Saxophones Conn New Era - Martin stencil

ProfJames · Dec 13, 2013

Can anyone elucidate on this horn for me? What Martin was "stencilled" to make a Conn New Era? Are they any good? Anyone had any experience please?

altissimo · Dec 13, 2013

some info here - http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?168052-Martin-Stencil-quot-New-Era-quot

most stencils are from the 1920's or early 30's so it's likely to be Handcraft - or at least a no frills version of the Handcraft

http://vintagemartinguitar.net/1940-vintage-new-era-tenor-saxophone-martin-stencil-sax/14177

http://www.divshare.com/slideshow/17655355-c75

http://boston.listlux.com/a,55,520296,Tenor-Sax-Martin-Stencil-----750-Ipswich.htm

strange how they're mostly tenors...

if it's a tenor you're looking at, it'll be worth investigating, I've got a Martin tenor from around 1930/31 and it roars... and I'm not even a tenor player - god knows what it'd be like with a proper set up and in the hands of someone who knows what they're doing...

I don't think there's any Conn connection, maybe you're getting confused with the Conn 'New Wonder'

ProfJames · Dec 13, 2013

Many thanks Altissimo, much appreciated. It is an alto I am looking at or rather someone has offered me the horn for £200. Seems in very good condition but if they are no better than my existing horns then there is no reason to purchase! I though Conn had the New Era name? Am I confused? Do you want to sell your tenor?

altissimo · Dec 13, 2013

£200 for a Martin and you say there's no reason to purchase...? 😉

although I'm slightly tempted to sell the tenor and there's someone else on here looking for one for a winter project, it's a hard decision for a Martin fancier like me - I'm not yet so desperate for money that I've started selling my saxes and I get the feeling that one day a tenor will come in useful, even though my mate always refers to the tenor as 'the fakers horn'

ProfJames · Dec 13, 2013

Ah Altissimo! A man after my own heart! I could not sell mine either! But the New Era? No case? I shall review and come back to you!

ProfJames · Dec 13, 2013

altissimo · Dec 13, 2013

well, you won't find one that cheap on ebay...

kevgermany · Dec 13, 2013

it's a bit small prof

altissimo · Dec 13, 2013

kevgermany said:
it's a bit small prof

must be the cold weather...

ProfJames · Dec 14, 2013

I have a bit of a problem with graphics! However the sax is in Manchester and the guy wants £200 for it. It looks good but I have my eye on a Martin tenor. I already have two Handcrafts so if any one wants this guys contact details and more photos please PM me. I will donate the 5% to the charity if someone buys it through my intro. It was on eBay about three months ago for £350. The seller contacted me as he now HAS to sell it.

kevgermany · Dec 14, 2013

This is too tempting Please will someone buy it. Otherwise my marriage is at risk

ProfJames · Dec 14, 2013

Just received this email regarding the horn.......................

Dear profjames,Hi again, forgive me for not putting the info on earlier, i guess I
assumed you would remember it all from six months ago! 🙂

As much as i know is this... I got the sax around 10 or 12 years ago
from a customer of mine who used it to pay part of his website
development bill with (I used to run a company). I have only truly
picked it up a dozen times so I feel it should be played far more than
that. It has one small ding on the back by the serial which is shown
on a couple of the photos. The inlays on all the keys is fine and
there is only minimal spotting here and there on the finish which I
have also tried to show on the photos. I got it serviced maybe a year
ago but as I say I have only probably played it for an hour in total
since.

jonf · Dec 14, 2013

Some pics might help - the ones you posted earlier are about the size of a postage stamp.

Colin the Bear · Dec 14, 2013

Just got a tax refund burning a hole in my gas. I'm interested. I need a proper alto.

majordennis · Dec 14, 2013

I forgot to advise that I have purchased my project horn, I was determined to hold out for a classic tenor but a Vito Beaugnier alto came up on Ebay for a real bargain price. Anyone who has read any of my posts knows how much I like the Beaugnier marque (I have a tenor which is excellent) so I just couldn't resist it, (sorry Prof).

First impressions suggest I might get away with a good clean and set up, so I might be looking again soon.