Saxophones C Melody Saxophones

[Tuppertn]

I feel like such a loser. I need more horns.

 

[PigSquealer]

I feel like such a loser. I need more horns.

 

[Tonehole]

I feel like such a loser. I need more horns.

We can only play one horn at a time so one is enough. The rest is pure indulgence.

Pig squealer is the embodiment of. "one man's trash is another man's treasure."
Not only do the majority frown on C Melody but he rescues, rejuvenates and cherishes them.

 

[PigSquealer]

People collect things for different reasons of enjoyment.
I’ve always enjoyed the art of machines. Watches, motorcycles, cars and yes C melodies.
There’s a personal reward to bringing these to life again.

The art of engraving adds too.

Or maybe the lack of any.

 

[PigSquealer]

Anyone care to guess the maker of this one ?

 

[kamak]

Its a weird looking one. Conn perhaps?

 

[PigSquealer]

🤯🫪🤩🥳😱🫨😵‍💫

I have one that’s 570 serials lower. I know exactly what it is. Including one unique change in keywork.

Same engraving but two different makers.

 

[PigSquealer]

It’s a weird looking one. Conn perhaps?

Not a Conn.
Conn or Pan American would have the Mercedes style Lo C wire guard. No bowfin. The Lira box on Conn / PA looks like this.

It took me a few minutes to identify the maker. Had to check picture archive and notes. This is the first I’ve seen from the maker in this configuration.

 

[PigSquealer]

Clue,
Cups
G# position is usually different
Front F

 

[mark_addy]

Cups look a bit King-y to me...

 

[PigSquealer]

Cups look a bit King-y to me...

That’s correct !

 

[PigSquealer]

Pictures I posted on #505 & #507 are a King build best I know. Too many features in comparison for this not to be.
But not a King build I’ve seen before.
@Stephen Howard did this review pointing out the uniqueness here.

King C Melody saxophone review

A workbench review of the King C Melody saxophone

www.shwoodwind.co.uk

These features are maintained from early production until the very last.

Somehow this unit is differently made. This area should have two G key cups and G# on left side. That’s what makes this one unique. A prototype ?? SN# 45271

Like this.

 

[PigSquealer]

Here’s another Lyon & Healy Inspiration (King) SN# 48429

Compare to a genuine King SN# 44701 (the G# on left side circled red in above post is sax sax below)

 

[mark_addy]

A King-de-lux at 4-and-a-bit times the price of a basic unit, and over twice the price of a gold one. Must have been pretty fancy!

 

[PigSquealer]

Oops I did it again. That darn cart button. And then checking to see what shipping and tax cost total was. Falling asleep dreaming….Dug must have laid his head on my iPad and triggered the complete transaction click🫣. Honestly it wasn’t me🤥.
Without notice this arrived two days ago 🤩
This is a second year Holton #909. The lowest known SN# of a Holton C Melody. It’s seen some use, and at least one proper repad. It needs nothing and plays really well. It arrived with a mid 20’s Buescher C mouthpiece, cap looks time period correct. The rawhide neck strap is likely OE. The coffin case doesn’t stink. Has the aroma of “grandma’s house”. Not full cedar ,but not those mothball bombs from 1960’s either.

It retains the lightweight 12oz original end plug that’s not vented.

No pearls, has all the “master keys” including a spatula front F.
Will do a full detailed photo shoot later.

 

[PigSquealer]

A few pictures of the new (only 108) Holton C.
I was surprised the end plug didn’t weigh more than 1.3 oz. I never could guess the correct weight of a pig at the Fair.

Three relief cuts for flex and it still fits snugly. Anyone notice anything else?

Look at bottom left area. There’s copper plate underneath the layer of silver. ⬆️
Holton didn’t use a copper base for silver plating. All instruments, not just saxophones.
So, either it’s original and a sourced part, or it’s original and Holton was testing the process. Could be non original too.
#653 Alto and #1027 C I have seen. Neither had this style. Most makers plugs complemented the design of reciever. Close so ?

Below showing the plain silver key touches and black ebonite rollers. Mother of Pearl at these locations started between SN# 5456 and 5565. 1920 and still in Chicago.

Nothing different in this view that’s noticeable. The thumb rest did change to Mother of pearl in 1920 too.

 

[PigSquealer]

The bell measures 4-7/8”. My 1923, 24 & 25 measure 5”.
The strap and beefy ring remained the same until at least 1927.

The biggest surprise was weight. I need to check this again as I weighed it a few days ago. But 5.8lbs caught me shocked.
Normally these are 8.8 pounds. Both weights taken with crook on.

I don’t see any obvious difference in the crook. A side by side comparison may discover something small.

A small feature like these odd marks under the key. Or a different shape / location of octave vent.

The key touches show this was used and enjoyed. The pads are non original with stitching, rivets a two with plastic domes. So it’s had at least one repad. A good sign of care as needed. The action is rock solid. The LH palm keys aside. They could be snugged up a tad.

 

[PigSquealer]

Holton was the first maker to introduce the front F using the teardrop / fingernail touch. In good regulation with quality materials they still feel restrictive / sluggish.

The simple engraving stayed largely the same until April 1922. The variable being the stacked accent lines above and below the Frank Holton & Co line. They come and go during the Chicago era. Beginning at the Elkhorn era only the area above the “Made By” continued.

The LH pinky table shows just a slight contour change.

1918⬆️ 1925⬇️

 

[PigSquealer]

The biggest surprise was weight. I need to check this again as I weighed it a few days ago. But 5.8lbs caught me shocked.
Normally these are 8.8 pounds. Both weights taken with crook on.

I double checked the weight. The 1918 is correct above. Maybe I was thinking Bb tenor as normal being 8.8 lbs.
Below is 1925 Holton C. Not much difference.

 

[PigSquealer]

I have an Aquila sax in for service. Was curious about the weight.
6.6.6lbs 🫣