Right On Russell

Though the King Zephyr bari sax only goes down to a Low Bb instead of an A, it's tone and character is unlike any other.

The Zephyr has gone through many iterations from its inception in the 1930's. The best models are from the 40's and 50's before the release of the Super 20. They include the 3-loop neckstrap and the double-socket neck. You can also tell the later horns from the early ones by noticing the low C# valve - it is more on the outside right side of the bell, just like in most late-model saxes, instead of on the inside, as in the earlier models. While the Super 20 can costs upwards of $4000, you can find a late-model Zephyr for under $1000.

While no digital piano will ever sound exactly like an acoustic one, Kurzweil has one of the most realistic-sounding piano voices in the industry. This keyboard has some decent stock sounds for the Rhodes, Wurli, and Clav, but their website offers a SYSEX file that provides some really great sounds, so good that I sold my Rhodes and just use this now.

I often use this synth along with an additional midi controller to extend the number of keys. I can then have up to 16 simultaneous voices going on, which comes in handy for my Jamiroquai Tribute band.