Forum of the Saxes

CMelodyMan · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 4:02 pm Post subject: Cannonball-Crap or Quality?

I've heard this topic discussed on other sax forums before, but I wanted to post it on here anyway. Do you think Cannonball saxes are quality, good-sounding saxes, or crappy, harsh-sounding pieces of junk?

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Alto: Yanagisawa (880), Morgan 6M w/ Rico
C Melody: c.1919 Martin Inspiration
York soprano

Bleeding_Gums_Murphy · Joined: 04 Jul 2005 Posts: 75

In the middle. They're fairly well made horns (much better than the other crap taiwan produces), and they're all right for the money. They look gorgeous, but their sound is like, so what... Nothing special, just sort of plain. Not bad either, just not great. I've heard they are very similar in design to the Selmer LaVoix.

altosaxgeek5 · Posted: Tue Jul 05, 2005 5:59 pm Post subject:

I agree... They're around there with Antigua (my horn). Good, getting better, beautiful, but not Big 4 quality yet. Mmm... The Raven... Caw!!!
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Antigua Winds 520-LQ Alto Sax

Lisa Simpson · Joined: 28 Jun 2005 Posts: 13 Location: Orange, Ca

Bariman · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:19 pm Post subject:

Yes, the horns they used to produce were very crappy indeed, but the product they are putting out now is much better. The Big Bell series I believe. I think Jason DuMars did a review of the horns, and found them to have a very vintage sound (supposedly caused by a bigger bore), and ok ergonomics. I agree though, they are not yet top 4 quality, but they're on their way there (hah, all three 'theres' used in the same sentence!).

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:28 pm Post subject:

Bariman,

I let someone listen to my Selmer LaVoix and they thought it sounded like a Conn 16M...I guess that's good, right?

So maybe these "Ultra Bell" and "Power Bell" horns are bringing back some of the vintage sound? Confused

??:
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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

Bariman · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 3:32 pm Post subject:

I think that's what they were aiming at. 16m's- the student version of Conn's 10m tenor sax- are ok in sound, but are so common that they are not worth much. If you can find a good one, it will be at a good price, though.

Bariman
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Resident Conn Aficionado, Baritone Saxophonist
Currently Moderating 'Vintage Horns', and the Usergroup for Bari Saxophonists!

JPSaxMan · Posted: Sun Aug 07, 2005 11:55 pm Post subject:

Aw shucks, just when I thought my horn could actually be pitted with the pro 'vintage' Conns and etc Sad

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JP
Student of Saxophone
Music Education (BME) Major-2011
Mansfield University of Pennsylvania

SDSaxMan · Joined: 26 Jul 2005 Posts: 7 Location: San Diego Ca.

I love my Raven Alto and the Owners are the best when it comes to customer satisfaction. I love the way it looks and sounds. The only problem I have is the left pinkie keys and the third finger G key is too close. (Hopefully you understood what I was talking about) Other then that IM happy and haven't had any problems yet. Oh and the Raven is heavier than my other horns so expect some new neck muscles.shock:

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

For the first time in my life, I was able to afford the best sax I could find (not including the solid silver Yanigasawa's @ $9,000.00!)

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)

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, and a silver sonic! 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. Later on, I picked up an Arc soprano and Raven tenor.

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!
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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!

cannonball_phil · Joined: 15 Jul 2007 Posts: 13

cannonball saxes are heavier and harder to play on pecause of te meterials used to make them but seen as i've been playin them for 3 years I fin that it perfect in every way and even better when using a otto lin mouth piece,altissimo is a breeze on my saxes when I play I am more in tune than a selmer. and to think that some would call cannonball crap you will see that cannon ball will become one of the best sax manufacturing companys there I said it.you insulted me and countless other cannon ball sax owners like Boney James, Jeff Kashiwas(formerly from the RIPPINGTONS), Gerald Albright, Walter Beasely and so on but anyway you have your oppinion and I have mine just dont call them crap horns.
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Jazz is my life,it's what I do