"Like
most companies, P.Mauriat boasts of having the "vintage" sound for which
people search. Unlike most other companies, I believe they might have just
found it." -Jazz Times
System 76 Custom Class Soprano Sax
Dan Stern plays the System 76 Soprano
The System 76 soprano has a different bore
size and tends to sound a bit brighter than the 64 - it has more of the jazz
sound associated with the classic French saxes making it a great responding
and sounding horn. Free blowing
yet focused, it has consistent
response and intonation from
the bottom to the top of its range.
It truly has the sound
characteristics of some of the
great vintage horns, but with
modern
key work that makes
it so much easier to play.
"At last a new horn that sounds and feels really exceptional - just like a vintage Mk 6 but new and with a big booty sound - the weight is great as is the response - tuning is perfect and there is that woody/grainy thing in the sound that I've only previously found in my old Selmers ... fantastic !" Andy Sheppard - March 07 www.andysheppard.co.uk
Test Report: P Mauriat System 76 Soprano Saxophone (Gold-lacquer)
The first impression you get when holding the new System 76 soprano is its solid, well-built look. The blue-abalone key touches are stunning and the key placement is very comfortable. The gold-lacquer finish complements its look as a modern-contemporary soprano.
After playing my first note, I was awestruck by the fullness of the tone, particularly at the low registers. Many players comment on the big-sounding low registers of the P Mauriat saxophones and this one is no exception. I am able to execute all the way down to low B-flat effortlessly. The sound is not boomingly huge but creamily full. I did not have to adjust my embouchure very much to glide my way around the low notes. I was very pleased with the flexibility down there.
As I get more and more comfortable with the modern key work (* I was using a vintage soprano for the last 5 years), I felt a sense of connection between the key placement and the tone production. The feel was very easy and effortless and the notes sort of pop out with every movement of my fingers. As I went higher up the registers, there is a little healthy resistance which prevents me from over-blowing. Middle D was very warm and round. Octave E and above was very clear and powerful but not too overbearing. The sound doesn’t crack as I tried to push it. Instead it remained focused and clear throughout.
Intonation is a major concern with soprano players. And all I can say is that I’m very pleased with the overall intonation of the System 76 soprano. I did not have to constantly adjust my embouchure in order to keep in tune. This soprano definitely out-performs other sopranos in its price range in terms of intonation.
Last but not least, I would like to add a comment about the
overall tone quality. Although it has a very clear and full modern soprano
sound, it surprisingly retains the warmth missing in most of the modern
sopranos in the market. I was a skeptic of such advertising lines such as a
“vintage-like warmth but with modern key work,¨ but the System 76 soprano
has just done justice to such a claim. -
Adrian
“Groove C¨ Chia.
Saxophonist
and Educator (Singapore)
Quotes from the
saxontheweb
discussion forum:
I bought a P. Mauriat
soprano last summer, and this brand really surprised me, the horn really
sings !! I used to be a big fan of those pricey Yanagisawa, until I
tried P. Mauriat, very good intonation, and have that "ring" sound in
it.......
"I got a chance to play a P. Mauriat soprano sax... One word, "WOW!!!" If I have money at the moment, I would take it right away without any hesitates... It's absolutely beautiful: control, response; tone... The action is fast, I mean REALLY FAST. It responds so fast that the moment I finger a note, I immediately feel the response, the vibration and the note just speaks... The tone is what I'm looking for. I always look for a spreading kind of tone, and this is it. It can fill the whole room easily, without the harsh."
All P.Mauriat saxes are supplied with hard case and basic mouthpiece.
P.Mauriat Saxophones Prices & Ordering
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