Lupifaro Gold Series Alto Saxophone
Instrument appraisal by Nick Lea
After reading Lee Goodall's appraisal of the professional range of alto and tenor saxophones, I was interested to find out more about the Lupifaro brand, and what other horns were on the market for aspiring players of all levels.
Lupifaro, or Luphifer, is a mythical figure linked to strength and movement, a concept that has been boldly incorporated into these wonderful saxophones, and is the brain child of Luca Cardinali. Cardinal has been involved the industry for more than three decades on many different levels as a technician and a consultant for various manufacturers, and it therefore seems somewhat inevitable that he would go on to design and manufacturer his own line of saxophones.
Lupifaro now produce three different series of saxophones, from the entry level Silver series, the intermediate or semi-professional Gold series and the top of the range professional level Platinum. With the Platinum series gaining quite a reputation with some of the world's top musicians, a solid reputation for the brand is now spreading fast and interest among players of all levels has seen the rapid development of both the Silver and Gold series instruments also garnering plaudits for the quality of the horns.
It has therefore been my good fortune to be able to test the Gold series alto saxophone over a period of time, and I must admit have grown to love playing the instrument. The saxophone is solidly built, yet much lighter than the student horn I had been playing.
Ergonomically the saxophone sits comfortably, with the fingers falling naturally on the keys. I have quite small hands, and found that I have not had to overstretch to reach any key. The palm keys for the left hand do not sit too far away from the body of the instrument, and again even with small hands I am not catching these when shifting the position of the left hand to reach the high F♯ or the keys for the lower register. This is also true of the RH stack, with these within easy reach but not obtrusive. The same can be said of all the key work, and while the feel is completely different from my own horn. The Lupifaro has been very easy to adjust to and therefore able to concentrate on playing without worrying about where my fingers will fall. So much so, that when picking my own alto again it has felt ungainly by comparison.
The saxophone is free blowing with a natural resistance that makes it a pleasure rather than a struggle to play. Tonally, I have found that the horn plays easily in tune from high F♯ to low B♭ with very little effort, and has added a depth and warmth to my playing that was not there before. The saxophone has been well set up and played straight out of the case.
After reading Lee Goodall's appraisal of the professional range of alto and tenor saxophones, I was interested to find out more about the Lupifaro brand, and what other horns were on the market for aspiring players of all levels.
Lupifaro, or Luphifer, is a mythical figure linked to strength and movement, a concept that has been boldly incorporated into these wonderful saxophones, and is the brain child of Luca Cardinali. Cardinal has been involved the industry for more than three decades on many different levels as a technician and a consultant for various manufacturers, and it therefore seems somewhat inevitable that he would go on to design and manufacturer his own line of saxophones.
Lupifaro now produce three different series of saxophones, from the entry level Silver series, the intermediate or semi-professional Gold series and the top of the range professional level Platinum. With the Platinum series gaining quite a reputation with some of the world's top musicians, a solid reputation for the brand is now spreading fast and interest among players of all levels has seen the rapid development of both the Silver and Gold series instruments also garnering plaudits for the quality of the horns.
It has therefore been my good fortune to be able to test the Gold series alto saxophone over a period of time, and I must admit have grown to love playing the instrument. The saxophone is solidly built, yet much lighter than the student horn I had been playing.
Ergonomically the saxophone sits comfortably, with the fingers falling naturally on the keys. I have quite small hands, and found that I have not had to overstretch to reach any key. The palm keys for the left hand do not sit too far away from the body of the instrument, and again even with small hands I am not catching these when shifting the position of the left hand to reach the high F♯ or the keys for the lower register. This is also true of the RH stack, with these within easy reach but not obtrusive. The same can be said of all the key work, and while the feel is completely different from my own horn. The Lupifaro has been very easy to adjust to and therefore able to concentrate on playing without worrying about where my fingers will fall. So much so, that when picking my own alto again it has felt ungainly by comparison.
The saxophone is free blowing with a natural resistance that makes it a pleasure rather than a struggle to play. Tonally, I have found that the horn plays easily in tune from high F♯ to low B♭ with very little effort, and has added a depth and warmth to my playing that was not there before. The saxophone has been well set up and played straight out of the case.
When played with Yamaha 5C plastic mouthpiece, the saxophone responded well, although I did find a slightly harder reed was required. The majority of my playing on the alto has been with an Otto Link HR 6 and Rovner Light ligature, using a selection of reeds by D'Addario and Lupifaro's own brand. The results were fairly consistant, with D'Addaria's Jazz Select 2M providing a bit more flexibilty and ease of playing over the Royal #2.
I have also tried Lupifaro Jazz reeds in strengths #2 and #2½, along with the Classic #2. All three again responded well, although I must admit to finding the Classic a little too hard for me, and my reed of choice has been the Lupifaro Jazz #2, switching to the #2½ when I have been able to practice a little more often. The harder of the two reeds I have found to give more projection and roundness to my tone.
The model I have been playing has a Vintage Bronze finish, as shown in the pictures, but this now been discontinued with Lupifao concentrating on the Gold lacquered finish, and the Brushed Gold. The saxophone comes is a well designed black case, with zips as opposed to clasps. There is plenty of space in the compartments for mouthpiece, reeds and accessories, and handy pouch on the front for manuscript paper and music. The case is made easy to transport with grab handles at the top and side, and is also supplied with a shoulder strap and concealed straps so this can be carried on the back. The alto also came with a plastic mouthpiece and a bootlace style strap which was very comfortable to use.
Everything about this saxophone says quality from the look and feel, and sheer playability of the horn, to the quality of the case to store and transport it.
I have also tried Lupifaro Jazz reeds in strengths #2 and #2½, along with the Classic #2. All three again responded well, although I must admit to finding the Classic a little too hard for me, and my reed of choice has been the Lupifaro Jazz #2, switching to the #2½ when I have been able to practice a little more often. The harder of the two reeds I have found to give more projection and roundness to my tone.
The model I have been playing has a Vintage Bronze finish, as shown in the pictures, but this now been discontinued with Lupifao concentrating on the Gold lacquered finish, and the Brushed Gold. The saxophone comes is a well designed black case, with zips as opposed to clasps. There is plenty of space in the compartments for mouthpiece, reeds and accessories, and handy pouch on the front for manuscript paper and music. The case is made easy to transport with grab handles at the top and side, and is also supplied with a shoulder strap and concealed straps so this can be carried on the back. The alto also came with a plastic mouthpiece and a bootlace style strap which was very comfortable to use.
Everything about this saxophone says quality from the look and feel, and sheer playability of the horn, to the quality of the case to store and transport it.
