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What do Joe Lovano, John Ellis, Bob Sheppard, Ravi Coltrane, Jerry
Bergonzi, and Marcus Strickland have in common? Beyond being world-
class players, they are all endorsers of handmade saxophone necks by Kim
Bock. Introduced in 2016, these necks have quickly become the talk of the
saxophone world. Bock, a noted New York-based saxophonist, and
repairman, used his extensive background working with vintage
saxophones as the impetus for his saxophone necks.
Players and repair technicians alike have marveled that his necks not only
rival the vintage necks by Selmer but sometimes surpass them. Bock was
kind enough to send me two of his more popular models, the Vanguard in
hardened brass and the Redwood in a hand-hammered copper, for a
playtest and review.
I was able to shape the sound to I can best describe the experience The KB necks project very well
achieve just about any tone color I as what one would encounter in and offer less pitch flexibility than
desired. If I wanted to play old- tasting a rich, full-bodied my Mark VI neck without
school, swing tenor, I had access Bordeaux or exquisite Swiss sacrificing tonal variety and
to all the punch and power I chocolate. flexibility I am looking for. In the
needed. Likewise, if I wanted to end, I found my Mark VI neck
spread the sound and create a Like the Vanguard, I was able to played somewhere in between
Stan Getz quality, it was ripe for access a variety of colors. Again, each model. Be reminded that
the taking. Oddly, the ability to the richness of the materials and these necks will not make a bad
replicate a smooth, heathery tone design allowed me a completely tone sound good any more than a
was my favorite part of playing different palette from which to Rolex is going to improve your
this neck. Don’t get me wrong, I draw. I really enjoyed exploiting ability to tell time.
could ring your bell if I needed to, the warmer, lower overtones,
but the flexibility really allowed creating a husky tone that was Like anything handmade, quality
me to hear what the music was really nice while playing a comes at a price. In this case, a
calling for. ballad. In contrast, I could lean high price. The Vanguard Brass
into the sound, edging it to create retails at $1,180 and the Redwood
I think one of the most appealing a husky Texas Tenor vibe. Hand Hammered Copper for
aspects of the Vanguard neck was $1,240. However, the quality of
the tremendous feeling of energy I CONCLUSION craftsmanship is unmatched in
experienced. Once I found my my experience, as is the customer
voicing, I could just feel the I used a variety of mouthpieces service. Yes, there are cheaper
saxophone come alive in my with each neck and found that I aftermarket options out there, but
hands. The ability to feel the brass could really change the colors and I have yet to experience the sonic
ring beneath my fingers was complexity depending on the uniqueness the KB necks
intoxicating. neck/mouthpiece paring. For offer. You simply know that you
example, the Vanguard paired are getting a product of quality
REDWOOD HAND- with a Florida Otto Link or a Retro when you play them. Given the
HAMMERED COPPER Revival UK Special really brought variety of alloys and designs
out the aggressive qualities of the offered, the discerning
This neck is visually stunning. The instrument. Likewise, using a saxophonist would do well to visit
hand-hammered treatment is Drake Bergonzi or 10MFAN Classic Kim’s store and get fitted with the
applied after the neck is formed with the Redwood really exploited perfect neck. Like a bespoke
for added strength. The resulting the richer, darker qualities of my tailor, this is one of the truly
“dimpling” creates a work of art Mark VI. custom options that live up to its
and would be worthy of billing. Should you choose to try
ownership simply for its aesthetic I really loved playing these necks them by mail or in person, you
qualities. The Redwood played but couldn’t reach a decision as to are sure to be rewarded.-PH
just as it looks: rich, velvety, and which was my favorite. Just as I
with complexity. It is freer would reach a conclusion, I would
blowing than the Vanguard as well change mouthpieces or change
as darker in tone. Too often, dark reeds and I would go right back to
can indicate stuffy but nothing the previous neck. So, the big
could be further from the truth in question is: would I switch to a KB
this instance. I found it neck? Yes, I very easily could. For
fascinating that the Redwood me, it is simply a matter of
maintains the projection and pitch achieving a different color and
associated with the Vanguard feel.
while offering a completely
different set of colors