How are the Martin C-Mels?

[TenTenTooter]

With C-Mels I've only ever really heard people debate between the Bueschers and Conns, so I'm wondering how the Martin C-Mels play. I've played several older Martin tenors in the last several weeks and they've all impressed me and I've recently found a Martin C-Mel for sell that I'm thinking about buying. So what are the pros and cons of a Martin C-Mel? Response? Intonation? Action?

Thanks!
-Scott

[Dave dix]

Martins are nice C mels
Dave

[spiderjames]

I had a martin C mel and a buescher at the same time a few years ago. They are very comparable to one another in terms of tone and had better intonation than the Conn that I had more recently. I used a goldbeck metal alto piece #3 tip with vandoren java #4 I believe.

[bruce bailey]

I had a Conn and now have a Martin (Wurlitzer) and I like the Martin better.

[saxtek]

I have 3 C melody saxes, and all 3 have been completely overhauled.

1. Burnished gold straight-neck Conn
2. Satin gold Buescher
3. Satin silver Martin

I like the Martin best

[Randall]

Have owned and played better than 12 C-mels and the Martin is the only one I have kept and will continue to keep.
Nice horns!

[AxelMario]

I think they have a very warm sound.

[Sax Magic]

I own a silver King with front F and a Buescher TT without front f, and I like them both. I have owned a Conn, and I sold it to my brother-in-law, who no longer plays it, so I will probably buy it back. I hope to add a Martin to the stable, as I love C tenors, and alto saxes.

Sax Magic

[SAXISMYAXE]

I've never met a Martin I didn't like (well, very nearly;)).

[saxmong]

Can someone please measure the Martin bell flare for me?
I'd like to know what the bore difference is.

I have a Conn and a Holton, practically identicle!

[bruce bailey]

Are you referring to the inside bore around the Bb hole, the variation of the opening or the outer diameter of the bell?

[saxmong]

I figure the outer ring will do as the rest of the horn will be proportionate.
I'll be surprised at more than a few mm difference!

[Connical]

I was pleasantly surprised by my C-mel Martin. Huge sound, great bottom end.A little finicky with the current mouthpiece up top, but manageable. I need to try other MPC's to nail it down.
Toobz

[saxmong]

Congratulations!

[wmclean]

Totally delighted with my Martin CMel - rebuilt by Sarge at Worldwide Sax. Great tone ... sometimes makes me wonder why I bother with the tenors at all !

W.

[TenTenTooter]

Can someone please measure the Martin bell flare for me?
I'd like to know what the bore difference is.

I have a Conn and a Holton, practically identicle!


I realize it's a little late, but the bell flare of my Martin stencil measures just shy of 5 inches wide.

-Scott

[OCdt TANG]

hmm, you guys are making me think twice about the Conn I had in mind now... Are there many Martin's available out there if I were to put off buying the Conn and wait for a Martin to pop up? Opinions?
(sorry if I'm taking this off topic a bit, I've never tried the martin so can't help)

[Little Sax]

hmm, you guys are making me think twice about the Conn I had in mind now... Are there many Martin's available out there if I were to put off buying the Conn and wait for a Martin to pop up? Opinions?
(sorry if I'm taking this off topic a bit, I've never tried the martin so can't help)

Cybersax.com has had a Martin Cmel on their site for a few years. It's midway down their tenor page (http://www.cybersax.com/4Sale/Saxophones/Tenors/Saxophones_Tenor.html).

I've purchased two Conn Cmels and a Conn Csop from them (as well as a few other horns), and I've been very happy with all of them.

I don't know who else has a Martin Cmel advertised right now, but I'm sure if you listed a "Martin Cmel wanted" thread, that there's probably somebody here who would have something to tempt you with.

Good Luck!

[TenTenTooter]

hmm, you guys are making me think twice about the Conn I had in mind now... Are there many Martin's available out there if I were to put off buying the Conn and wait for a Martin to pop up? Opinions?
(sorry if I'm taking this off topic a bit, I've never tried the martin so can't help)

Well, if you do deside to change your mind, allow me to direct you to this :twisted:

http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?t=57195

and the neck isn't missing!

I also know a place that is selling a gold plated Martin C-Mel that I almost bought back in December. It's just been repadded and plays great, the gold plating is 95% intact, the only noticable wear being where a second strap ring was added and where the lyre is missing.

-Scott

[OCdt TANG]

I'm really not sure what I'm going for right now, so I think I'm going to take some time and not rush into buying a c-mel, seeing as they don't seem all that tough to find right now.
Then again, I might just decide to go for one right away... I have to think about it a little.

Scott, howcome you're selling this one? You originally started the post asking about the Martin c-mels, and now you're selling one (martin stencil but still). Just curious... ?

and Little Sax, the one on cybersax does seem quite nice, but a bit pricey for what I want to pay for a c-mel right now anyway. But thanks.

[TenTenTooter]

As you can see in the photos it needs a repad. I was planning on doing the work and keeping the horn for myself, but at the time I have a few other projects that have a higher priority then the C-Mel so I thought I'd put it out there just in case anyone else can get it playing and injoy it sooner then I can.

-Scott

[cmelodysax]

Is this a topic, or an advertisement, TopTen ? :)

Martin C-mels play just fine !

[TenTenTooter]

Hey, first he asked about availability of Martin C-Mels so I supplied a for sale page, then he asked about the horn so I gave a response...

[cmelodysax]

TopTen, I was smiling.......:) - and I must admit I should have read the entire topic, but then life is so short.

"Mi dispiace", as we used to say in Anaheim.........

[TenTenTooter]

I know, I was kidding...

The horn isn't for sale anymore anyways, after cleaning and polishing I've desided to hold onto it.