Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

Imp

Imp

New member
Hey guys,

this was delivered earlier in the month. It's actually a stencil (ghost maker) - it's really a Conn new wonder. could have been made anywhere between the end of WW1 and the end of WW2.

looking good for it's age, silver plated brass, gold plated bell.

it's a C-Melody - sized between alto and tenor and keyed in C. piano scores will work without transposing!

i'm going to replace the buffers, springs, maybe pads and the mouthpeice - C-Melody reeds aren't widespread these days and they have thin throats and thus tones - not the roar i'm after :)

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Re: Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

Original lacquer?

I don't see any pitting. How's the action? Real easy, or is it a little tougher for the "hard rock jazz" guys?

What'd you pick it up for?
 
Re: Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

it was listed on ebay as a gretsch alto sax - it's obviously not alto (too big, and crooked neck) so i did a bit of research on the stamp - the 'C' by itself fits into the conn scheme as a C-Melody, so i bidded based on that.

i got it for £130, roughly $215? the action's a little tough, and some of the pads on the movements (octave key, for example) need replacing so the levers will operate nicely - i've got a sheet of cork, some felt, some springs and a tenor mouthpiece on the way.. that's the common wisdom with C-melody saxes, as C-Mel reeds aren't common these days..
 
Re: Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

great score.

I don't know much about brass and woodwind, and I don't play. But I learned quite a bit about repairing them when working in the last repair shop beside a brass and woodwind repairman.

My wife and I had come upon a Selmer Mark VI Bari sax at a yardsale for 100. I thought we might be able to get 200 or so out of it. He and I got it back into good playing condition, and it sold for almost 5 grand. I was astounded.

I always wanted to play sax, but just never could get the hang of it. That, and for some reason my mind refuses to read sheet music.
 
Re: Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

That's pretty cool. I played the Alto Sax for a while. They are pretty fun, I must say.
 
Re: Can it be saxophone time? gretsch (Conn) Content :)

beandip said:
great score.

I don't know much about brass and woodwind, and I don't play. But I learned quite a bit about repairing them when working in the last repair shop beside a brass and woodwind repairman.

My wife and I had come upon a Selmer Mark VI Bari sax at a yardsale for 100. I thought we might be able to get 200 or so out of it. He and I got it back into good playing condition, and it sold for almost 5 grand. I was astounded.

I always wanted to play sax, but just never could get the hang of it. That, and for some reason my mind refuses to read sheet music.
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christ. yeah, woodwind players do seem to shell out for quality - the fact that the right hard rubber mouthpeice will go for £200+ is beyond me. guitarists whinge about a gibson costing £1300 but then a bari sax from a mid-range maker will clear that easily!

the sheet music thing's all part of my plan - i'd love to learn piano but i've always wanted to try sax and it's a monophonic instrument.. once im comfortable with sheet, i'll hopefully be ready :)
 
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