[wstok002]

Hello! Trying to find out about this saxophone I found.

 

[JayeLID]

Hello. How do you know it is a C-soprano, as opposed to a Bb one ?

It is a sliverplated King, serial # places her at around 1924.

An important aspect here is: how many side keys and left-hand palm keys does it have ? Can you post a photo of the entire sax, front and back from top to bottom ?

I assume you want to know the market value of the sax....and/or whether it is 'worth' servicing...and whether it is a quality instrument...and whether it is a desirable one....

Seeing those side and palm keys will help with all of those answers.

 

[lostcircuits]

And also measure the length of the horn, that's the best indication for whether it is a C or Bb.

 

[wstok002]

Hello its got two palm keys on the left. I can't measure it RN but I'll find a ruler eventually. It's got two palm keys on the left. Here are some more pictures. If you need any more pics feel free to ask.

 

[wstok002]

Also, do you know what that tube guy on the front is?

 

[lostcircuits]

Also, do you know what that tube guy on the front is?

The "tube" is the lyre holder. And based on the diameter of the hand sanitizer cap, your horn is about 26" long which would make it a Bb (but that's really just a guess)

 

[JayeLID]

Hello its got two palm keys on the left. I can't measure it RN but I'll find a ruler eventually. It's got two palm keys on the left. Here are some more pictures. If you need any more pics feel free to ask.

OK so she is only keyed up to high Eb. Not atypical of Sopranos this old....

 

[wstok002]

Do you know anything else about them? I've been looking for a decent soprano to play on. I only paid 275 at a pawn shop so it's not like I paid an arm and leg or anything. Just looking for a good intermediate or above soprano

 

[lostcircuits]

Do you know anything else about them? I've been looking for a decent soprano to play on. I only paid 275 at a pawn shop so it's not like I paid an arm and leg or anything. Just looking for a good intermediate or above soprano

Like JayeLID said, the old sopranos were usually keyed to high Eb. Most manufacturers added the high F around 1926-28. I have never played a King sop other than a saxello and can't really comment much more on the tuning. If the pads are in good shape, then you should be in really good shape, even if you have to nurse some of the notes into tune. The key for these horns is a good mouthpiece like the Morgan Vintage Jazz or a Selmer Super Session. Everything else is practice.

 

[lostcircuits]

Oh, and do not try to clean it with anything but the gentlest stuff like Wrights. You put Brasso on that horn and you kill it!

 

[wstok002]

Thank you for the advice

 

[JayeLID]

Do you know anything else about them? I've been looking for a decent soprano to play on. I only paid 275 at a pawn shop so it's not like I paid an arm and leg or anything. Just looking for a good intermediate or above soprano

That's cool...does it actually play up and down ?

I just did a refurb on a Conn C soprano, also keyed just to Eb...and in the end it was a really sweet little horn and fun to play. People might argue that not being keyed to high F is limiting, and they'd have a point, but for a horn which isn't your primary voice horn, hey ...why the heck not ?

King's littlehorns have the reputation for being the most squirrelly intonation-wise out of all the old American makers....although quite honestly, having refurbed around 8 or 9 of 'em myself, I never found this to be the case (as long as, as Mr. Circuits noted, you go with a medium to larger-chamber 'piece. A Meyer rubber would work well on that also, possibly a rubber Link as well).

You may need to woodshed with it a bit, but I think they are good sopranos, myself. Fantastic tone.

You got a good deal, I mean whether C or Bb, as a project horn these would fetch $300 easy, even with it not going up to F. In playable shape around $650 or so.
So if for $275 you can actually get it to play, that's a good deal.

(If it needs some servicing and you don't have a local tech, PM me as I'd be happy to work on it for you).

As far as shining her up...if you don't wanna dare take it apart I'd just suggest a Blitz polishing cloth for plated instruments. Completely dry, no applying and wiping off paste involved...you just rub. Although personally I like the way tarnished silver looks, myself.

 

[bruce bailey]

It is in C as the low C lever covers part of the pad cup. On Bb Kings, they had two pads for the low C.

 

[JayeLID]

Wow...good eye, Bruce.

 

[lostcircuits]

That's cool...does it actually play up and down ?

I just did a refurb on a Conn C soprano, also keyed just to Eb...and in the end it was a really sweet little horn and fun to play. People might argue that not being keyed to high F is limiting, and they'd have a point, but for a horn which isn't your primary voice horn, hey ...why the heck not ?

King's littlehorns have the reputation for being the most squirrelly intonation-wise out of all the old American makers....although quite honestly, having refurbed around 8 or 9 of 'em myself, I never found this to be the case (as long as, as Mr. Circuits noted, you go with a medium to larger-chamber 'piece. A Meyer rubber would work well on that also, possibly a rubber Link as well).

You may need to woodshed with it a bit, but I think they are good sopranos, myself. Fantastic tone.

Agreed, on the squirrelly intonation and that with a little attention to detail in the regulation, it is by far not as bad as some people claim it to be. And once you play it on a regular basis, the compensation becomes second nature.

As to the high F, it's more like a perceived value add but as you mentioned, not essential unless you want to use it as a dog whistle