There are certain values that I really appreciate in life. Honesty, integrity, respect, hard work, and etiquette. I also love to see the small guy doing great things, and taking on the big boys. So, when I came across the P Mauriat horns in 2008, I was very, very impressed. They have an amazing product, great ethics, and \are a company that listens and communicates with its endorsers, seeking an ever improved product. What more could you want?? This sort of thing really excites me as a player and as a human, and I am honored to be part of the P Mauriat Family as an endorser. I (haven’t we all) seen the progress of many good brands- Yamaha, Selmer, Yangisawa, Keilworth, however every time I have tried these horns (except older Selmers) I have found them very lacking in SOUND. In contrast, P Mauriat horns have plenty of sound- rich, luscious and filled with character (they also have fantastic key work, looks and intonation to boot)

In my career there have been two horns; A mark 6 tenor which I played for 20 years and still use, and Conn 10M which has been my main horn for the last few years. Both these horns are and have been fantastic. The Mark 6 is serial 109000, and I have another mark 6 with 86000 serial. I actually played the 109000 horn with the 86000 neck! The Conn is from 1934- Naked Lady; both Killer horns. What I would like to say here, is that I was quite happy with what I had before I encountered P Mauriat horns, however, when I did, I was so impressed with the quality of workmanship, the price and the sound and feel of the horns that I wanted to own one and support this great company. I think of all those Saxophone players around the world facing the same problem: To find a killer horn they want to play, at a price they can afford! P Mauriat has the solution!. I fell in love with the 67RUL alto straight away when I tried it, and since then I am happy to say I have fallen in love with the System 76 tenor!! Now this is a great horn!!! I will write more specific to each horn below.

PMXA-67RUL ALTO SAXOPHONE

I have for many years been searching for the right alto for me. I have owned several Selmer Balanced Action Altos- and I must say that of all the horns I have played, these have been the closest to what I am after sound wise (Dark Rich Warm Strong). Up until finding the P Mauriat 67RUL I was using my Selmer SBA Alto. I also have a King Super 20 and a Model 22 Selmer. None of these horns however were giving me what I wanted. The SBA Alto had the beautiful dark tone, but not the roundness and projectionI wanted. The Super 20 had that killing soaring sound up top, but I wanted more depth and body in the low register. The Modele 22 a beautiful sound but needs more keys. I also owned a Conn New Wonder. This had a good sound, but still not what I wanted, and intonation and feel were lacking. TheYamaha Z series was another horn I tried. It was very good, but did not have the richness of sound I was looking for.

Then I tried the PMXA 67-RUL. It ticked all the boxes. Firstly SOUND. It has that dark rich warm sound I have been looking for, but it is also HUGE. It says “Here I am!! Play me!! The Horn also SINGS like a super 20- you can feel it vibrating through your fingers. The intonation is GREAT! The action is FANTASTIC!-You just want to keep playing it. I love this horn! - In fact I am now playing a lot more alto n my performances and recordings because I love this horn so much! I have compared the 67RUL with many other horns, and I can confidently say that for me, the 67RUL is my pick, and without a doubt the best alto I have played.

SYSTEM 76 2^ND EDITION TENOR SAXOPHONE

Ok. So from my end there is some pretty stiff competition here. I own a well loved Mark 6 tenor, and a Conn 10M. So let’s state the facts.

My Conn 10 M is brilliant- smoky broad sound, wonderful intonation.

My #109000 Mk6 Tenor with the #86000 neck is a killer. It is an outstanding examples of this legend horn.

My System 76 P Mauriat Tenor is a killer horn, easily comparable.

The System 76 has captured all that is good in the mark 6 and made remarkable improvements. I was comparing it with my Mark 6 the other day with one of my student

We both agreed to the following observations;

The System 76 has a much bigger sound that my Mark 6, yet like the mark 6 it has a tone with wonderful richness and beautiful quality. There is just more of it in the 76, and the sound is warmer! We both agreed that overall the 76 sounds bigger and “better”, however my mark 6 has a different unique tonal quality in higher register- a more woody sound, and we know there is a lot of variation between M6’S. Really It comes down to what you like, and what sound you are looking for in a given situation. The action, altitissimo and intonation of the 76 is superb. It is a wonderful horn with a big fat warm sound, and really a pleasure to play. For quiet gigs the gorgeous sound of the 76 is just beautiful- and the control of the horn is no problem. For louder “blowing” gigs the 76 cuts through strong and fat, and the microphone is optional!

Comparing the 10M with the 76 is like comparing a Aston Martin DB9to a 1955 Cadillac- you know what I mean. Both are great in their own way, and so different that perhaps it is better to appreciate them for the very different horns that they are! I have been mostly playing my 10M in the last few years as I like the action on it, and its big round, broad smoky sound, but now with the 76 I have a great horn with a bigger sound and richer tone (don’t get me wrong- I love the Conn and will keep using it when appropriate and I want that sound), but now I can go for a burn in the Aston Martin, or take a cruise in a vintage Caddy if I wish!

SUMMARY: I, and all my students who have tried the P Mauriat horns are astounded with what P Mauriat have achieved. They have created wonderful horns with character, accuracy, individuality, looks and fantastic action. These horns have appeal- so much so that I find myself often thinking about when I will get the chance to play them next! They make you want to practice! One thing I would encourage P Mauriat to do would be to engrave “MADE IN TAIWAN” in bold writing on the horns, as this is an achievement to be very proud of.

Roger Manins 21.6.2009