[valleyboy]

Hi all!
I've just bought a Jupiter alto 769-767 and was wondering what the numbers mean. I've read in the Jupiter forum here that the last 3 numbers are the model number, so what do the first 3 numbers mean? Also, does anyone know how to work out the year of manufacture from the serial number? Any information on this sax would be greatly appreciated. It is in really good condition, almost like new I'd say. It comes with the original hard case and cost me 130 pounds sterling, which is around 270 American dollars. Was this a good deal? The serial number is A03388 if this helps.

 

[luispa]

Hi,

I have one like your and also would like to know what those numbers mean.

Thank you in advance.

 

[Kareeser]

I don't think they really mean anything, except perhaps a different model distinction. The 700 series are an intermediate model horn. They play well, and I've always liked 'em.

 

[saxpiece]

I've read that for Jupiters after 1984 you add 1 to the first digit of the serial number for the year of manufacture.
The A serials seem to be from 1999 so maybe they use letters for the years now to avoid the no decade problem, like a 5XXXXX serial can be 1986 or 1996.
Maybe A=1999. B=2000, C=2001 etc.
I've seen A B and D serials.

Does anyone know why there are JAS-667 and JAS-669-667 models.
If it's a JAS-667 why has it also got the 669 in the model name?
Are the JAS-669-667 later models or just a model variation on the JAS-667.
I think the JAS-669-667 are later models, can any owners help verify this.
I have a Jupiter stamped with JAS-667 and Taiwan and a 9XXXXX serial so it seems like a 1990 JAS-667 made in Taiwan which by looking at it seems about right and after 17 years it's holding up pretty well and sounds pretty good as well.

From another post
"769-767 Just to clarify that the last three digits are the commonly known model number, so this is a 767."

Older Jupiter cases have a "Jupiter Wind Instruments" logo on the case and the newer ones seem to just have a Jupiter logo on the case.

The lower end models use parts from the Chinese factory and then are assembled in Taiwan or are totally made in the Chinese factory after it opened for business in 1996.
The KHS Chinese factory makes the Chinese Evette Buffet models so I assume the KHS Taiwan factory made the pre 1996 Evette Buffets with ROC stamped on them and the serials may be similar to the Jupiters and also the Vito 7133 models from Taiwan are made by KHS (Jupiter) and some Keilwerth models from Taiwan are also made by KHS so maybe these serials are also similar to the Jupiter serials.

Jupiter Factory Tour

http://www.myatt.co.uk/art_012.htm

 

[saxpiece]

YEAR, MODEL NUMBER, SERIAL NUMBER

1986, Begins with the letter "S", Begins with the number 5

1987 Begins with the letter "S", Begins with the number 6

1988 Begins with the letter "S", Begins with the number 7

1989 Begins with the letter "S", Begins with the number 8

1990 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 9

1991 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 0

1992 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 1

1993 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 2

1994 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 3

1995 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 4

1996 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 5

1997 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 6

1998 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number 7

1999 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number "A"

2000 Begins with the letter "J", Begins with the number "B"

http://www.themusicbox.biz/jupiter.html

How old is my Jupiter instrument?

Jupiter serial numbers are easy to understand. They start with a prefix of the alphabet ie J = 2007 date of manufacture. Work back until A = 1999 then go back from 7 (the first number) ie 7 = 1998. If you have an older instrument once you get to 0 start again from 9 as it = 1990.

http://www.jupitermusic.co.uk/rdas/papp.asp?cmd=FADE&DocumentID=2838&TemplateID=83

 

[saxpiece]

Sometimes you will have a serial and won't know what decade it's from.
Early Jupiter instrument cases had a "Jupiter Wind Instruments" logo and later Jupiter instrument cases just had a Jupiter logo.
I'm not sure when they started using just the Jupiter case logo.
Also I think the Jupiter logos on the bell are different for the early and later Jupiters.
The earlier ones had a "Jupiter and KHS Musical Instrument Co Ltd" with Taiwan near the serial number and then from the early 1990s they had a "Jupiter and KHS Musical Instrument Taiwan" logo with no Taiwan near the serial number and the newer ones seem to just have a Jupiter logo with Taiwan near the serial number.
I can't really see much design difference between the old JAS-667 Jupiters and the newer JAS-669-667 or JAS-667GN Jupiters.
From what I can tell the early Jupiter model numbers are just JAS-667, JAS 767 etc, then they seem to change to JAS-669-667, JAS 769-767 etc around the early 1990s and now they are JAS-667GN, JAS-769GN or JAS-667GL, JAS-769GL etc (GL=Gold Lacquer, GN=Nickel Silver Keys).

 

[saxpiece]

All Jupiter instruments work on a simple coding system

3 Letters, 3 numbers then a suffix.

1st letter of code:

J = Jupiter

2nd letter of code:

TR = Trumpet
CR = Cornet
FH = Flugel Horn
HR = French Horn
SL = Trombone (slide)
VL = Valve Trombone
AL = Alto Horn in the UK called Tenor Horn
BR = Baritone Horn
EP = Euphonium
CB = Concert Bass (Tuba)
PC = Piccolo
FL = Flute
AF = Alto Flute
BF = Bass Flute
PS = Soprano Saxophone (Piccolo Saxophone)
AS = Alto Saxophone
TS = Tenor Saxophone
BS = Baritone Saxophone
CL = Clarinet

Numbering system:

The numbering system in general terms the higher the number the more advanced the instrument eg: JAS-565GL is the basic student Alto Saxophone, JAS-767GL is the higher specification instrument.

