pryso, excellent observations re the two saxophones; I concur with your observations. I think the even larger point is that in the hands of a player with the ability of Charlie Parker the differences would be insignificant and not a significant impediment to full expression. In answer to your question re Ornette, like most players they used different instruments at various points in their career and Ornette did, in fact, also use the Grafton white acrylic saxophone as well as more conventional metal instruments. Since we are concerning ourselves with players’ equipment it is important to note that more important than the instrument (assuming that the instruments are all of high quality) is the mouthpiece. The differences in sound between mouthpieces, and the sound that they allow the player to “shape”, is hugely greater than between saxophones of different brands or material used in their construction.
btw, as just one of the many paralells to audiophilia, the mouthpiece is closest to “the source”, and just like the quality or inherent sound of a CD player, phono cartridge or turntable, it will have the biggest impact on the final sound.
btw, as just one of the many paralells to audiophilia, the mouthpiece is closest to “the source”, and just like the quality or inherent sound of a CD player, phono cartridge or turntable, it will have the biggest impact on the final sound.