{"id":43486,"date":"2015-03-13T09:32:59","date_gmt":"2015-03-13T16:32:59","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/?p=43486"},"modified":"2025-09-13T09:52:21","modified_gmt":"2025-09-13T16:52:21","slug":"phil-dwyer-edition-seawind-tenor-sax","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/2015\/phil-dwyer-edition-seawind-tenor-sax\/","title":{"rendered":"Phil Dwyer Edition SeaWind Tenor Sax"},"content":{"rendered":"

\"Phil<\/a>Phil Dwyer Edition SeaWind Tenor Sax<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Countries of origin:<\/strong><\/span> Parts manufactured in Taiwan; assembled by hand in Canada.<\/p>\n

Price:<\/strong><\/span> $3,399.00 (March 2015)<\/p>\n

Date of manufacturing: <\/strong><\/span>2014<\/p>\n

Date of review:<\/strong><\/span> 2015<\/p>\n

A few months ago SeaWind saxophones started advertising on the Woodwind Forum. As one of the WF\u2019s admins, as well as a saxophone content expert, I was asked if I would be interested in play-testing one or two of these horns to see what they were all about.<\/p>\n

I asked the fine folks at SeaWind if they would allow me an extended play-test, and provide me with an instrument to use for my (then) upcoming show at the Vancouver Art Gallery. They said yes, and provided me with a prototype baritone sax (reviewed separately<\/a>), as well as this Phil Dwyer Edition SeaWind tenor sax.<\/p>\n

Disclaimer: I am first and foremost a vintage horn player. All my playing experiences with new instruments are limited to horns that I have played, or play-tested, for relatively short periods of time only.<\/p>\n

The six weeks that I had both this SeaWind tenor sax, and the prototype baritone, allowed me an opportunity to not only become familiar with these lovely, local horns, but also play modern, new horns for an extended period of time. I must admit it was a lot of fun.<\/p>\n

Tone<\/h2>\n

Of all my tenor saxophones, the tone of the SeaWind tenor sax is closest to that my Selmer Mark VI. This makes sense, since SeaWind used Phil’s Super Balanced Action as a starting point for their design.<\/p>\n

The SeaWind is beefy, with a lush subtone. It also has a lot of volume, and is without a doubt one of the loudest saxophones that I have ever played.<\/p>\n

That said, even at the highest volume level with a Dukoff mouthpiece, the sound does not distort. It stayed clean, crisp, clear, and full over the entire range of the horn. This is not a tinny, thin, or light sounding saxophone.<\/p>\n

As a player who tends to use a lot of effects in their playing, I really liked the SeaWind tenor sax’s malleability. I was able to shape the tone with inflections and effects extremely easily.<\/p>\n

Response<\/h2>\n

The SeaWind tenor sax played extremely even up and down its entire range. All in all I would say that it is as even as my Mark VI, with perhaps slightly less resistance. Comparing it to my main tenor (a 1950 Zephyr), I would say that the SeaWind tenor is not as free-blow as the King, but the SeaWind’s response is certainly what one would expect from a pro horn.<\/p>\n

Feel<\/h2>\n

The SeaWind tenor sax is extremely well set up, and its overall key action is supurb. In large part this is because of the way the saxophones are manufactured.<\/p>\n

Although the parts were manufactured in Taiwan (see below), the instruments come here in pieces. They are then assembled in Qualicum Beach, on Vancouver Island, by Claudio Fantinato. Claudio and Phil Dwyer are business partners in SeaWind Musical Instruments Inc<\/a>. Claudio makes sure that each saxophone is perfectly set up before it is packed in its case and sent off to wherever it\u2019s going.<\/p>\n

I did find that the low Eb key was too stiff for my liking, but then I was playing Claudio’s personal horn. I would have mine set up differently.<\/p>\n

In contrast, the left pinkie cluster was very easy to play, and the springs were adjusted perfectly.<\/p>\n

When it came to the upper stack, it was sweet, but there too the springs were a bit too stiff for my liking. Again, this I believe is Claudio\u2019s personal preference, since I didn\u2019t find this left\/right spring tension difference in the prototype bari.<\/p>\n

The balance of the SeaWind tenor is really good. The placement of the strap ring is such that the horn hangs on the neck perfectly.<\/p>\n

Intonation<\/h2>\n

This is where I struggled a bit because I am a vintage horn player, and therefore am used to compensating for the tuning individualities of vintage saxes.<\/p>\n

I initially had problems with the SeaWind tenor sax for the same reason I have problems with Yamahas and many other new horns: I automatically make too many facial adjustments when playing saxophone. Once I put a new reed on; tried a vintage Dukoff with a rounder chamber; and consciously tried to control my facial muscles, the tuning improved greatly.<\/p>\n

These horns are easily capable of playing 100% in tune. The tuning foibles I experienced with the SeaWind tenor sax were simply a case of operator error.<\/p>\n

Phil Dwyer playing SeaWind tenor sax with new Gale Force neck and Jody Jazz Giant mouthpiece 7*<\/h2>\n

Want to know what these horns sound like? Here is award-winning Phil Dwyer himself playing the saxophone that bears his name…<\/p>\n