Forum of the Saxes

aaamusicianaaa · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 3 Location: Pacoima, Ca

In case your sax is needing more work than the very helpful tips on the "Sax Repair" thread can provide, I thought I should recommend a shop.

http://www.scimonetti.com

I've been playing the sax for 20 years. It came to my attention that there are far more BAD techs than there are GOOD ones. Until I got my first pro sax, I used to let a guitar player fix my sax at the local music store! What a mess!

When I first stepped into Scimonetti Band & Orchestra, I finally felt like I was at home. There's no guitars or drums!!! While they exclusively stock woodwinds, brass, and orchestral strings, it's obvious to see that their truley in business to provide EVERYTHING a sax player needs!

Everytime I go in there, Jimmy Scimonetti's fixing a "superstars" sax. Either Tom Scott, Paul Perez (played with Tower of Power), some of the gang from Earth wind & fire and many more! It's an awsome place!

I origionally visited to buy a Selmer Ref 54. I was expecting to play a couple, and choose one. This was NOT the case. They put me in a room and gave me $100k worth of tenors at a time. I was able to play 5-10 each of EVERY current production saxophone being made. I was able to play several of the following saxes in all available (and sometimes custom) finishes:
Selmers - Ref 54/Ref 36, Series II, Series III
Cannonball - I stopped at around the 40th one they brought in
Yanigasawa - All models INCLUDING the solid sterling silver one!
Yamaha - 62II, 82Z, 875
B&S - Chicago series made in Germany; only $1700!
Jupiter - They had a real nice one w/a sterling silver neck for about $2500
Keilwerth - They had a few shadows, and Black nickle, (straight & rolled tone holes)

As if their sax selection isn't enough, they have more mouthpeices than I've ever seen in all the LA stores combined! Jimmy swore I couldn't play them all in 2 full days! I wasn't really interrested in the vintage saxes, but he said he had a few I should try. He has more vintage stuff than new horns! He pulled out a cherry VI around 60,000 for only $4000! It played great, but I'm lost without a high F#

For the first time in my life, I was able to play every single sax being made today! It was between an unlacquered 82Z, Cannonball Black Ice, and a "2 fo a kind" Series III Selmer with a custom finish. I honestly felt the CB played the best, and was able to afford an airline mic, Jody Jazz mouthpiece, and a portable PA from Sampson.

The only bad side is the drive. They're way up in the sticks (Lancaster), but it only took me 45 minutes to get there from the SF Valley. Your other alternative would be to drive to every shop in LA in order to play the "big four" and some imports. I think their toll free number is (866)LA-BAND1. He gave me a business card, but it got washed. If you're a sax enthusiast, do what Jim calls the "Pilgramage to sax mecca."

Good luck!

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Cannonball Raven Soprano /Yani 7
Cannonball Raven Tenor /Wilkerson Ultimate 7C
Selmer Series III tenor/Jody Jazz DV8
Yanigasawa Bari/Jody Jazz ESP 8*
Sampson Airline Mic & loving it!

JAZZY J · Joined: 28 Nov 2005 Posts: 21 Location: Los Angeles

Don't forget:

HORN IMPROVEMENT

http://www.hornimprovement.com/index.php

25672 Taladro Circle #A Mission Viejo - California - 92691

Telephone - (949) 455-4163

FAX - (949) 455-4183

acdcgraphics · Joined: 02 Jan 2006 Posts: 64 Location: California

If you are in Sacramento, you must take your baby to Mr. Mike Weems in Rocklin. He is absolutely wonderful. He is semi-retired, but he is so busy with his repair business, that you just call and make an appointment, he used to have his own jazz band during the halcyon days of the 50's and early 60's when people used to frequent jazz dinner clubs, before the overtake of the electric guitar on the hearts of youth. He was also in the US Marine Corps band and led an officer's jazzband in the Corps. Very meticulous, call him: 916-624-7044
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