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Eastman’s Outstanding 52nd Street Alto Sax





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New York’s 52nd Street ? the birthplace of bebop, where Charlie Parker and his cohorts changed the face of jazz ? is the inspiration behind the Eastman EAS652 52nd Street alto saxophone. As accessible as it is exceptional, the EAS652 52nd Street is an ideal entry-level professional alto saxophone. This horn’s stunning vintage visuals ? unlacquered with an aged patina finish ? provide a clue to the sound that awaits you: a decidedly vintage tone that’s big, rich, fat, and luxurious. But make no mistake: the EAS652 is a modern, state-of-the-art professional alto sax. It plays like a dream, with precise intonation and robust projection that gets an assist from the horn’s oversized bell and rolled tone holes. It includes Eastman’s superb “S” neck with a larger bore taper for a more open, free-blowing sound. Playability is excellent, with highly responsive, precision keywork powered by blued steel needle springs. If you’re an advancing alto player looking to bounce up to your first pro-level horn, the Eastman EAS652 52nd Street is an incredible value that deserves your serious consideration.





Related Videos: EAS652 52nd Street Alto Saxophone - Unlacquered


The benefits of rolled tone holes





The Eastman EAS652 52nd Street alto sax features rolled tone holes. Although a subject of debate among experienced saxophonists, players who favor horns so equipped cite the immediacy with which their notes are triggered and an enhanced weight, width, and spread to the sound that is particularly pronounced in the low range. One benefit of rolled tone holes that’s not debatable is longer pad life, courtesy of the larger surface area they offer for the pads to make contact with. This will save you costly and time-consuming trips to the repair shop. Seating precisely against this horn’s rolled tone holes are specially treated leather pads that provide a reliably leak-free, airtight seal. The pads are fitted with vintage-style metal resonators to deliver a big, bright, and assertive tone that brings your notes to life. Double arms on the low keys help those big pads to seat accurately and consistently, providing a reassuring, rock-solid feel in the way they articulate and produce your notes.





Premium, high-performance features





Working in concert with the 52nd Street alto’s metal resonators is a hand-hammered, oversized bell with a prominent flare that helps to focus and project the sound while enhancing brightness and punch. A hand-hammered bell, a feature found on many premium pro horns, assists in delivering focused and impactful bass tones, while opening up the horn’s overall tonality. Naturally, the EAS652 is equipped with a high F# key and an adjustable thumb rest; but further boosting the playability of this outstanding instrument are its adjustable palm key risers, where you can set the height of each of the individual palm keys to suit the natural shape of your hand. With its smoothly ergonomic key layout and responsive action actuated by blued steel springs ? the professional standard for durable, perfectly tensioned keywork ? the 52nd Street alto provides a nice, crisp snap in response to your fingering, which you’ll certainly appreciate when executing fast, demanding passages! These advanced features join forces to make the EAS652 a high-performance, value-packed standout among saxophones in its class.





Eastman saxophones: the best of vintage and modern





There’s a reason some of the most coveted saxophones today are vintage models. Pricey and hard to come by, these horns are revered for their huge sound and the prestige of playing one. But technology and materials science has come a long way in the last half century, enabling uncompromising precision that was unimaginable back in the day. Established in 1992, Eastman makes saxophones that give you the best of vintage and modern instruments by blending traditional old-world artisanal craftsmanship with cutting-edge computer-assisted design and manufacturing methods. The company’s fastidious attention to detail is manifested in the meticulous keywork, hand-hammered bells, and rolled tone holes of their acclaimed saxophones, which are embraced by leading artists and educators alike. Eastman offers a full line of innovative woodwind and brass instruments that deliver exceptional value at every level, from student to professional. Sweetwater is delighted to bring you this exciting collection.





Eastman EAS652 52nd Street Alto Saxophone Features:


Aged unlacquered brass finish


“S” neck with larger bore taper


Rolled tone holes


Oversized, hand-hammered bell


Precision, ergonomic keywork


Blued steel springs


High F# key


Adjustable thumb rest


Adjustable palm keys


Treated pads with metal resonators


Special 52nd St. engraving


Deluxe case with storage pockets and backpack straps