Selmer New York Soprano

[Vickers]

Recently came across a very clean, very nice looking curved soprano. It reads "Selmer New York Saxophone Low Pitch, 121,600". I was wondering the value and history or "playablility" of this sax.

[bruce bailey]

Probably a Conn stencil which would be like a Pan-American (no rolled tone holes) and these are pretty decent horns. Does it have a thumb ring in place of the thumb rest? There may be a "P" in front of the serial number.

[Vickers]

No, the thumb rest is just a normal metal one. Looks like gold laquer (not plated) to me. It's also got a round, what looks like mother of pearl G# key. The case is brown with light brown patterns on it and also has gold coloured metal covers for the 8 points on the case (like an old trunk or suitcase has). Thanks.

[Hurling Frootmig]

It's a Conn stencil. Some players really like them. As far as vintage sopranos go I prefer the Buescher's and Martin's. The Conn's have a reputation for intonation that is not quite as accurate as the same era horns from Buescher and Martin. Still they can be quite nice.

[bruce bailey]

I think the pearl for a G# may make it a Buescher. The Conns usually have a lyre mount below the Bb bell key and the bell has a pretty big flare to it. Many of the Bueschers don't have key cages on the bell, and have bumpers like a straight soprano.

[Dave dix]

Bruce is possibly correct, not all selmer new yorks were made by conn and a lot of them were bueschers. Its quite funny that selmer new yorks fetch more money then the pro-equivelent horn made by the manufacturer as the new yorks were only a stencil level horn
Dave

[Vickers]

Thanks for your help, I do think it is a Buesheur from the lack of key cages.

[Dave dix]

Still a fine horn and possibly better then the conn made ones. Have a look at saxpics site for the buescher true tone soprano's and you should be able to recognise your one
Dave

[Hurling Frootmig]

How about some pictures?

[bruce bailey]

The only other sopranos (curved) that I have seen without the cages would be a few Martins but no pearl G#. I still vote Buescher.