[Dixielandjazz] Taiwan Saxophones

[Charlie Hull]

Thanks, Bob. I've been playing a Cannonball Tenor Sax for almost three 
years. It replaced my old King Super 20 silver bell, purchased in 1962, 
blows more easily and has a great tone. When I acquired the horn, I put 
the King in the shop for a complete tuneup. It's my standby axe, so I 
get it out and toot on it occasionally to make sure it's still working. 
It was OK when I didn't knew the difference, but I'd hate to go back to 
it as my main horn.

The Cannonball company is based in Utah, but its horns are manufactured 
in Taiwan to Cannonball's specs. Then they're shipped to Utah where 
they're tested and fine-tuned before they're made available for sale.

I don't have any other experience with Taiwanese quality, but I sure 
love this horn.

My only complaint is that I chose a silver plate finish, which was great 
at first, but is becoming uneven as I clean the large accessible 
surfaces but have difficulty cleaning and polishing between the key 
posts. Now the instrument has an "experienced" look... sorta like it's 
owner.

I wouldn't hesitate to consider a horn because it was made in Taiwan.

I thought I might buy a Cannonball clarinet, but Bob Newman decided to 
sell off his Selmer, so I bought it... and love it. Imagine my 
dissapointment when I discovered it didn't come with all those beautiful 
licks Bob produced on it.

Charlie Hull