{"id":4591,"date":"2011-04-18T22:39:22","date_gmt":"2011-04-19T03:39:22","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.neffmusic.com\/blog\/?p=4591"},"modified":"2019-06-03T15:09:10","modified_gmt":"2019-06-03T19:09:10","slug":"warburton-modular-sax-neck-system","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.neffmusic.com\/blog\/2011\/04\/warburton-modular-sax-neck-system\/","title":{"rendered":"Warburton Modular Sax Neck System"},"content":{"rendered":"

I have an exciting product to review today.\u00a0 It is the Warburton Modular Sax Neck.\u00a0 This is one of the coolest products I have ever tried.\u00a0 Whoever thought of it is a genius.\u00a0 Basically, it is a neck that has no tenon or cork on it.\u00a0 The two items that are missing can be screwed on to the neck to complete it. Here’s a picture of the neck without the tenon and initiator.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Warburton Modular Neck Unassembled
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

As you can see from the picture above there are threads on each end of the neck.\u00a0 The tenon and initiator (cork area) screw easily on to the neck.\u00a0 There are many sizes of tenons to fit any size receiver.\u00a0 When I received this neck to try Eric Falcon also sent me 11 tenons to try on my Selmer SBA as well as my RSBerkely Virtuoso. It was no problem finding a match for each horn.\u00a0 Once you have the tenon issue settled then comes the fun part.\u00a0 The initiators………………<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Warburton Tenon<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Warburton Initiator
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

Now the full coolness of this system is in the initiators. The package I received for this review had 11 initiators in it.\u00a0 Every initiator was different and unique.\u00a0 The initiators come with little rubber rings that are in grooves on the initiator.\u00a0 The mouthpiece slides on to the rubber rings and makes a perfect seal.\u00a0 Believe me, I was skeptical so I tested these thoroughly.\u00a0 There were no leaks in this system, . The mouthpiece sealed great on the rings and it was much easier than cork to slide the mouthpiece on and off of the neck.\u00a0 It was refreshing for me to know that I wasn’t crushing down cork every time I slid the mouthpiece on and off.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/a><\/p>\n

Warburton Initiators
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

I have taken the description for each initiator from the Warburton website and posted it below. I also posted a sound clip for each initiator that I tested. Sound clips are the true test in my opinion.\u00a0 The first clip is of my Selmer SBA with my normal neck and a Lamberson J7 mouthpiece.\u00a0 All the rest of the clips are using one of the 11 initiators on the Warburton Modular neck with the same Lamberson J7.\u00a0 I tried to play a very similar phrase and pattern on all the clips although there are slight variations.<\/p>\n

The first letter or letters are a code for the model of the initiator.\u00a0 The number is for the width of the inside diameter of the initiator. 50 stand for .50″. A SBA tenor neck is around a .50 from what I’ve been told although mine measured a bit larger than that.<\/p>\n

Selmer SBA Neck<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestSBA.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

The Initiator internal shapes are illustrated and described below: <\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

Warburton A Intiator<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

A<\/strong> – continuous A<\/strong>rc – The Arc shape is the brightest and most powerful shape. It has a uniform timbre while adding brightness and more center to the sound. The resistance and timbre are especially even at full volume. This is an excellent choice for jazz lead playing and more contemporary playing styles when Projection is needed.<\/span><\/p>\n

A46<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTesta46.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

A48<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestA48.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

A50<\/strong><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestA50.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Ultimate<\/p>\n

Warburton F Initiator<\/strong><\/span><\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Ultimate<\/p>\n

Warburton RT Initiator<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

F<\/strong> – cylindrical first 2\/3 of length then F<\/strong>rc – The Flare shape is the warmest and most flexible shape. The lows in the sound are more prominent and the timbre is easily changed. The lower register is big and warm with an excellent subtone and the upper register is fluid and singing. This is an excellent choice for straight ahead jazz and classical where the use of all possible sound colors is desired.<\/span><\/p>\n

F46<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

F50<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestF50.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\n\n\n\n
<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Ultimate<\/strong><\/p>\n

\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

Warburton S Initiator<\/span><\/span>
\n<\/strong><\/p>\n

RT<\/strong> – R<\/strong>everse T<\/strong>aper large to small – (tenor only) \u2013 This shape helps players who have too much middle in their sound. The RT emphasizes the highs while balancing out the mids and lows. This quality allows the player to push a lot of air and not have their sound become harsh or brittle. The palm key notes have a special character to them that none of the other shapes provide.<\/span><\/p>\n

RT47-46<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

RT49-48<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestRT4948.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n\n\n\n
\u00a0<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

\"Ultimate<\/p>\n

S<\/strong> – S<\/strong>traight cylinder – The Straight initiators are the most balanced in terms of lows, mids, and highs in the sound. When pushed this shape will hold its center and not break up even at extreme volumes. This is an excellent choice for more contemporary styles.<\/span><\/p>\n

S46<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\n

S48<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestS48.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

S50<\/strong>
\n<\/span><\/p>\nhttps:\/\/public.neffmusic.com\/WarburtonNeckTestS50.mp3<\/a><\/audio>\n

My Impressions: <\/span><\/p>\n