Suffix:

L = Lacquer
S = Silver plate
N = Nickel plate
GL = Gold Lacquer
BL = Black
RL = Rose Brass bell - Lacquer
E = Split E - only Flute codes

http://www.jupitermusic.co.uk/rdas/papp.asp?cmd=PLTE

 

[Jazz Is All]

I know this is an old tread, but I tried to decipher the serial number code and can't for the life of me figure out what you mean by the next to last post. I know someone with a Jupiter 769-767 alto, with the s/n JAS A09419. O.K. I get that JAS is Jupiter Alto Sax, which is obvious. But the explanation above doesn't help me figure out what A09419 means, and in fact I don't know if the 0 is a zero or the letter O. Does anyone know how to decode that serial?

Thanks.

 

[TRANETRACKS]

I know this is an old tread, but I tried to decipher the serial number code and can't for the life of me figure out what you mean by the next to last post. I know someone with a Jupiter 769-767 alto, with the s/n JAS A09419. O.K. I get that JAS is Jupiter Alto Sax, which is obvious. But the explanation above doesn't help me figure out what A09419 means, and in fact I don't know if the 0 is a zero or the letter O. Does anyone know how to decode that serial?

Thanks.

The 'zero' or 'O' is irrelevant. For the record, it would be a 'zero'. The 'A' is the important part and it corresponds to the year 1999 as noted in Saxpiece's earlier post. The horns from that era can be pretty inconsistent but he might have a good one on his hands. Hope this helped.

 

[Jazz Is All]

Thanks for the help with that. It's hard to believe the horn is from 1999 because it looks like it was used very little and plays fantastically. The keywork is very smooth and precise, like it was just adjusted, which it wasn't. It plays up and down effortlessly with excellent intonation. I'm actually amazed because I never knew that Jupiter was good brand of sax or that what is supposedly an intermediate level horn could play so well and sound as good as this one does. Definitely a keeper.

 

[TRANETRACKS]

Thanks for the help with that. It's hard to believe the horn is from 1999 because it looks like it was used very little and plays fantastically. The keywork is very smooth and precise, like it was just adjusted, which it wasn't. It plays up and down effortlessly with excellent intonation. I'm actually amazed because I never knew that Jupiter was good brand of sax or that what is supposedly an intermediate level horn could play so well and sound as good as this one does. Definitely a keeper.

Yup. There are definitely some diamonds in the rough from that era. Good to see that the horn is working out so well. Jupiter needs all the help it can get in changing people's perception of their horns. They are making some really good ones these days and you really can't beat the prices for something of it's caliber.

 

[Jazz Is All]

I was at my tech's repair and sax shop and they sell Jupiter. They had a 767 GL alto, which appears to be the current horn in that series since the 767-769 is no longer manufactured. Miguel told me that it is the equivalent of the Yamaha Yas 23, or at least that is what I think he said. He said the Yamaha is more expensive than the Jupiter bugt other than that the Jupiter is just as good or better. I have never played the Yamaha but this Jupiter is a great sax and smooth as silk to finger with a great tone and intonation. What a great surprise.

 

[gtfossum]

The description of the Jupiter model and serial numbering system is consistent throughout the net, but I just acquired an Alto Sax with model number AS-767 and a serial number starting on 5. No were does it say Taiwan which it is supposed to, either near the logo or near the serial number. What is this? A cheap chinese pirate copy? Allegedly, it was bought in England three years ago. I'm not so sure. It looks nice and well kept or hardly used, but the serial number is way off.

 

[TRANETRACKS]

The description of the Jupiter model and serial numbering system is consistent throughout the net, but I just acquired an Alto Sax with model number AS-767 and a serial number starting on 5. No were does it say Taiwan which it is supposed to, either near the logo or near the serial number. What is this? A cheap chinese pirate copy? Allegedly, it was bought in England three years ago. I'm not so sure. It looks nice and well kept or hardly used, but the serial number is way off.

Starts with a number not a letter? I'm thinking it's pretty old. If you can post pictures of the logo on the octave key as well as what the engraving on the bell says, that would help out.

 

[gtfossum]

Here are a couple of pictures. I agree that the serial number alone would suggest a 1986 or 1996 date, but the fact that Taiwan is not mentioned anywere and that the model number starts with neither S nor J makes me wonder what kind of production this really is?

 

[Hadamard]

I have a similar Jupiter, but the model is SAS 767... I suppose yours -as mine- dates back to 1986.

 

[Beginnersmind]

Reviving an old post. I just got a Jupiter Capital edition alto and I am very pleased with it! I am confused about the serial numbers as well. The serial number is: UF52655 could this be from 2019? It’s in great condition but it would still surprise me that it is less than a year old?