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Cannonball

Deleted Member
July 24, 2011 6:17:14 AM EDT

Hi

What is the difference between Cannonball Royal Crown and Excalibur? Are there models for students or professional? There saxs are old, I know.
Melvin Llord (Admin)
- 535 posts
July 24, 2011 9:17:19 AM EDT

I have't followed up much with the Cannonball horns since my days working at Samash, but I hope this helps.

-The Royal Crown model was manufactured from 1996-1997 They all featured high F# key and their sopranos up to a high G. All models except for the CSA 3000 were listed as pro horns. I was not a personal fan of these models, but I do like the Big Bell.

-The excalibur alto was a Student/Intermediate mode. It featured High F#, regular size bell, brass from Japan.
Deleted Member
July 24, 2011 9:23:47 AM EDT

Thanks, I got an offer to sell these two saxophones for little money, but I did not know them. Cannonball In my country is not popular and available, only two companies selling it. Recommend either of these two?
Melvin Llord (Admin)
- 535 posts
July 24, 2011 9:34:01 AM EDT

The truth is that when you buy a saxophone, it is something very personal. I like to look at it like a marriage proposal. Are you looking to date or to get married? If you are looking for a saxophone that you would play professionally for many years, I probably wouldn't recommend them. But it does not mean it may not work for you. I strongly suggest that you play them and see if you feel comfortable with them. Check the intonation, ergonomics, features & budget.

Check out these tips that I posted that may help you:

http://mysaxtalk.com/forums/topic/53/sax-buying-tips-for-beginning-a

http://mysaxtalk.com/forums/topic/60/tips-for-buying-a-professional-s
Deleted Member
July 24, 2011 10:33:45 AM EDT

I need intrument for many years and I will look for next offers, thx
Lexi Carro
- 4 posts
August 27, 2011 11:30:40 AM EDT

melvin, i agree with what you said, it is like a marriage proposal. But on the other hand, recommendations from others can only help so much. I play on the cannonball and i love it. It really is a matter of how you play. Like i sound great on the cannonball but ehh on the yamaha so its really a matter of how you play
Melvin Llord (Admin)
- 535 posts
August 27, 2011 1:30:29 PM EDT

I think the newer Cannonball's are much better. I played my friend Drew's tenor the other day and I liked it. But they were basically a new company when those models came out, so they can't be compared to the newer ones.

It also depends a lot on what sound you are looking for. There may be many different sounds (bright, dark, etc) which are all good, just a matter of personal preference. :-)
Ed Berg
- 9 posts
September 20, 2011 10:15:56 PM EDT

I have a cannonball alto it's the Albright model let me say this horn sounds better each time played. People think I was crazy to sell my 39 balanced action alto. Pic inu profile but playing the cannonbal has provided the personal sound I been looking for. This horn plays mellow and raunchy when pushed. Altissmo range is so responsive
Eric, Jr. Harrison
- 9 posts
May 16, 2012 3:29:45 PM EDT

Hi everyone,... I had my new Big Bell Brute for a little over a month now. I'm new to the tenor so I can't say much other than I like it a lot and tenors are way different from and HEAVIER than altos. LOL! However, all of my instructors who have blown it gave it a serious thumbs up! Didn't like the mouthpiece that came with it too much, so I'm looking to get one sometimes this summer. Gotta find out which one will be best for me first tho! Everybody talks about Otto Links, so I'll start my research there I guess.
Eric, Jr. Harrison
- 9 posts
May 18, 2012 1:28:05 AM EDT

Ok,... who's using the Tenor Cannonball Compact Case? Can you give any feedback on your experiences with it? Does it have a slot for the Fat Neck? How would you compare it with the ProTec XL case? Some say the Protec XL will fit eh Big Bells and some say it won't. I'm looking for an alternative to the lead lined big box Cannonball gives up with the Big Bell Stones. Just too heavy and the hinges and latches aren't that great either. What are most of you guys using in place of the faux alligator Cannonball box.
Ed Berg
- 9 posts
May 18, 2012 8:04:19 AM EDT

Eric
I have a Alto and switched from a hard SKB case to a ProTEC XL. I was sold this case because the bigbell fit and had less movement. I owned my horn a year and had no issues until I traveled by plane. Well in travels (carry-on overhead) I noticed the bell of my horn slightly bent. Dont know how or why. But Ill tell you this I will be purchasing all new cases that are hard shelled. Only because I travel in flight. Otherwise the horn fit but I would like to hear cannonballs response since bigbells are the new style horns of many manufactures.
Eric, Jr. Harrison
- 9 posts
May 18, 2012 8:53:00 AM EDT

Ed Berg said:
Eric I have a Alto and switched from a hard SKB case to a ProTEC XL. I was sold this case because the bigbell fit and had less movement. I owned my horn a year and had no issues until I traveled by plane. Well in travels (carry-on overhead) I noticed the bell of my horn slightly bent. Dont know how or why. But Ill tell you this I will be purchasing all new cases that are hard shelled. Only because I travel in flight. Otherwise the horn fit but I would like to hear cannonballs response since bigbells are the new style horns of many manufactures.

Ouch! Well I don't do flight, but I do do school bus! Did the ProTEC XL twist the bell at one of the bow joints or did it actually smash the bell itself? I've heard of the peoples keys and bell getting bent all out of shape because of cases that fit poorly, but the bell being actually squished is new "need to know" type stuff. My main problem with the stock Cannonball tenor case is the weight and the hinges. Man is that thing heavy. I mean Radio Active Containment Bottle kinda heavy! I just wished we had an option at the time of purchase which case we could have walked away with. Sorta like when you buy a new Selmer. I just can't find much information on the Cannonball Compact Case and no feedback from anybody who already owns one.
Kostas Kirkizotis
- 1 posts
May 19, 2012 12:56:31 PM EDT

Hi Eric.
I don't use a CB case, but I tried a gig bag I found on e-bay for a very reasonable price. For all my gigs I use this one, but when it comes to travel I use my Tenor case just to be sure it won't get dings and bends. Once it got a minor displacement of a key even in its case. So I guess there is no absolutely guaranteed case for our saxes...
And just for the record Cannonballs are Very Good Saxes!!!!
Ryan Lillywhite
- 1 posts
May 31, 2012 1:53:22 PM EDT

Eric, I use a Compact Case to carry a Big Bell to all my gigs, and I love it. It has the same interior padding that is molded specifically for the Cannonball horns so you don't have to worry about your bell being damaged like with other cases. It's light, too - the box case will probably stand up to a lot more beating, but the Compact is easy to throw over your shoulder. I haven't used the backpack straps yet.
Rob Rose
- 3 posts
June 9, 2012 7:42:30 PM EDT

The Rueben Allen cases are great for the CB Big Bell horns. Nice looking contoured leather, compact, with an internal storage area.