York & Sons Curved Soprano Sax....I need some info PLEAS

[HorriblePlayer]

I recently found a curved York & Sons Soprano Saxophone. Does anybody know anything about them? I can't find anything. Do they have any value? I'm just wondering if I should get it cleaned up and the dings taken out. Any information would be greatly appreciated.

[Dave Dolson]

HorriblePlayer: My faulty memory tells me the York may be a stencil from one of the top American makers. Others may correct me there.

As to whether you should buy this horn, I'd look to see if it is keyed to high F, if it plays in tune, and if it is in reasonable shape for its age. Price would then be the issue for me. I for one would NOT pay top dollar for any vintage curved soprano (been there, done that). Others will disagree.

Assuming the price is right and the other factors are positive, an investment in a complete overhaul (with no changes to the finish) may give you a neat little horn to actually play and in which you have some equity. DAVE

[Pete]

There is some evidence to suggest that JW York may have made some of their own horns in the very early 1900's, but there are way too many examples of Conn and Buescher stencils (i.e. Conn or Buescher made the horn and York just stamped their name on it).

Look to see if the horn says ...

Dec. 14, 1914
1119954
B
(Serial number)
LP (or just "L")

... on the body near the thumbrest. This would mean that you have a Conn or Buescher stencil. If it doesn't say something like the above, you either have a stencil made by another company or you have a York-made horn. (You can compare Conn and Buescher models on my website, www.saxpics.com. Look at the Conn New Wonder and Buescher True Tone.)

See my badly-written article on stencils at http://www.saxpics.com/infonmisc/stencils.htm