Martin Handcraft Standard Tenor

2739 Views 15 Replies 7 Participants Last post by TheLick, Jan 14, 2020

TheLick

Discussion Starter · Jan 4, 2020

Hey guys, I just picked up a 1938 Handcraft Standard serial#131XXX that I am trying to turn around and resell. I was wondering if anyone had more info on this period of horn as the history seems a bit foggy. Is it a handcraft? handcraft committee? handcraft/comm II hybrid? Any info would be helpful, also any idea as to how much it might be worth would be greatly appreciated. It appears to be a re-lacquer but in great shape, the neck serial # doesn't match, the engraving is pretty sharp and has a phenomenal tone. It is in the shop rn but should have it back in a week or so in great playing condition. Thoughts?

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TheLick

Discussion Starter · #7 · Jan 5, 2020

StuartSax said:
I agree, this is a Handcraft Standard Special. Don't bother with the Martin story, he is wrong on this model. Oddly enough, the Standard has the alt Eb with the pad cup below the D key and the Special does not. Another "distinguishing" feature of the Special is a roller on the low Bb key.

Yours is relacquered and does place it in the price range Jaye mentioned. I have one from 1942 which was relac'd and removed the lacquer from the bell. Compare yours to it:
https://www.facebook.com/pg/StuartSaxophone/photos/?tab=album&album_id=698761270221306

That's really useful to know. I didn't realize that was the defining differences between the two models

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TheLick

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jan 5, 2020

Thank you all so much for the help, I noticed the info on the Martin story was a bit odd for these models so it's great to get some more concrete details.

JayeLID said:
Thanks for the correction, folks.

I'd like to see the neck, Lick.

Kinda important that the neck would at least be a Handcraft Standard (Special, or even Imperial) neck, as opposed to, say, an Indiana neck or something.

IF it is a Handcraft Standard, Standard Special, or HC Imperial neck....than it doesn't much matter whether serial numbers do not match...the neck design is still the right design for that horn body and therefore that should not effect resale.

I can put some better close up pictures of the neck here once I get it back from the shop, from what I saw it played well with the horn and seems to be consistent with the other necks that I've seen. Definitely not an Indiana neck.