Can you help re Alto

[large_init]

I have just purchased an old Cleveland King alto.The only markings on the bell are Cleveland made by King Ohio USA.
There are no model numbers or name but I have a serial number of C213951.I have looked at the lists of serial numbers and this number appears to be more like the numbers listed for King rather than Cleveland or am I reading it wrong.
I was told it was around the 40-50's.
Any help would be most grateful

 

[spike]

Hello Chief Superintendent Large,

My first tenor sax was a King from Johnny Roadhouse in All Saints, Mcr. but in those days nobody worried about serial numbers, history and value and stuff, if you've got a horn blow it was the maxim of the day.

However, on a more helpful note, try www.saxpics.com - Pete Hale is a selfconfessed Sax Historian and his website is jampacked full of info on just about every sax that was ever made. And if that doesn't help try www.saxgourmet.com and maybe Steve Goodson can help you in his King section.

gruss - spike

P.S. Where d'you guys get your whistles? Are they those metal ones from Acme? I've been trying to find an original metal Roland Kirk Siren from Acme for years my last one got nicked, wouldn't happen to have one knockin' around in your vaults at the yard would you?

 

[griff136]

Hi large.init


Your sax is a King Cleveland was where the factory was located in Ohio.
If you go to either of the sites mentioned by spike you should find a serial number list for king which will give you a good idea of when it was made.

 

[griff136]

also if you go to www.saxpics.com and click on the king section you should be able to compare your sax to the pictures and find out what model it is too.

 

[large_init]

Thanks for the replies much appreciated although I am still not sure and cannot seem to find out exactly what model I have or year. even after visiting the mentioned sites.

Spike. Thanks for the promotion!I am not in such an elivated position and nor would I want to be but the extra money would be nice.
Norfolk Police stopped issuing whistles about 15 years ago although I still have mine which I use for getting the dog back.Apparently this was due to us having radios which is somewhat confusing since we only just got rid of the horse and cart.If you want one then I will see if I can get you one but I am not sure of the make etc. Let me know and I will see what I can do

 

[rs2sensen]

Based on the serial number, I could guess between 1935-1940 if it is a King. If it's a Cleveland, it would be from between 1965-1970. I know very little about King or Cleveland, if the latter was a sort of stencil/second-line instrument for King, or what exactly. Drop an email to Pete Hale over at saxpics, and I'd bet he could help give you some history.

http://www.geocities.com/sax411/sax/history/serials.html#cleveland

 

[spike]

large.init wrote:
Let me know and I will see what I can do

Thanks for the offer - but guess what - it's the siren I'm really after and I've never thought of looking for it under police whistles and that's where I've just found one at long last. So now I know in future - "When in doubt - ask a policeman." Thanks for the inspiration - I'll now go and do the washing up and whistle the theme tune to Dixon of Dock Green. evenin' all - gruss - spike

 

[Bobby G]

Spike, I was wondering if you could *play* the theme tune from 'Dixon', or maybe the grittier, more drama-laden theme from 'Z-Cars', which I've always loved. When you've finished the washing up of course.

Cheers, Bob

 

[spike]

Bob -
"Dixon" no problem but "Z-Cars" no can do at the drop of a hat, I have to think about it man, and it's got tempo changes in it and I think it's in F, and there's a funny bit at the beginning - wouldn't you prefer the Dambusters march? gruss - spike

 

[saxismyaxe]

Just to clarify,
H.N. White Co. of Cleveland (later Eastlake) Ohio, is the actual name of the company that produced both the KING and CLEVELAND models. The "King" moniker was their top of the line model in it's various forms: King, King Voll, Voll True, King Zephyr, King Super 20 etc. The Cleveland was a student to intermediate or "step up" model, although they are considered today as much more than that in quality and playability.

Keep in mind that we are talking pre 60's or so horns: Many of King's horn lines that were previously pro models, became student lines by the mid to late 1960's such as the Zephyr.

After H.N. White sold ownership of the company, the King name was also used on a number of new, decidedly student quality horns by the 1970's till the present. These aren't in the same category as the glory days of the company (with the exception of the later, Yanagiswa stencil Martins, which are great in their own right...but not real Martin horns).