Re: professional musicans tell the difference


"Jenn" <jennconducts@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:jennconducts-1FBD32.08224511022009@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <oSCkl.628$cu3.91@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Iain Churches" <IainNG@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

"Jenn" <jennconducts@xxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:jennconducts-F5F982.07354311022009@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
In article <iiwkl.454$cu3.238@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>,
"Iain Churches" <IainNG@xxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:

<sgordon@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote in message
news:49921786$0$1651$742ec2ed@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Here are some pictures in which you can see the white plastic sax:
http://www.birdlives.co.uk/content/view/30/46/

The picture at the bottom of the page is reversed, obviously.

Fascinating. Thanks for the link.

I wonder if the instrument might be a hybrid,
with a plastic bell and brass throat?

Iain

The two (IIRC) that I've heard are quite odd sounding. Bird could make
anything sound good, of course, but the fact that they aren't made
anymore pretty much tells the tale.

It seems that Grafton were the only firm to make these in
any number and stopped production circa 1960.

Presumably an acrylic alto is/was much cheaper than a brass
instrument. One would have thought that at entry (beginner's)
level the plastic instrument would have been an valid
proposition. But it seems there were considerable problems
with them. It would be interesting to know what Bird thought
of it, and how he came by it.

http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Alto/Grafton_alto.htm

Iain

Yes, difficult to impossible to adjust, thereby making it frustrating
for a beginner and too unreliable for a pro. Even excellent saxes are
darned hard to keep in adjustment. Note that saxophonists "fiddle" with
their horns more than any other wind players, along with oboists and
bassoonists. I know of a couple of people in L.A. who make good livings
ONLY from sax adjustments.

Much to be said for the humble Dolmetsch treble recorder then:-)

Iain


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