Vito Alto Sax Circa 1960s? How old is it?

[markieg]

I have had the same Vito sax since 5th grade when I started playing and recently noticed how rare of a piece it is. We were told by the people we bought it from that it was manufactured around 1960 - 1965, but it seems older than that because some of the Vitos older than that I have seen advertised as older have higher SN#'s. It has a dull laquer finish and a high F# key, and the B and Bb valves are on the player's left. I am wondering if anyone could help me on finding a manufacture date. None of the sites I have visited so far have a SN# listing of Vito manufacture dates. The SN# is 1483 A. If anyone can help me it would be very....... helpful. And here's a webpage w/ pics of the sax if you would like to check it out. Thanks!!!
http://www.angelfire.com/freak/dafrootloop/vs_pics.html

[L1]

If the sax has a high F# key it probably wasn't made until the VERY late 60's (like 1969 or so) or the 70's as high F# keys were extremely rare special-order items before then, especially on student models like the Vito. Vitos were made by a number of different manufacturers and re-badged as Vito. The serial number system probably differs depending on exactly which manufacturer made it, so I would not try to figure out what year it was made from the serial number alone.

[L1]

I looked at your photos and you really do have a rare sax there! It has a high F# that is fingered by the LEFT hand instead of the right hand! I wonder if this was manufactured that way or if that was a custom modification? I didn't see any pictures of the actual high F# tonehole on your site, but it looks like it is on the opposite side of the sax than the usual late 60's and later placement of the high F# key. You might want to add a picture of the very top of the sax body showing the tonehole itself. I sure couldn't say how old your sax might be, but I think that you are right that it was probably manufactured in the 50's or earlier.

[L1]

I finally did see the F# key itself in your third photo almost inline above and just to the left of your octave key at the top of the sax body. Looks like it must be operated by the left pinky, and it looks like the rod that operates it snakes in between your palm keys. Very interesting.

[Lee]

You have a nice horn. I have a Made in France Vito Tenor which has been rode pretty hard but plays well. It also has the model name "The Duke" with the serial number. Mine only has the traditional front F and the bell keys are on the right side of the horn. It has the same bell brace as yours. Someone put a mouthpiece pickup in the neck which leads me to believe it was played at least semi-professionally.
It's hard to get much information on these horns. I will say I think they are under valued (which is good if your buying) and if you can rise above the reputation of all Vitos being student horns you'll find these horns play well. I've heard talk they have intonation problems but I've not found this to be true with my tenor. Maybe someone will post with more info.
Saxpics has some limited information on his site and a few pictures. If nothing else enjoy your horn, as you always have.

lee

[markieg]

I was on Saxpics and found a sax the same model, unfortunately there is no info, just pics, and I'm guessing the SN# (2009A) b/c of the folder name the pics are in. here's the pics of the other one:
http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/Leblanc/Vito/2009a/

[William Bua]

That saxophone is a early vito, probably made between 1955-1965. It is a Kenosha assembled horn from parts brought over from the beaugnier factory which vito bought out around that time. They are very good saxophones built like tanks and some play unbelievably well. I own a french assembled vito which is even earlier than yours. Your horn has a interesting history because the parts are french and was assembled by one of two techs that worked in the newly built kenosha vito factory. Good luck with your horn.