Forum of the Saxes

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

Ok folks,
Let it fly! Let's hear the good and the bad about these horns.

I just bought the PMXA-67R (alto) and PMXT-66R (tenor). I am in "eager" anticipation of their arrival. As the posts come in (and my horns), I'll give a real review of my impressions. I'm just learning what all the 'sound descriptions' are about. For example, if someone writes that a horn sounds "Dark", I am leaning what dark sounds like.

I will start another thread that will attempt to standardize the way we all describe the sounds of our horns.

_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

never heard of the brand

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

http://www.pmauriatmusic.com/index.htm
_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

reisio · Joined: 05 Oct 2005 Posts: 177 Location: Florida

The website seems to have been built by a Japanese person.

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

Taiwanese! They have American quality control engineers working directly with them. These engineers and Roger Greenburg, former Sax Professor at Northern Colorado University, constantly feedback issues from the 4 distributors in the US. The two I know about are SaxAlley (Windsor, CO) and JunkDude (Dave). I recently bought 2 horns from Tim Glessman at SaxAlley. He's a great guy...one of the most respected technicians along the Rocky Mountain Front. He's a former student of Roger Greenburg. Tim and Roger are constantly giving feedback on the quality of the setup they receive 'out of the box' when shipped to the US. It's up to the distributors (such as SaxAlley) to then make these horns sing! Cool

Tim and crew do a fantastic job of stripping the horn down to the tube, treating the pads, oiling the posts, regulating and adjusting the horn to the player's specifications. I asked them to make mine just a touch lighter on the action, and I'm sure when I receive them next week, that's what I will get!

All in all, this is a great set of horns that is receiving rave reviews from many of the players on SOTW who don't get all hung up on names...people who really care more about their sound than where the horn is made. They've also received great reviews from JazzTimes and Downbeat magazine.
_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

CMelodyMan

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

I will try, but I'm not good at recording yet. I can do some comparisons between my instruments and the PM's.
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Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

Alto arrives tomorrow! Can't wait to play it at practice tomorrow evening. Mr. Green

_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

JazZz · Joined: 05 Jul 2005 Posts: 170

They look like very nice horns. I haven't played one but their the featured horns at my instrument store for right now. Tell me how it is because they look very very nice and If I get the time I want to go up and test one.

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

The alto is very nice! It was set up extremely well, is beautiful and sounds like I thought it would...dark, good projection and good intonation. I say "good intonation" because I have to get used to playing this instrument. I have been playing a Selmer Paris SA80-II Alto. The Selmer had good intonation also, but I got used to playing it for 2 years. The PM requires me to not bite so much to get out the lower notes. So, at this point, it's a little sharp in the lower notes...below D1. However, if I'm conscious of it when I play for a few weeks, I will get used to it.

Overall, I love the tone of the horn. It has, what I would call, a spread sound...not overly focused. I hope I can report this back to you in a few weeks and have the same great impression!
_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

What a coincidence. I myself was planning on purchasing the PMXA-67R tommorow or so.

Where did you buy your horn and how much did it cost? I saw this website (http://www.melkmusic.com/instruments/accWoodwind.asp) and they were selling it for $1995.00. Is there anywhere cheaper?

GAS_Wyoming · Joined: 04 Jan 2006 Posts: 84 Location: Gillette, WY

I don't think you'll find a cheaper one than $2000. I paid a little more but got it "completely conditioned"...what Sax Alley calls a new sax setup. They strip the horn, powder the pads, oil the keys, reassemble, adjust the springs and reassemble/adjust the horn so it plays perfectly!

It's the best playing horn I've ever had!
_________________
Greg Smith
Sop/Alto/Tenor/Bari - Whatever the band will let me play!

Hiya · Joined: 26 Jun 2005 Posts: 40

I just placed an order on the PMXA-67R from Sax Alley. I've never been more excited in my life :D.

When can I expect it to come!?!??!