I finally got to play this saxophone tonight. I played a concert with Frank
Sinatra Jr. and the lead alto player, Mike Smith, formerly with Keilwerth, let
me try his new Powell. Here's the story:
The Silver Eagle is constructed much like a King Super-20. Non-ribbed
construction, brazed (not soldered) tone holes, but the tone holes can be either
brass or solid silver. King style pivot screws with locknuts. G key is on the
same hinge rod as left hand A, B and C keys.
Differences are, seamless neck, seamless body (straight part), better bracing on
the neck, different main body-to-bell bracing, right hand D,E,F,F# keys rotated
to the right like Selmer and other modern saxes, and the blowing characteristics
are different than a King alto.
Keywork was immediately comfortable for me (I play an early Mark VI alto.) I
think the sound is brighter than a King, but it has more depth than a Selmer,
even tho my Selmer is unusually good. Low register is much easier than a Selmer.
I love the Powell's sound.
I tried the Powell with 4 mouthpieces - A New York Meyer 6 M, a Meyer New York
USA 7 small chamber, A morgan Jazz 8, and a high baffle Lakey 7*3.
What really blew me away was the intonation. It was incredibly good with every
mouthpiece, the best pitch I have ever seen. I was simply amazed.
Sinatra Jr. and the lead alto player, Mike Smith, formerly with Keilwerth, let
me try his new Powell. Here's the story:
The Silver Eagle is constructed much like a King Super-20. Non-ribbed
construction, brazed (not soldered) tone holes, but the tone holes can be either
brass or solid silver. King style pivot screws with locknuts. G key is on the
same hinge rod as left hand A, B and C keys.
Differences are, seamless neck, seamless body (straight part), better bracing on
the neck, different main body-to-bell bracing, right hand D,E,F,F# keys rotated
to the right like Selmer and other modern saxes, and the blowing characteristics
are different than a King alto.
Keywork was immediately comfortable for me (I play an early Mark VI alto.) I
think the sound is brighter than a King, but it has more depth than a Selmer,
even tho my Selmer is unusually good. Low register is much easier than a Selmer.
I love the Powell's sound.
I tried the Powell with 4 mouthpieces - A New York Meyer 6 M, a Meyer New York
USA 7 small chamber, A morgan Jazz 8, and a high baffle Lakey 7*3.
What really blew me away was the intonation. It was incredibly good with every
mouthpiece, the best pitch I have ever seen. I was simply amazed.