Saxophones Vintage American sopranos

[Mack]

We all know about Buescher True Tones - great horns - but does anyone have any experience of the other great American names - Conn, Martin, King - what are their sopranos like - and how consistent are they?

 

[thomsax]

We should keep in mind that most of the american sopranos are around 90 years old! The major american manufactors made halt in their manufactoring around 1929. But there were some production after 1929. The didn't make any improvments/changes on tube or key design after 1929. Maybe just changes on the keytouches and other cosmetic things. Watch up, a heavy used soprano from the 20's can cost lots of money to bring back in good playing condition. In general you can say a late soprano is a better instrument than an early models. All the major manufactors did improvments and changes on tube/keywork to the bitter end. The late sopranos are sought so the prices are pretty high as well.

Conn: New Wonder II is the thing if you can find a good one. The last models had some intonation problems because they took the Conn-O-sax ( in F) body and made a new soprano araound 1928-29 according to Paul Cohen. Picky when it comes to mouthpieces. New Wonder (ended c 1924-25) is ok but strange key design/work on the palm keys. Rolled toneholes.

Beuesher. A late TT is the thing. I have info that says that Beuscher made thier last (TT) in 1969. It was a special order for a classic saxophonist. I don't know if they made it from scratch or if it was a "blank". The key touches had a more modern design.

Martin Handcraft. Very good soprano. The one i played was from 1928 and it was silverplated. softsoldered tone holes (thick wall construction.... ) so it's a heavy soprano. Even scales on Martin HC.

King. I just tried one and I didn't like it. But I guess it could be a good soprano if you get used to it. Silver soldered tone holes and a stange construction with double G# keys.

 

[thomsax]

All American made straight sopranos and fully curved in one piece. King also made the Saxello (kind of soldered on neck), Beuscher the tip bell, Martin/ Couturier The Perfect Curved (stencils).

 

[peterpick]

i've got a buescher true-tone, great intonation, something dodgy about the octave mechanism - these old ones are weirdly complicated. currently having it sorted out, i hope. i HAD a martin handcraft, it sounded beautiful but i could never get it to play in tune - my fault i expect. i PLAY a king marigaux SML stencil. absolutely great.