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C Melody Saxophone Forum / C-Tenor (C-Melody) Saxophones / Opinions...

Back 20 Messages

Angela Louison
User ID: 0464054 Apr 10th 1:20 PM
Sorry to be bothersome...this is sort of a follow-up to my last post. I've been doing some research, found loads of information almost all of which was really confusing, and then went to E-bay (I know, buyer beware).
Anyone have anything to say about these auctions? All clinkers, what I should be willing to pay, ANYTHING. The last in particular is the one I'm most interested.
Thanks in advance for any advice...it's so appreciated.

auctions #250101339009, #330106643781, #230114252997 and #140106172866.

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 19th 10:54 AM
Newbie, welcome to the forum, or as it seems lately, the hornet's nest!

We are all (mostly) friends here. Like all friends, we have flashpoints and can go off on one another. Like others, I have flashpoints as well. Of late, mine is attacks against Christianity and the Christian church.

As for me being dangerous, I am at my most dangerous when I pick up a saxophone! As proof, check out my sites:

www.C-Melody.com
www.TemeculaBand.com

And when you are finished, check out Alan's site at:

http://www.c-melody.co.uk/

Captain Beeflat is a welcome member of this forum as are all. If we get rough with one another it just shows that we are passionate about life and will defend our points of view.

Cool Runnin' Man
User ID: 9725373 Apr 19th 11:13 AM
Wade: Well said. You are a cool guy with a great attitude and a lot of tolerence. Thanks for this forum. Cap'n B flat. Stop pouting and return to this Den of Iniquity.

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Apr 19th 11:30 AM
Wade - I'm probably losing the c-melody and cmelody domains soon, so the original cmelodysax is the only safe one.

http://www.cmelodysax.co.uk/

- but I may buy cmelodysax.com..........

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 19th 11:48 AM
I just checked out Aquilasax.com and the information about the new C-Tenor. I want one. The price is certainly better than the US$10,000 for Jim Schmidt's C-Melody; and I don't have to learn a new fingering system!

Also, as I looked in the accessories section I noticed a neck available for the Curved Neck Conn C-Melody. Has anyone used one of these? I need a neck for a Buescher. The text says that with some tech tweaking the neck will work on the Buescher. Anyone have any comments or ideas about this?

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 19th 11:53 AM
By the way, the neck's price was quoted as $105, so it is a lot less expensive than other custom mecks I have had quoted.

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Apr 19th 12:08 PM
Wade - I advised Steve that the Buescher and Conn neck tenon sizes were 'close'. The tenon size of the new neck is based on Steve's Conn. You have Buescher & Conn, don't you - how does your Conn neck fit on the Buescher ?

I've used a Buescher neck on a Conn, but (from memory) I think a Conn tenon is a just a *smidge* oversize for a Buescher socket - nothing a tech can't easily sort. Obviously there are even small differences in 20's Conn neck fittings (to another 20's Conn) - I've had a few Conn's, none with absolutely interchangeable necks. But at that price, you've easily some slack for tech intervention.....

Note - *smidge* (or smidgeon) is an old English measurement. Around three 'gnats' is equal to one smidge.

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 19th 12:52 PM
Thanks Alan, my question is actually about whether the neck will work. The tenon being tweaked a smidge or a couple of gnats was never a question for me. The question goes more to the intonation, octave key, and voice that is involved in the neck. But as you say, for the price I should have the room for some work. After all, the next closest neck price is over US$400!

ukebert
User ID: 7921973 Apr 19th 12:58 PM
Finally back onto saxophones...

jazzbug1
User ID: 1836024 Apr 19th 1:53 PM
Hello---Saw the comment on putting the Conn type neck on a Buescher. Be careful- The bore size can cause intonation problems. Another intonation problem can be caused by the diameter of the octave key opening and its location on the neck. You may have to solder the old opening shut, relocate a new hole and shorten or lenghten the reach of the octave key. My wife wants me to solder the opening on my neck shut.
"C" you later.

alan (uk)
User ID: 8200143 Apr 19th 3:12 PM
Wade - either I must be lucky, or have a rubber self-adjusting lip, but a lot of the things which seemingly/allegedly cause other people to have (or fear they have) intonation problems don't seem to affect me to that extent. Nor motorboating. A properly set up sax will stop a lot of this "headless chicken" intonation paranoia. Then again, maybe it's because I'm a real musician, and real musicians can play anything....

Remember can/could is often not "will". I suspect that some individual saxes are more prone to intonation problems, but I see people here often going around in ever decreasing circles on the subject. Roger probably spent a fortune on the Conn you have, yet did I hear you say it needs more work ?

