Cannonball saxophones is one of the biggest dissappointments that this sax player has ever seen!

I have been in the market recently for a new alto myself and have been researching the cb mad meg alto. Actually thats how i found these postings. To reiterate sax maniac, all the local guys around here including my instructor say they havnt been out long enough to know how they will fare overtime. I do like their sound and they have a Gerald Albright signature horn out as well. I got Geralds new CD to hear what it sounds like, and he plays the crap outta that thing peace out homeslices

I have been in the market recently for a new alto myself and have been researching the cb mad meg alto. Actually thats how i found these postings. To reiterate sax maniac, all the local guys around here including my instructor say they havnt been out long enough to know how they will fare overtime. I do like their sound and they have a Gerald Albright signature horn out as well. I got Geralds new CD to hear what it sounds like, and he plays the crap outta that thing peace out homeslices

I know that the cannonballs aren't that popular with some because of an early reputation of falling apart but I went head on with that problem when bying a sax. I kind bugged the dude at the store about how they fall apart. He told me that it was an old problem that was fixed(of course he had to tell me about a million stories of how they fixed it and what they added). After that I decided to give it a go. I tried six saxes the bigest one I tried was a Yamaha that was over $6,000. I wasn't being ripped off either it was some cool stuff. I can't say the cannonball was quite as good but it beat everything else I tried. It was the second best sax in the store.

Try a Keilwerth SX 90, or a Yamaha Custom Z.

Can anyone give me quick thought on this model? Rather quick because it would help. Is this model compare better to some of the better horns??

If its not a big bell or the new stone cutter big big bells, general consensus has been to stay away. but the new big bell will knock your socks off pretty well!

Although Cannonballs are not my personal choice of horns; for anyone in the market for one of their most favored models, here is a nice one for sale cheap on SOTW: saxontheweb.net/sotwforum/viewtopic.php?t=26715

The ex and sx are basically the same horn except for real ivory/synthetic and some adjustments. The ex90 is a steal for it is really the SX90.

Sorry, but the EX and the SX are totaly different! The S and the SX-R are the only horn from Keilwerth that are still made completly in Germany. The ST is made in Asia and the EX is either made in Czech or Asia, I´m not 100% sure. The SX has adjustable palm keys, G-sharp pad cup lifting mechanis, hydraulically formed neck, waterproofed pads and is a way better horn than the EX. The EX is an intermediate horn and the SX a profi horn.

You clarified the differences, however I am not impressed with "Germany", nor any other part of the world. I only know what I hear. I have played them both. There is barely a "lick" of difference. As for opinions, Steve at Mindworkshop has both, and here is his exact words since he has both horns: Keilwerth’s high-end saxophones are available in two models as I write this. The EX90 horns are described as "semi-professional" and the SX90 instruments are their high-end professional saxes. The distinctions between them are somewhat esoteric. The SX90s offer adjustable palm keys, real mother of pearl buttons and perhaps most notably, aluminum road cases that seem capable of withstanding the attentions of an irritated rhinoceros. The EX90s come in a conventional wooden hard-shell case, have imitation mother of pearl buttons and you’ll have to live with the palm keys as they come from the factory. I have one of each – I’ve never actually adjusted the palm keys on my SX90. So, it is the ear that tells me what is preferable. This is just like the esoteric discussion on Selmer VI and VII. I have heard them both. If I found a cheap VII over spending 5000 for a VI, I'd grab it. I am not impressed with names nor with reputations. I am not David Sanborn, but my ears and fingers still run my decision. Hope that helps.

I just recently (one month ago) bought a Stone Cutter Series Cannonball tenor. I played a Yanigisawa in high school and after being out for 7 years decided to go back to college. I needed a horn and after much research, decided that for the price, I would try a CB. Not without playing, of course, so I went to my nearest dealer and WOW! Don't get me wrong, I still love VI's and other vintage horns. I played a Mark VI in high school also, but my repair guy accidentally relacquered it and it never sounded the same. If I had 6 grand, yeah, I probably would've bought a VI and never tried the CB horns. I didn't have that, so for less than 2 GRAND, I got an awesome horn with mouthpiece, two necks etc. Their factory mouthpieces actually aren't that bad, either. It's easy to trash mouth a horn when you haven't tried it- and for those of you that have, there are just as many people that have played on vintage horns and didn't like them... sometimes it is the player. And I play VERY well in tune on mine. In fact, I've been out of high school 7 years and that new horn has gotten me a FULL paid scholarship back to school.

Ex90III sounds sometimes better than the sx90R! I own a sx90R alto gold nickel but I was impressed with a Ex90III sandfinish Gold, sounds much better for much less money!! And the tenor take the same way. A EX90III is a bargain, plays in the same category that the expansiver sx and sx90R and is much cheaper! No matter if it comes from germany or east europe or asia. Keilwerth is in fact no longer a german company!

The knights templar state: "up grading from an old Buescher" We dont like the term upgrade, your looking for something different,may be spend some money.Ok Going New the knights would go nickel silver Sx 90. Dont go for the Ex they are not the same animal .The alloy is not from Keilwerth.Its a totally different alloy and is a student instrument.Your current Buescher has many more sub colours than an Ex horn is capable of producing.Sx90 is where you want to be.Cant comment on the Cannonball not checked them out although reading on this forum, posted by one or their staff about their techniques for hammering is good stuff, and shows the forum working well with good debate.The knights Templar will give you one very sound piece of advice.Buy the best saxophone you can afford, thats if you are going to buy new(.Bird lives).

upgrading from an old buescher....hmmm, if it's a TH&C or 'new aristocrat' , exactly how would one upgrade?:)

The knights templar have finally taken several of their order to check out the Cannonball horns.We tried all the ones they do.it didnt take us long to decide.These horns are most certainly for the student market. They may look nice and it pays no respect to the great man. They are a good student horn and thats it.Make no mistake he checked them out totally.(Bird Lives)