Olds Super Sax

[Martin Magna Commitee Sax]

I've seen this horn pop up a couple times, not to often, but it looks to me like a very unique professional instrument. But aside from the crazy flute-like key cups, neat bell engraving (Including fancy script around the rim of the bell) and cool looking wire key gaurds it looks just like a Martin Committee II body with some differernt keywork. Is this horn really a pro horn, or is it just an average stencil with low quality control? I've heard that a shipment of these horns were bought by the US army but the boat sunk, is this why this horn is rare? Can I still find this horn, or do I have to go scubadiving?

[Sigmund451]

I also have only seen one or two. I regret not buying the one I saw...if nothing else other than it looked really cool. You may need a boat.

[Randall]

Got one behind my sofa, waiting on an overhaul.
I must say it is one of those horns that just looks like it will play up a storm.
I know that makes no sense at all, but that is my impression nonetheless.

[bruce bailey]

I've seen several on ebay but none with a decent finish. You are right about the Martin Com connection as they tend to be the same with a Fullerton keywork. The nickel rim on the bell was a trademark carried over from the Super brass models. I will pick one up when the right one appears! Most are altos and I have seen about 3 Tenors.

[Randall]

Bruce have you seen any with engraving on the bell rim as the poster above describes?

Mine is a laq model tenor....would love to hear from someone who plays or has played one. I'd like to get some idea of how it plays and sounds.

[bruce bailey]

All the ones I have seen have the nickel band under the bell rim with Ss on their side which stand for Super. This should be about the same as the Trumpets. Also the Olds Super Cornet was one of the better ones.

[Sigmund451]

Randall, Im flying over and digging under your furnature and in the cracks of your couch! Anything not catalogued and etched with you name is mine ;)

[Midnitesax]

Hey guys. I just posted a lengthy post about the Olds Super responding to a thread on the Martin (stencil) category of the forum. Would love to hear any input you may have.

Seems more appropriate here but didn't want to duplicate a post listed somewhere else (I don't know the protocol about such things on this forum. Anyone?)

[silver-sax]

Crazy prices for Olds Super. Several years ago was 400-700 USD.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280158970429&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018

[bruce bailey]

I was an early bidder on that one and WOW.....
It really is just a fancy Martin Comm II.

[Grumps]

I got to play a silver alto set up for a show, but found nothing spectacular about it. Looked really cool though...

[mlscnr]

Steve Stransky has on on his "Sarge's Collection" page: http://www.worldwidesax.com/sarges_collection.htm

[geauxsax]

Another Olds Super on ebay--beauty, but big money for (at least to me) a little-known horn.

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?MfcISAPICommand=ViewItem&item=350014623501

[cymru97]

That's ridiculous! I sold one last year for $600 in great playing condition, it was a neat horn but gimme a break. I think the sunken ship thing is a load, but I guess it makes a great story and drives the prices up...

[JazzGospel]

That seller has had that on eBay for months yet no one's biting.

[silver-sax]

Interestingly how much made such saxophones.
Now I see maximal s/n 1458:

http://cgi.ebay.com/RARE-COLLECTORS-SAXOPHONE-SUPER-OLDS_W0QQitemZ330282114469QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item 330282114469&_trksid=p3286.c0.m14&_trkparms=66%3A2%7C65%3A10%7C39%3A1%7C240%3A1318

[Grumps]

It's a good bet that L&L will have theirs on display (and available to try out) if they'll have their regular booth at the Sax Symposium in January.

[bruce bailey]

I'm watching that one. I paid over $1,500 for an alto this summer needing pads and we all know how cheap I am! These are terrific horns. My Alto is #111.

[silver-sax]

I have two altos: 105 and 1000.