What have I bought???

[littleplum]

Ok guys I decided to join the band of home technicians and I have bought my first victim. It cost £30.00 from the Devils Junkyard. The previous owner said that he had bought it as a project but never got around to it.

It arrived very quickly and very nicely packaged, the only problem I have is what the hell have I bought.

First of all there is no markings on it at all apart from the number 14 stamped on the octave key and on the part of the crook that fits into the body. No makers name or serial number anywhere.

Next, it is slightly smaller that my 2 altos, but bigger than my curved soprano. The mouthpiece that came with it fits the mystery horn but is too small for the Alto and too big for the Sop. The pads have been replace by homemade ones and the pearls are now red perspex (tasteful eh?) It has been repaired before with some soldering done but they will probably be redone with a bit more care.

It only goes down to a low B and the G# hole is on the back. It is obviously pretty old and my investigation so far makes me think I might have got a C Soprano.

I have not even tried to blow it yet as it is filthy inside and I dont want to catch anything befor eI have got rid of the spiders webs in the bell.

I have attached some pictures and would be grateful if any one can shed any light on the mystery horn or point me in the right direction.

yours confused but excited.

Dave
http://www.flickr.com/photos/38891402@N02/

 

[rob1969]

junkyard

Ok guys I decided to join the band of home technicians and I have bought my first victim. It cost £30.00 from the Devils Junkyard. The previous owner said that he had bought it as a project but never got around to it.

It arrived very quickly and very nicely packaged, the only problem I have is what the hell have I bought.

First of all there is no markings on it at all apart from the number 14 stamped on the octave key and on the part of the crook that fits into the body. No makers name or serial number anywhere.

Next, it is slightly smaller that my 2 altos, but bigger than my curved soprano. The mouthpiece that came with it fits the mystery horn but is too small for the Alto and too big for the Sop. The pads have been replace by homemade ones and the pearls are now red perspex (tasteful eh?) It has been repaired before with some soldering done but they will probably be redone with a bit more care.

It only goes down to a low B and the G# hole is on the back. It is obviously pretty old and my investigation so far makes me think I might have got a C Soprano.

I have not even tried to blow it yet as it is filthy inside and I dont want to catch anything befor eI have got rid of the spiders webs in the bell.

I have attached some pictures and would be grateful if any one can shed any light on the mystery horn or point me in the right direction.

yours confused but excited.

Dave
http://www.flickr.com/photos/388914...t cart find it is it just a saying confussed

 

[littleplum]

the devils junkyard

The devils junkyard is a nick name for ebay due to some of the rip offs that happen on there.

Regards

dave

 

[Basil]

I can't help you but would love to know what it is. The octave key(s)? are really weird...do you have to finger them both, or do you sometimes have to just play the left hand side to hit octave, and include the right hand side for a specific note ?

Also, what the heck are those red pearl key thingies doing ?

I suspect that someone like Steve Howard, or Griff will have an idea.....but good luck with the project. I see why you haven't blown into it...I think I would be hesitant also....You may well have a rarity in your possession !

 

[littleplum]

The left hand octave key appears to open a pip (abit like the lower octave pip on a modern horn, then the right hand one opens the full octave key on the crook. The red bits are home made from perspex I think. It looks like someone was making it look pretty to hang on the wall!

I will keep you informed as to what comes to light. I am hoping that Griff and Stephen get a chance to have a look as they may have come accross something like this before.

Regards

Dave

 

[kevgermany]

Would love to see this beast, but the link doesn't work for me.

 

[Basil]

I did a cut and paste job and just put it into my browser. It is worth a look...weird !

 

[Taz]

I hope this helps with the link Your money pit

Taz

 

[littleplum]

Thanks

Hi Taz

Thanks for that, I am new to uploading pictures. I will get the hang of it one day!

Dave

 

[Linky Lee]

I don't know much about the more obscure types of saxophone,
but I think you're onto a winner with C soprano.

