Saxophones Lucky me!

[Stephen Howard]

Had a new client come over from France yesterday to drop off a horn for a fast turnaround job.
Very interesting chap! Ex aircraft engineer, racing car mechanic, Jaguar nut - and one of those all-round interesting people. That's always a treat in itself - but what he brought in was the icing on the cake.

Look at this little beauty! A somewhat tarnished but surprisingly serviceable Couesnon Monopole alto. And by serviceable I mean that the action has almost no wear on it at all. Couple of minor dings - but the bell key guard is mint.
Best of all it's got the original factory test certificate. Now how lovely is that? And there's a vintage short shank metal Selmer C piece with it.

My brief is to do a mechanical overhaul (there are a few rusty screws) and get it up and running - and the client's non-too-fussed about the tarnish...which is just as well because I hate polishing silver horns 🙂

 

[vries1]

Very nice! It is a useful reference date, because the post WW2 altos were numbered 2000-4000 and then continued at 7000. This certificate puts the switching point at March 1954.

 

[Grumps]

... car mechanic, Jaguar nut...

Well, if you have a Jaguar, it helps to be a mechanic...

 

[PiccoloPirate]

Local mechanic in South Florida, long ago, only worked on Jags and Vettes.
Nightmare Jag electrics, was what he often said.
This one was serviceable.
Had a place for my Tenor.
Was a gift from my Grandparents, age 13, and the Tenor, from them as well, age 12.

 

[SuperAction80]

These are one of those models that you just rarely see on this side of the world. I've never come across them, or most of the "other" French manufacturers. I did play on an Evette once, back in highschool. It was a lender to a classmate, and played very well. I couldn't tell you which plant it was actually made at, though. My guess would be Germany, but that's only a guess without having that particular horn in hand.

The keyguard on this Dolnet is pretty fascinating. Very unique.

 

[turf3]

These are one of those models that you just rarely see on this side of the world. I've never come across them, or most of the "other" French manufacturers. I did play on an Evette once, back in highschool. It was a lender to a classmate, and played very well. I couldn't tell you which plant it was actually made at, though. My guess would be Germany, but that's only a guess without having that particular horn in hand.

The keyguard on this Dolnet is pretty fascinating. Very unique.

Couesnon, not Dolnet.

I think most Evettes were made by Santoni in Italy.

I do own a Couesnon clarinet. I remember seeing ads for Couesnon in old back issues of the Instrumentalist.

 

[SuperAction80]

Couesnon, not Dolnet.

Reminder to self: Don't post before morning coffee.

 

[Stephen Howard]

Very nice! It is a useful reference date, because the post WW2 altos were numbered 2000-4000 and then continued at 7000. This certificate puts the switching point at March 1954.

Always good to have a solid pointer...for the record.

 

[Tuppertn]

Look at this little beauty! A somewhat tarnished but surprisingly serviceable Couesnon Monopole alto.

What? No low A?!

 

[turf3]

Is that a shiny, nonmatte finish? If it were mine I'd put a little time with a polishing cloth, bring up the shine on the large exposed areas, and leaves it at that. Like how a fine vintage silver flute looks.

I note the high F#. Hope you'll do at least a quick review of it. It looks like a really nice complete kit.

 

[Nervous_Fingers]

Beautiful! I own a lacquer alto and silver tenor. Beautiful warm players.

 

[Hassles]

Beautiful! I own a lacquer alto and silver tenor. Beautiful warm players.

I have a lacquer alto and I agree with you. I also have a very vintage (near antique) silver alto which is completely different physically but its voice is very similar. I've long craved for a tenor.

 

[PigSquealer]

the client's non-too-fussed about the tarnish...which is just as well because I hate polishing silver horns

Nice project ! The finish looks like 70% will clean off in the wash. A little effort with Hagertys Silver will clean off a good amount if not all the rest. Keywork included.

Hagerty Silver Foam - The Silver Polish Trusted Since 1895

Hagerty Silver Foam lifts away residue, removes light tarnish, and maintains patina on sterling, silver plate, and gold holloware and jewelry.

www.hagertyusa.com

 

[Nervous_Fingers]

Nice project ! The finish looks like 70% will clean off in the wash. A little effort with Hagertys Silver will clean off a good amount if not all the rest. Keywork included.

Hagerty Silver Foam - The Silver Polish Trusted Since 1895

Hagerty Silver Foam lifts away residue, removes light tarnish, and maintains patina on sterling, silver plate, and gold holloware and jewelry.

www.hagertyusa.com

Yes!!!! Dawn Powerwash does wonders with some silver tarnish, and spaghetti sauce, and chile sauce, and sticky glue residue...