King 20 vs The Martin Tenor

[Sigmund451]

I play a Martin Tenor, I have never had the pleasure of trying a super 20...either old version or 70's version. Im entertaining the Idea of a second horn...(why not). I dont want redundancy. If I have a second horn Id like it to be something very unique in itself as compared to my other horn. So my question is what are the primary similarities and differences between the two horns...and I do realize thats a potentially a difficult question to verbalize)

thanks

[Saxdaddy]

They both have there own sound, and are both great horns.

I love Martins(not just the martin, but all of them.).
I love Kings( only sup20's and Zephers)
I love Bueschers(all of them before selmer usa bought the name)
I also love all Selmer Paris.

Thats it for me. Every horn has its own voice, no 2 are the same.
Not even when it comes to 2 of the same brand and model, and in the same ser# range.

When talking about vintage horns, those are what I like, to play and work on, the most. I would never say that a Martin is better than a King, or a king better than a Martin, they both have a character all there own.

[JimD]

I've only had the pleasure of one Martin but have tried several Super20s , and now own one. In terms of playability I think they rank equal, both fast and easy. Soundwise they are quite different. I think it's Saxpics who describes the Super 20 as the jazz horn and that's a reasonable place to start. I found the Martin to be brighter and cleaner than the King, or maybe the King is darker and dirtier. If I had one of each I would choose the King for most of my jazz playing and the Martin for rock, R'n'B or a more contemporary jazz sound. Your mileage, as they say, may vary, and Saxdaddy has it just right, no two horns are the same.

Most of the Super20s I tried were early to mid 60s and I liked them well enough but they weren't a match for the 50's one (354xxx) I tried last and then bought. The experience of playing the Martin has left me with a niggling desire for one, so I'm in sort of the reverse position to you and there's enough difference between the Martin and the Super 20 to justify having one of each. Damn, I wish I had that Martin now, I feel GAS coming on.

[Sigmund451]

The reason I ask is that my wonderful family may want to bless me with a new toy of the serious type for (or near) Christmas. If that were to happen Im just sort of wondering what would or should be on that wish list. If I were to get another horn I would like it to be different enough from the martin to make it worth the while. (Mark VI is out of the money league btw).

Either way I may not take them up on it as I do like my Martin quite a bit and finally have a setup combination that works for me in terms of mpc and reeds.

What would your suggestions be if you had such an opportunity?
and why?

[JL]

Well, I'd put a Silversonic on the list. I've tried both a brass bell Super 20 and a Silversonic. The Silversonic definitely outplayed the brass version, but that may not be true for all of them. Also, you might try a Buescher Aristocrat or TH&C. The late 40's Aristocrats are reasonable priced and incredible horns. I tried a Martin that was very nice but couldn't touch my Aristocrat. The Silversonic came very close, though!

[morgan]

I found the Martin to be brighter and cleaner than the King, or maybe the King is darker and dirtier.

And I had the exact opposite impression.

I think of the Martin as pretty "rough" sounding, so if you want a big contrast go to a Buescher Aristocrat.

[swingerini]

I found the Martin to be brighter and cleaner than the King, or maybe the King is darker and dirtier.

And I had the exact opposite impression.

I think of the Martin as pretty "rough" sounding, so if you want a big contrast go to a Buescher Aristocrat.
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Count me in, too .. the King Super 20 plays ``brighter and cleaner``
for me also, vs. the fat lush sound of a `The Martin` tenor.

I was pretty surpised when I played some earlier Martin Comittee IIs of
around ... 139,140,xxx s/n .

They were fantastic sounding tenors !
They played as big and maybe brighter than a good 10M.

I'd own 'em all if I had the $$$$$$$$ .

I also tried out a late 30s Buescher Aristo. tenor a few years ago
that a local dealer brought over to try when I was looking for a flute.

I thought my '41 10M played dark at that time .. that Buescher, as beat
as it was(just needed TLC) it sounded gorgeous, and a world away from
a 10M (well maybe *State* away :roll: )

It wasn't stuffy dark,, but it just had a round pillowy airy thing going
that I just marveled at . Couldn't afford it, but the biggest shock was
simply how the 10M sounded when I put my mpc back on it .

these vintage saxophones are sooooo mysterious . :dazed: