Sax on the Web

Sax on the Web Forum Archive / Baritone Saxophone / Late Martin Baris

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 18th 8:09 AM
I have just purchased a 1960s "The Martin" bari. I have several Handcrafts that have served as my main horns for many years (including a Troubadour), and I'm wondering if I should expect a decline in the quality of the sound with the newer model. I would appreciate any insight you might have on the relative quality of Martins through the years. Thanks!

Gary Hartle
User ID: 9579203 Oct 18th 12:18 PM
If your new bari is in good, original condition, you should love it. Many consider 'The Martin' the best of the vintage American baris. Quality on this series, starting in 1945, was very consistent. There were no design changes through the whole run, except a brass formula change in the 60s, and it's been my experience that, given equal condition, they all play pretty much alike. My bari is a '55, and my tenor is a '62. The sound will be different from a Handcraft, but I wouldn't say it was worse. Intonation should be better.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 18th 12:30 PM
I'm encouraged to hear about the intonation, because that was a negative aspect with my Handcraft. It seems to have a very good relacquer, and appears virtually brand new. Normally I don't care about superficial qualities, but the people on these boards seem to think that Martins are less affected by relacquering than other saxes. It appears to have been extremely well-cared-for, so I'm optimistic.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 18th 12:53 PM
I'm encouraged to hear about the intonation, because that was a negative aspect with my Handcraft. It seems to have a very good relacquer, and appears virtually brand new. Normally I don't care about superficial qualities, but the people on these boards seem to think that Martins are less affected by relacquering than other saxes. It appears to have been extremely well-cared-for, so I'm optimistic.

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Oct 18th 12:54 PM
Once again, our computer system froze, causing me to double-post--sorry about that.

The Martin
User ID: 0631424 Oct 19th 4:15 AM
You say the sound of a Martin is less affected by a re-lacquer job. I doubt that.
If you take away to much metal even a Martin sound will be affected.

A good re-lacquer though, with chemical stripping of the lacquer and next-to-none buffing won't affect any horn i guess.

Dr. J
User ID: 1314254 Oct 19th 5:43 AM
Based on the description by the owner, that's exactly what they did. I guess the idea is that Martins and Conns have so much metal that even heavy buffing won't affect the sound. I hope it's true.

Gary Hartle
User ID: 9579203 Oct 19th 8:15 AM
It may be, but the 1/8" thick soldered-in tone holes are certainly less affected by over-zealous buffing than thin, drawn tone holes. Heavy buffing around the bow and bell is so far down the sax that I doubt it has much effect, either.

Dr. J
User ID: 1314254 Oct 26th 5:51 AM
I just received "The Martin " bari, and I can't believe how well it plays! I set it up with a vintage Martin mouthpiece, a Bari H reed and an extremely old, classic-looking tenor ligature that I'm not able to identify. If this sax has lost any sound from having been relacquered, then I'd like to hear what it sounded like before!

Dr. J
User ID: 1314254 Oct 27th 4:42 PM
I traced the serial number, and it looks like it was made in 1954. If I'm not mistaken, that was a very good time period for saxes. Unlike my "The Martin" tenor, I guess it's not so late in the run.

Jerry K.
User ID: 9565813 Oct 30th 11:56 PM
Dr.J, what problems do you have with your tenor and when was it made? Have you had the sax repadded and adjusted lately?

The Martin
User ID: 0631424 Oct 31st 4:53 AM
Dr.J: Congrats

Dr. J
User ID: 1314254 Oct 31st 5:53 AM
I gigged with the tenor once as soon as I received it. Some of the low notes were stuffy, so I brought it in to be set up. I'll let you know how it plays when I get it back. I should have it in time to play out with it this weekend. My initial impression is that the bari is a better-built horn than the tenor. The bari was built in 1954 and the tenor is from 1963.

steve
User ID: 1585334 Nov 2nd 9:03 AM
Congratulations Doctor....I also have a 1954 "The Martin"....a school horn from e-Bay....had it mechanically overhauled but didn't relaq....maybe 50% left...I personally think a "pig" has to be ugly...sort of the Charles Bronson or Jesse Ventura of horns.What it lacks in beauty is more than made up by its big sound...using a new metal Berg 120/3. Does need a new case that doesn't smell like a school basement.What are you using for a case....the orignal black coffin?

Dr. J
User ID: 1146894 Nov 2nd 9:30 AM
It's a big, black, heavy case that fits the sax perfectly, but it's in such good condition that I don't believe it could be the original. Regarding mouthpieces, I'll have to try a metal Berg--it's good not to have to worry about finding one with a big enough chamber to play in tune.

Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 18th 8:09 AM I have just purchased a 1960s "The Martin" bari. I have several Handcrafts that have served as my main horns for many years (including a Troubadour), and I'm wondering if I should expect a decline in the quality of the sound with the newer model. I would appreciate any insight you might have on the relative quality of Martins through the years. Thanks!
Gary Hartle User ID: 9579203	Oct 18th 12:18 PM If your new bari is in good, original condition, you should love it. Many consider 'The Martin' the best of the vintage American baris. Quality on this series, starting in 1945, was very consistent. There were no design changes through the whole run, except a brass formula change in the 60s, and it's been my experience that, given equal condition, they all play pretty much alike. My bari is a '55, and my tenor is a '62. The sound will be different from a Handcraft, but I wouldn't say it was worse. Intonation should be better.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 18th 12:30 PM I'm encouraged to hear about the intonation, because that was a negative aspect with my Handcraft. It seems to have a very good relacquer, and appears virtually brand new. Normally I don't care about superficial qualities, but the people on these boards seem to think that Martins are less affected by relacquering than other saxes. It appears to have been extremely well-cared-for, so I'm optimistic.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 18th 12:53 PM I'm encouraged to hear about the intonation, because that was a negative aspect with my Handcraft. It seems to have a very good relacquer, and appears virtually brand new. Normally I don't care about superficial qualities, but the people on these boards seem to think that Martins are less affected by relacquering than other saxes. It appears to have been extremely well-cared-for, so I'm optimistic.
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Oct 18th 12:54 PM Once again, our computer system froze, causing me to double-post--sorry about that.
The Martin User ID: 0631424	Oct 19th 4:15 AM You say the sound of a Martin is less affected by a re-lacquer job. I doubt that. If you take away to much metal even a Martin sound will be affected. A good re-lacquer though, with chemical stripping of the lacquer and next-to-none buffing won't affect any horn i guess.
Dr. J User ID: 1314254	Oct 19th 5:43 AM Based on the description by the owner, that's exactly what they did. I guess the idea is that Martins and Conns have so much metal that even heavy buffing won't affect the sound. I hope it's true.
Gary Hartle User ID: 9579203	Oct 19th 8:15 AM It may be, but the 1/8" thick soldered-in tone holes are certainly less affected by over-zealous buffing than thin, drawn tone holes. Heavy buffing around the bow and bell is so far down the sax that I doubt it has much effect, either.
Dr. J User ID: 1314254	Oct 26th 5:51 AM I just received "The Martin " bari, and I can't believe how well it plays! I set it up with a vintage Martin mouthpiece, a Bari H reed and an extremely old, classic-looking tenor ligature that I'm not able to identify. If this sax has lost any sound from having been relacquered, then I'd like to hear what it sounded like before!
Dr. J User ID: 1314254	Oct 27th 4:42 PM I traced the serial number, and it looks like it was made in 1954. If I'm not mistaken, that was a very good time period for saxes. Unlike my "The Martin" tenor, I guess it's not so late in the run.
Jerry K. User ID: 9565813	Oct 30th 11:56 PM Dr.J, what problems do you have with your tenor and when was it made? Have you had the sax repadded and adjusted lately?
The Martin User ID: 0631424	Oct 31st 4:53 AM Dr.J: Congrats
Dr. J User ID: 1314254	Oct 31st 5:53 AM I gigged with the tenor once as soon as I received it. Some of the low notes were stuffy, so I brought it in to be set up. I'll let you know how it plays when I get it back. I should have it in time to play out with it this weekend. My initial impression is that the bari is a better-built horn than the tenor. The bari was built in 1954 and the tenor is from 1963.
steve User ID: 1585334	Nov 2nd 9:03 AM Congratulations Doctor....I also have a 1954 "The Martin"....a school horn from e-Bay....had it mechanically overhauled but didn't relaq....maybe 50% left...I personally think a "pig" has to be ugly...sort of the Charles Bronson or Jesse Ventura of horns.What it lacks in beauty is more than made up by its big sound...using a new metal Berg 120/3. Does need a new case that doesn't smell like a school basement.What are you using for a case....the orignal black coffin?
Dr. J User ID: 1146894	Nov 2nd 9:30 AM It's a big, black, heavy case that fits the sax perfectly, but it's in such good condition that I don't believe it could be the original. Regarding mouthpieces, I'll have to try a metal Berg--it's good not to have to worry about finding one with a big enough chamber to play in tune.