Need help identifying Ambassador Tenor Sax

ttipton · 10-22-2009, 04:13 PM

Hello, I Have just purchased a Tenor Sax that has Ambassador engraved on the Bell ,a serial number of 46139 and Italy engraved by the serial number. Does anyone know anything about this Sax? Year, Manuf...etc. Any info would be greatly appreciated. Here are some photos.
Thanks in advance!

bruce bailey · 10-22-2009, 07:31 PM

Is it an OLDS Ambassador?

**JayeSF** · 10-23-2009, 07:30 AM

mmmmm...I don't think it is.

It looks European...French...Evette-esque, sorta.

Does it read "Made In..." anywhere on the horn ???? (check near the serial #, then near the seam band which connects the bell to the bow....then, lastly, look beneath the keys, near the toneholes, of the D and E pads on the lower stack).

cmelodysax · 10-23-2009, 07:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttipton

.......and Italy engraved by the serial number. .....

Made in Italy ?

Henry D · 10-23-2009, 07:54 PM

.....

Smooth Sop Berator · 10-23-2009, 09:55 PM

It doesn't look like an SML stencil, if that's what you were hoping.

**JayeSF** · 10-24-2009, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cmelodysax

Quote:

Originally Posted by ttipton

.......and Italy engraved by the serial number. .....

Made in Italy ?

........... D'OH !

Quote:

Originally Posted by Henry D

Looks like this?

http://doctorsax.biz/ambassador.htm

Nope...look at the OP's pics again, it's not the same....

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smooth Sop Berator

It doesn't look like an SML stencil, if that's what you were hoping.

I think the "Italy" sorta nixed that from the get-go.....

Henry D · 10-24-2009, 02:42 AM

Sorry- MAJOR brain cramp.

ttipton · 10-25-2009, 06:32 PM

Thanks for looking guys..I can't find anything on the web about this Horn. It doesn't say made in, But it does have "Italy" Engraved at the seam were the bell is and close to the serial number. The horn didn't have anyhthing else with it when it arrived in the mail, as far as anything that could help with identifying. Hopefully someone on here can

This has my curiosity up now.

com281 · 10-26-2009, 02:41 AM

I had an alto version of the "Olds Ambassador" saxophone. This is either a late 1960's or early 1970's Buffet-Evette student horn or either a Malerne stencil. Mine had the "Italy" stamped on the rear as well.

ttipton · 10-26-2009, 03:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by com281

I had an alto version of the "Olds Ambassador" saxophone. This is either a late 1960's or early 1970's Buffet-Evette student horn or either a Malerne stencil. Mine had the "Italy" stamped on the rear as well.

Thanks Com281! Did your Alto have the Italy stamped on it? I just got back from the Repair shop and they thought it was an
"Olds amabassador" as well until they saw the Italy...But if yours had Italy on it then mine could be an Olds.

**JayeSF** · 10-26-2009, 06:44 PM

hehehe...I think folks keep posting her before they have had their morning coffee....(me included).

TT...Com wrote that his says Italy too.

It still IS an Olds Ambassador, regardless of where it was made, eh ?

I don't think Olds produced any saxes domestically after the 40's-early 50's the latest. From then on, all of their Ambassador saxes were imports. Whether Pierret, Italian, Malerne or whatever (although I have never seen a Malerne positively attributed to the Ambassador line...Getzen and Linton, yes...Olds, no).

Basically, a shot of the pinky table can tell us if the horn is Rampone-related. But that lozenge-bell brace still looks Evette to me, and not very old at that (maybe '70's tops).

But that may be as close as you are ever gonna get to a definitive attribution.

...how's it play ?

ttipton · 10-26-2009, 08:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayeSF

hehehe...I think folks keep posting her before they have had their morning coffee....(me included).

TT...Com wrote that his says Italy too.

It still IS an Olds Ambassador, regardless of where it was made, eh ?

I don't think Olds produced any saxes domestically after the 40's-early 50's the latest. From then on, all of their Ambassador saxes were imports. Whether Pierret, Italian, Malerne or whatever (although I have never seen a Malerne positively attributed to the Ambassador line...Getzen and Linton, yes...Olds, no).