Jazzbug1 - when I read your bit about moving octave pips, extending keys, and the size of the octave 'hole' (agreed, possibly valid points, but a bit pessimistic) - I'd quite like to solder the opening of your neck shut as well. Tell your wife she has my sympathy..... :-))

Wade - you'll never know unless you buy one ! But then again, you could put it on the Conn instead, and maybe have a totally differently playing sax..... And then get the old Conn neck adjusted for the Buescher. Decisions, decisions, decisions.....

I just love playing 'Devils advocate', especially to a Christian ! (It's OK folks, that's just Cornish humour !)

jazzbug1
User ID: 1836024 Apr 19th 3:19 PM
Remember. I am an expert, as I live in an "In Tone Nation" USA

Captain Muggles
User ID: 9725373 Apr 19th 3:30 PM
Check out jazzbug's posting under the General Saxophone Discussion heading titled jandjwoodwinds. This is the kind of reaction all of the propaganda and misinformation that was directed at Doc Frazier spawns.

jazzbug1
User ID: 1836024 Apr 19th 3:41 PM
That's just my off the wall humor (I am a Monty Python fan). I am not a spiritual person, but religious belief is fine, as long as it is positive for mankind and does not teach hatred. I really would like to hear from anyone who has had plating work done. I worship the "C" God.

Captain Muggles
User ID: 8945823 Apr 20th 6:07 AM
I'll roll with that!

WW2
User ID: 8973393 Apr 20th 10:38 AM
Thanks for the chuckles guys!

Alan, thanks for the advice. I just want to know if there are any "gotchas". I guess I can buy the neck and play with it. Even with mods it should be less than the US$400 for a custom neck.

Also, the Conn needs regulation and a couple of leaks fixed, nothing major.

Jungle Jim
User ID: 8332933 Apr 20th 11:12 AM
WW2 - Why would a neck cost that much? It seems a little steep.

Jungle Jim
User ID: 8332933 Apr 20th 12:12 PM
Buy a junk c melody on ebay that has a good neck. Should only cost around $200.00 at most

Jungle Jim
User ID: 8332933 Apr 20th 12:36 PM
Bueschers and Conns are the most common c melodies sold on Ebay. The average price is $250.00. Sometimes lower and rarely higher for ones needing an overhaul.

The Finisher
User ID: 8332933 Apr 20th 12:37 PM
This thread is History!

