lou User ID: 9614573	Sep 22nd 10:38 AM Captain, a Tech is a guy we Yanks go to after we screw up a re-padding or other work on our old saxes. He's also usually very good at "tweaking," too. He generally works out of a music store, and knows his stuff. Alan, thanx for the mp pix mix. Will study carefully.
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Sep 28th 7:58 AM First review of the new Aquilsax 'C' over on saxontheweb. The SOTW Forum > General Saxophone Discussion > C Melody Soprano, Contralto & Tenor > Aquila Sax C Melody - Initial impressions!
ukebert User ID: 7928263	Sep 28th 11:16 AM Looking good...
Jim B User ID: 9440113	Oct 3rd 7:50 AM I talked to a local music store repair person and he said that it is standard practice in the USA that before a horn is sold by a music store that the "techs" go over it. Reasons given were many including that the instrument may have gotten some bumps in shipping. He also said all spring tensions are checked over. It seems in the UK people either don't know their horns have been checked over or buy out of the box and then suffer through the leaking and out of adjustment horn.
Captain Beeflat User ID: 1738604	Oct 3rd 8:32 AM Jim B. What else would you expect from someone who makes a living from repairing and adjusting horns. A major part of their training is to practice a sharp intake of breath and "tut tut" while shaking their head sadly.
alan (uk) User ID: 0651814	Oct 3rd 9:08 AM "all spring tensions are checked over" - good joke Jim ! If only you could be a 'fly on the wall' in your tech's workshop... Certainly if a sax is being sold thro' a reputable store, then I would hope that it's already had a (free) test-play and any needed minor adjustments by the in-house tech. But to take along something bought over the internet, immediately it's received - you're just saying "here's some money, Mr Techie, tell me my Chinese ebay sax is OK". As Bb says, watch out for the sharp intake of breath... WE adopt the sensible approach of playing a new instrument for a while, finding any faults for ourselves, giving the pads a chance to properly seat (maybe even gently corking them down overnight for a few days), and then - if there are still problems - taking the sax along to a trusted repairer with a list of exactly what needs fixing. That is, if we can't fix it ourselves...
jazzbug1 User ID: 0735934	Oct 3rd 10:08 AM I always play a horn, leak test it. Let it sit for a day, then play it again. Before shipping, I often play it in performance so it is "pushed" at stage level, then leak test it again. My feedbacks are 100%. A shop should never sell a horn without a thorough playing test.