What is my tenor sax BEL AIR ??

[saxdoh_]

I HAVE RECENTLY BECOME THE OWNER OF A TENOR SAX ENGRAVED ON THE FRONT OF THE BELL WITH BEL AIR AND SOME VERY ANGLAR ENGRAVING SURROUNDING THE NAME.

THE SERIAL NUMBER IS C6758.

BUT IT DOES NOT HAVE ANY ART DECO SHAPED TONE HOLE GUARDS OR BELL BRACE THAT THE DOLNET BEL AIR'S HAD. IT HAS A LAQURED FINISH WITH PERAL INSERTS ON THE TONE HOLE GUARDS.

I WAS TOLD THAT IT COULD BE FROM AROUND THE LATE 1950'S AND MIGHT BE A CONN OR DOLNET STENCIL. CAN ANY ONE HELP WITH SOME INFORMATION. I HAVE SOME PHOTOS I COULD E-MAIL.

 

[justin_chune]

Hi saxdoh. You might get some info. here. It seems they made saxes from 1888. Your serial number is a lot lower than anything showing on saxpics. Good luck.

http://saxpics.com/dolnet/index.htm

 

[saxdoh_]

THANKS FOR THE ADVICE, BEEN AND HAD A LOOK BUT I GET THE GUT FEELING IT IS NOT A DOLNET AS THINGS JUST DON'T SEEM RIGHT TO FIT IN TO THE DOLNET FRAME IF YOU CATCH MY DRIFT. :S

 

[saxdoh_]

Here is a photo of the Bel Air to help things along.

 

[saxdoh_]

Here is a one more photo of the Bel Air to help things put some history to it. :?

 

[griff136]

Hi saxdoh

100% definately not a Dolnet bell air or any other dolnet and I would bet both port and starboard testicles on that!!

looks East German to me.

how does it play?

 

[saxdoh_]

Thanks for nailing that it is not a Dolnet, it confirms my thoughts on the subject.
But what is it I am still asking myself.

Could it be of the late 1950's ?

the BEL AIR HAS A HUGE vintage tone SOUND TO IT AND is LOUD compared to more modern saxophones.

(got to sort out this caps lock on my keyboard it has a mind of its own at the moment) 😱

 

[griff136]

it could well be 60s-70s

 

[Jules]

I'm reckoning it's from the same East German factory as made Berg Larsen horns (but I suspect we discussed this via e-mail yesterday). Berg's own brand looked very similar and were both 'huge toned' and loud

 

[saxdoh_]

hi
Nachoman yes i did email the other day, and thanks for the advice did a bit of digging around on the net but no positive answers yet.
I have sent an e-mail to with photos to Amati to see if they recognise it.
Thanks again for your pointer.

 

[griff136]

I agree with Nachoman re the origin of this sax.

the important thing in my opinion is wheteher you like how it plays or not.

 

[saxdoh_]

I RECKON IT PROBLERY MIGHT HAVE BEEN MADE AS A ONE OFF FOR A CLIENT, AT LEAST THE ENGRAVING MIGHT HAVE BEEN. I DON'T THINK THAT IT WAS ENGRAVED AFTER THE LAQUERE WAS APPLIED. TIME WILL TELL AS THEY SAY!!

(I HAVE GIVEN UP ON THE CAPS LOCK ON THIS KEYBOARD LOL!!!)