Vibratosax

Models and series

The first edition was offered in two models, which differed in the body material used, and have been made distinguishable through differently colored pads. The A1 (light grey pads) was a bit cheaper and had a slightly "darker and warmer" sound as the A1S model (orange pads).

The A1 is made of Bayer's blend, a blend of polycarbonate and ABS plastic. The ABS gives elasticity and flexibility, while the polycarbonate provides resonance. The A1S is made of solid polycarbonate. This denser material gives extra resonance, and a more projected and focused sound. The A1 has a darker and warmer tone when compared to the A1S. The "S" in A1S stand for solid, in reference to the A1S' denser and more solid design. The instrument is available in different Colours and even in a transparent Version.

Design characteristics of the Vibrato Alto saxophone

Due to the consequent use of plastics (besides the body, also in the mechanics) Vibrato instruments are very light-weight. The A1 models for instance weigh approx. 850 grams, which is roughly just a third of conventional Alto saxophones, which typically weigh more than 2 kilograms.

The saxophones are also very immune to mechanical damages and corrosion, which has been impressively demonstrated through a video, in which the Hawaiian saxophonist Reggie Palida is playing a Vibratosax A1S while surfing, on, in and "below" the water.

The body is assembled from numerous glued parts. The main body tube is divided in six sections lengthwise, the bow, bell and neck consist of two mirrored halves each. The mechanic consists of smaller plastic parts which are mounted on hexagonal aluminium rods. The individual keys are secured with screws onto the body. Coil springs are used throughout. The pads are made from Silicone and are mounted glue-free with the mechanics for easy replacement and are self-leveling. They move on a pivot to better cover the entire tone hole with less finger pressure required by the player.

The only bigger metal part is a brass tube at the end of the neck, which accepts the mouth piece with a rubberized foam coating instead of traditional cork. The instrument can be played with any mouth piece for Alto saxophones. Furthermore it is comes with an included mouth piece, which is white, just like the body. The neck-body connection is sealed with an O-ring and has unusually small, bottom mounted mechanic.

A review of a pre-production unit

On January 12, 2011, saxophone repairman Matt Stohrer released a YouTube video where he analyzed a pre-production unit of the Vibratosax from a repair perspective. The video can be viewed here. In Stohrer's analysis, he came to the following conclusions:

Matt Stohrer has relayed his analysis to Piyapat Thanyakij, the president of Vibrato Co.,Ltd. so that his recommended improvements could be incorporated into the production version of the Vibratosax.

Tonal qualities compared to a brass saxophone

Tonal qualities are subjective, but a direct comparison of the Vibratosax's tonal qualities to that of a brass saxophone could be made by having the same player play both instruments. The most effective comparison would be made if the performer played the same song, using the same dynamics and phrasing in both performances. On November 19, 2011, saxophonist Jim Cheek posted such a comparison in the form of a YouTube video. In the video, Cheek first performed a song on the Vibratosax A1S alto saxophone, and then performed the same song on the Yanagisawa A901 alto saxophone, a traditional brass saxophone. The video can be viewed here.