Back 20 Messages

Angela Louison User ID: 0464054	Apr 10th 1:20 PM Sorry to be bothersome...this is sort of a follow-up to my last post. I've been doing some research, found loads of information almost all of which was really confusing, and then went to E-bay (I know, buyer beware). Anyone have anything to say about these auctions? All clinkers, what I should be willing to pay, ANYTHING. The last in particular is the one I'm most interested. Thanks in advance for any advice...it's so appreciated. auctions #250101339009, #330106643781, #230114252997 and #140106172866.
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 19th 10:54 AM Newbie, welcome to the forum, or as it seems lately, the hornet's nest! We are all (mostly) friends here. Like all friends, we have flashpoints and can go off on one another. Like others, I have flashpoints as well. Of late, mine is attacks against Christianity and the Christian church. As for me being dangerous, I am at my most dangerous when I pick up a saxophone! As proof, check out my sites: www.C-Melody.com www.TemeculaBand.com And when you are finished, check out Alan's site at: http://www.c-melody.co.uk/ Captain Beeflat is a welcome member of this forum as are all. If we get rough with one another it just shows that we are passionate about life and will defend our points of view.
Cool Runnin' Man User ID: 9725373	Apr 19th 11:13 AM Wade: Well said. You are a cool guy with a great attitude and a lot of tolerence. Thanks for this forum. Cap'n B flat. Stop pouting and return to this Den of Iniquity.
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Apr 19th 11:30 AM Wade - I'm probably losing the c-melody and cmelody domains soon, so the original cmelodysax is the only safe one. http://www.cmelodysax.co.uk/ - but I may buy cmelodysax.com..........
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 19th 11:48 AM I just checked out Aquilasax.com and the information about the new C-Tenor. I want one. The price is certainly better than the US$10,000 for Jim Schmidt's C-Melody; and I don't have to learn a new fingering system! Also, as I looked in the accessories section I noticed a neck available for the Curved Neck Conn C-Melody. Has anyone used one of these? I need a neck for a Buescher. The text says that with some tech tweaking the neck will work on the Buescher. Anyone have any comments or ideas about this?
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 19th 11:53 AM By the way, the neck's price was quoted as $105, so it is a lot less expensive than other custom mecks I have had quoted.
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Apr 19th 12:08 PM Wade - I advised Steve that the Buescher and Conn neck tenon sizes were 'close'. The tenon size of the new neck is based on Steve's Conn. You have Buescher & Conn, don't you - how does your Conn neck fit on the Buescher ? I've used a Buescher neck on a Conn, but (from memory) I think a Conn tenon is a just a smidge oversize for a Buescher socket - nothing a tech can't easily sort. Obviously there are even small differences in 20's Conn neck fittings (to another 20's Conn) - I've had a few Conn's, none with absolutely interchangeable necks. But at that price, you've easily some slack for tech intervention..... Note - smidge (or smidgeon) is an old English measurement. Around three 'gnats' is equal to one smidge.
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 19th 12:52 PM Thanks Alan, my question is actually about whether the neck will work. The tenon being tweaked a smidge or a couple of gnats was never a question for me. The question goes more to the intonation, octave key, and voice that is involved in the neck. But as you say, for the price I should have the room for some work. After all, the next closest neck price is over US$400!
ukebert User ID: 7921973	Apr 19th 12:58 PM Finally back onto saxophones...
jazzbug1 User ID: 1836024	Apr 19th 1:53 PM Hello---Saw the comment on putting the Conn type neck on a Buescher. Be careful- The bore size can cause intonation problems. Another intonation problem can be caused by the diameter of the octave key opening and its location on the neck. You may have to solder the old opening shut, relocate a new hole and shorten or lenghten the reach of the octave key. My wife wants me to solder the opening on my neck shut. "C" you later.
alan (uk) User ID: 8200143	Apr 19th 3:12 PM Wade - either I must be lucky, or have a rubber self-adjusting lip, but a lot of the things which seemingly/allegedly cause other people to have (or fear they have) intonation problems don't seem to affect me to that extent. Nor motorboating. A properly set up sax will stop a lot of this "headless chicken" intonation paranoia. Then again, maybe it's because I'm a real musician, and real musicians can play anything.... Remember can/could is often not "will". I suspect that some individual saxes are more prone to intonation problems, but I see people here often going around in ever decreasing circles on the subject. Roger probably spent a fortune on the Conn you have, yet did I hear you say it needs more work ? Jazzbug1 - when I read your bit about moving octave pips, extending keys, and the size of the octave 'hole' (agreed, possibly valid points, but a bit pessimistic) - I'd quite like to solder the opening of your neck shut as well. Tell your wife she has my sympathy..... :-)) Wade - you'll never know unless you buy one ! But then again, you could put it on the Conn instead, and maybe have a totally differently playing sax..... And then get the old Conn neck adjusted for the Buescher. Decisions, decisions, decisions..... I just love playing 'Devils advocate', especially to a Christian ! (It's OK folks, that's just Cornish humour !)
jazzbug1 User ID: 1836024	Apr 19th 3:19 PM Remember. I am an expert, as I live in an "In Tone Nation" USA
Captain Muggles User ID: 9725373	Apr 19th 3:30 PM Check out jazzbug's posting under the General Saxophone Discussion heading titled jandjwoodwinds. This is the kind of reaction all of the propaganda and misinformation that was directed at Doc Frazier spawns.
jazzbug1 User ID: 1836024	Apr 19th 3:41 PM That's just my off the wall humor (I am a Monty Python fan). I am not a spiritual person, but religious belief is fine, as long as it is positive for mankind and does not teach hatred. I really would like to hear from anyone who has had plating work done. I worship the "C" God.
Captain Muggles User ID: 8945823	Apr 20th 6:07 AM I'll roll with that!
WW2 User ID: 8973393	Apr 20th 10:38 AM Thanks for the chuckles guys! Alan, thanks for the advice. I just want to know if there are any "gotchas". I guess I can buy the neck and play with it. Even with mods it should be less than the US$400 for a custom neck. Also, the Conn needs regulation and a couple of leaks fixed, nothing major.
Jungle Jim User ID: 8332933	Apr 20th 11:12 AM WW2 - Why would a neck cost that much? It seems a little steep.
Jungle Jim User ID: 8332933	Apr 20th 12:12 PM Buy a junk c melody on ebay that has a good neck. Should only cost around $200.00 at most
Jungle Jim User ID: 8332933	Apr 20th 12:36 PM Bueschers and Conns are the most common c melodies sold on Ebay. The average price is $250.00. Sometimes lower and rarely higher for ones needing an overhaul.
The Finisher User ID: 8332933	Apr 20th 12:37 PM This thread is History!