The contra arrived yesterday. I finally got to sit down and take it for a test play around 10 last night.
Nice work! Not only is this instrument now a thing of beauty, it plays great. The mechanisms are right and tight AND quiet. Quite an accomplishment for some of those complicated ones.
The hand polished satin silver finish with the gold wash bell reminds me of a vintage saxophone! And the quiet thump thump of the roo pads is quite satisfying to feel and listen to. And the seismic quality of notes in the lowest register? Well that’s the best part!
I’ve had it back in my studio since Wednesday and have had hours of fun!
Thanks for working with me and for the outstanding packing job. It appears to have made it it through the USPS gauntlet no worse for the wear.