The appeal of vintage horns

In an email, Jim Keith writes: Could you help me understand some concept of the vintage sax... I only know my modern saxes and have no knowledge of older saxes...the only thing i have is my 75 supertone otto link mouthpiece... could you give me a history lesson of some sort...what is good whats bad whats excellent? Hi Jim, Here's a quick history lesson. I'm going to post this on saxquest if you don't mind. The saxophone was invented in the 1840's in Germany by Adolph Sax, as I am sure you have probably heard before. Sax was a clarinet player, who worked in his father's shop repairing instruments. Some of the earliest saxophones seen in America were made by Adolph Sax and by Buffet (Evette Schafer, Paris France). The first saxophones MADE IN AMERICA were the Conn Worchester models, which were first made in 1888. Conn had began producing other instruments in the mid-late 1870's. It wasn't until Conn purchased the Worchester plant in Massachusets that they began working on a saxophone. The first model, an alto, proved to be a less than favorable design. Compared to the other instruments made at the time, like the Buffet, it was more costly to build, and not nearly as good. Conn recruited Ferdinand "Gus" Buescher to design the first sucessful saxophone a couple years later, which became known as the Conn "Wonder" (1895-1917) Shortly after the Conn Wonder series was introduced, other companies began to follow. In the late teens and early 20's, there was a growing demand for saxophones, and everyone wanted to be a part of it. Buescher left Conn and started his own company also in Elkhart, IN. Martin started a couple years later. King got their start in Cleveland, OH (The H. White Company), and many smaller companies tried their luck at saxophones also, like the York company of Grand Rapids, MI (I'm from Michigan) The saxophones made by Conn, Buescher, Martin and King were undisputedly the best of the American horns. So, I think the question you're asking is, Why the appeal? What do the vintage horns have to offer. I guess the answer really depends on what you're looking for in a sound, and other features. Vintage horns, like anything old; including some people, can be somewhat fussy and tempermental. Sure, they have their own little imperfections, but sometimes these little imperfections are what give the horn it's unique sound and character. For me, playing a vintage saxophone from "The Golden Era" is a way of connecting my self to a period in time when things were; I don't want to say better, but different. Maybe better for some people, but certainly not for others. It is a way of connecting myself with the great music of the past. The quality of craftsmenship of these horns is legendary. They were built mostly by hand, by craftsmen who were the best in their field. Vintage American horns have character, and typically a warmer sound with more definition than you'll find in a newer horn. I've played probably a thousand saxophones in my lifetime, new and vintage. I have played some really nice modern horns. but it seems like their always something missing for me. Ahh, I know what it is! SMELLY CASES! That's what's missing! It's the smell! That's what makes them so special! Really though, if you get a chance to try a couple vintage instruments, you'll see what I mean. As far as what's good and what's great, they're all great (Conn, Buescher, King and Martin) but they're all different. My advice is to try a few of each one. My love for vintage instruments doesn't only include saxophones. I have a few vintage guitars; 50's and 60's model Fender Stratocasters, Telecasters, and Gibson Les Pauls, and I've restored a few vintage Hammond organs also. Jim

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