Big Bell
The Big Bell projects a bold, warm sound, yet allows you to play with the most subtle nuances,
creating a contemporary version of the big-sounding American horns from the early to mid 1900's.
Two Hand Customized Necks (Traditional and FAT Neck™)
Each Big Bell Stone Series® comes with two hand-customized necks: a traditional neck in a finish matching the saxophone body, and a silver-plated* FAT Neck®.
9Each neck is hand customized for superior projection, rich tone, and precise pitch. Our acoustical technicians meticulously adjust each neck to perform optimally on the specific saxophone.
*Brute™ models come with a Brute™ FAT Neck®.
17 Semi-Precious Stones
In addition to their striking beauty, the semi-precious stones adorning Cannonball saxophones are patented for the tonal characteristics they add to the saxophone.
High F#
The High F# key extends the saxophone’s range and makes high passages easier to play.
Ribbed Construction
Posts are silver-soldered onto metal “ribs” that are then soft-soldered to the saxophone body. This makes the instrument stronger and more rigid, which helps keep the instrument in adjustment and minimizes damage if hit or dropped.
Ribbed construction also makes the horn easier to repair if damage does occur. This means that if serious damage is done to the saxophone, your repair costs will be lower.
Detachable Bell and Bow
The bell and bow can be removed from the body by a qualified repair technician in the event of serious damage. This reduces repair costs as it allows repairs to be done quicker, easier, and more effectively.
Triple Annealed Bell, Bow, & Neck
The bell, bow, and necks go through an annealing process several times, heating and then cooling the brass to specific temperatures. This annealing process gives the horn a warmer, more even tone.
Cannonball’s hand-hammering process, which follows annealing, hardens the brass and gives our instruments superior ring and resonance.
Italian Water-Resistant Leather Pads with Wool Felt
Our Italian water-resistant leather pads have been specifically chosen for long life, excellent sealing, and the superior feel they add to the key action.
Convex Nickel-Plated Brass Resonators
Our pads have riveted nickel-plated brass resonators that are specifically chosen for optimum performance and sound.
Blued Steel Springs
Steel needle springs allow for the most precise, even key tension. The bluing process makes the steel resistant to rust and corrosion, which extend the life of the springs.
Power Forged Keys
Forged brass has much greater strength and uniformity than molded brass, so our keys resist bending and hold their adjustment exceptionally well over time.
Upper and Lower Stack Adjustment Screws
Upper and lower stack adjustment screws allow for easier and more precise regulation and adjustment. Under each stack adjustment screw we use synthetic cork, which (unlike natural cork) resists compression over time, so the fine adjustments on your saxophone will last.
Adjustable Metal Thumb Hook
Our sturdy brass thumb hook is adjustable so you can set it to the angle that best fits your own hands.
Pivoting C# - Bb Table Mechanism
The “tilting spatula” rocking mechanism allows fast and fluid transitions between the low C-sharp and low B-flat keys.
Stabilizing Brace for Left-Hand Spatula
The four left-hand table keys are susceptible to being knocked out of adjustment when their top post moves, so we have added an additional lateral brace to keep it in place, especially when the horn is hit or dropped.
Relief Springs on G# and Low C# Keys
Relief springs help lift open the G-sharp and C-sharp keys when they would otherwise “stick” and remain closed.
Machined One-Piece Neck Receiver
Instead of soldering the post that holds the neck tension and lyre screws, our receiver is machined out of a solid piece of brass. This adds great strength and durability to the neck receiver.
Double Arms on Bell Keys
We added an extra arm to reinforce the large bell keys and keep them in adjustment over time.
Hard Rubber Mouthpiece
Cannonball Mouthpieces are made of quality hard rubber and carefully crafted play easily and to create a clear, rich, beautiful tone. They are the choice of many professional saxophonists around the world.
Hand Acoustically Customized
The most important thing that sets Cannonball apart is the acoustical customizing that we do to every instrument. Specially trained and talented acoustical adjusters work on each saxophone, adjusting the bore, air flow, and more until they are satisfied that each horn has an open altissimo,
rich lows, even timbre, full-bodied sound, and in-line overtones. When you pick up a Cannonball saxophone, we want you to enjoy it as much as our acoustical technicians do - we want you to say, "I can't put this horn down!"
