Saxophones Boosey & Co LTD Tenor Saxophone-Most unusual!

[Melissa]

Hi everyone,

It has been quite some time since I have been on but work and life has taken me away from my pleasures!

I have today just purchased a very old-(Relic)1929-30 Boosey & Co Tenor Sax in silver plate which has been a nightmare to identify further.As far as most shall say-Boosey did not make saxophones....Well,I think they did,this one is stamped upon the bell,as above,with a serial number of 28545 and "British Throughout" also stamped upon the side of the bell.Plated by Boosey & Co.and LP interestingly,the finger buttons are not plain brass but have black-possibly ebonite inserts...a very nice touch. Also engraved upon the bell is GH 26. whatever that means.

This also came with a Vulcanite mouthpiece with silver neck stamped GM Bundy Paris...Could be a lelandais stencil.No idea as of yet-but quite nice condition for an oldie.

If you can enlighten me further-pics below.,I would be very impressed.

I purchased this for myself,it does need the full works,springs,pads.but I just have that feeling,this is going to be really quite nice to play.-I adore vintage-and this really is!

 

[Nick Wyver]

Good luck. Are you sure it's low pitch?

 

[kevgermany]

Good luck. Are you sure it's low pitch?

There's an LP inscription in pic 4, so it should be OK.

As far as I know Boosey didn't make saxes, but did take over/merge with Hawkes, who did make them. Could have been made by Hawkes for Boosey pre-take over.

Your horn is older than the one reviewed here: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/XX_century_tenor.htm
Note the lack of rollers on yours on Eb/C for instance, and your earlier LH little finger cluster. It may be older than you think. Hope it's got a single, automatic octave lever.

Not sure if it's appropriate or not, but here's a Hawkes serial umber list: http://www.angelfire.com/music2/thecornetcompendium/manufacturers_h_k.html

Looks like it needs quite a bit of TLC. But have fun! I'm mad enough to like old saxes.

 

[Melissa]

Good luck. Are you sure it's low pitch?

Picture four,above GH 26. Impressed LP-that is Low Pitch.

 

[kevgermany]

Did you see this article???

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/media/_file/bandh_handlists_web.pdf

 

[Melissa]

You know Kev,I had wondered about the possibility of Hawkes,I dated it on the Boosey s/n website but like you say,if it was Hawkes then could be earlier,I think it is charming,a great vintage horn and certainly well made.It does have the single auto octave lever too.Thank you for the link,I shall have a look and see what I can find out after.

This is a project for myself so I shall keep everyone tuned and put up some pictures once I have done it,there is a lot of work here,but you don't come across many like this nowadays!

 

[Melissa]

Did you see this article???

http://www.horniman.ac.uk/media/_file/bandh_handlists_web.pdf

Thanks again Kev!

 

[Melissa]

There's an LP inscription in pic 4, so it should be OK.

As far as I know Boosey didn't make saxes, but did take over/merge with Hawkes, who did make them. Could have been made by Hawkes for Boosey pre-take over.

Your horn is older than the one reviewed here: http://www.shwoodwind.co.uk/Reviews/Saxes/Tenor/XX_century_tenor.htm
Note the lack of rollers on yours on Eb/C for instance, and your earlier LH little finger cluster. It may be older than you think. Hope it's got a single, automatic octave lever.

Not sure if it's appropriate or not, but here's a Hawkes serial umber list: http://www.angelfire.com/music2/thecornetcompendium/manufacturers_h_k.html

Looks like it needs quite a bit of TLC. But have fun! I'm mad enough to like old saxes.

I have seen the shwoodwind review about the XX Century,I am advised they are seriously good horns!

 

[gladsaxisme]

Hi Melissa

Nice to see you posting again,that seems like a lovely old sax you've got hold of I hope you manage to get it back to it's former glory and it rewards you by being a great player

Weren't you contemplating buying many vintage saxes and having them overhauled and putting them up for sale and starting a web site to do this,love to know how it all turned out...all the best...John

 

[Melissa]

Hi Melissa

Nice to see you posting again,that seems like a lovely old sax you've got hold of I hope you manage to get it back to it's former glory and it rewards you by being a great player

Weren't you contemplating buying many vintage saxes and having them overhauled and putting them up for sale and starting a web site to do this,love to know how it all turned out...all the best...John

Hi John,

Yes this is still going ahead but I have been really ill with Pneumonia and Pleurisy and just general ill health.I already have a vast collection still building up,not just Saxophones,many other instruments too and I have someone working on the website now,I am hoping it should go live within the next 4-6 weeks-I just have to be given a clear bill of health and away we go.

 

[gladsaxisme]

Hi John,

Yes this is still going ahead but I have been really ill with Pneumonia and Pleurisy and just general ill health.I already have a vast collection still building up,not just Saxophones,many other instruments too and I have someone working on the website now,I am hoping it should go live within the next 4-6 weeks-I just have to be given a clear bill of health and away we go.

Hi Melissa

Sorry to hear about your health problems hope you get the all clear as soon as possible ...john

 

[Melissa]

Hi Melissa

Sorry to hear about your health problems hope you get the all clear as soon as possible ...john

That's very kind of you John,

It is my own fault really,I have a smallholding and have been out over the last two winters in all weather which gave me bronchitis,so I could not play my sax,I spent more time out than in,rearing pigs and such and trying to do the good life,a friend said I should pack it all up and practice more-says I could be really good,but whilst I am learning-or at least becoming good enough to earn a living from playing,the bills do not get paid,the smallholding has not only kept me going,but financed buying all the instruments.

I would sooner be gigging than up to my knees in pig poop,because of the Pneumonia and such,I just have no breath to play and become really disillusioned.Especially when I come on here,listen to peoples tracks,listening to Pete play-god he's good! If only,I would sell my soul to play like that!

Mel x

 

[jonf]

Hi Melissa, give us all a heads up when the website goes live.

BW

JonF