Saxophones Is this a C- melody sax?

[oldpuffer]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370639875...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_2141wt_1239

This caught my eye but I've a feeling its C-MELODY?.

 

[jonf]

Difficult to be certain from the angle of the pics. Best thing to do is get then to give you the measurement of the length of the main tube from the bottom bow to the top of the main tube (ie, without the neck). C mel will be about 62cm, tenor about 72cm. £450 is a lot for a Holton of uncertain provenance, whether C mel or tenor. It would be worth asking for details of the mouthpiece too.

It's also, in my very humble opinion, one of the most annoying, 'shouty' eBay adverts I've ever seen.

 

[oldpuffer]

Thanks for the reply jon, I've been reading up on these this afternoon, and am trying to negotiate with the seller, who insists on posting the item and using paypal. Despite me offering to pick the sax up to save postage and pay cash. There is a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtiS9AOdC0

Does this help?

Regards...Martin.

 

[thomsax]

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/370639875...X:IT&_trksid=p3984.m1423.l2648#ht_2141wt_1239

This caught my eye but I've a feeling its C-MELODY?.

Looks like a tenor to me. But I can be wrong. Holton saxes didn't reach the same level as their brasswinds. The prices on a Holton should lower compared to a Conn, Buescher, Martin or King from the same era. But some models are collectors items. The goldplated Rudy Wiedoft models.

The saxophone star of 20's, Rudy Wieddoft, was an endoser of the Holton Company. The rumour says that Wiedoft found Selmer saxes better and did most of his performances and recordings on Selmers.

It's fun to read old Holton ads/brochures:

"Silver Brazed toneholes"
"The Holton Perfected Saxophone Mouthpiece"; built on a nickelsilver base and covered with Bakelite. Will not wrap or ceack ....
"The Holton Master Keys"; C, D and G# trill keys which revolutionize the playing of the Saxophone.
"The Holton Saxophone Pad"; longest wearing, "Wooltite" felt, waterproofed cardboard, waterproofed kid skin pads ....

We talked about Holton for some months ago:
http://cafesaxophone.com/showthread...efurbishing-a-Holton-alto-sax-family-heirloom

Thomas

 

[oldpuffer]

I like the idea of owning a vintage sax, but realise the reality might not reach the romance. I'm after the smooth sound that seems to come from vintage. I'll keep looking I think. What I really need is someone in York with a massive collection of vintage saxes lol.

 

[jonf]

Thanks for the reply jon, I've been reading up on these this afternoon, and am trying to negotiate with the seller, who insists on posting the item and using paypal. Despite me offering to pick the sax up to save postage and pay cash. There is a youtube video

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JdtiS9AOdC0

Does this help?

Regards...Martin.

Yes. Looks very much like a tenor. C mels (and I've got one, and owned another for a while) tend to look bit sort of pinched in to the body due to the slightly odd dimensions.

Incidentally, C mels are in themselves no bad thing, as long as you're not buying one expecting a tenor (when they're a very bad thing indeed). I really like mine, a nice Conn one, which I picked up for £100. With modern reflector pads and a tenor mouthpiece they can sound very good indeed, and I can use mine to play along with my daughter on guitar without having to transpose.

 

[kevgermany]

OP, nip up to woodwindexchange in Bradford...