Just played a Wessex
Posted: Fri Mar 15, 2019 8:49 pm
Just had the opportunity to play a Wessex...... not sure what model it was, but I got to play it.
Now..... I'm a staunch traditionalist when it comes to certain things in life. Having taught instrumental music for more years than I care to remember, a long time ago I had come to the realization that there are certain countries that make certain instruments that are acceptable for learning purposes, needed for serious playing purposes, and outrageously good for outrageously serious playing purposes. When I was in music school, Yamaha was churning out clarinets that were unknowingly, built a half an inch too short, and could not possibly, in any way shape or form, be played in tune with an American band!!!! Lord knows what happened in the Japanese bands!! We were taught to avoid companies like this..... like the plague!!
That being said, I have my old 1970s era Miraphone 186 that I love!! I also have several other instruments that I've acquired over the years that are made in different countries that are very nice, quality instruments.
For instance, I have a 1970s, six foot Yamaha original C3 Grand Piano that has an absolutely great sound in each of the ranges, perfect action for me, and it's in terrific condition. Yes..... the same Japanese company that made the short clarinets!! And, incidentally, it's from the same era!!!! It's a conservatory grand, built for the stage. I paid $4900 for it when it was 9 years old in the early 1980s, and it's been recently valued in the $40,000-$50,000 range. (I still have trouble believing that last part!) It still has all of the original strings!! I have an extremely nice wooden Buffet clarinet from the 1960s. Additionally, I have some "junker" instruments that I use to mess around with. So.....you get the idea.... I'm pretty discriminating regarding musical instruments.
When it came to China....... I always cringed when some kid or their parent came through my band room door with an instrument made in that country. There was nothing to use in the way of parts to even begin to try and repair them, and they always felt like the valves were scraping against the casings. Couple that with the actual crappy sound of the thing, and it made for a very frustrating experience for both the student and teacher.
Fast forward to last evening.......... Somebody handed me a Wessex to play, and I was totally shocked at the sound I got, the ease of the response..... virtually no resistance, the feel and touch of the valves, and the ease of controlling the tone when playing rather loudly. It was the extreme opposite of what I'd expected, and I'm still amazed at the fact that I actually like it!!!!!
I have no idea as to how it was built, how well it was built, durability, or what it was made of...... except it was silver in color. I know nothing about this instrument other than it played incredibly well, had a great sound.... and I liked it!!
Boy..... have times changed!
Now..... I'm a staunch traditionalist when it comes to certain things in life. Having taught instrumental music for more years than I care to remember, a long time ago I had come to the realization that there are certain countries that make certain instruments that are acceptable for learning purposes, needed for serious playing purposes, and outrageously good for outrageously serious playing purposes. When I was in music school, Yamaha was churning out clarinets that were unknowingly, built a half an inch too short, and could not possibly, in any way shape or form, be played in tune with an American band!!!! Lord knows what happened in the Japanese bands!! We were taught to avoid companies like this..... like the plague!!
That being said, I have my old 1970s era Miraphone 186 that I love!! I also have several other instruments that I've acquired over the years that are made in different countries that are very nice, quality instruments.
For instance, I have a 1970s, six foot Yamaha original C3 Grand Piano that has an absolutely great sound in each of the ranges, perfect action for me, and it's in terrific condition. Yes..... the same Japanese company that made the short clarinets!! And, incidentally, it's from the same era!!!! It's a conservatory grand, built for the stage. I paid $4900 for it when it was 9 years old in the early 1980s, and it's been recently valued in the $40,000-$50,000 range. (I still have trouble believing that last part!) It still has all of the original strings!! I have an extremely nice wooden Buffet clarinet from the 1960s. Additionally, I have some "junker" instruments that I use to mess around with. So.....you get the idea.... I'm pretty discriminating regarding musical instruments.
When it came to China....... I always cringed when some kid or their parent came through my band room door with an instrument made in that country. There was nothing to use in the way of parts to even begin to try and repair them, and they always felt like the valves were scraping against the casings. Couple that with the actual crappy sound of the thing, and it made for a very frustrating experience for both the student and teacher.
Fast forward to last evening.......... Somebody handed me a Wessex to play, and I was totally shocked at the sound I got, the ease of the response..... virtually no resistance, the feel and touch of the valves, and the ease of controlling the tone when playing rather loudly. It was the extreme opposite of what I'd expected, and I'm still amazed at the fact that I actually like it!!!!!
I have no idea as to how it was built, how well it was built, durability, or what it was made of...... except it was silver in color. I know nothing about this instrument other than it played incredibly well, had a great sound.... and I liked it!!
Boy..... have times changed!