It really looks like a High Pitch Bb soprano to me. The spacing of the low C lever and the fact it goes to high F and also the neck spacing. Is the total body length around 22" ( C) or 25" (Bb)?
Albert Douchet Cie * Paris / J. Steyn Zaandam C-Soprano Saxophon
Since it seems to be a bit lost in the René Guénot / Albert Douchet thread, I thought I add it here in the c soprano section!
This beauty is mine since about a week. I found it on the site of the German "Saxophon-Service". It's nickle-plated with a gold-ish bell on the inside. There are some tiny scratches and little dents but all in all it's a really fine instrument. The first c sopranos by Douchet & Cie. are in the catalogue from 1934 so that's the earliest date. With a serial number 6965 it might be from the '40 maybe? Who knows?
The only issue is the mouthpiece. I got a shortened O. Linck 6* with it and now it plays perfectly in the key of B
wich for the moment is ok, but I already wrote Pillinger and asked for a c-mouthpiece as I plan to play together with other instruments when we are allowed again. And I do not want to play in c# when everyone is playing in c. Or worse: in g# major as I will play with folk instruments and a very common key is g major/minor because of the French and German bagpipes.
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I also made a short video … I still have to get back in shape as I haven't seriously played for several years so please be kind.
Testvideo on YouTube
Is there someone who can tell me more about the age of my instrument?
This beauty is mine since about a week. I found it on the site of the German "Saxophon-Service". It's nickle-plated with a gold-ish bell on the inside. There are some tiny scratches and little dents but all in all it's a really fine instrument. The first c sopranos by Douchet & Cie. are in the catalogue from 1934 so that's the earliest date. With a serial number 6965 it might be from the '40 maybe? Who knows?
The only issue is the mouthpiece. I got a shortened O. Linck 6* with it and now it plays perfectly in the key of B
wich for the moment is ok, but I already wrote Pillinger and asked for a c-mouthpiece as I plan to play together with other instruments when we are allowed again. And I do not want to play in c# when everyone is playing in c. Or worse: in g# major as I will play with folk instruments and a very common key is g major/minor because of the French and German bagpipes.
I also made a short video … I still have to get back in shape as I haven't seriously played for several years so please be kind.
Testvideo on YouTube
Is there someone who can tell me more about the age of my instrument?
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
It's a cute little thing.........................
The only issue is the mouthpiece. I got a shortened O. Linck 6* with it and now it plays perfectly in the key of B
I also made a short video … I still have to get back in shape as I haven't seriously played for several years so please be kind.
Testvideo on YouTube
Is there someone who can tell me more about the age of my instrument?
Re: playing in C# when everyone's in C? You can do it and get used to it. While in junior high school I did the bassoon part of Brigadoon on bari sax; playing in G#, D#, etc. was common...good times! LOL
Sure, but I actually bought a c sax to NOT have to transpose anymore.It's a cute little thing.
Re: playing in C# when everyone's in C? You can do it and get used to it. While in junior high school I did the bassoon part of Brigadoon on bari sax; playing in G#, D#, etc. was common...good times! LOL
I played alto and Bb soprano for years and tenor in a big band. It was my main instrument when I studied to become a music teacher. But than I switched to opera singing and I am doing that professionally for about 15 years now. Enough roles to learn and daily voice training.
I am getting too old to practice in strange keys 😂
Steyn Zaandam are very common in the NL, often in HP indeed ( I have had a tenor). Clarinets in HP are not rare too.
Many people say that they can play HP with a shift of 1/2 ( in fact I have seen peeople trying to pass a HP baritone for a E instead of Eb).
I hav my serious doubts on the practicality of this.
Johan Jonker (NL) also a member here, compiled an interesting way to measure the distance between toneholes to determine pitch
![9068]()
Many people say that they can play HP with a shift of 1/2 ( in fact I have seen peeople trying to pass a HP baritone for a E instead of Eb).
I hav my serious doubts on the practicality of this.
Johan Jonker (NL) also a member here, compiled an interesting way to measure the distance between toneholes to determine pitch
Hi Kristof, this is unfortuantely a High pitch Bb Soprano in A=465 HZ soprano. I have a very similar from Guenot, exact same length (a lovely player) from the same period and I play with my regular Bb soprano mouthpiece on it. A=465 HZ is fine though, it means you were right, it is a Soprano in concert "H". I keep these instruments because I perform with old church organs and some are pitched like the military brass bands in West Europe in this pitch. Some earlier High pitch instruments have a lower pitch - I also have a high Pitch horn in 457HZ which works fine for tunings in 432 HZ etc. but is not compatible at all with modern pitch.
I keep these instruments for these special occasions. I am sure Duchstein would be able to give you a refund. C-Sopranos are smaller in length I have had several over the years and they ar all around 22 inch when keyed to low Bb.
Drop me a PM if you need more infos. All good wishes, Uwe
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![9070]()
I keep these instruments for these special occasions. I am sure Duchstein would be able to give you a refund. C-Sopranos are smaller in length I have had several over the years and they ar all around 22 inch when keyed to low Bb.
Drop me a PM if you need more infos. All good wishes, Uwe
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...here is a side-to-side comparison with my C-Soprano, again same period 1920s-1930s french built. You cans ee easily the differenc ein tone-hole distribution and the overall smaller dimension which also actually is fun to use with original C-Soprano mouthpieces. The high pitch sopranos work fine with regular Bb soprano mouthpieces for me.
Again, I would encourage you to speak with Duchstein, they are an outstanding repair shop with huge knowledge and great service, this mistake can happen and happened to a friend of mine as well who got a few "c-sopranos" from other stores and collectors which were indeed high pitched instead.
Again, I would encourage you to speak with Duchstein, they are an outstanding repair shop with huge knowledge and great service, this mistake can happen and happened to a friend of mine as well who got a few "c-sopranos" from other stores and collectors which were indeed high pitched instead.
Attachments
Oh well! A C soprano is a rare thing and would be difficult to be found , surely cheap. Lots of people out there see a short soprano and conclude, automatically, they have a C soprano.
Some time ago Matthews in EDAM had, if memory serves, a C soprano , but it is gone
Not so long ago Benedikt Eppelsheim had some made in China
www.saxontheweb.net
Some time ago Matthews in EDAM had, if memory serves, a C soprano , but it is gone
Not so long ago Benedikt Eppelsheim had some made in China
Sax on the Web Forum
www.saxontheweb.net
1 - 20 of 38 Posts
