Saxophones 1950 Pan American Tenor Sax

[Punchysax]

Evening all,
Just bought a lovely Pan American tenor sax serial number makes it from 1950.
Original lacquer great condition plays lovely 600 quid with Hiscox case .

Anyone play one of these and your thoughts on them ?
And also any idea if any pro players use one so I can have a look.

 

[turf3]

It's a Conn under the skin.

Based on the date I'd expect it's what was soon to be relabeled "16M Director" - a 10M body tube with New Wonder keywork.

 

[PigSquealer]

Based on the date I'd expect it's what was soon to be relabeled "16M Director"

I agree. Wasn’t the change about 1955 ?
Last I remember on dating from BOTW was the updated list wasn’t published yet. My notes say to use Conn Loyalist and horn-u-copia as “reasonable but not exact”.

 

[PigSquealer]

Evening all,
Just bought a lovely Pan American tenor sax serial number makes it from 1950.
Original lacquer great condition plays lovely 600 quid with Hiscox case .

Anyone play one of these and your thoughts on them ?
And also any idea if any pro players use one so I can have a look.

Congratulations on a cool PA (Conn). I’ve only worked on a few PA’s. They were sold as a second line of Conn, but honestly I see zero difference in quality. The build & metal is good quality. Same as an 16m. I own a 1961. I know one pro player active on one. He’s not on the Café. Next closest player is on a Conn NW1. Look up Saxquatch on YouTube.

Where’s the porn pictures ?

 

[Keshr]

I tried a Pan Am tenor at a pawn shop. It was easy playing and sounded just like a Conn, but the ergos were a little awkward for my hands.

Conn's second line also had its own second line, Cavalier. I have an early Cavalier metal clarinet that is very good.

 

[mpjbiker]

I've got an earlier split bell keys tenor, that looks like a wreck. Effectively a conn transitional with straight tone holes-needs a bit of adjustment, but still a great playing bargain horn! Also got a 58M alto, which is a lovely little alto.

 

[JayeNM]

Pan Ams became Conn Director 16M' and 14M's.
The PINKY tables changed. The pinky on the late PA's were on the small side just a tad, akthough they look slick and mod in a retro way.
The clunkier, Chu-type loooking tables on the early Directors ('55 sounds about right, the earliest Directors I have ever worked on (and I have easily worked on over 300, dated '57 per their serials) actually are a bit easier to engage.

But PA's are perfectly good, solid horns. One in play shape here , not ugly as sin and not grungy as heck..., is around a $650-700 Tenor. Fully cleaned and refurbed, add maybe $100.

Like the 16M, same body and neck tube specs as a 10M, just no 'cupped' octave pip.

 

[PigSquealer]

I did a pre repad prep job for a fellow tech last year on a PA. These play well enough that a pro player wanted one as a party bar horn. Looked like it didn’t survive the last pub bashing. You wouldn’t see a modern import receiving this kind of TLC.

Saxophones - Pork Tales: Saxophone Repair DIY Adventures.

 

[Punchysax]

Here are some pics , plays lovely.

 

[Punchysax]

Got some nice custom pearls , surprisingly light , great neck solid no movement , for 600 pound really happy.

 

[Punchysax]

Photo of the neck

 

[PigSquealer]

That looks fantastic! I love the abalone touches. Are you sure this is a 1950 ?
@JayeNM look at the whale tail side F# & RH pinky table. Also the crook brace.

 

[rhysonsax]

That looks fantastic! I love the abalone touches. Are you sure this is a 1950 ?
@JayeNM look at the whale tail side F# & RH pinky table. Also the crook brace.

The abalone touches look like a recent replacement. Easy enough to do and cheap too.

Rhys

 

[Punchysax]

The abalone touches look like a recent replacement. Easy enough to do and cheap too.

Rhys

Serial number suggests that it is , what makes you ask ?

 

[Punchysax]

That looks fantastic! I love the abalone touches. Are you sure this is a 1950 ?
@JayeNM look at the whale tail side F# & RH pinky table. Also the crook brace.

Hi thank you serial number suggest it is 1950 , what makes you ask what year do you think ?

 

[PigSquealer]

Hi thank you serial number suggest it is 1950 , what makes you ask what year do you think ?

The details I mentioned above are later than 1950, I think. They could be upgrades from a later model too. If so they’re well done and worthy. Your sax has definitely been well loved and cared for.