That's it. I have no more excuses. I have to really start playing now...
On Saturday, after several hours of talking and drinking we (Evelyn & I) achieved the state of mutual understanding of the necessity of acquiring a new instrument. Basically, she convinced me, that I need one.
Since "we are not rich, so we can't afford cheap things" attitude was a driving force behind all financial decisions in our family for the last 20+ years, the plan was to go for the gold (no pun intended). I was to start researching the market, going places, and checking out various horns in order to find the one and only I would like to play for the rest of my life.
The candidates were Selmer III Series, Selmer Reference 54, and, may be, pro-level Yamaha, or Yanagisawa, to compare at least - don't I need to know what I want before I spend 4+ kilobucks on something shiny? They don't make Mark VI anymore, that's a shame; however, used one is not an option for me: I like to scratch and drop my things myself (seriously, I firmly believe, that some things should not have more than one owner: photocameras, cars, and musical instruments).
Well... nothing ever goes as planned in our family. Since the only store within reasonable driving distance, and open on Sunday, was Sam Ash Music Corporation, we started there. Since the top model they had in stock was Yamaha YTS-82Z, that was the first one I tried.
From the moment I laid my hands on it, I knew, that was It. It was a significantly lighter, than Amati Super Classic, I played for 28(!) years (until this moment), yet it felt solid and precize. The mechanism, slightly unfamiliar at first, was, however, very convenient, and the action was very crisp and defined.
After I blew first couple of notes, I was done. The response in the low register was incredible, the upper register played effortlessly as well... I looked at Evelyn, and she said: "This is your sound..."
I did try some other horns (old Cohns and Kings) at the store that day, but, mostly to assure myself that they don't even come close to this one. They didn't.
May be I should have had waited a little, may be I should have tried Ref. 54, but... Hey, I am a fatalist, after all.
I have a real instrument now. I am as set, as I ever will be (I think).
Sweet deal, too, nearly a grand under street price....
On Saturday, after several hours of talking and drinking we (Evelyn & I) achieved the state of mutual understanding of the necessity of acquiring a new instrument. Basically, she convinced me, that I need one.
Since "we are not rich, so we can't afford cheap things" attitude was a driving force behind all financial decisions in our family for the last 20+ years, the plan was to go for the gold (no pun intended). I was to start researching the market, going places, and checking out various horns in order to find the one and only I would like to play for the rest of my life.
The candidates were Selmer III Series, Selmer Reference 54, and, may be, pro-level Yamaha, or Yanagisawa, to compare at least - don't I need to know what I want before I spend 4+ kilobucks on something shiny? They don't make Mark VI anymore, that's a shame; however, used one is not an option for me: I like to scratch and drop my things myself (seriously, I firmly believe, that some things should not have more than one owner: photocameras, cars, and musical instruments).
Well... nothing ever goes as planned in our family. Since the only store within reasonable driving distance, and open on Sunday, was Sam Ash Music Corporation, we started there. Since the top model they had in stock was Yamaha YTS-82Z, that was the first one I tried.
From the moment I laid my hands on it, I knew, that was It. It was a significantly lighter, than Amati Super Classic, I played for 28(!) years (until this moment), yet it felt solid and precize. The mechanism, slightly unfamiliar at first, was, however, very convenient, and the action was very crisp and defined.
After I blew first couple of notes, I was done. The response in the low register was incredible, the upper register played effortlessly as well... I looked at Evelyn, and she said: "This is your sound..."
I did try some other horns (old Cohns and Kings) at the store that day, but, mostly to assure myself that they don't even come close to this one. They didn't.
May be I should have had waited a little, may be I should have tried Ref. 54, but... Hey, I am a fatalist, after all.
I have a real instrument now. I am as set, as I ever will be (I think).
Sweet deal, too, nearly a grand under street price....