Why are vintage horn better than the new ones?

I have heard that vintage horn are better? Why are they better?

I recently saw a new Yanagisawa sax selling for HK$72,000. (about US$9,200) It says it has the sound of a vintage horn but the built of a modern horn.

Wonder if it is gold plated?

Better than what?

Better than a cheapo modern horn? Sure thing, but then so is a nice modern horn.

Better than a nice modern horn? No, just different.

It's all down to what you want from a horn - and if a vintage horn 'does it for you' then that makes it better than a modern one.

I'd have to agree.

I know for me, in the classical realm, I'll take a vintage flute over a new one any day. The sound is much warmer, and much better for ensemble blend. However, for jazz, I'd have to stick with my modern Pearl or any more modern flute, just for the extra 'bite' that the newer flutes have. I would say the same for saxes also. I love the way the old Selmers play and sound, and would use them for just about anything I'd play. Still don't have one, but I'll get there someday when 1989 is vintage

The 'sound of a vintage' horn is kind of meaningless. Some vintage horns have very dark, pretty tone, some a much fuller tone, some much brighter. I love the tone of the Yani, its not too bright, kind of a big, all around tone, but it really projects. That's why I bought one. But if you play a horn, you'll soon decide whether you like the tone.

The 'build of a modern horn' is also kind of meaningless. For example, older horns were more likely to have rolled tone holes, so you could argue they were better built. What the Yani does have is a very nice, player friendly action. Personally, I think it's a great horn. One thing I would wonder though, is which yani you saw for 9k USD... was it solid silver? I bought my yani 991 alto brand new for under 2k USD, and it's a beautiful professional horn.

cheers,

Of course there's a certain charm to getting a superb vintage horn for 600 USD where a superb new horn might be 3000 USD.

On Fri, 06 Jul 2001 11:22:24 +0100, Stephen Howard

I've been playing Buescher True Tones so long, the left hand pinky table of a 'modern horn' feels wrong. Who needs articulated G# anyway?

Bob Fowler

Bob can bench press 47 pounds with his pinkies alone!!!! (at q=180 no less!)

Mitch