The body is nicely built, with level and smooth tone holes, and features a detachable bell section. The model featured here is the large-bell variant (159mm – 6 1/4″) and there’s a standard bell model available for £50 less.
The pillars and fittings are neatly made too and well-fitted with no signs of sloppy solderwork, and include all the modern features such as a removable side F# key guard, adjustable thumb hook and a triple-point bell stay.
The pillars are fitted to ribs – also known a ‘ribbed construction’ – and those that are standalone feature generously-sized bases, which will help prevent them being dislodged in the event of a knock.
I would have liked to have seen slightly larger guard mount feet though, as these are quite vulnerable and often prone to being knocked off.
Click here to read the rest of Stephen Howard Woodwind’s very comprehensive review.