[xax]

Someone offered me the opportunity to buy a '26 Handcraft tenor. If this horn is typical of the breed then all i have to say is, these are some badass horns.

Despite the funky ergos (no front F and a real tough pinky table) i decided to buy it... With the original Martin mouthpiece, my sound is unlike any other horn i've ever played.

 

[StuartSax]

Good man!!

I have one from 1920.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

I never met a Martin I didn't like (provided it was in good, playable nic).

 

[GingerSax]

Another person bitten by the Martin bug! Congrats! Ergos aren't too funky...give yourself some time and they will feel fine

 

[saxphil]

I have a Dick Stabile Sorkin tenor, does that count, lol?

 

[click]

you might ask your tech for a quote to add the front f

my tech had no problem

did not cost that much

works great

 

[Roc Giancola]

I love my 1926 Handcraft alto! I can actually fly on it, despite the ergos. The low C# key took some getting used to, but I can really maneuver around the left hand pinky table now. It works with pretty much all of my mpcs too. Martins are fantastic, I think the older ones have great character. I'm going to add a Martin tenor to my collection someday. Congrats on the acquisition! Enjoy it!!

 

[sandster]

I love my '35 Skyline. Ergos ARE a bit of a problem, but the sound and response outweigh these problems.

 

[xax]

Should this vintage have a serial number on the neck?

 

[Saxnoob]

My 1926 Handcraft Tenor has the most georgous sound. It is the most played sax I have.


Congrats on your Martin and enjoy.

 

[StuartSax]

I don't know about "should" but mine does have the SN.

 

[Saxnoob]

Mine has the serial number on the neck also.

 

[MartinMusicMan]

With the original Martin mouthpiece, my sound is unlike any other horn i've ever played.

Try a newer or more modern mouthpiece. You might discover even more dimensions of the Martin saxophone sound. I still have the mouthpiece that came with my Martin "Official Music Man" tenor but it's kind of a dud. I love my Metalite mouthpieces on my Martin alto, tenor, and bari.

 

[xax]

Hey SOTW folks, just paid off and took delivery of my "new" Handcraft today. It has a satin finish which i originally thought was silver and I had planned to leave it unpolished because it has such a nice patina.

I decided to polish just the bell interior. When that showed to be rose gold, i decided to polish up the engraving. Now that appears to be gold plate and in fact, the entire horn seems to be satin gold not silver like i first thought... i've been wrong about gold plating before (most notably on my Art Deco King Zephyr tenor) and i could be wrong this time as well.

One thing that suggests the possibility of it being a higher end model is the engraving...it's even more elaborate han the alto mentioned here: http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?204861-For-Sale-A-1928-Martin-Gold-Plated-Alto.) Also, has log cabin in the pines scene.

So, regardless, i'm thinking that maybe it's a "collector" horn and that I should sell it...i have a plethora of excellent horns so it is "expendable"... any comments.

BTW. The horn plays well, and seems to be dent free; the neck has lacquer wear but no pulldown; the strap ring has "zero" wear and it has the original sales slip and a paper trail showing past owners.

thanx

 

[MartinMusicMan]

pix, puh-leeze

 

[xax]

pix, puh-leeze

i hear ya...just don't have the time right now. i did find this bit of info; the bill of sale (Chicago Musical Instument Co. dated 9/22/26) says it has finish #4. Anybody know what that is?

 

[MartinMusicMan]

pix, puh-leeze

i hear ya...just don't have the time right now.

I understand. It's just that this part made me so damn curious to see ...

I decided to polish just the bell interior. When that showed to be rose gold, i decided to polish up the engraving. Now that appears to be gold plate and in fact, the entire horn seems to be satin gold not silver like i first thought... One thing that suggests the possibility of it being a higher end model is the engraving...it's even more elaborate than the alto mentioned here: http://forum.saxontheweb.net/showthread.php?204861-For-Sale-A-1928-Martin-Gold-Plated-Alto.) Also, has log cabin in the pines scene.

 

[xax]

pix, puh-leeze

these are they...

View attachment 49967 View attachment 49969 View attachment 49970 View attachment 49968

So my question is would youse guys sell or keep?
My full pearls S20 is my gig horn and that's not likely to change(of course, ya nevah know)

 

[MartinMusicMan]

So my question is would youse guys sell or keep?

Keep. It's a bee-yoo-ti-ful horn. And the vintage horn market seems really depressed right now.

 

[bruce bailey]

And the winner is......................YOU!
These series II tenors don't have the high C# adjuster but not as important as it is on altos. That horn should clean up nicely once disassembled.