Keilwerth Shadow Soprano Saxophone

A visually striking saxophone with a huge, fullbodied sound Created to celebrateJulius Keilwerths 100th anniversary, the Shadow soprano is one of the most admired models in the SX90R range. Renowned for both its dramatic appearance and its rich, powerful tone, this is a truly special saxophone. Powerful Sound, Exceptional Playability This is a truly special instrument in every respect appearance, response, feel and sound. The SX90R Shadow soprano delivers abig, roomfilling tonewith an impressive dynamic range, thanks to Keilwerths distinctive body tube design and large bore. The Shadow series is constructed fromsolid nickel silveras the base metal, then finished inblack nickel plating. This combination is key to the Shadows signature sound:broad, bold and unmistakably powerful, with excellent projection and depth. Like all SX90R models, the keywork is of outstanding quality. The fullysilverplated keys and mechanismare smooth, precise and responsive, whileblack motherofpearl key touchesadd a refined finishing touch. Adjustable palm keys a hallmark of the SX90 range allow for enhanced comfort and customisation. Striking Aesthetic Design Visually, the Shadow soprano is simply stunning.Sparkling silverplated keys contrast beautifully against the deep black nickel body, complemented bymatching black Pro Pads by Pisoni and elegant engraving. Its an instrument that looks every bit as impressive as it sounds. A Trusted Heritage Julius Keilwerth has a long and respected history of crafting highquality saxophones. The development of the SX90R range in collaboration with renowned saxophonistPeter Ponzol marked a significant step forward for the brand, attracting worldclass players such asDave LiebmanandErnie Watts. Features Material:Nickel Silver Finish:Black Nickel / Silver Plating Case:Keilwerth Custom saxmover Case Mouthpiece:Keilwerth Ebonite mouthpiece Included Made in:Germany Key Touches:Mother of Pearl Neck:None – one piece design! Tone: Huge, bright, powerful Engraving:Extremely impressive and covering both sax & crook Pads:Pisoni black pads Key Arms:Single Free Professional Set Up & Free Check over within a Year STAFF REVIEW I was very excited to play test this new soprano prior to shooting a YouTube video on it – I wanted to see whether the notoriously spread sound of the top-end Keilwerth also applies to this new Shadow soprano. I am pleased to tell you that it does! Keilwerth as a brand has a long history of making saxophones and I love the fact they have carved their own unique path in terms of sound identity that differs from the traditional Selmer-style that most manufacturers go for. Big, broad and bold is the name of the game in some ways its almost reminiscent of the American sax brands in the Golden Age of manufacturing; the difference is that Keilwerth also bring a contemporary edge to the party; the Shadow not only has the breadth of sound, but it also has power and projection, allowing it to work in any modern setting. With the extra width of sound does come an additional resistance some may prefer the generally more free-blowing nature of Yanagisawas or Yamahas from this standpoint, but others will happily work with this added resistance if it means they can achieve a standout tone! Jim Cheek