MUSICAL SAWS

 

I have developed this page to help you choose the right musical saw for you. Obviously I've not tried every musical saw on the market. The saws available are quite different in terms of safety, sound, quality and ease of playing. I have a collection of 4 saws from  manufacturers around the world. All of them have their place and are suitable for different types of players, abilities and possibly the type of group that you intend to play with.  I don't use any cheats and usually I don't use amplification as musical saw feedback can be quite unpleasant. 

I'm sure there are other players who might get different results from the same saws, possibly due to the different styles of playing the same instrument. If there are any manufacturers who would like me to give an honest opinion of their product  I would be happy to try it out and report it back to them and other potential saw players.

Saw Maker or supplier Description and additional notes  Range
B&Q 

(or similar DIY shops)

 DIY shops are usually known for their musical instruments however they do supply a mean line in cross cut saws. These are NOT musical saws, but every day wood cutting saws with sharp teeth that can cause severe damage to yourself and to other people while playing.  However it is possible to get notes out of them. The difficulty is that the blade was designed for cutting and therefore not very flexible. I started off on a normal saw and it provided a medium range of notes,  but it required thumb strength to sustain a long playing session. One piece of music was usually enough. The Sanvik 20" wood cutting saw I have also gets a range of about one octave. Again this can be painful to play and not all the notes are pure sound. Variable, depending on the saw, but usually around  one octave.

Thomas Flinn & Co

A UK Manufacturer of musical Saws

E.T. Roberts & Lee, who created the Parkstone Melody saw,  were bought out by a Sheffield company called  Thomas Finn and Co. They are now producing their version of the Parkstone Melody and indeed now they have 3 sizes which are  22", 26" and 30". 

They are all made from fully ground carbon steel 80.  The handle is made from American Black Walnut and each instrument should be capable of  just over 2 octaves. 

You are able to state whether you want teeth or not.  A toothless saw is far safer for any youngsters who fancy taking up the instrument, but it does seem to limit the range by a couple of notes. That extra centre metre of metal makes all the difference.

The smaller saw would be far easier for younger people to play as it's easier to reach up and hold the end of the instrument. 

Thomas Flinn & Co also provide "cheats" to help you hold and bend the saw and a violin or cello bow.  Their prices as of September 2011 are :

Beech Handle Range-

                        22" Musical Saw - £52.68

                        26" Musical Saw - £56.10

                        30" Musical Saw - £61.70

Walnut Handle Range:

                        22" Musical Saw - £83.62

                        26" Musical Saw - £88.01

                        30" Musical Saw - £92.65

Accessories:

                        Cheat - £6.24

                        Bow - £20.40                   

                        Rosin - £3.00   

You can purchase these from  : 

www.musicalsaws.co.uk

   Thomas Flinn & Co. , 114 Harvest Lane, Sheffield, England S3 8EG

           Telephone: +44 (0) 114 272 5387 Fax: +44 (0) 114 272 5389
           E-Mail: orderonline [at] flinn-garlick-saws [dot] co [dot] uk

 

30"   

 Hear a demonstration.

26"

Rutland Water

 Hear a demonstration.

22"- Toothless Saw
 Two octaves exactly

  Sad song

 Hear a demonstration.

22"-  Saw with teeth

We'll Gather Lilacs

 Hear a demonstration.

Sandvikens Stradivarious

UK Supplier (DW Services)

A UK Distributor

I also purchased this particular saw several years ago through Mussehl & Westphal..  Its a very good and deep sound and very good for playing  cello solos or bass baritone songs (eg Old Man River).

D W Services, 16 Parkfield Road, Stourbridge, West Midlands, DY8 1HD, ENGLAND

 Telephone/fax:  01384 442332 (within United Kingdom )

E-Mail: dennis@dwservices.co.uk

 

 

Over The Green Fields by Thao Nguyen Xanh

Hear a demonstration.

Mussehl & Westphal The tenor saw is about 26" inches long. It is quite flexible and suitable for young players  to play (under supervision of course!!). Because of its range it is well suited for playing with ensembles and can easily be heard in moderately sized hall without amplification.  This was my first proper musical saw and I guess this is still my favourite. I regularly play it with brass band accompaniment.... and I can still cut through most other performers (sound only!!!!).  

Over The Green Fields by Thao Nguyen Xanh

Hear a demonstration.

MusicalSaws.co.nz

 

In New Zealand a range of piccolo saws are now available to buy. Unlike some of the other musical saws on the market this has no teeth, so it will be child friendly. It has an impressive range and should stand out above other orchestral or band instrument the handle is crafted from a hardwood called Jarrah. The full package includes the saw, the bow, a case and rossin.

Charlie Blacklock Specials

 This is great... a musical saw player who had saws named after him. This is a lovely instrument,. Mine is about 30" in length and covers quite a wide range of notes. It requires quite strong fingers especially  if you're intending playing it for any length of time. 

Although Charlie passed away in 2008 I'm sure he will be remembered for his valuable contribution to the musical saw world and there are still saws available on the internet.

 

30" 

  Stranger on the saw

Hear a demonstration.

 Feldmann's Musical Saw

Wow.... at 38" this must be one of the longest instruments I've come across and must the equivalent of a stretched Limousine in the saw world. Like a stretched Limousine it is quite difficult to manipulate the bends and plenty of space and strategic planning is required. It is obviously not for young players unless as a parent you have kept them strapped to a rack for a long period of time. It is however very flexible and it is kind to your thumb and fingers. There is a toothless section at both ends of the blade. I like this as it means that you don't damage your trousers or dress (not that I wear one!!).  It  is quite difficult to control and the slightest of  wobble  (nerves) can affect the sound.