Sonare (division of Powell Flutes) has been offering their model 301 for awhile now. Designed originally for the 1st year student in mind, the 301 was a closed hole, c foot flute. It featured a handcut headjoint with a Solid Silver Lip Plate & Riser.
This flute truly performed much higher then a typical "student" model, instead performing closer to what we consider an "intermeditate" model flute. However, being closed hole and low c, this kept it bound to students and doublers.
As of February 2008, Sonare now offers the 301 with open hole, low b foot & split e. All of these features added on to an already fantastic platform have helped bring the 301 into an area of the market that was being poorly served; the $700 intermediate flute market.
At $712, the Sonare SF31BEF (SF=Sonare Flute, 31=301, B=B foot, E=split e, F=French Open Holes) fills this price range with one of the best flutes we have seen in years at its price. Intonation is excellent, mechanics are good, pad quality is excellent and playibility is great.
The SF31BEF is shipped in a very high quality french style case and case cover.
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Wednesday, January 30, 2008
"Ribbed" Body Construction for Saxophones - What is it?
One of the most common questions that I receive for saxophones is "what does ribbed body construction mean?"
On a saxophone, every key is suspended up from the body by no fewer then 2 posts. These posts can be attached to the body of the saxophone in one of two ways.
Post To Body - Each post is individually soldered on to the body.
Ribbed Body - Large groups of posts are soldered to a large plate of brass, aka a "rib". This "rib" is then soldered on to the body.
With ribbed construction, you add more weight to the saxophone. This changes the vibration of the instrument. Typically, ribbed body saxophones will give a warmer overall sound because of the added weight.
Ribbed is not always better!
It is a common misconception that ribbed is better. The reason behind this is that all student level saxes are post to body construction. Most intermediate models are ribbed. So many sales persons will use this as an explanation as to why the intermediate model is more expensive, quoting it as better.
There are many professional model saxophones that do not use ribbed construction. Keep in mind that the weight of the sax can negatively effect the playability if the construction is too heavy for the design.
The design of a sax effects the tone of the sax more then the weight does. So if you have a design that by nature is already dark in tone, then adding more weight can actually be a negative thing.
For instance, all modern professional Keilwerth saxophones do not use ribbed body. Instead they use post to body construction. Many vintage professional horns also did not use ribbed construction.
Post to body models vibrate easier then ribbed body models. This is why student models are made this way, it makes it easier for a basic beginner to play. However, depending on the design of the sax, the more vibrant body may be the better bet.
On a saxophone, every key is suspended up from the body by no fewer then 2 posts. These posts can be attached to the body of the saxophone in one of two ways.
Post To Body - Each post is individually soldered on to the body.
Ribbed Body - Large groups of posts are soldered to a large plate of brass, aka a "rib". This "rib" is then soldered on to the body.
With ribbed construction, you add more weight to the saxophone. This changes the vibration of the instrument. Typically, ribbed body saxophones will give a warmer overall sound because of the added weight.
Ribbed is not always better!
It is a common misconception that ribbed is better. The reason behind this is that all student level saxes are post to body construction. Most intermediate models are ribbed. So many sales persons will use this as an explanation as to why the intermediate model is more expensive, quoting it as better.
There are many professional model saxophones that do not use ribbed construction. Keep in mind that the weight of the sax can negatively effect the playability if the construction is too heavy for the design.
The design of a sax effects the tone of the sax more then the weight does. So if you have a design that by nature is already dark in tone, then adding more weight can actually be a negative thing.
For instance, all modern professional Keilwerth saxophones do not use ribbed body. Instead they use post to body construction. Many vintage professional horns also did not use ribbed construction.
Post to body models vibrate easier then ribbed body models. This is why student models are made this way, it makes it easier for a basic beginner to play. However, depending on the design of the sax, the more vibrant body may be the better bet.
Tuesday, January 22, 2008
NAMM Report - 2008
Well the NAMM show in Anaheim has come and gone now. This is the big industry show for retailers. This show is not open to the public.
Because of this, I will typically post a "NAMM Report" on the popular saxophone message board, "Sax On The Web". This post is usually a rather long post so I will simply give you a link to it instead of reposting the whole thing here:
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=75833
There were several highlights of the show for me. They include:
Leblanc "Bliss" Clarinets by Backun
Avanti Flutes designed by Bickford Brannen
Selmer Series III Baritone Sax
as well as MANY other items.
Go log on to SOTW (short for Sax On The Web) and give it a read.
Because of this, I will typically post a "NAMM Report" on the popular saxophone message board, "Sax On The Web". This post is usually a rather long post so I will simply give you a link to it instead of reposting the whole thing here:
http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=75833
There were several highlights of the show for me. They include:
Leblanc "Bliss" Clarinets by Backun
Avanti Flutes designed by Bickford Brannen
Selmer Series III Baritone Sax
as well as MANY other items.
Go log on to SOTW (short for Sax On The Web) and give it a read.
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