![\"\"](\"https:\/\/i0.wp.com\/bassic-sax.info\/blog\/wp-content\/uploads\/2008\/08\/paul-jay-small.jpg\" "\\"paul-jay-small\\"")
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Woltz (left) & Jay Easton (right)<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n Ever since hearing the Deep Schrott bass sax quartet<\/a>\u00a0from Germany, I have had the idea percolating in my head to do a bass sax quartet with Jay, Paul, Jim, & myself. We were thinking of trying to pull it together this time around, but Jay got a last minute gig doing Shrek The Musical<\/a>, so our tentative plans for an afternoon get together this coming weekend were changed to a luncheon.<\/p>\n Yesterday Jay and I talked about the possibilities of what a quartet might look like music-wise; instrument-wise; and also schedule-wise. So we’re thinking\u00a0this spring. We’re also thinking perhaps\u00a0it should be an original composition or two. We’ll have to see. Stay tuned…<\/p>\n I really enjoyed meeting Paul. I’m looking forward to hearing him play next month when the\u00a0Uptown Lowdown Jazz Band<\/a>\u00a0plays at the Vancouver DixieFest<\/a>. I will definitely be going to hear him play the bass sax there.<\/p>\n I also really would like to figure out a way to have him do the tweaking necessary on my bass sax. My poor bass has languished with its leaks since the move from New Brunswick. After having played Jim’s bass, I now know what a Buescher can play like. I now also know that this is the man<\/em><\/strong> to work on my bass. I just have to figure out the logistics of it. I’m thinking spring…<\/p>\n After lunch was over, the second stop of the day was at Jim’s friend’s house. Matt, AKA\u00a0quinntheeskimo Vintage Horns<\/a>\u00a0from eBay, is a dangerous man if you’re a sax player and you have a cheque book with you. Luckily I left mine a safe distance away.<\/p>\n I went there specifically to see the nickel plated Buescher bass that has had a low G\u00a0 extension added, but more on that later this week. While I was there, Matt showed me one of his Buescher straight altos (a gold plated one)…beautiful horn, but I’m not enough of an alto player to justify getting yet another alto that I don’t play…Even if it is\u00a0straight.<\/p>\n Matt asked if I wanted to see the Conn-O-Sax he had for sale. As he pulled it out of the case, I looked at this most amazing horn, and was astounded at how any instrument this old, could look this good. It must never have been played.<\/p>\n NB: All the following following\u00a0photos were taken by Jim Glass.<\/p>\n It has had a repad, but with the original type white leather, non-reso pads, so that it would sound authentic.\u00a0The horn has not got a mark on it. It looks absolutely new. Matt said that he believed there are only about 20\u00a0or so,\u00a0of the approximately 200 Conn-O-Saxes made, still\u00a0in existence.\u00a0After seeing this one, I would have to agree with him when he says there is likely not one in better condition, anywhere in the world.<\/p>\n If you have the necessary\u00a0$100,000, give the man a call. The horn\u00a0could be yours.<\/p>\n Then just as we were going to leave, I asked Matt if he had any sarrusophones.\u00a0He said yes, but none that are currently for sale, only his private one. He got it out for me, as well as his alto rothophone (also not for sale). He then also generously let me (attempt) to play both of these rare instruments.<\/p>\n As I held the bocal (above) I was amazed at how thin and fragile it was, compared to the bassoon bocals that I’m used to from my bassoon playing days. It is not surprising that many of the sarrus bocals have been damaged or destroyed over the years.<\/p>\n I have been fascinated by the sarrusophone for more than 20 years, and have seen them in museums. However this is the first time that I’ve ever had the opportunity to hear one being played, touch one, & of course play one.<\/p>\n I don’t know what I was expecting, but I was hoping that it would be a bit more intuitive for me. We did play it with an original Conn sarrusophone mouthpiece which helped matters, so I didn’t have to contend with the double reed, since it has been more than 20 years since I have held\u00a0a bassoon reed in my mouth.<\/p>\n I had been secretly coveting a sarrus for years, but now that I’ve had the chance to actually play one, I must admit, I’m not so sure anymore…<\/p>\n But now this beastie on the other hand, is another story altogether…The rothophone I did fall in love with. I only regret that when Dr. Paul Cohen sold his collection a few years ago, I did not know more about them…<\/p>\n This alto\u00a0rothophone, also known as a saxsarrusophone,\u00a0carries the\u00a0brand name Bottali.\u00a0Although I’m full up on altos, if Matt was to\u00a0willing to sell it, I would be willing to make an exception to my “no more altos in the house” rule.\u00a0 <\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Suzy Glass<\/h6>\n
<\/a>\u00a0<\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Jim Glass<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Paul Woltz, Jim Glass, Jay Easton, & I\u00a0at the Coho Cafe.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt & the Conn-O-Sax<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Conn Eb Contrabass Sarrusophone<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt playing his Conn contrabass sarrusophone<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Matt showing me where my fingers go on the front of the horn…<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 …and then showing me where my fingers go at the back of the horn.<\/h6>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Me trying to play the sarrusophone<\/h6>\n
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