We have a case and on the case it says Lanier High School For Boys - Macon Georgia - 1924. Inside is a saxophone: The Martin Elkhart Ind. Near the base is Martin - 28993 - low pitch. As we look for model numbers we don't find any 5 digit model numbers. The name of the school is not a decal but imprinted in the top of the case. We'd like to sell this piece to someone who can appreciate it. What value and what year of make might this one be. We have the owners name which gives us no clues. The owner's name is on a tag with the key to the case. So the case is from 1924. It's condition is not that good suggesting that maybe the musical instrument might be from the same time period. Doubtful a later made saxophone would end up in a tattered case which surely belonged to the student. Thanks.
Indentifying and valueing a Martin saxophone
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
??? Isn't that a 5-digit model number? Check The Martin Story. http://www.themartinstory.net/version7/whatyou-how-old.php
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
28993 is the serial number, not a model number (Martin didn't use model numbers until the '60s), and it indicates the sax was built in 1922.
Most people prefer later Martins; this one (a "pre-Handcraft" so to speak on account of not having that name engraved) isn't in high demand from what I understand. Pictures are a must to be able to guess at a value.
28993 is the serial number, not a model number (Martin didn't use model numbers until the '60s), and it indicates the sax was built in 1922.
Most people prefer later Martins; this one (a "pre-Handcraft" so to speak on account of not having that name engraved) isn't in high demand from what I understand. Pictures are a must to be able to guess at a value.
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
This was my confusion. The OP said "we don't find any 5 digit model numbers." There were no 5 digit model numbers (for any make of horn that I know of). Any 5 digit number on a Martin would be a serial number. But I agree, the serial number indicates it's from 1922 (see the link to The Martin Story), its value would depend greatly on its condition so pix are a must. If it's in really bad condition, it's a project horn and not worth much. It might take more money than it's worth for a repair tech to get it in good playing condition. But if it's a "closet find" with lacquer or finish in good condition, with no dents or dings or obvious problems, it could be worth fixing up to get it to play well, then see what the market is. Still, it won't be a lot. Martins have historically been undervalued, but I think that's changed in recent years. And a Martin that's almost 100 years old is more of a museum piece at this point, not much of a player's horn.
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
If it is an alto or tenor, may be worth a few hundred if it is in somewhat decent shape. As a C Melody however not much.
Measure the body without the neck and an alto will be about 22", C Melody 24-26" and a tenor 28+".
If it is an alto or tenor, may be worth a few hundred if it is in somewhat decent shape. As a C Melody however not much.
Measure the body without the neck and an alto will be about 22", C Melody 24-26" and a tenor 28+".
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
assuming it is either an alto or a C melody made in 1922 it will have either way a limited value, even more so if its condition is not great ( which I distill from OP's words).
It will certainly need a complete repad.
In my opinion it is not worth spending any money in repairing it prior to selling , you may spend way too much and never get the money back. The ideal buyer for such a thing is either an hobbyist whom is going to spend time and money in a restoration project (and the value is the process more that the end product) or a technician (with more time than jobs on his hands) whom will pay very little, put his own work into it and come out at the other end with a small profit ( if and when he will sell it).
There are such people everywhere.
Between the '80 and '90 there was a large amount of these horns which were resurrected at the time when the entire concept of " vintage" saxophones lifted a market that had ben dormant for years and years.
Now these are still around and the people who had them restored back then put them back on the market, then there are these closet finds both compete in a shrinking market.
Good luck, you will need it!
Publish pictures for a more accurate assessment but don't set your expectations very high!
assuming it is either an alto or a C melody made in 1922 it will have either way a limited value, even more so if its condition is not great ( which I distill from OP's words).
It will certainly need a complete repad.
In my opinion it is not worth spending any money in repairing it prior to selling , you may spend way too much and never get the money back. The ideal buyer for such a thing is either an hobbyist whom is going to spend time and money in a restoration project (and the value is the process more that the end product) or a technician (with more time than jobs on his hands) whom will pay very little, put his own work into it and come out at the other end with a small profit ( if and when he will sell it).
There are such people everywhere.
Between the '80 and '90 there was a large amount of these horns which were resurrected at the time when the entire concept of " vintage" saxophones lifted a market that had ben dormant for years and years.
Now these are still around and the people who had them restored back then put them back on the market, then there are these closet finds both compete in a shrinking market.
Good luck, you will need it!
Publish pictures for a more accurate assessment but don't set your expectations very high!
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
Gotta be careful with assumptions. Martin did make some spectacular gold plated, heavily engraved horns back then. Doubtful that a school would have such a horn, but best to wait for a picture of the horn in question. And hey, it might be a tenor; which would definitely still be desirable and worth a few hundred.
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
I saw a gold plated Martin Committee III alto (previously sold listing) on Reverb that was "inscribed" Denver Public Schools. You never know.
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Re: Indentifying and valueing a Marton saxophone
Imagine my look when I first saw the "LA City Schools" carved in to my '27 gold plate alto bow. Look just below the key guard.
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We're all hoping it's a C Melody.Wonder if the OP will ever return to post some pics.....(?)
More than you will ever want to know about Lanier High School for Boys in Macon, GA. https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Central_High_School_(Macon,_Georgia)#History
Interesting alumni include the founder of Capricorn Records and manger of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Alan Walden and his brother Phil Walden, manager of Otis Redding & the Allman Brothers. Also John Birch after whom the John Birch Society was named.
Ain't it amazing the stuff you can learn when you have nothing to do but sit around and read. Oh yeah, the school split into separate schools for boys and girls in 1924, about the year that horn was sold. Maybe a year or two later.
Interesting alumni include the founder of Capricorn Records and manger of Lynyrd Skynyrd. Alan Walden and his brother Phil Walden, manager of Otis Redding & the Allman Brothers. Also John Birch after whom the John Birch Society was named.
Ain't it amazing the stuff you can learn when you have nothing to do but sit around and read. Oh yeah, the school split into separate schools for boys and girls in 1924, about the year that horn was sold. Maybe a year or two later.
The LA schools one must have been a donation.
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:faceinpalm::faceinpalm:
PM sent to OP. Inquired about replying.
The school was probably uneducated as to the value of a fine instrument, so they engraved their name on it to prevent theft.:faceinpalm:
PM sent to OP. Inquired about replying.
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A rather cruel thing to say? I mean... you're hoping this person has unsellable junk.
Not very nice. Not nice at all. Plus, no one ever played a C melody in school.
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Hey, c'mon....project C-mels have a market value of between $50-100 these days (one could cannabilize their pivot rods and point screws and have $50 worth of parts right there, even....then use the neck as a hose nozzle .....or doorknob.)
Thanks for that. The owner had a reed pocket from Sepak Music Company, Winston-Salem NC. Guessing the student took the horn with them or as you suggest maybe they did sell it.
It measures 22 inches. Thanks Bruce.
Sorry for the delay. Here are some photos. The red lines point to parts for which we don't know the name. There are four of them that are open. I don't see any keys for them. We can press one and one closes, press the second one and both close, press the third one and those three close, etc.
Thanks!
(I never got an email for any new comments. I am still subscribed to the thread)
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Those are key guards. They protect the keys in case the horn rubs against you or the person next to you. Adjustment is so critical the even a little bump will make them leak.
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