I received the following email from Dave:
I keep seeing you in these new adds for P. Mauriat tenors. Did you make the switch for good or do you go back and forth to a Mark VI. I’ve been thinking about getting a new tenor and I would love to get a Mark VI, but the $6000-$9000 price tag is stopping me. I’ve been considering Mauraits or Yanagisawas. Which Mauriat do you play? … and what kind of a set up do you use?
Love your playing. Looking forward to the next album.
Thanks,
Dave
Let me begin by saying I’ve played the same Selmer Mark VI saxophone for 16+ years. I love it. I’ve developed my sound on it. I’ve not thrown it away. It’s not going anywhere. It’s one of a kind.
But there’s a new horn in my life.
Did you make the switch for good or do you go back and forth to a Mark VI?
I’ve switched back and forth to gauge what adjustments to make, but I’m aiming to play the Mauriat exclusively. At a certain point the switching is no longer productive.
Why did I switch?
I love my VI, but Mauriat’s System 76 2nd Edition is a beautiful horn; it has an even sound, it’s fun to play…and it looks cool! 🙂
Recently I had my repair guy in NYC loosen the spring tension a bit and now it’s less stiff and feels even better (more like my Mark VI’s action).
A big reason I came on board w/Mauriat is for the exact concern you expressed:
I’ve been thinking about getting a new tenor and I would love to get a Mark VI, but the $6000-$9000 price tag is stopping me.
$6-9k is if you get either a junky horn that needs lots of work or rob an old lady who doesn’t know what she has. In my recent experience, you won’t find a decent one for under $10-12k. It’s crazy how much vintage Selmers go for now!
If I were hunting for a new horn today I couldn’t afford a vintage Selmer…and if I could, I wouldn’t feel comfortable playing it outside the house due to A) it’s high price tag, and B) it’s irreplaceability.
Is P. Mauriat a good alternative?
They make two types of horn: rolled tone hole and regular. I’m a regular guy.
Many players love the rolled tone hole editions, but that’s not what I’m used to (coming from a VI) and I don’t get “my” sound on them.
The System 76 2nd Edition has regular tone holes and its keys are placed on the body in a fashion similar to a VI.
I never cared for the new Selmers, never been into Keilwerths, and while I love my Yamaha soprano, I can’t imagine playing a shiny new gold-lacquered Yamaha tenor. The Mauriat’s vintage *look* is appealing.
So that’s my two cents. Whether a Mauriat suits your needs is a personal decision, but I highly recommend trying a few. Especially the System 76.
– Bob
