Letter Date: Jun 8, 2008, Submitted by: CC
Re: Followup on Prestige Series IV Saxello from Topsax

Bob,

After spending some time at home with Klose, a tuner, and timely feedback from Bob Campbell, I took my week-old Topsax out for a spin at a local (blues/swing) jam session night before last, and the opening set of last night’s gig (Monk’s “Well You Needn’t” if you have to know). At the jam session, not only was I able to provide impeccably intoned background support for a decent vocalist, but the Prestige (with stock mouthpiece and a 2-1/2 reed) was able to cut through the amplified band with NO microphone.

The horn is very responsive. Lightning fast runs are as easy to execute on the Topsax Saxello as they on my Big-Name-Brand tenor. If you don’t like conversation, either do not buy this instrument, or be prepared to explain the difference between a soprano and a saxello to inquiring minds of all shapes and sizes.

In the beginning, my left pinky wanted to rest on the G# key shank instead of the pearl.
My errant pinky has been forgiven.
The Prestige’s outrageously placed palm keys are so easy to play I wouldn’t pay 1 devalued US Dollar for a soprano that does not have this layout.

CC

Letter Date: Jun 3, 2008, Submitted by: CC
Re: Prestige Series IV Saxello from Topsax

Topsax, Honey Gold Saxello:

This was my first purchase of a sight-unseen instrument. Bob Campbell responded to all of my pre-purchase questions in a very timely fashion. The bits had barely settled in my Inbox when the horn arrived. Initial (minor) concerns about the horn’s setup were answered within hours of my posting them, and Mr. Campell offered to pay for any adjustments (as well as any customs fees for which I assume I’ll eventually be billed if the US Government doesn’t go belly up before I do).

This horn felt good in my hands from the moment I lifted it out of the case (yes, before even removing the tissue paper and thoughtfully placed foam key wedges). The last soprano I played was a Selmer Mark VI - circa 1975 - and the Topsax felt every bit as good. My initial astonishment at how out-of-tune the Topsax sounded was dispelled immediately by Paul Coats’ excellent tutorial on Soprano Saxophone Intonation, a stiffer reed (2-1/2) and a Korg CA-30 Tuner. (Silly me for thinking I could play a soprano in tune just because my Selmer Ref 54 Tenor is reasonably close.) Practice sessions since then have convinced me that this is a quality horn that should put a big smile on the face of any professional saxophonist who is lucky enough to get his or her hands on one.

My only complaints …
1) The G# key is in an awkward position - unless you have very small hands, your pinky lands on the key lever instead of on the pearled key.

2) The octave key mechanism is unusually tight - some key oil and a minor adjustment to the octave key spring tension were needed in order to get a reliable response.

The question should not be “is this really a pro horn”, it should be are you really “pro” enough to play it?

Thanks, Bob.

CC

P.S. One of my peers marveled at the tone of the stock mouthpiece, and all who have tried the horn can’t believe that it is real.