Tech/maintenance Can anyone identify this tenor please?

[David Roach]

Hi Everyone,
A friend has sent me this picture of his Dad's tenor sax. I'm not well up on older horns, and I can't make out the name on the bell.
I'd be most grateful if someone can tell me what it is. Thanks in advance 🙂.

 

[MikeMorrell]

Hi David, not that I know anything about old saxes but perhaps a close-up of any 'brand name/logo/design' would help as would any serial number,

 

[David Roach]

Unfortunately the photo just gets blurred in close up, so it's not much help!

 

[jonf]

You'll need to get him to take some more pictures. Logo if there is one, at the very least both sides of the sax and the neck.

 

[spike]

More pics would help David, especially the bell, although it does look pretty worn.
and anything below the right hand thumb rest.
Am I right that I can see no high F# mechanism? It may be round the back of course which I can't see.
But there doesn't appear to be a right hand "activator" key
First impression from the pic above would be an old circa 1950's Ost-Bloc horn.
I doubt that the "chain" to the case lid on the left is original.
As Mike & Jonf say more detailed pics could help.
The engraving on the bell is probably the key to the pedigree.

 

[altissimo]

those 3 zig zag lightning bolts at the top of the bell look like a Martin Handcraft Committee - The Martin Story - Martin Handcraft Committee saxophones
but it could be a Super Dearman

 

[nigeld]

Hard to tell from the picture, but it looks as if the keys might be nickel plated.

 

[Melissa]

The position of the bottom C guard makes it look like a Buescher

 

[Melissa]

those 3 zig zag lightning bolts at the top of the bell look like a Martin Handcraft Committee - The Martin Story - Martin Handcraft Committee saxophones
but it could be a Super Dearman

Yes it does too!- shame you can't see those tone holes from here :/

 

[thomsax]

those 3 zig zag lightning bolts at the top of the bell look like a Martin Handcraft Committee - The Martin Story - Martin Handcraft Committee saxophones
but it could be a Super Dearman

I also think it is a Martin Handcraft Committee. Can be "Mars Attacking" or "Searchligt" engraving. The design of the keys looks like a Comm I. Looks like solid nickelsilver keys.. Very good saxes.

 

[altissimo]

Yes it does too!- shame you can't see those tone holes from here :/

I think I can just make out the diagonal angle of the V shaped bell key guard supports on the other side of the bell...

 

[thomsax]

Looks like it has the comm tone holes.. No bevelded tone holes rims on Comm saxes. The siblings Handcraft and Handcraft Special had bevelded tone holes rims. Handcraft (based on Imperial had the Eb vent as well. They dropped it on HC Special. And the case seems to be younger as well

 

[Phil]

My thoughts quickly went to martin searchlight.

 

[Melissa]

Martin

Looks identical from what I can make out.

I think I can just make out the diagonal angle of the V shaped bell key guard supports on the other side of the bell...View attachment 10084

 

[MikeMorrell]

There's a gallery of Martin Handcraft committee sax photos with some info at the Virtual Saxophone Museum website. The bell design does indeed looks identical.

 

[David Roach]

Thank you ALL very much indeed. I agree, it looks like a Martin. My friend is going to hand it over this week hopefully so I'll be able to give you more info then and some better pictures.
What a fantastic bunch you are!! Thanks.

 

[MMM]

Great saxes, at one point I had three "Searchlight" tenors, one of which I bought from the bass saxist Harry Gold!

 

[David Roach]

I have the Tenor now. It is indeed a Martin Handcrafted 'Searchlight' from 1937.

I'm absolutely knocked out to have this instrument; it's years since I played anything older than a Mk6 and I'm super impressed by it's tone and intonation. Coupled with a modern mouthpiece (Pillinger NYTM 7 in this case) it plays beautifully. It's seen some action, a couple of grotty solderings and some dents, but....

Here's a quick clip I did for the owner and his son (who passed it on to me - Thanks Nigel!) Sentimental Mood

 

[brianr]

lovely sound. really lovely. beautiful control. great vib. love all about it.

unusual key to play it in.🙂

 

[rhysonsax]

I have the Tenor now. It is indeed a Martin Handcrafted 'Searchlight' from 1937.

I'm absolutely knocked out to have this instrument; it's years since I played anything older than a Mk6 and I'm super impressed by it's tone and intonation. Coupled with a modern mouthpiece (Pillinger NYTM 7 in this case) it plays beautifully. It's seen some action, a couple of grotty solderings and some dents, but....

Here's a quick clip I did for the owner and his son (who passed it on to me - Thanks Nigel!) Sentimental Mood

View attachment 10511

That is beautiful playing and well recorded too. Thanks for sharing it with us.

Rhys