F
Lots of fun
I just received this a couple of days ago but I'm already enjoying it. I've been away from sax for quite a few years. Most of the time, I play bass for seniors' jam sessions. But I thought I might take a sax along to jams if I had a C melody.
It came quickly and arrived well-packed. It looked great when I opened the case. It was set up well and I could find no reason to have it checked over by a technician.
PROS:
- fit, finish & set-up
- feels solid
- playability
CONS:
- left thumb gets sore from awkward toggling
- guard above right thumb hook digs my belly if I stand up
- mouthpiece seems like a very basic alto
I expect to have lots of fun with this horn but I doubt I'll do much performing. If I'm asked to solo, I think the control on my tenor will take me back to it. But a better mouthpiece might change my mind.
UPDATE: I tried my tenor mouthpiece on this and it made 100% improvement. It gave me the same control as I have on my tenor and massively improved the high and low notes. If you buy this horn, toss the mouthpiece in the trash right away!!
It came quickly and arrived well-packed. It looked great when I opened the case. It was set up well and I could find no reason to have it checked over by a technician.
PROS:
- fit, finish & set-up
- feels solid
- playability
CONS:
- left thumb gets sore from awkward toggling
- guard above right thumb hook digs my belly if I stand up
- mouthpiece seems like a very basic alto
I expect to have lots of fun with this horn but I doubt I'll do much performing. If I'm asked to solo, I think the control on my tenor will take me back to it. But a better mouthpiece might change my mind.
UPDATE: I tried my tenor mouthpiece on this and it made 100% improvement. It gave me the same control as I have on my tenor and massively improved the high and low notes. If you buy this horn, toss the mouthpiece in the trash right away!!
2
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P
Thoman C Melody
Absolutely delighted with this instrument. Well set up, it played straight out of the box with a good sound and accurate intonation right across the range. It also looks good and seems well made. My only criticism is that the placement of the side keys is rather awkward and could make playing with small hands difficult.
Also worth noting that the included mouthpiece is really rather good (a rarity with what is quite a cheap instrument) and works very well with around a 3.5 strength reed. The instrument will also work well with an alto mouthpiece.
Also worth noting that the included mouthpiece is really rather good (a rarity with what is quite a cheap instrument) and works very well with around a 3.5 strength reed. The instrument will also work well with an alto mouthpiece.
4
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M
Good Value
I'm an advanced amateur and have had the CMS-600 L for 6 months and played it almost daily. It is attractive and seems well made and I'm pleased with it, though I have three issues. 1) The low Bb key is a bit awkward, but I've adapted. 2) Initially, the low C, B and Bb were unstable; this disappeared after a month or so, maybe because the pads became seated, or maybe I became more familiar with the instrument. 3) With the included melody mouthpiece, or any alto mouthpiece, it plays extremely sharp. The neck isn't long enough to get it in tune and I have to pull the neck about one-half inch out of the body. There are still a few notes (middle D) that are difficult to play in tune.
I like the sound of the included "no name" mouthpiece and find it responsive and bright. I've tried various alto mouthpieces and like the Otto Link Tone Edge 5 star best, but not as well as the included mouthpiece. I also purchased a Caravan C-Tenor mouthpiece made for the C-melody sax that uses a tenor instead of alto reed. The Caravan has much better intonation and a very warm sound, that I personally do not like as well as the brighter sound from the alto mouthpieces.
I like the sound of the included "no name" mouthpiece and find it responsive and bright. I've tried various alto mouthpieces and like the Otto Link Tone Edge 5 star best, but not as well as the included mouthpiece. I also purchased a Caravan C-Tenor mouthpiece made for the C-melody sax that uses a tenor instead of alto reed. The Caravan has much better intonation and a very warm sound, that I personally do not like as well as the brighter sound from the alto mouthpieces.
2
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