New Projects and New Models

Since we rid ourselves of "outside investors" last year, we have been free to follow our own course as to product development. The results, from our point of view, are very exciting.

We've discontinued production of all the previously offered Saxgourmet and Steve Goodson Model horns and replaced them with new models. The Model Six has been replaced with the Super 400. We've already been through two delivery cycles of the Super 400, and the buyers all agree that as great as the Model Six alto and tenors were, this one is better. It features a different body material (rose brass), two different necks, both a high G key and an upper stack speaker key, and solid copper resonators. The bore is a little larger and the tone hole placement slightly different, particularly on the upper stack. It's really a very natural evolution of the Model Six, and I am well pleased with it. The buyers who have taken delivery of this horn all agree this is my best design yet! Here's a demonstration video of this model, featuring my hero, Tony Dagradi:


We're currently taking orders for the next load, which should arrive in the early summer.

Our next new model is a project we've been working on for a long time: the Voodoo Rex alto and tenor. This is a horn I've wanted to build for a very long time. It features a SOLID COPPER body, bell, bow and neck, and ROLLED TONE HOLES. There are also quite a few new keywork tricks which add fantastic ergonomics to the dark, full sound. This horn has a unique compensator key for improved high note intonation, and solikd copper resonators on special kangaroo leather pads from MusicMedic. This horn is dark and sweet sounding, and is unbelievably responsive with spot on intonation. Take a listen as the legendary Amadee Castenell puts it through its paces:



Here's another video, featuring Gary Brown



Like all the horns we offer, these models are available in a bright copper finish ONLY. All the other finishes have been discontinued. Copper is "our look", and we find it to be the most beautiful and durable finish out there. All our horns also feature full, hand cut engraving on the bell, bell flare, bow, body tube, neck, and all key cups. Nobody offers more engraving. We sincerely believe that too much is always better than not enough! We also now use genuine abalone pearls on our key touches rather than ordinary mother of pearl.

The Steve Goodson Model baritone was a huge seller, and it has now been discontinued and replaced by the new Saxgourmet baritone. We have made a few acoustic improvements, and have added a new exclusive mechanism whill allows the player to play low A with either the left thumb OR the left pinky. The ergonomics have been improved, particularly on the palm keys. This bari also features kangaroo leather pads with solid copper resonators and abalone key touches. Engraving is far more elaborate than was done on the Steve Goodson Model, and now includes the key cups.

For our many customers in Europe, we are now manufacturing a special edition Derek Nash Model alto and tenor, designed in conjunction with our good friend and endorsing artist Derek Nash. This limited edition model features two necks, a high G mechanism, full engraving, and solid copper resonators on kangaroo leather pads.

We currently have two further models under development: a revised and improved version of the very successful Steve Goodson Model curved soprano which will have some ergonomic tweaks and new cosmetics. The most exciting project is the Category Five alto and tenor. It's my dream horn, and we have already been through two prototypes and a production version is being made now. The Category Five is a totally new design: big bore, new body taper, SOLID SILVER neck (along with an additional neck in the same material as the body), rose brass body, bell, bow, and neck, FOUR OCTAVE PIPS, an upper stack speaker key, an altissimo octave system, and lots and lots of other goodies and unique features. Each one will be totally hand made, and the bell, bow, body tube, and necks will be hand hammered and burnished, not machine formed. This is strictly the Big Daddy Rabbit With the Fuzzy Tongue, and will be the most expensive and greatest saxophone of all time. We should have them available in the late summer.

At a future date (you may have noticed that I've been a bit busy) we'll have a new sopranino and saxello. I'm still considering a bass, but am yet to be convinced the potential market justifies the tooling costs.

Our foray into the accessory business has been extremely successful for us. The mouthpieces are selling very well indeed, and we will be expanding our model line up very soon with the introduction of two new models: the Rottweiler (a frighteningly loud and aggressive tenor piece) and the Black Magic, which is plated in a beautiful black anodized nickel and has a built on ligature.

The biggest home run we've hit this year has been the Saxgourmet series of necks. This product has really taken off, and we have expanded the line to include specific models for Selmer, Yamaha, Conn, and Buescher tenors. We'll have a full line for alto saxophones in the early summer. The solid copper necks have also been big sellers, and we are currently developing a line of baritone sax necks. Here's a couple videos that demonstrate these products:






We've also got a couple of other products in production now: a three ring strap hook, a new very ergonomic neckstrap, anda new mouthpiece case to compliment our line of neck cases. I'm awash is prototype saxophone cases at present, but still don't feel like we have this project totally dialed in.

As you can easily see, reports of my demise have been greatly exaggerated! We've been busy, and things are going very well indeed for us. Our repair and restoration business is also flourishing. We'll continue to offer the saxophone community the very highest quality and most innovative products on the market today. We welcome your questions and comments. Please email me directly at saxgourmet@cox.net. I hope you are enjoying reading my articles on saxophone design in every issue of The Saxophone Journal, and I invite you to read and participate in our saxophone discussion forum located at www.nationofmusic.com.