In 2017, the first pics of P. Mauriat’s PM-350 bass saxophone appeared on the company’s social media pages showing the [prototype?] bass at the 2017 NAMM show being playtested. Fast forward to Feb. 2019, and the following photo and description appeared on the company’s FB page:
Source: P. Mauriat North America FaceBook page
Early dealer descriptions
Shortly after that, P. Mauriat announced the following through their dealer network:
P. Mauriat is proud to announce that it is now shipping the PM-350 Bass Saxophone. The PM-350 debuted at Winter NAMM this year and gives P. Mauriat a distinctive position in the market as one of a very few brands to offer such a full spectrum of saxophones.
The PM-350 is the product of three years of development and design [emphasis added], and based on modern saxophone architecture. The culmination of P.Mauriat’s hard work is a bass saxophone that is ergonomic, with smooth playability and a signature, huge sound. P. Mauriat plans to price the PM-350 to accommodate the bid market for university, military and high school ensembles.
The PM-350 is delivered with a yellow brass body tube construction with yellow brass keys. It is finished in a stunning gold lacquer with beautiful hand engravings. The instrument is scaled from a low A and up to a high F#, and will accept a baritone or bass mouthpiece. The PM-350 comes as a complete outfit with case and accessories.
Source: prowinds.com
Although another of their dealers tried a different approach. This one made me laugh.
We are happy to present the new P Mauriat PM-350GL Bass Saxophone in gold lacquer. Finally a new bass sax that doesn’t cost over $20,000! [emphasis added] This is a well built horn for the professional musician looking to add to their lineup.
This horn features keywork from low Bb to high F#, and to accomodate multiple playing styles, it has a triple strap neckstrap ring and a floor peg. The keywork is crisp and tight under your fingers. For players who are used to only playing on old vintage Conn and Buescher basses, the modern keywork is a big bonus. Everything feels fluid and comfortable. Sonically, it takes your air well, though being a bass, you still lots of it!
This bass ships in a great hard case from P Mauriat, and does get a pro set up from our repair shop before shipping. We’ll box it well to prevent damage in transit. If you are outside the USA, please email us for a quote to get it to you safely. Unfortunately, you can expect some heavy import duties / taxes on this one.
Most saxophonists have only been able to dream of owning a bass before now, but this is a great opportunity to take the plunge and get a modern, professional level horn to fill out the collection.
MSRP:
$ 29,999.00
Our Price: $ 20,999.00Source: saxquest.com
It should be noted that Saxquest has since changed their description. Not sure when exactly it happened. I can tell you that this was panned like crazy on sax discussion boards early on.
Current company description
In 2024, this is how the company describes their PM-350 bass:
The P. Mauriat Professional Bass Saxophone is a must have for any military band, professional woodwind doubler, collegiate saxophone arsenal, or ensemble looking for serious low reed presence. With fully ribbed professional construction, mother of pearl key touches, and heavy duty bracing throughout, this instrument is designed to withstand a lifetime of service. Players will appreciate the ergonomic placement of the left and right-hand pinky tables, deep pinky key scoops, easy-access side keys, and overall ‘smaller hand feel’ that facilitate easier key manipulation.
Specification
- Professional Class
- Bb
- Standard
- Brass
- Hand Engraved Bell
- Genuine Abalone
- PM Traveller II Case
- Gold Lacquered
- Non-Slip Holder
Source: pmauriat.com
Photo gallery
To see what the PM-350 looks like, check out the photo gallery. Thanks to the people at Saxquest.
The great debate
Almost immediately after P. Mauriat began making their PM-350 bass available, everyone started speculating whether or not the horn was in fact an original creation, or whether it was was in fact simply a Jinbao stencil horn with one hell of an upcharge.
P. Mauriat claims that they make it, but doubters were not dissuaded from their beliefs. All this debate had me very curious, since we know that for the last decade+, there have been only 2 companies from China that have been responsible for all the new, cheap bass saxophones that are flooding the market like blow flies to a fresh corpse.
In an effort to find out more about the PM-350, I reached out to the people at P. Mauriat. They informed me that a local dealer in downtown Vancouver had one in stock. In answer to the questions I posed, they simply told me: Go try out the bass for yourself. Really? Thanks. That’s so helpful, and taking Asian secrecy to a whole new level.
My Review
In May 2024, I went to Long & McQuade’s flagship store in downtown Vancouver to playtest the latest iteration of the PM-350 bass saxophone for myself. Why do I say “latest iteration”? Because if you compare the photos in the the above gallery that Saxquest took of the PM-350 that they had in their shop, which was presumably of the first crop that was offered to dealers, to the photos I took—which you will find in my review—you will notice some pretty big differences. (EG: Check out the high F key mechanism. That is something I noted as one of my dislikes on the horn I tried.)
I published the review of the PM-350 in The Bassic Sax Blog—that just went through some pretty massive pruning. The review is pretty extensive, and compares/contrasts the PM-350 to a Jinbao-made Sakkusu that I played for the first 6 months of 2024, as well as to my own Keilwerth-made Couf Superba I.
I tried to be as fair as possible in comparing the PM-350 to the other 2 bass saxes. I hope you find the review helpful.
I should conclude with the following, which is also in my review: It does indeed appear that P. Mauriat designed and created the PM-350 themselves. It is NOT simply a Jinbao with a crazy upcharge. Hint: Read the review to find out more. 😉
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