by tpasco1995
(1 post)
8 years ago

Re: Is Vito a good beginner sax?

Serial Numbers Vito Alto Saxophone Model 7131 Japan Stamped Serial Numbers. These serial numbers ignore the leading zeros at the start of the serial numbers. 1970 1-500 1971 501-2155 1972 2156-3529 1973 3530-4421 1974 4422- 3 1976 7 1977 7 1978 4 1979 4 1980 5 1981 5 1982 6 1983 7 1984 4 1985 5 1986 9 1987 1 1988 8 19 532 1991 518 1992 500 1993. Instruments manufactured after 1936 range in serial number from 1350-3600. The log book shows the serial numbers jumping around quite a bit for the Selmer/Adolphe Sax saxophones. Even so, its possible from this record to assemble a basic serial number.

I fully agree with you on the Selmer stance. (I know this is late, but it's a good topic) There are a million Bundy and Bundy II saxes in the world today. They sound like a sax. As far as jazz goes, you can get a sloppy sound from them. Some people find it desirable; some do not. The Mark VI, like every other Selmer in the world, is a good horn for someone to pick up cheap and learn saxophone on. I would never buy one new.
As far as Vitos, to whomever may be reading this in the future, I do very much suggest trying before buying. I picked this one up brand new in 5th grade and kept it in mint condition for years. I'm a university student now and I have been complimented by many people over the years (including several directors) on the tone quality it has. My standard C is a little on the flat side, but the alternate fingering brings it right back in tune. Of course, it's slight enough to pull in with a slight adjustment of embouchure. The appearance itself is gorgeous; a dark amber brass with a metal thumbhold on the higher models (plastic on some as well). The metal is thick, leaving me with a saxophone that has withstood a hell of a lot of life with only 3 dents; none major. I have dropped it on its side (I know. I'm a bad parent) and the keyguards and bell flare have not bent a bit. The horn is hardy and reliable. There is minimal keystick, oxidation, or discoloration. The only part where the plating has come off is the bottom bell guard. I trust the instrument to survive; but test it out first

.Manufacturers, models - stencils and serial numbers

'Martin Handcraft'1931

Vintage bronze lacquer, late model. Good player 1931, s/no 104xxx - literally the last of the C-Melody line, lovely !! I don't have a good enough camera to capture the real dark vintage lacquer colour - it's gorgeous.

Modern action, gone are the quirky vintage forked Eb and G# trill keys. High palm keys all sensibly long - no more 'button' palm keys. Add to that the essential auxiliary Front-F mechanism, and you have a C-Melody and this is a delight to play. Intonation is extremely good - a solid powerful horn with well preserved Martin case and accessories. NOT FOR SALE

Lyon & Healy 'Inspiration'

( King stencil - relatively rare)

I affectionately call her 'Big Ugly'. Very much a project and a half....... Quite a rare beast this one, I've only seen one other for sale. After Lyon & Healy stopped making their own C-Mels - based around Martin design/tooling - they had stencils mostly made by Buescher. This is the more elusive King stencil, with classic King domed cups, and, more importantly, the auxiliary Front-F mechanism - a rare find on stencil horns. The silver plating is almost completely worn or abraded from the body, but some remains on the keys - giving a two-tone appearance. A real workhorse. A current project, at the moment, regrettably NOT FOR SALE.

.Please note : Page (always) under re-structuring... - June 2011

The aim of this page is to (hopefully) help you to identify the manufacturer, and even possibly the 'build year' of your C-Melody. I know you could look on the bell and say 'Ah - Martin', but sadly that doesn't apply to stencils. So, the table on the right will have links to a pages showing a selection of C-Melody saxes, some I've owned, some I still do, and with the mechanism and design features of each manufacturer - the pictures are quite good resolution, and unprotected, so can be copied and pasted into a suitable graphics package for better viewing, e.g. zooming. Please feel free to do this, but if you re-use the pictures in any other context, please ask me first, and I'd also appreciate a mention of this site.

Rather than put 'return' links on each page, I've either opened some in a new window, or others require the use of your browser 'back arrow' to get back to this page. It will take a while to find examples showing all the differences, and I hope to be able to make a 'truth table' as well, for quick checking and identification. Until then, please follow this link to my Q&A page, and check out the excellent pages by Saxpics, Dr Rick, and Cybersax, to identify which manufacturer built your stencil.

Sadly, e.g., all Martin stencils don't have all the standard Martin features etc. etc. And, some Stencil names appear on saxes from more than one manufacturer ! Fun, isn't it ? I'm still learning a few things myself in the process. A far from comprehensive list of Stencil names is at the end of the page - link is on the table opposite - and I'll also set up a gallery of pictures of C-Melody saxes I've owned in the past, as examples of most manufacturers art. The vast majority of the pictures were taken by (and owned by) me, but, if I've inadvertently used someone else's example, I sincerely apologise - drop me an email and I'll either credit you, or if you so wish I'll remove the picture.

Below are short lists of serial numbers for the years ( mostly up to the thirties ) that C-Melody saxes were produced 'in quantity'. I thought it would be useful to have them for all the C-Melody manufacturers together in one place (and in alphabetical order, not preference...). Links to pages with more comprehensive serial number listings, and further model info, are included with each list, as are references to the origins of the data. I'd just like to say a great big ' Thanks ! ' to anyone involved in compiling and/or publishing those lists - very much appreciated !!

Please note that C-Melody 'stencil' serial numbers don't usually correspond with the relevant manufacturers 'own brand name' sequences - there are some theories as to how you can work the date out, but I'm afraid the answer is usually just ' made in the 1920's... '

Also be aware that the serial numbers below weren't just for C-Melody saxes, each instrument produced was assigned a sequential unique number, so (for example) in Jan-1924, 60993 could have been a Tenor Sax, 60994 a C-Mel, 60995 a Soprano, etc. etc. - at least that's how I understand it ? Thinking about that,

Vito Tenor Saxophone Serial Numbers