Couturier C Melody Saxophone

[Jeff99]

Is anyone familiar with the stencil Couturier C Melody? I am thinking it is a Martin Stencil but I am not sure.Thanks.

[bruce bailey]

They were mostly Buescher or Martin horns. The easiest way to tell is to look at one of the Bell tone holes. If it is straight and drawn from the body metal (no seam), it is probably a Buescher. If it is a thicker piece of metal soldered to the body (a seam will show), it is a Martin. There are other differences, but that is the best way. I have several L&H horns and they follow that system.

[cmelodysax]

Hello Jeff99 - you should check out Wade Walkers C-Melody Forum, some chap called Jeff has a topic on there about the same thing, lot more answers tho' !

;)

[goodsax]

I had a Courtier (Martin stencil) alto awhile back. Another clue is whether the tone holes are beveled, making more likely a Martin stencil.

[Jeff99]

Yes as I am sure you have surmised,I am the same Jeff that posted on the C Melody forum.I enjoy your C melody site as well as I am quite interested in C Melody saxes.As posted on the C Melody Forum,my sax has the Martin characteristics such as the beveled tone holes,etc.The bell of my sax reads:

Made By
Couturier
La Porte
IND
Jeff

[bruce bailey]

I get different opinions, but I think that that factory was a seperate company from Martin until Martin purchased it. Some people say that the Indiana models with the "other" serial numbers were built there. Nevertheless, either maker has a good horn. My Wurlitzer similar to yours is a great horn.