I seem to remember reading somewhere about an F as well.

I certainly want to know the answer.

 

[thomsax]

I don't think it's a C Soprano. Too big. A C soprano is smaller than a Bb sop. Known saxes between Bb soprano and Eb alto are the F-saxes, Mezzosoprano and Conn-O-Sax straight with a "ball" on the bell.

Thomas

 

[jonf]

Sso

Alas, I think it's an SSO - Saxophone Shaped Object. You see them from time to time on eBay, made in India. Clues are keyed down to B, red touch pieces, sloppy build and outmoded design. Look loosely modelled on a late 1800s Couesnon. The ones I've seen don't play at all. Generally no good for anything more than an interesting shaped flower pot.

I might be wrong, but I don't think it is a proper sax. 🙁

Still, at least you didn't pay much for it. Some chancer was knocking these out at a BIN of £89 last year.

 

[littleplum]

Sso

I had thought that it might be a metal work project as a friend had bought one a couple of years ago. His had keys but no holes underneath and holes but no keys. Based on an old advert for an F mezzo soprano the neck should go upward at a sharper angle and mine has some ripples in it so either that means mine has been bent or backs up your SSO theory.

The only thing that makes me think otherwise is the mouthpiece that is a genuine vintage sax m/p but it is to small for an alto and to big for a sop. so either they have built it based on the m/p or just been lucky. I think I may have been stiffed but I will see if any one can shed some more light on it and then maybe tidy it up and hang it on the wall🙁

oh well

Dave

 

[Phil Edwards]

I looked at a similar thing a while ago on ebay, but it was a silver one. Smaller than alto but a right mess, it almost looked like a toy by the quality of the work - sort of thing someone might konck up in a metalwork class or as a display thing. Seemed to have homemade pads to, so I walked away.

Might have been another one of whatever this is.

Phil

 

[griff136]

It is about the right size for a sax keyed in F.

However it is very similar to the indian Nickle plated "saxes" on ebay along with the red leather pads.

Early saxes with the 2 octave keys also generally didnt have pearls just plain metal discs.

I think youve probably got an indian copy - made to look old - of an obsolete saxophone.

I may be wrong though so dont take this as gospel.

 

[cmelodysax]

It's not a C-Soprano, a curved one of those would be smaller than a 'curvie' Bb Soprano, and VERY rare. Red pads mean danger :shocked:

Looking at DSCN2631 (comparing with a '26 Conn alto) it's slightly smaller than a normal alto, so could possibly be an old High Pitch alto - or more likely a modern copy of a HP. The two octave keys also say "old" - just love the way the lever that connect with the neck-mech isn't even inside the top guide lugs...

I also concur with 'modern copy of an old alto', and possibly not a good one at that. I have an Indian clarinet (we all get caught once...) kicking around (literally) that was allegedly in C, with shiny red leather pads, and as much chance of playing properly as I have of becoming a millionaire ;} Have you tried taking one of the rods out, do they have real threads, mine were more 'interference fit'... i wouldn't dare sell it on to anyone, except specifically as 'decorative'.

 

[littleplum]

Old sax

I am convinced now that it is a copy. So I am planning on using it to practice my repair techniques without risking a REAL horn! I have some pads so I might see if I can make it air tight and see what sound comes out of it. I did get a vintage mouthpiece with it (unless they have copied that too!) so all is not lost. I will let you know if I can eventually get a sound out of it.

Watch this space

Regards

Dave

 

[old git]

Slight problem Dave, sound doesn't travel through space. ;}

 

[littleplum]

This horn might start traveling through space if I cant get anything out of it!!:shocked:

 

[phooesnax]

this is an old horn without the automatic octave system we are all used to.... More or less you need to use the 'other' key when you cross the upper A.

Not allot of fun if you are new. I have seen these a few times but never actually played one.

It is an interesting feature though. I am fascinated by crazy keywork.

Best Wishes,
Jim