Aquilasax.com limited 
New and not so new.
Aquilasax Bb soprano with neck removed
and 1926 Wurlitzer C soprano
Plays in perfect tune with the Aquilasax C soprano Metalpro mpc
C- soprano test
sample assembly.
Nickel plated Celeste.
Eclipse C soprano test sample.
Celeste and Eclipse comparison.
Black n Nickel Eclipse
Satin Silver and gold option for the Eclipse model
Hi Steve
The sax arrived a week ago and I'd thought I'd give you you my impressions after a week of playing it:
The action was light, even and fast under the fingers, makes it a sweet thing to play.
Kevin K.
Eclipse C soprano test sample. June 2010
C Soprano.
We now have a NEW C SOPRANO manufactured with more comfortable key work. New C sopranos were available in early 2010. Development was behind schedule but the "Celeste" model keyed to high Eb was available this January.
We decided to make further modifications for comfort before releasing them.
They are a low budget option, with modern keywork, while we work on the high F# pro model.
Around $600 US each plus mouthpiece for the Celeste model. New Hard rubber and metal mouthpieces are also available. Please go to: https://aquilasax.3dcartstores.com/C-soprano_c_23.html
and register a backorder, to receive notification when they are available. There is no obligation to buy!
Later in 2010 should see the new "Eclipse" model keyed to high F#
The 4C did little to the tone but threw the intonation out. Flattened open C# enough to make it unplayable with a piano. When I recently bought a Wurlitzer (Buescher stencil) C soprano without a mouthpiece, I had this experience and those mouthpieces to try on it as well as the new Aquilasax mpcs, one plastic and one metal. The Rico doesn’t fit the C sop. It’s too long! The Aquilasax plastic is also too big! The Yamaha 4C seems to work well on the C sop except for middle C (bell) which is sharp but the rest are good. Then I tried the Aquilasax soprano Metalpro C # 5. Perfect! Not an appreciable difference in all the notes and the tone is what I was looking for in the old Bb.
Being slightly smaller than the Bb sopranos, they are an even better choice as a traveling companion and you won't have to carry music. They have a very sweet tone, quite different from a Bb soprano.
Playing sax has never been easier!
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C soprano mouthpieces.
I bought a Buescher curved Bb soprano some years ago, mostly as a travel companion. I got a Rico B5 plastic mouthpiece with it. The mpc didn’t seem to have that sparkle I was looking for and having limited funds, I bought a Yamaha 4C to try and improve it.
C sopranos have gained an unearned reputation over the years of being inherently out of tune. There are several factors working against them. Smaller saxophones are more sensitive to changes in embouchure and mouthpiece and reed etc. Sopraninos are very scary!
If you buy a new or a vintage C soprano, check the instrument is set up with correct clearances on the tone holes. Its not likely that it will play out of tune because of poor manufacturing. Then check the mpc and your mouth for the rest!
New C soprano Aquilasax "Celeste" model in bare brass with hard rubber
Aquilasax Co mouthpiece and reed.
Playing a jazz doodle by Paul M.
Classical style sound sample
Folk style sound sample
New Bare brass C soprano test sample. Key work is quite different from the vintage
models incorporating
the new style pinky cluster, octave key. Beautiful tone!
Satin Silver Celeste.
Plenty of storage room in the FAB case
Celeste C409020 arrived safely today with no more 'damage' than a loose screw. It played straight out of the box.
The finish is good (in particular considering the price)
I am really a clarinettist, of little merit, but have been playing a vintage Holton C soprano for a while. (I got bored of Bb everything: my clarinets are in C too.) The LH little-finger cluster on the Celeste is a stretch for my rather undersized hand. But it's clever and I could see it would be great if my hand were larger; and it probably will be better than the Holton when I get used to it. Knowing what I know now, I would have paid a premium for it.
The lower notes are already a bit easier to get than the Holton's. At the top I find both instruments equally challenging (this is a continuing surprise: coming from the clarinet, I thought that embouchure would be the least of my problems). So the lack of a hedgehog of palm keys won't bother me as I already find D and Eb a struggle. (The Holton is keyed up to F but I have never been there.) The tone of the Celeste is more focused than the Holton, which is hoarser (or more complex if you prefer). And your instrument seems generally quite a bit more controllable.
I'm afraid I don't much care for your C soprano mouthpiece, so far (a Babbitt seems to work best for me right now, on both instruments), but that is the luck of the draw: I already realize that the life of a saxophonist -- pro or rank amateur -- consists of a continuing search for mouthpieces which give personal satisfaction: and it's about as likely to be ultimately successful as the quest for the Grail.
The case is not Louis Vuitton but looks effective, and certainly was effective in transit. I may buy one of yours for that C mel.
My idea behind buying the Celeste was to have an ongoing reference for the Holton, to avoid building such saxophone technique as I may acquire around that single, rather quirky instrument. And I think it will be a success: obviously there are lots of annoyances when you change instruments, but this is only Day #1.
I hope these comments are of some use, and that the marque will be a success.
Regards
John W.
