[fvpennell]

Hello,
I bought a Tenor Sax on Ebay. It says Made in Holland on the top where the neck goes on. It also has a serial # in the same place, 86308. It has the name Martin Freres engraved on the side of the bell. I was looking for something to learn on now and could afford. I plan on upgrading to one of the top four when I have saved up enough money.
Since I started playing again, I have gotten into the history of saxophone and the manufacturers. What a jumble messed that is! I can find almost nothing on saxes made in Holland. Does anyone have more knowledge?

Thanks, Floyd..

 

[rs1sensen]

I've heard of a lot of instruments by Martin Freres of Lamonte, France, but never of Holland. Most likely, these were horns stenciled (made by another manufacturer, but engraved to the seller's specs) for Freres. Some googling also turned up a report that said:

"Just obtained a Martin Freres alto. It's definitely not an SML (different mechanics and, more significant, a different tonal color). However it certainly feels like the last Buffet I tried -- dark sophisticated sound, more controlled than many horns. I'd like to try it side by side with a vintage Buffet."

source: http://www.saxpics.com/SOTW_Archive/sml/sml/boardset-saxweb-boardid-sml-thread-55-spec-4411412.html

I'm by no means an expert on Martin Freres, I've just seen a few posts here and there. If you could post pictures of the horn, we might be able to identify the original manufacturer if it is indeed a stencil.

 

[milandro]

I am not an expert in dutch saxophones, although I am living in Holland. There have been many brands of woodwinds makers in Holland and Belgium in the past, notably, the best known, Schenkelaar from Eindhoven in Holland (which cocluded its history assembling saxophones using mostly Weltklang parts). As far as I know Martin Freres was a French company they made instruments for other companies too and it is highly unlikely that a Dutch brand would have used that name of a French company and the definition Freres (which is French for brothers). So I suspect something not entirely clear if not foul play. It is possible that someone has assebled a saxophone with parts of another sax? That " made in Holland " doesn't go with the maker, definitely French.

 

[kimslava]

I think Dabico saxes were made in Holland.

 

[saxtek]

Around 40 years ago, master repair technician Bob Daugherty, Sr. in Dayton, Ohio purchased unfinished saxophones that were made in Holland. Bob completed the assembly and finish and marketed them under the name of his store, Dayton Band Instrument Company. The brand name was DABICO.

My Myspace page:

http://www.myspace.com/saxpsychosis

 

[xax]

As i recall, someone on SOTW (maybe saxpics) said all Martin Freres saxes are stencils.

Re Holland manufacturers: Dorfler and Jorga was a "major" Dutch manufacturer. They apparently used Keilwerth bodies. I think you'll find info about and pics of D&J horns in Saxpics' Keilwerth section.

 

[rs1sensen]

As i recall, someone on SOTW (maybe saxpics) said all Martin Freres saxes are stencils.

Could be. I've heard some reports that a lot of their flutes may have been their own design, as well as many of their clarinets. But the saxes....I've heard about lots of stencils.

 

[fvpennell]

Picture still on Ebay for sax made in holland

Hello,

The sax is at the shop right now getting a check up, so I can not post any pics for awhile.
I bought it on ebay and a picture is still showing there. The ebay item # is 220130526443 if you would like to see a picture of it now.

Thanks, Floyd

 

[milandro]

well, congratulations, for the money that you have paid you can't really go wrong! I can only see one picture on e-bay and no enlarging or details so there isn't much to comment for me. Perhaps you will take some pictures when it comes back to you.

 

[xax]

I'd definitely guess that it's a Kohlert (or Keilwerth) body; hard to tell much more with only the one pic still up. Rolled tone holes? It probably has a nice dark tone; the keywork is usually "lesser" on these (i think) but probably a good unit to get started with. I had an alto (made in Holland) that was very similar in appearance. I sold it to a friend who is a teacher for his "second" horn. (his main horn is a MKVI tenor) He liked it a lot and considered it very similar to a Couf...

 

[fvpennell]

Yes, it does have rolled tone holes. The post are directly solder to the body also. My music teacher / repair guy was thinking late 60's/early 70's. He thought it was a difinite European body. There is also a huge gape between the B and Bb keys. The Bb key pearl is very small and the gape is the width of my index finger. Since I haven't really played it yet, I don't know how much of a pain it's going to be.
I will pick it up from my repair guy on the 13th then I will post some picture..

Thanks, Floyd