BetterSax Session - Alto Saxophone - Bond Villain Black

BetterSax have gone all out in their pursuit of the perfect saxophone that leaves no stone unturned! 

The brand BetterSax is now firmly established in the saxophone world, up to this point known for their excellent student instruments. But now they have taken things up a gear (or several) with the release of the Session, entering the professional market.  The Session is the culmination of 3 years of careful Research and Development, truly dialling in on what is important to sax players, and in doing so, incorporating some extroadinary design elements that make this model stand out from the crowd.  Made available in three stunning finishes, the Session offers great value for money - positioned modestly within the intermediate price bracket, it competes very well at this level...and beyond!

At the heart of any saxophone of note is the thing that matters the most to sax players: the sound.  And the starting point for a great sound on a sax is the neck.  BetterSax have incorporated several elements to the design of the neck which combine to elevate the sound and response to another level -  in combination with a unique bore taper, there is a specially design tone ring right at the outset of the neck, alongside a 'resonance brace' on the underside.  But the real magic happens at the far end of the neck.  In an effort to stay true to the original conical bore design of the saxophone (as described by Adolphe Sax way back in the beginning) BetterSax have designed an internally conical tenon joint that allows the air to flow from the neck to the body without the usual disruption that normally occurs due to having a cylindrical 'bump' in the airflow at this point.  And the finishing technical touch is that the neck design has a seamless internal fit within the body tube, avoiding the potential 'nodal disturbance' that can so often occur at this crucial junction on a saxophone.

But it doesn't just stop at the neck design. Like any good quality modern sax design it uses modern production techniques, however BetterSax have incorporated a strong element of traditional craftsmanship, all in the name of producing the best sound possible.  The bow and bell are hand hammered, a technique that is known to add resonance to the brass.  Further to this, the posts and keywork are hand soldered and fitted by hand.  And finally each Session is hand-engraved, making each instrument unique.  

The inclusion of blue steel springs and Pisoni Pro pads elevates the setup to a professional level, giving the player a comfortable a fluid key action with longetivy built in.  The body design also includes a 'mini ribbed' construction, a compromise between fully-ribbed and direct post-to-body construction, allowing the sax to have natural resonance while also retaining a robust build.  The tone that results from all of this is one of focus and resonance, allowing the Session to lean in any stylistic direction whether it be jazz, classical or pop.

Finishing Touches

The Session includes a Custom thumb-rest - using an investment-cast technique where molten metal is poured into a specially designed mould, the resulting thumb-rest feels way more comfortable than the generic thumb-rests that your average saxophone comes with.  The neck-strap ring is made from sturdy nickel silver to ensure that the neck-strap hook never wears through it, a phenomena that happens on standard brass rings after a decade or two!

The Package

The BetterSax Session comes kitted out with a stylish lightweight backpack-style moulded, shaped case.  And finally, BetterSax have partnered with JJ Babbitt to create a special-edition mouthpiece based on their favourite vintage Meyer, and this mouthpiece is included with the Session.  They are hand-finished, like their other models, and individually play tested to ensure perfect playability.

Features

• Material: Brass

• Finish: Matt Black Lacquer

• Key Touches: Mother of Pearl

• Neck: Better Sax underslung custom design!

• Engraving: Unique hand-engraving

• Case: Stylish shaped case with back-pack straps

• Mouthpiece: Custom-model Meyer, designed at Babbitt

• Made in: China

• Free Professional Set Up & Free Check over within a Year

• Recommended for: Intermediate, semi-professional or professional players.

Staff Review

This is a beautiful new line of saxophones from Jay Metcalf and his team at BetterSax.  As I said in my video review, I love the fact that they have gone to such great lengths in making sure every aspect, from a technical and playability position to its performance ability, has been well and truly covered.  There's a lot of technology and enhancements within the neck, which I appreciate  - such a critical area within the sonic space of a saxophone.  Sounds like a little thing, but it's great that the neck slots perfectly into the body socket and tightens precisely.  An area that can often be inferior on more expensive horns.

The overall build quality and technical accuracy of the mechanism is of premium level.  All of this feeds into a great playing experience, with an immediate feeling of comfort and satisfaction upon playing the first few notes.  Not only is the sound very responsive, it also has defined and focussed core with a good deal of depth.  For me, these qualities give it more of that 'French' vintage-style sound, as opposed to something that's bolder, broader and louder.  That's not to say that the sax can't project - its natural responsiveness makes the movement up and down the dynamic sphere very natural. 

I think we also have to recognise that BetterSax have partnered up with a very well-selected factory in China that have been clearly been able to incorporate design modifications and technical innovations.  The combination of seeking the highest quality build possible with a production cost that is clearly lower than that of the established big brands is how it's possible to offer this instrument on the market for a very impressive price. All in all, a great new line of instruments and one you should definitely put on your list when you are looking to upgrade from your student sax.

Jim Cheek.