Eastman EAS850 Rue St. George Alto Saxophone - A Modern Classic in Mint Condition
We're absolutely loving this Eastman EAS850 Rue St. George alto saxophone! It's a relatively new model that's quickly gaining popularity among saxophonists of all levels, and this one is in pristine, mint condition. Eastman has raised the bar with the introduction of the Rue St George alto. Contrasting somewhat with the fat, powerful American sound of the 52nd Street models EAS650. The Rue St George offers a more refined and focused sound while bringing in some of the most ground-breaking innovations the saxophone has seen in decades.
Eastman are the parent company of WMS Haynes, specialist flute makers, based in Boston, and has such have enlisted the expertise of their head ley designer and body maker to apply technical innovations from their flutes to this new top-series 850 range.
The big innovation on this saxophone is that the main right and left key hand action has been redesigned to offer a much more fluid and light action. This has been achieved by altering the pivot point between the feet and the regulation bar behind each stack; traditionally the contact between these two parts was directly under the bar, whereas now the contact point is on the opposite side of the bar, essentially lowering the resistance. The mechanism involved in creating this system features solid square feet that align with symmetrically identical tabs on the opposing side of the regulation bar.
Here's why we're so impressed:
- Vintage Vibe, Modern Design: The EAS850 is Eastman's take on a classic French saxophone design. It's got that warm, vintage-inspired tone that many players crave, but with modern keywork and intonation that make it a joy to play.
- Nickel Silver Key touches - creating a new aesthetic and responsive feel.
- Rounded Tone-Hole Cups - paying tribute to the aesthetic of the vintage horn, as well as lightening the key work to some extent
- Innovative bell to body brace, featuring an intertwined cord, giving a beautiful look.
- Two different necks, each one presenting a tone and a response. The R neck has a slightly more open taper, whereas the S neck is a little more focussed.
- Intonation on Point: We've found the intonation to be spot-on, making it easy to blend with other instruments and play confidently in all registers.
- Smooth and Responsive: The keywork feels fantastic – smooth, responsive, and comfortable under the fingers. Eastman has clearly put a lot of thought into the ergonomics of this saxophone.
Key Features & Design Differences:
- Vintage-Style Bore: The bore design is inspired by classic French saxophones, contributing to the instrument's warm, expressive tone.
- Modern Keywork: The keywork is modern and ergonomic, ensuring comfortable and efficient playing.
- Premium Materials: Eastman uses high-quality materials throughout, ensuring durability and longevity.
Why Choose Fleming Music?
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