Saxophones Dolnet Alto saxes

[Melissa]

I saw a post by Milandro on another website regards Dolnets, I have a potential customer whom wishes to part ex a Dolnet for my Tango, however he has advised it does not have the Art deco angular keyguards Nor wire ones.. so what on earth model is it! No pics as he does not know how to, but I do not think they are all worth the same price.

I have one, it is lovely looking with those angular keyguards which has the red inserts, I think we should have a category all about vintage saxes you know- I could go on all day about them..(dribbles insanely)-where is that icon!😀

I just don't wish for him turning up with that stencilled Dolnet- Malerne or the Italian one, can't remember off the top of my head, Milandro where are you?! I think he is thinking of a straight swap but to be honest the Tango is fairly priced for something in low pitch and super duper rare... like would you find another..nope and what would I get for a Dolnet Stencil..

Does anyone else know about the Dolnet models and stencils? Greatly appreciate your input. xx

 

[thomsax]

Here is two Dolnets Bel Air model. c -47(tenor) and c-52(alto). Both with letters "C" after the digits. Nice saxes but I had to do lots of solder works on them. Not my type of saxes. IMO, no big voices.

 

[Melissa]

I can't give you the serial to mine at the moment, but here it is: Those inserts are actually red but need cleaning up.

 

[Melissa]

Here is one which I believe there is some controversy over-regards the bell guards, no idea whay, looks like a Dolnet to me..
http://www.ebay.fr/itm/Faire-offre-...O_InstrumentsMusique_Vent&hash=item3389618e99

 

[thomsax]

The first one (bay) loks like a M70 model. Dolnet changed models often. And even when other manufactors closed down thier production. Some smaller producers gave up in the late 70's early 80's.

 

[aldevis]

I have a tenor from the 60s.
They are a lot of value for money, but i did not click with mine.
At least the Tango has a cool engraving and could end up like a terrific player.
My tenor has a great sound, but needs some adjustment in the (spongy) keywork. I did not feel like investing in it.

 

[milandro]

the Dolnet in your picture, Melissa, is an old Dolnet, made before they were called Bel Air, but essentially the same horn.

The beads on the cages were black or red in the first series, then became pearls later on when also the diamond shaped brace was installed.

Always check for the possible HP.

These altos (but in general this series without the diamond shaped brace and with beads black or red) are very common in the Netherlands, due to the lack of records (which as usual were destroyed ) nobody is sure of when these horns were made but I would say the ’50.


In my neck of the woods they are not worth an enormous amount of money and actually most technicians hold an unfounded prejudice about these early Dolnets.

 

[Melissa]

the Dolnet in your picture, Melissa, is an old Dolnet, made before they were called Bel Air, but essentially the same horn.

The beads on the cages were black or red in the first series, then became pearls later on when also the diamond shaped brace was installed.

Always check for the possible HP.

These altos (but in general this series without the diamond shaped brace and with beads black or red) are very common in the Netherlands, due to the lack of records (which as usual were destroyed ) nobody is sure of when these horns were made but I would say the ’50.


In my neck of the woods they are not worth an enormous amount of money and actually most technicians hold an unfounded prejudice about these early Dolnets.

Thanks for that Milandro! Why do the techs in your area dislike them? This is low pitch by the way.

Regards that other Dolnet-SOTW photo, is it actually a Dolnet or stencil?

 

[milandro]

for some reason the first of the two pictures, closer up, is very small and on the other one the logo is not visible.

It is certainly a Dolnet but Dolnets were stenciled under different names too.

Their longest serving model is this. This model, at a certain stage, acquired also a different left pinky table (rounded) instead of the angular one that you see in the silver plate alto pics.

Small variations really.

The models that you are bound to see around are the Bel Air, The Universal, The royal Jazz and the M70, the last two have a very definite look and the M70 always has a serial number starting with M70.


Also the curved Dolnet soprano was bought from Orsi.

 

[thomsax]

Ther was an original (?) receipt in the Bel Air -52 alto case. Dated autumn -52. I got the info about the tenor from another guy who had a receipt dated from early -48. The tenors # were close.

Here is an Dolnet Bel Air bari (from the 50's?) for sale in Sweden. Overhauled. Looks like the SML baris from early 50's. I think they were made by Pierret?
http://www.blocket.se/goteborg/Barytonsaxofon_51485129.htm?ca=23_15&w=3

 

[milandro]

for a few years after WW II metals were still scarce (uk had rationing of certain food items until 1954) so it is very possible that brass instruments sold then were made before WW II

 

[milandro]

Why do the techs in your area dislike them? T

I have no idea why Dutch technicians don't like Dolnet saxophones. Must be because they were very popular, hence common, with marching bands throughout the country. This must've disqualified them as professional saxophones in the eyes of those technicians.

 

[DavidUK]

I've researched Dolnet horns and see many of them about. Love the art deco look but for some reason I've filed them in the "never buy one" compartment in my head. Not sure why really, but others may feel the same so tread carefully with a p/ex.

 

[milandro]

I really think you should reconsider buying Dolnets. They can be absolutely very interesting and very well playing saxophones. The Royal Jazz and and the M 70 are definitely more collectible than the more common Bel Air, although the last one is definitely a very good player. The bonus is that buying a Dolnet will cost you always less than a saxophone with a more illustrious name. Generally speaking most French saxophones ( obviously not Selmer) are way cheaper than their American counterparts.

In another thread you look for hidden gems, Dolnets are such gems

Dolnest have a decent market in the States and the UK, but in Germany they are rather popular too. InFrance they are plentiful, in Belgium and the Netherlands they are more conveniently priced than elsewhere.

 

[milandro]

Here is an Dolnet Bel Air bari (from the 50's?) for sale in Sweden. Overhauled. Looks like the SML baris from early 50's. I think they were made by Pierret?

Unfortunately I cannot see the pictures , it says in Swedish
Hittade inte annonsen…

Anyway, Dolnet made their own baritones both with low Bb and A, these last ones are rather more sought after

 

[kevgermany]

I think the Baris were Beaugnier stencils

 

[milandro]

Not Dolnets, SML, were Noblets alright but Dolnets were typically Dolnets

 

[kevgermany]

You're right. Sorry for any confusion

 

[thomsax]

Unfortunately I cannot see the pictures , it says in Swedish
Hittade inte annonsen…

Anyway, Dolnet made their own baritones both with low Bb and A, these last ones are rather more sought after

Probably sold.

 

[Melissa]

I really think you should reconsider buying Dolnets. They can be absolutely very interesting and very well playing saxophones. The Royal Jazz and and the M 70 are definitely more collectible than the more common Bel Air, although the last one is definitely a very good player. The bonus is that buying a Dolnet will cost you always less than a saxophone with a more illustrious name. Generally speaking most French saxophones ( obviously not Selmer) are way cheaper than their American counterparts.

In another thread you look for hidden gems, Dolnets are such gems

Dolnest have a decent market in the States and the UK, but in Germany they are rather popular too. InFrance they are plentiful, in Belgium and the Netherlands they are more conveniently priced than elsewhere.

I shall be calling you the Professor of Dolnets! All this wonderful information, I cannot Thank you enough!love the Bari!