Wurlitzer Sax

[myink845]

I recently found myself the owner of a Wurlitzer American sax. The only other description is that it is a" low pitch." Any idea of what I have here? Thanks

[frankbiff]

Check saxpics.com ; it could be Conn, or might be Martin or Beuscher. Some of the things to look for would be the serial # arangment, the low C guard, the chromatic F# and the tone holes (beveled or not).

[Hornlip]

I once had a Wurlizter tenor that was definately a Buescher stencil from the 20's. It shared features of Buescher's early 20's True Tone models such as the "button" G# key on the left-hand pinky cluster.

[usda]

I got a Werlitzer low pitch...circa 1918/

Went through a song and dance with it...tried to sell it and it didn't happen. But as things work out. I am terrifically glad to have itl

I finally put new pads with resonators...and an Otto Link metal mp 5 star facing.

Now the longer I play it...the better it sounds...even my family says it's tone is very rich and my playing much smoother.

So the upshot is getting the horn in good shape, right mouth piece and keep practiceing. I asked a tech how would it sound if fixed up....he replied..."like a dream." He wasn't kidding.

Mine is a Beischer stencil, I believe, because of the L hand pinky cluster... still hard to use....but otherwise a danaymite horn for less than $500.

[Pinnman]

There was discussion on this some time ago when it was stated that the American was Wurlitzer's top of the line model.

If it has a pearl G# and a spoon shape Eb key then it is a Buescher stencil. Note, though, that it could have soldered toneholes and still be a Buescher; Buescher were still making some saxes this way as late as 1923. The tone holes are more roiunded than the bevel shaped Martin ones.

I sold my Wurlitzer alto some months ago; nice sax - gold plated - and played well.

[frasermanx]

Recently won on Ebay .. sounds good... I like it .. 1921 .. not sure what mpc to use with it .. but I like my Rico Royale with the high baffle for the jazzy sound... ok the keys can be a bit odd but I play slow enough to sell my modern horns..

any suggestions for mpc?

Update Nov-05
I lucked into a HR Otto link slant sig that is wonderful .. but the intonation a bit off and I didn't want to mess with the rails .. so I put a long facing on HR vintage no-name blank that I use all the time now .. with a plasticover 2.5

Frz

[Dave dix]

The wurlitzer i have seen were bueschers though martin did make some. I bought a wurlitzer a few month ago from ebay and a 1940 aristocrat turned up (near %100 original laquer) in a 3 pack wurlitzer case so i am rather fond of this make!!!
Dave

[neil@evangelista.org]

I recently found myself the owner of a Wurlitzer American sax. The only other description is that it is a" low pitch." Any idea of what I have here? Thanks
I'm guessing that what you have is a "C Melody" sax. Have you played it? Chances are you will find that the pitches match the piano, and a C will be a C, not an Eb or a Bb.

Enjoy!

[SAXISMYAXE]

I own a silver plated Wurlitzer American C-Melody that is most definitely made by Conn. It is a nicely made and engraved horn, that is unfortunately a table lamp because that is how I received it along with another horn in a bulk purchase.

[Pinnman]

Hornlip had a tenor and I had an alto, so why should this one be a C melody?! ...... and then, the Wurlitzer adverts I have are for alto and C melody only! Not conclusive proof of no tenor, but evidence of the existence of altos.

[bruce bailey]

I have seen them in Alto, C, and Tenor and made by many makers. Mine is from Martin and is almost exactly a Handcraft of the time. Great horn.