Saxophone Forum


by natecox
(6 posts)
20 years ago

Who's got info on Manufacturers?

Has anyone got info on Mason, CF Martin, or Milwaukee bari's? I'm researching for another horn, and I'm seeing some brand names out there now I've never seen before. Any / all information or opinions on these things would be helpful. For instance, I thought CF Martin was strictly a guitar company, but I'm seeing Martin saxes - same company?

Reply To Post [Report Abuse]

Report Abuse

Replies

  1. by johnsonfromwisconsin
    (767 posts)

    20 years ago

    Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

    CF Martin of Today is not the Martin of long ago. The former I've never heard of, but is probably some mainland asian horn of questionable quality and design. There are MANY of these types of brands, most of which you should avoid. The latter Martin is a great saxophone maker that went defunct decades ago. Old Martin Baritones are great instruments of great repute. They compare favorably to even the old Conns, old Bueschers, and old Selmer Parises. The Masons and Milwaukees are also asian brands you should avoid. If you're looking for a baritone saxophone look towards the following: Keilerth Selmer Paris Yanagisawa (Vito) Yamaha New Vito baritones are identical to Yanagisawas, save for the engraving, but they cost a thousand less.

    Reply To Post


    1. by golferguy675
      (600 posts)

      20 years ago

      Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

      I'll second that the old Martins are great. Yeah, there was a great brand of guitars named Martin. I just sold a '26 Martin acoustic for about 10 grand. I could've gotten more probably, but I got the offer and I took it.

      Reply To Post


      1. by SaxMan
        (559 posts)

        20 years ago

        Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

        Notice though, leblanc was just bought out by conn selmer about 2 or 3 days ago - if you want a yanagisawa or any other leblanc product, go to your selmer dealer.

        Reply To Post


        1. by wesmiller
          (55 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          Leblanc was acquired by Steinway which is also the parent company of Conn/Selmer. If you want a Yanagisawa you still go through a Leblanc dealer. I know this because I am a Leblanc dealer. The pool shrinks. WM

          Reply To Post


        2. by natecox
          (6 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          Thanks for the info, all. Very helpful. What are your thoughts about OEM products, though? For example -and please correct me if I'm wrong, but - aren't student bass clarinets made by Leblanc for Yamaha? I'm seeing some private label brands that actually look somewhat reputable (compared to no-name brands, or 'off-brands'). How do you find out who the original manufacturer is on some of these things?

          Reply To Post


        3. by sax_maniac
          (984 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          The instrument manufacturing and marketing businesses are becoming quite incestuous. It's getting so conglomerated now, I think it's damned near impossible to tell where an instrument was made. Unless it says "Elkhart" or "Paris, France" or "Japan" on it, it's hard to tell exactly what you're buying unless you can find a retailer or knowledgeable person familiar with the particular model. My advice is to seek out WHERE something was made more so than who's name is on it. There are features such as key guards and octave mechanisms that can help identify who the original manufacturer is. The serial number may be of help, as well. I have soprano and bari horns that don't say Yani anywhere on the horn, but do say "Japan" and the serial number follows Yani's scheme as well as certain design features (found their emblem very subtly placed on the bari upper body brace), so I can say with confidence that I'm playing a Yani-made horn. I'd have no aversion to buying a private brand horn if I could decipher what company actually made it as well as the country of origin. There's no 100% method. Sax equipment is pretty much an odds game. Certain brands give you better odds of satisfaction than others depending on what you are looking for. Consider the hundreds of parts and possibilities of variation with such a complex mechanical device. It's a miracle of (relatively) modern manufacturing and artisanship that saxophones play at all, quite frankly.

          Reply To Post


        4. by sax_maniac
          (984 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          I'll specifically attest that Vito Japan-made (Yani stencil) baris are a great value for the incredible sound they produce. You could acquire a minty one for under $2000 and it will be worth every penny. I adore mine, which doesn't even say Vito on it. I would descibe it as minimalist in terms of engraving.

          Reply To Post


        5. by natecox
          (6 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          Thanx for the info Maniac. Good stuff. I actually got my interest piqued by this guy's website:

          Reply To Post


        6. by natecox
          (6 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          Actually, if anyone's interested in seeing what I'm talking about, I got the website wrong. It's just www.zacharymusic.com. Please don't anyone think I'm secretively working for this guy or something! I'm just trying to give an example of what I've been talking about. I'm definitely not endorsing this dude, whoever he is.

          Reply To Post


        7. by SaxMan
          (559 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          are you sure miller? maybe you can still get stuff right now, it has only been a few days, but wait until everything gets shuffled around, you might get the plug pulled. I do know that Conn selmer is going to start distributing yanagisawas. heh, if onyl everyone knew what a [jerk] the owner of leblanc was... (-Edited for language on 8/8/2004 5:22:16 PM.)

          Reply To Post


        8. by chiamac
          (586 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          "I do know that Conn selmer is going to start distributing yanagisawas." yes they would... I don't know what you're trying to prove. Why would Conn Selmer abandon the current yanagisawas dealers and only sell through Selmer ones? That would almost be pointless when they could keep the dealer base they have and expand on it. also... why would they keep yanagisawa distribution seperate from Conn's and Selmer? Why not lump them all together in one place. This would not only save on overhead and running a seperate line of distrubution, but help with getting product to the dealers. speaking of buyouts... my local brewery Linienkugel (haha spelled it wrong) was bought out by miller (I think, it was a bigger one anyway) what did this mean for my small town company? A LOT! now they have access to more advertising money and more resources... it's not alwase a bad thing for a company to be bought out. It just means changes and stuff.

          Reply To Post Yahoo! AIM


        9. by wesmiller
          (55 posts)

          20 years ago

          Re: Who's got info on Manufacturers?

          Anything can happen. Its business.

          Reply To Post