Martin 1925 ‘The Elkhart’ Bb Soprano, #58,258

Late 1920s The Elkhart (MARTIN Stencil) Bb Soprano Sax

(OFFSITE: On Consignment - Plays _"good"_)

Item is currently located in Texas, until time of a sale.

Serial #58k with Martin serial numbers date it to 1925, however, with the stencil company work, I am added the date range to it for possible delayed production. It is in very good condition overall with no major damage evident. This sax was owned by a player/collector who had it stored unused and it was recently taken to a good repair shop(near those Texas universities - known for powerhouse music programs) where it had 3 new pads installed and visibly play-tested for the owner.

As lacquer was not factory installed until the 30s, this is a "first lacquer" or relacquer by label. I am not sure at the moment (due to it being offsite) if this sax as originally bare brass, or silver plate -- as the most likely 2 finishes from that era.

Much of Elkhart horns are linked with Buescher as a subsidiary. However, this sax has design elements that show the collaboration and exploration that the Elkhart Band Instrument Co. choose to take. See the beveled tone holes (!) which is a key indicator of Martin horns at the time.

No not get mixed up with the 1960s-70s Elkharts that were indeed the budget line for Buescher, the 1920s examples were truly a wing of the great Buescher company with more freedom in combining different parts and building what we often call "stencils". Due to this link with Martin's body tube, you'll find that this sax is richer, darker, and more powerful than the common "woody" or "smooth" tone of a Buescher. This could be a real Sleeper Sax ready to sing to the crowd!

Martin sopranos are some of vintage sax world's favorite, as well as Sarge's and mine as well. They were known for the rich & powerful timbre, good strong metal, and favorable intonation over Buescher!

CASE: a period case with the Conn logo stamp on it.

PADS: Mixed - 3x changed at the local repair shop to get to playing condition (some corks also).

Sound files on Martin sopranos to enjoy:

Item #:ConTR0W0.0W0.11102.5-C0-L004