Saxophone Forum


by jazz47
(2 posts)
19 years ago

Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

I recently bought a Martin alto sax on ebay, pretty inexpensively. Inscribed on the bell is the wording, "The Indiana by Martin, Elkhart, Ind." The serial number is 34101, which according to my research, indicates it was made about 1922. It also has beveled tone holes. It needs repadding and some key rod repairs. The horn is unplayable now. Before I put money into an overhaul, is anyone familiar with the Martin "Indiana?" Does it play well (for an early '20s horn) or are there intrinsic problems? Any information and/or advice would be appreciated.

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  1. by zoot51
    (10 posts)

    19 years ago

    Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

    The Indiana models ran a separate serial number series, so your sax is probably from the 1940's. Indianas of that era shared the body tube design with the pro-line Martins, but had cheaper keywork. The result is a horn with excellent bang-for-the-buck. I play a later Martin Committee tenor that has great sound and incredible intonation. Two other guys in the big band I play in also blow Martins, one of them an Indiana.

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  2. by lejllolajl
    (1 post)

    7 years ago

    Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

    Spend money and give it some beaty treatment. The sound is great!.

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  3. by Goldref18
    (145 posts)

    19 years ago

    Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

    Well if it was inexpensive then put money into it to make it work. the old martin's are great horns but only if you find a good one because they were so widely sought that if you find one now it's a crap shoot as to whether or not it will be a great horn. I would take a chance on it. You never know

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    1. by jazz47
      (2 posts)

      19 years ago

      Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

      Hey, thanks for your input. I hate to see any sax left in its case and neglected, so my gut instinct is to get this horn playable again and see what it's got left!

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      1. by Goldref18
        (145 posts)

        19 years ago

        Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

        Righteous. Just if you could lemme know how it goes im really interested in seing how this all turns out! Good Luck! I

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        1. by oorwullie
          (21 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          i have an alto which says on it simply "indiana band instrument" and an indian chief engraving, no referance to martin at all, but my late father told me it was from the martin factory. it's silver with white gold inside bell.

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        2. by Goldref18
          (145 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          Wow that sounds really cool. You should bring it to a sax dealer or a store and get it checked out an appraised. Keep us informed.

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        3. by oorwullie
          (21 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          nope, don't think i'll be doing that! here in swissland they'd just say "oh these old things are useless, we'll give you $100 trade in if you buy a new selmer"........ ps, still looking for any info on "desidera &figli" from verona ,italy.

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        4. by Goldref18
          (145 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          OMG that sucks. I hate these people who push the new selmers. I hate how selmer works with their advertising. I have a place like that where they only were pushing the Serie III and Reference models. Be careful and good luck.

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      2. by Selmer Fan88
        (15 posts)

        19 years ago

        Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

        I really think you've got an old martin... the old one's are often in contact with Indiana and there is an indian head(or three arrows) on some of them.

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        1. by oorwullie
          (21 posts)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          cheers selmerfan! i reckon so too. don't suppose you'd know anything about art deco italian altos?

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        2. by lacrosse
          (1 post)

          19 years ago

          Re: Martin "Indiana" Alto Sax - Info Needed!

          I have a martin that I played many years ago and my son plays now. It has both the indian head and three arrows. Anyone know an approximate date of manufacturing? Great intonation. Should I put a lot of work into it?

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