Newly acquired Kohlert Boosey-Hawkes alto. It has great pads and metal resos but is so leaky it will not play
Only show a couple of small dings near the octave key and the lacquer and nickle plated keys are almost like new.
Going to the shop for a look see and adjustments.
Yup basically a Regent or Bix stencil, good horns too. A bit less 'substantial' feeling than the '5X and Winnendens, but also lighter which would be preferable to some folks.
What this thread illustrates is something which I and slews of vintage aficionados have been saying for years....there are a LOT of old makes out there which get basically ignored, and even techs will dismiss 'em outright....
Most of these impressions are the result of the particular instruments not having been kept up very well, so when folks have tried 'em, they are trying a horn in relatively poor tack. But they do not consider that very large asterisk in their assessment, and conclude the horns are nothing worthwhile. Add to it techs who really are only familiar with 'big 4 vintage' makers, and these get dismissed very often.
But ....when invested in a bit, when put into really good playing condition, we find that a LOT of these older makes actually will give no ground to a more popular brand in equal condition.
Then oftentimes - you get the added bonus - many actually possess a very unique character/vibe, often in tone... but also blowing response ...and even occasionally in ergo/key action (which can turn out to be surprisingly good even though the keywork LOOKS sorta clunky to the eye).....not found in a modern horn.
Kudos to you, Brian, for taking your new obsession and running with it :bluewink:
