Old sop with two octave keys - what is it?

[kellyspud]

I went to my local antique store today, and they have this old silver straight soprano that is nothing like anything I've ever seen. It has no brand name/engraving, TWO octave keys side by side, only two RH side keys, range only to Eb, red rollers, and a pinky cluster very similar to the old Bueschers. Unfortunately I didn't look too closely at it (don't know about rolled/unrolled tone holes, serial # etc). Does anyone have any idea of what it could be? BTW, it felt a bit "tinny" and the sax was really shiny, so if it is a really ancient horn, then it's either never been played or has been relacquered. Any thoughts would be appreciated.

[Dave Dolson]

Kellyspud: The horn is OLD, made before saxophone design included automatic hi-lo octave keys. To play it, one must switch octave key touches when going from G# to A. If you are considering buying it, try to ascertain the pitch - HP or LP. If HP, you won't be able to play it with other instruments. DAVE

[origani]

I play a old, turn-of-the-century (probably early teens) Senecaut sax which is also keyed from low-B to high-Eb with double octave keys. It's still shiny because of the nickle plating, which stands up pretty well and doesn't corrode (much). The pitch on mine is not the really high pitch (A~457Hz) but what I understand was the slightly high French standard of the time (A~443Hz). Except for low-B, which always plays a few cents sharp, it was easy to tune down the setup to A=440Hz.

Steve

[origani]

Oh yeah, and like C-sops, the smaller length and weight of these old babies can be an advantage if travelling (or if you have weak arms). Of course you have to get used to the double-octave and lack of alternate fingerings...

Steve

[kellyspud]

Thanks for the replies. Origani: your soprano sounds a lot like this one. When I get the chance, I'll go back and see if it is high pitch or not. I'm looking for a soprano to add to my collection, but I doubt I would play this one because of its impractical keywork. It's really just an ornament or fixer-upper (key alignment, pads are shocking - one fell out when I picked the sax up). Also, financially, the fact that I'm a full-time student doesn't mix very well with my need for every vintage sax under the sun :D

Another question: how much would a sax like this be worth? I am tempted to buy it because it's a relic, even though it's relatively useless. Does this make it junk, or a priceless horn?

[origani]

I don't know how much they are "worth" but I paid $200 for mine and another $50 for pads and cork which I installed myself. It came without a case but had the original wooden (grenadilla, I think) mouthpiece. The mouthpiece was very close (<0.040") but I have a couple of others that work well, including a Bari Esprit.

The sax is well-built, straight, small, handy, sounds OK and I'm partial to vintage in general. I'm pretty happy with it, but I'm still looking for a full-keyed to sop add to my collection as well (I have Bb-tenor, C-tenor, this Bb-sop, C-sop).

[Dave Dolson]

Kelly: A horn like this one is only worth what someone will pay for it. There is no established market price that I know (unlike modern designs, vintage and new).

A serious collector might want it, but folks looking for a player will probably not even think of buying it. As much as I like vintage horns, I probably wouldn't even pay the shipping if someone were to give it to me. DAVE

[origani]

I don't know Dave, there's no such thing as too many saxes....

[Dave Dolson]

. . . that play. DAVE

[origani]

...or are pretty... (also there's "play" and there's "PLAY"). Steve

BTW Kelly, there is currently a Dolnet of this vintage on eBay - it might give you some idea of value:

http://cgi.ebay.ca/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3705725902&category=62 4&sspagename=STRK%3AMEBWA%3AIT&rd=1

[kellyspud]

Thanks guys. I took another look at it today and it doesn't have any writing at all on it, not even a serial number. It does look a lot like the Dolnet except that this one has fake MOP key touches. I'll go back in six months to check if it's still there. It's been great to actually see it in real life. BTW, they're asking $245 AUD for it (about $189 US).

[RussDavey]

Kellyspud: The horn is OLD, made before saxophone design included automatic hi-lo octave keys. To play it, one must switch octave key touches when going from G# to A. If you are considering buying it, try to ascertain the pitch - HP or LP. If HP, you won't be able to play it with other instruments. DAVE

Yep, I had one just like this valued (HP), and the sax guy said, it would make a lovely ornament if you could get it for £20!! So dont go paying loads for it if it isnt LP!