Saxophones How do I identify a saxophone's manufacturer?

[Smoky Progg]

Hi, I recently started renting a tenor saxophone from my local music store, and I am having trouble finding who made it. The only pieces of information I have are that the serial number is 8477 and that it was made in Italy. So I was wondering, how does one go about identifying a sax?

 

[Jeanette]

Post us some photos and our members will help.

Welcome! 😁

Jx

 

[Smoky Progg]

Sorry, my camera sucked. And uh I also have no clue how to safely hold it.

 

[Smoky Progg]

Sorry, my camera sucked. And uh I also have no clue how to safely hold it.View attachment 31589

 

[PigSquealer]

That’s a quality copy of a Conn 10M. Made in Italy by Alfonso Rampone. Most in the states you will see engraved “Artcraft” on the bell. The red rollers are original. Most likely made in late ‘60s to mid ‘70s. I don’t think I’ve seen one with sheetmetal clothes guards. I own one with wire guards.

Italian Makes & Models / Alfonso Rampone / Artcraft / Bb Tenor - Lacquer |

Italian Makes & Models / Alfonso Rampone / Artcraft / Bb Tenor - Lacquer

bassic-sax.info

 

[PigSquealer]

Sorry, my camera sucked. And uh I also have no clue how to safely hold it.View attachment 31589

Lay it down on the kitchen table. Shoot full view of right & left sides. Set camera @ 16:9 and fill the lens with object.

This spring needs to be loaded on other side of the pin. The key (Lo C#) is sprung closed.

 

[Woodpad]

Strangely enough yesterday I bought a decorative saxophone, also with made in Italy, but the serial number was 4000 higher. A wire guarded clapper with an extremely nice build quality.
The saxophone was originally sold by Hampe in Amsterdam and he was married to a Roth.. My first thought was Bottoceli as he was a renamed member of the Roth family. Now I will broaden the search with Rampone.

Does your Artcraft have very small tone holes?

 

[PigSquealer]

Strangely enough yesterday I bought a decorative saxophone, also with made in Italy, but the serial number was 4000 higher. A wire guarded clapper with an extremely nice build quality.
The saxophone was originally sold by Hampe in Amsterdam and he was married to a Roth.. My first thought was Bottoceli as he was a renamed member of the Roth family. Now I will broaden the search with Rampone.

Does your Artcraft have very small tone holes?

The Artcraft tenor I have is practically an exact copy of a 10M. Tone holes are same & RTH.

Here’s a list of Italian makers
Ferdinand Roth, #36

 

[Smoky Progg]

Lay it down on the kitchen table. Shoot full view of right & left sides. Set camera @ 16:9 and fill the lens with object.

This spring needs to be loaded on other side of the pin. The key (Lo C#) is sprung closed.
View attachment 31593

Thank you so much for pointing that out!

 

[Smoky Progg]

That’s a quality copy of a Conn 10M. Made in Italy by Alfonso Rampone. Most in the states you will see engraved “Artcraft” on the bell. The red rollers are original. Most likely made in late ‘60s to mid ‘70s. I don’t think I’ve seen one with sheetmetal clothes guards. I own one with wire guards.

Italian Makes & Models / Alfonso Rampone / Artcraft / Bb Tenor - Lacquer |

Italian Makes & Models / Alfonso Rampone / Artcraft / Bb Tenor - Lacquer

bassic-sax.info

Thanks for the help!

 

[Smoky Progg]

Strangely enough yesterday I bought a decorative saxophone, also with made in Italy, but the serial number was 4000 higher. A wire guarded clapper with an extremely nice build quality.
The saxophone was originally sold by Hampe in Amsterdam and he was married to a Roth.. My first thought was Bottoceli as he was a renamed member of the Roth family. Now I will broaden the search with Rampone.

Does your Artcraft have very small tone holes?

I do not think so

 

[Wonko]

Here’s a list of Italian makers

Thanks, that is interesting.
If I read this correctly (read it rather fast), then the American saxophone producers sort of took their inspiration from the Italians.

 

[PigSquealer]

Thanks, that is interesting.
If I read this correctly (read it rather fast), then the American saxophone producers sort of took their inspiration from the Italians.

I would guess that Edward Lefebre born in Netherlands of French descent. Was likely or close to first in bringing the saxophone to the United States.

Edward A. Lefebre - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

First US made sax was by C.G. Conn. Permission granted by Aldophe Sax. Built / R&D by Gus Buescher at Conn factory. Was the inspiration from the Italians ? Who knows??
Lyon & Healy did have a C Melody “Inspiration” model.

 

[PigSquealer]

Strangely enough yesterday I bought a decorative saxophone, also with made in Italy, but the serial number was 4000 higher. A wire guarded clapper with an extremely nice build quality.
The saxophone was originally sold by Hampe in Amsterdam and he was married to a Roth.. My first thought was Bottoceli as he was a renamed member of the Roth family. Now I will broaden the search with Rampone.

Does your Artcraft have very small tone holes?

You have good taste in decorative art🤣 Very odd that our serial numbers are close. 1k different in 60 years and not exactly neighbors.

 

[PigSquealer]

@Smoky Progg i found the sax today and took a few pictures for comparison. @Woodpad , I don’t think the tone holes look small.

 

[Woodpad]

I don’t think the tone holes look small.

No they are normal. My reference tenor is the Hohner President with a D tone hole that is 12 mm larger in diameter than on this recently acquired Solotone. Some of the details are a spitting image of your Artcraft except that it is a clapper and the left hand pinky tableau looks like it is made from new wonder parts.
If it wasn't for the 1034 larger serial number I could have sworn the instrument was around 90 years old.
Maybe its a vintage retro saxophone. I do like the thumb hook on the artcraft, mine is fixed.

When my guest leave I will make some pictures.

 

[PigSquealer]

My reference tenor is the Hohner President with a D tone hole that is 12 mm larger in diameter than on this recently acquired Solotone.

Just realized i didn’t post front facing lower stack photos 🤦‍♂️
12mm difference is huge. Definitely noticeable difference in a picture. Max made some great horns. Had to be a reason for a large socket. Sorry I don’t have access to a President tenor. Just an alto.

 

[Woodpad]

left pinky tableau Solotone artist

 

[PigSquealer]

Parts in common.