[dctwells]

So I just picked up a 271xxx Conn Late Tranny alto to match my 271xxx tenor. My tenor is a really special horn and the alto seems to have been made with the same magic. I bought the alto without testing it from a reputable dealer .... honestly the lure of near matching serial numbers was too much to resist. This horn could have easily been a disappointment, but it is a keeper (this is the 4th Tranny/6M Conn alto I’ve owned and by far my favorite). Granted, both horns are in great shape and professionally setup, but it appears they were made on an especially good month in 1936 (the two horns are only 146 apart so I’m guessing maybe they were made a couple of weeks apart?).

Anyway, has anybody else rolled the dice on horns with super close serial numbers and had really good luck .... or really bad luck?

 

[Arundo Donax]

It's a case of good instinct on your part, I think. Your favorable impression of your 271xxx tenor guided you to the alto made, as you say, in an especially good month in 1936.

 

[vries1]

I play a Couesnon alto and bari which are just 23 apart in serial number. Amusing, but no special feeling.

 

[dctwells]

I play a Couesnon alto and bari which are just 23 apart in serial number. Amusing, but no special feeling.

Wow, that's so close! That's a brand of vintage French saxophone that I haven't had a chance to try yet.

 

[datsaxman]

Yanagisawa / Martin tenor I have had for a long time. Terrific shspe, and a great player. Picked up the matching alto a few years ago in almost-new nick. 16 serial numbers apart.

 

[LiAm84]

My Cigar Cutter alto and tenor are 31 digits apart. I also have a pair of Radio Improved tenors which are only 12 digits apart.

 

[slobberchops]

I have a Selmer Modele 22 soprano (#20XX) and alto (#20XX) whose serial numbers put them in the Selmer factory in the same month of 1923.

Both great players.

Also have a Haynes Commercial from 1922. Pretty close.

 

[vries1]

Wow, that's so close! That's a brand of vintage French saxophone that I haven't had a chance to try yet.

Certainly a good idea to try one if you have the opportunity. I'd suggest to start with the alto, which is easy to like. In my experience, the Couesnon tenor and bari (I haven't tried soprano) are more idiosyncratic, both in the tone and in the tuning department.

 

[saxophender]

I have a pair of Martin Handcraft tenors numbers 61049 and 61051. They play about the same, despite having different finishes. I also have a pair of Holton altos with consecutive serial numbers, 40314 and 40315. I don't know how they compare since one is currently in unplayable condition.

 

[twowheels]

So I just picked up a 271xxx Conn Late Tranny alto to match my 271xxx tenor. My tenor is a really special horn and the alto seems to have been made with the same magic. I bought the alto without testing it from a reputable dealer .... honestly the lure of near matching serial numbers was too much to resist. This horn could have easily been a disappointment, but it is a keeper (this is the 4th Tranny/6M Conn alto I've owned and by far my favorite). Granted, both horns are in great shape and professionally setup, but it appears they were made on an especially good month in 1936 (the two horns are only 146 apart so I'm guessing maybe they were made a couple of weeks apart?).

Anyway, has anybody else rolled the dice on horns with super close serial numbers and had really good luck .... or really bad luck?

OT: If you're a "Big Bang" TV series fan, you'll understand....but the title made me initially picture Sheldon Cooper and "Fun with Flags".

 

[dctwells]

My Cigar Cutter alto and tenor are 31 digits apart. I also have a pair of Radio Improved tenors which are only 12 digits apart.

Nice! How do the two tenors compare to one another?

 

[Arundo Donax]

I have a pair of Martin Handcraft tenors numbers 61049 and 61051.
...

That would drive me crazy. I would have to make it my Lifelong Quest to find 61050.

 

[LiAm84]

Nice! How do the two tenors compare to one another?

I don't know yet. One of them is not playable but it's booked in for a complete overhaul so then I'll be able to compare them.