[TommyD69]

I have a soprano sax made by Imperial Creations International. I can not find any serial numbers on this horn. I bought it in a pawn shop 25 years ago. I know nothing about this horn, and can not find any info on the internet. Has anyone ever heard of these horns? Thanx in advance....

 

[Seasax]

sounds like a stencil sax exporter/importer who would stamp unmarked stencil saxes,

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Tommy,

Posting photos will likely give you more chances of an accurate identification. As Searjeantsax said, it is very likely a stencil horn.

Best of luck.

 

[stitch]

Tommy,

As Searjeantsax said, it is very likely a stencil horn.

Isn't it more likely an early Chinese/Taiwanese copy rather than a stencil?

 

[frankyg1971]

Hey guys, how would one differentiate between a sax being a stencil or being a cheap tiwanese/chinese horn?

 

[stitch]

Hey guys, how would one differentiate between a sax being a stencil or being a cheap tiwanese/chinese horn?

If it looks new it'll be an Asian copy.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

Isn't it more likely an early Chinese/Taiwanese copy rather than a stencil?

It is a stencil when the generic horn is offered by a manufacturer to retailers who may have their chosen brand name applied to the horn to offer as their own make/model. That is the context I am using the term.

It is likely also a copy, either directly or of sorts, if made in Asia as it appears to be.

 

[stitch]

It is a stencil when the generic horn is offered by a manufacturer to retailers who may have their chosen brand name applied to the horn to offer as their own make/model. That is the context I am using the term.

It is likely also a copy, either directly or of sorts, if made in Asia as it appears to be.

Indeed so. When I think of a stencil I don't really consider a generic maker that doesn't also produce instruments under its own name, but you are of course 100% right.

 

[SAXISMYAXE]

The term "stencil" has morphed a bit with modern practices. I can't recall a maker in the first half of the 20th century that manufactured instruments without a brand name line of their own, but it is common practice in Asia today.