I second these thoughts... Thanks, again badenia! This project is enormously helpful.
Yes those photos were a bit confusing because the text referred to several different horns, but I'm pretty sure the one with the "S" serial number was of the soprano.
I'm sure when badenia has a chance, he'll give you a more precise estimate. But earlier in this thread badenia mentioned that serial 35402 was from 1928, and that the "P" serial numbers were discontinued right around that year, too. So your serial number, 34571, only 831 numbers earlier, must be right around that same time.Jazz Is All said:
Helen,
DavidUK, yours is very much like my Pan Am alto serial 46676 which Badenia identified as a model 64M, made in late 1931 or in 1932, so your age estimate is right on target. Same interesting micro-tuner neck and everything. Mine was silver-plated, though... not lacquered.Just picked up a cheap little Pan Am "Eagle & Globe" alto S/N 47750, which makes it 1932?
Same side bell keys, tuner neck, 6 locking grub screws (4 missing), re-padded with plastic reso pads. Needs a new neck cork, Low C buffer adjusting (currently stuffy lower stack due to this buffer being too far out. Wedging the key closed a little solves the stuffiness), and some corks and other key positions adjusted, but apart from that it plays up and down fine. What's left of the re-lacquer appears to be from the Buffet "Sparkle" spray booth?
I dunno. I am not an expert on these things. What was the original finish? I think my preference would be to just clean it up and leave the surviving lacquer on or remove it with one of the non-buffing processes and go with bare brass. The current "vibe" discriminates against re-lacquers, but I think it's more a personal opinion thing. It also depends on whether you want to keep or sell the horn. Re-lacquers generally bring less at auction. But I see nothing wrong with re-lacquering a horn to make it look pretty again, if that's your preference.
Do you have a copy of the 1932 catalog? Are there images of it available online somewhere? I'd love to see a copy of that!
So, if Conn is the Caddy, then Pan American may well be the Buick.
The low resolution plus the shadow in that photo makes it difficult to know for sure, but I think it's an L. A really scratched up L.
For some things we may be better off if left in the dark....
So how much do you think de-lamping something costs?
I am confused. So the revised dating system has the 64M starting in 1939 or ending in 1939? If '39 is the starting date, what model are the "eagle and globe" logo saxes prior to that year?
I'm pretty sure they won't listen. I actually sent a message to the seller, because I was interested in bidding on the C-melody sax. My main question was about how he would pack the saxophone for shipping because I have received other eBay horns that were damaged from being poorly packed, but I also mentioned that his information about the history of Pan American saxes was incorrect. Here is my question to him:
And here is his response to me:
I am not quite sure what about my question ticked this guy off so badly, and made him tell me that I am not a gentleman. I did reply to his message, apologizing that my question pissed him off and assuring him that was not my intent. I also assured him that I would not bid on his item, after his insulting and rude reply.
I still am interested in finding a good C-mel for a decent price, but I am not in a hurry and don't need to deal with people like that guy. Anyway, I fear your corrections to his misinformation about Pan American history will fall on deaf ears.
