[Fred]

I know I've seen this mentioned before, but my searches didn't track it down. Two Elkhart Tenor STM's - numbers on the shank (table side below the U.S.A). One says Super Tone Master and the other says "Super" Tone Master (with the "Super" in quotes). What is the difference between these two renditions? Any idea of time frames?

Many thanks!

 

[Fred]

Lots of readers on this post . . . but no posters! I was hoping for at least a good urban legend . . . maybe like the Conn Naked Lady stories.

Alas, I had to go dig up some very non-sexy fact. Here's the word from Babbitt:

Dear Sir,

Approx. 10 – 12 years ago the stamp was wearing down & a new stamp was made. The quotation marks were left off. The boxes still have “Super” on them.
No difference in the mouthpieces. They could have been made within a week (or day) of each other, one with the old stamp & the other with the new stamp.

JJ Babbitt Co.

So there you have it. Not very glamorous I'm afraid. I may start my own urban legend about this just for the heck of it. I've asked for just a bit more info from Babbitt and will add that if I get what I'm asking for.

 

[Fred]

Here's just one final bit of clarification from Babbitt. They use only one stamp, so the one with quotation marks ("Super") was retired 10-12 years ago. Modern Links with "Super" are at least that old; modern Links without the quotes are that old or newer.

And that's all, folks . . . .

 

[Reedsplinter]

You've just cleared up an interesting question before I even knew to ask it! Never noticed that change. I'll look for it now just as a matter of interest. Thanks!

 

[MojoBari]

You'd think they could narrow it down a little tighter than 10-12 years. But it is not that important to them.

 

[Fred]

I might have pressed harder if there appeared there was a really significant difference in the quality of the eras represented. Still, it was nice of them to reply to what I'm sure to them was a trivial question.

BTW, MojoBari - thanks for your contribution to the saxophone community! Your work is greatly appreciated!

 

[MojoBari]

...and thank you for this post. It is trivia, but that is what makes a forum "better".