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In Greater Detail and FAQ’s

FAQ's

  • "I want more projection."

  • "I like a certain edge in the sound."

  • "I want more of the core sound of my horn."

  • "I like a dark sound."

  • "I donʼt want to change the character of my horn, I just want some more projection."

  • "I want more projection but donʼt want the sound to be too bright."

  • "What will it do for my articulation? I have heard that these resonators can improve articulation."

Will it make my horn louder?

- What you can expect with Reso-Techs in your saxophone is the following:

Reso-Techs add perceptively more resonance and enhanced tonal color, projection and richness in the instrument's sound.

Compared to cheaper stamped, through-riveted resonators the differences are night and day.

In Greater Detail

WHICH MATERIAL?

Brass Resonators

If you are not sure what you want, remember that the following always holds true - you cannot go wrong with Brass Resonators. Brass is the best all around choice for richess of sound and enhanced projection, and tonal color.

Nickel Plated Resonators

Nickel Plated resonators give a more edgy and brighter sound than brass.

For the most edge and a brighter traditional R and B sound, Nickel Plated would be your best choice. Combined with a high baffle mouthpiece, you will get the most edge, and volume from your saxophone.

On the other hand, using a dark, large bore, or more traditional low baffle mouthpiece with nickel plated resonators will still give the extra edge and projection of nickel while still retaining a darker sound.

Nickel Plated for Baritone Sax***

***For Baritone Sax due to the instrument's naturally darker and more subdued sound and tendency to get buried in big band or other large ensemble settings Nickel Plated Resonators are a foolproof choice for more control of dynamics and greater latitude of sound. You won't feel the need to put out maximum effort to cut through and be heard. You'll have sound in reserve for when you want to really let the sound rip! ... and with a good mouthpiece you'll still have the ability to play pianissimo when it's called for. No more overblowing to get heard in a big band or R and B setting.

- At the very least for Baritone Sax an upgrade to Brass Resonators should be considered.

Silver Plated Resonators

Silver Plated Resonators are plated by a process of silver over copper and brass. The sound is similar to brass resonators because of brass being the predominant base material.

Sterling Silver (solid)

As a somewhat softer metal than brass, silver resonators are somewhat less bright in sound than brass resonators.

A personal choice. There are many great sounding saxophones out there with solid Sterling Silver resonators.

GOLD PLATED

A gold plated saxophone has a noticeably different sound than a laquered horn. There is a certain sparkle and a unique resonance in the sound of a gold plated saxophone.

It follows that the same is true for Gold Plated Resonators. A bench test of freely suspended, comparable resonators shows them to have the most colorful sound with more highly noticeable overtones and length of resonance than all other resonators. Players with Gold Plated Resonators are 100% unanimous on the high quality sound of Gold Plated Resonators and many have opted to have them put in all their instruments.

- Gold is impervious to the effects of moisture and oxidation.

- Contact for prices.

DOMED OR FLAT?

This choice seems to continue to be one of ongoing, conjecture and a matter of one's personal preference. Factors such as what the hornʼs original resonators were and other subjective reasons come into play. Many feel that Dome reflects the sound in unique and desirable ways while others prefer Flat for other reasons.

Legendary Ralph Morgan said that in his opinion Dome shape gives the best sound in a resonator.

When overhauling a vintage American horn: Conn or King, or Martin - to replicate original factory resonators (if there even were any originally! in the case of some early saxophones) Flat would be the resonator of choice..

That all being said we know of many saxophones with both Flat or Dome resonators - that due simply to the high quality of the resonators themselves sound magnificent.

OVERSIZE?

Oversize Resonators will add some additional volume from the mid range down through the lower register, and more volume in the overall sound and lower notes.

Although the above is somewhat true there is such a difference using Reso-Tech Resonators that it is again a personal choice as to whether to use oversized resonators or not. Using oversized will add even more edge and brightness to the sound of the the nickel resonators. All bets are off as to how loud you want your saxophone to be!

We have most oversizes for the majority of saxophones in existence both old and new. If we don't, we'll ask you for tone hole sizes of your instrument so we can size accordingly.

Custom Sizing

We will do custom sizing above and beyond normal oversizing for an extra charge.

- Contact for specifics.

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