Basically, a shot of the pinky table can tell us if the horn is Rampone-related. But that lozenge-bell brace still looks Evette to me, and not very old at that (maybe '70's tops).

But that may be as close as you are ever gonna get to a definitive attribution.

...how's it play ?

Thanks JayeSF...Yeah, The way I was asking Com about the "italy" on Horn didn't come out right..haha..But I can always use more coffee!

Thanks for the reply and info...I really appreciate it. I think your right, I may never know the true manuf. or origins of this horn, but your comments help to understand this horn a little bit more.

I tried playing it the other day, but way too many leaks.I am going to the shop right now to pick it up, they just called and said it sounds great now that the leaks have been fixed. I will get on here after I play it and give a review.

Thanks again!

ttipton · 10-27-2009, 04:21 AM

Played the Horn for the first time tonight at practice. It sounded Great! From high to low notes, it flowed with ease and had a great vintage sound. Can't wait to try it out on This fridays gig.

**JayeSF** · 10-28-2009, 01:54 AM

Excellent.
People don't give vintage Italians enough credit. I have had several come thru here, and really....they are very solid players and they usually have a very rich, wide sound to 'em. Enjoy !

ttipton · 10-28-2009, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JayeSF

Excellent.
People don't give vintage Italians enough credit. I have had several come thru here, and really....they are very solid players and they usually have a very rich, wide sound to 'em. Enjoy !

Thanks! I will Have some fun with this Tenor and add it to our song lists.

onslow28 · 11-02-2009, 08:23 PM

I think the tenor was made by Rampone's, not the Rampone and Cazzani, but related. The one I sold a few years ago looked very similar: the ergonomics were rather difficult, and the crook was ridiculously long, but it had a beautiful tone.

woodwinddad · 11-18-2009, 04:33 AM

Earlier this year, I purchased an Olds Ambassador Tenor Sax Serial #39014, and Italy is stamped under that. On the front of the sax is etched a large O with the word Olds under the O, all in an etched box and under that is etched the word Ambassador. It has some scratches (not bad) and one very small dent. It came with the original case with keys that is a little banged up on the outside but looks good on the inside. It came with (3) mouthpieces a Brilhart 3* Tonalin, that has a screw with a plug in the middle. A metal Wolfe Tayne 4 mouthpiece. Also a Brilhart 4* Ebolin mouthpiece. All the mouthpieces have ligatures and caps. It also had a microphone hook-up attached to the sax that I removed. I purchased it from the son of the gentleman that used this sax professionally as you could probably tell by the mouth pieces. I purchased it for my son for school and I have know idea if it is really considered to be beginners, intermediate or pro sax or who made this for Olds or how old it is. I was wondering if perhaps the Grassi company made it??? Any help would be appreciated.

**JayeSF** · 11-18-2009, 06:54 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by onslow28

I think the tenor was made by Rampone's, not the Rampone and Cazzani, but related. The one I sold a few years ago looked very similar: the ergonomics were rather difficult, and the crook was ridiculously long, but it had a beautiful tone.

That would be Alfonse Rampone, cousin of the other Rampone....yes, he made a number of stencils, including some for Getzen. The A. Rampones I have had were fine, ergonomically; vintage ergos, yes; but not difficult...matter of fact, I still have a tenor which is pretty darn smokin'.

**JayeSF** · 11-18-2009, 06:58 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by woodwinddad

Earlier this year, I purchased an Olds Ambassador Tenor Sax Serial #39014, and Italy is stamped under that..... I purchased it for my son for school and I have know idea if it is really considered to be beginners, intermediate or pro sax or who made this for Olds or how old it is. I was wondering if perhaps the Grassi company made it??? Any help would be appreciated.

Post some pics.

Basically, some telltale signs of manufacture are often the following details:

Bell brace

Pinky Table

Lower spatula keys

Octave stem/key

That's what I always look at in order to determine a provenance/attribution.

Stay away from using keyguards to identify European horns...they aren't a good signifier.

If those elements seem to match up with old Grassis, then they may be Grassi. If they match up more with Rampone, or Orsi, etc., etc.; then there you have it.