Education

Education

Our Documented Knowledge Brought to You from Research in Photo, Audios, and Text.

Sound Files

Sax vs. Sax - Mouthpiece vs. Mouthpiece - We usually put 3 items in a Sound File so you can compare. TIP: Use large, quality speakers!

About Relacquers

How to recognize a relacquered sax - Our advice - The effects of re-lacquering - A brief education.

Sax Comp. Chart

img_0274The Saxophone Comparison Chart: A star-based system, plus other facts, on popular models to help you rank your priorities at a glance.

Cool Stuff

Historically documenting the parts of the sax world that are not often seen. Some of these things are getting rarer to uncover in the research.

Unique Sightings

Judge it by its title - It's for just that: unusual engravings, finishes, parts and pieces. All items here heightened my inner sax-geek to land on this page.

Articles

Designed to capture all the 'words of advice' that helped me grow. Hopefully I can share the valuable information that customers often get to hear when visiting the shop.

HARD TO FIND: SERIAL NUMBERS

SML:

  • 0001 – 3000 / 1934 to 1940
  • 3000 – 5500 / 1940 to 1945
  • 5500 – 8000 / 1945 to 1950
  • 8000 – 12000 / 1950 to 1955
  • 12000 – 16000 / 1955 to 1960
  • 16000 – 19000 / 1960 to 1965
  • 22000 – 24000 / 1970 to 1975
  • 24000 – 26000 / 1975 to 1980
  • 26000 – 27000 / 1980 to 1982

Keilwerth:

  • 1925: 0-800
  • 1933-5: 9000
  • 1941: 18,500
  • 1947: #20,000
  • 1953: #23,000
  • 1958: #28,000
  • 1960: #38,000
  • 1962: #43,000
  • 1964: #49,000
  • 1966: #55,000
  • 1971: #69,000
  • 1975-6?: #79,000
  • 1977: #81,000
  • 1986: #91,000
  • 1991-2?: #97-98,999
  • 1993: #99,100
  • 1996: #104,000
  • 1998: #109,000
  • 2003~: #116,000
  • 2004: #119,000

King Zephyr:

  • Zephyr, "Series I":
    s/n 170xxx to 180xxx
  • Zephyr, "Series II":
    s/n 180xxx to 237xxx
  • Zephyr Special:
    s/n 200xxx to 280xxx
  • Zephyr, "Series III":
    s/n 237xxx to 305xxx
  • Zephyr, "Series IV":
    s/n 305xxx to 423xxx
  • Zephyr, "Series V":
    s/n 423xxx to 540xxx
  • 1945 was the beginning of King's Super 20 (s/n 272xxx)
    and Zephyr "II"s (s/n 272xxx)

King Super 20:

  • 1945-1949 "Series I":
    #272xxx to 295xxx
  • Tranny "Series Ia":
    #295xxx to 305xxx
  • 1950-1951 "Series II":
    #305xxx to 340xxx
  • 1955-1962 "Series III":
    #340xxx to 380xxx
  • 1962-1967 "Series IV":
    #380xxx to 426xxx
  • Factory moves to Eastlake
  • 1967-1975+/- "Series V":
    #426xxx to 540xxx
  • 1975 "Series VI":
    1975? era debate 1975+?
    #540,xxx to 800,xxx

Hard to find: SML info

Here is a helpful list of "Stencils" & Copiers.

The most loved/desired models will include "Revision D", "Gold Medal", [Gold Medal ii], King Marigaux and the various stencil brands that were versions of those. King Marigaux is so common that it is often mistaken as it's own branding, however it's lineage is SML--not King. The rumor on Gold Medal Mk. II is closely differed with: "King Margaux" (as leading make), straight tone holes, a different engraving, and often seen with the high F# key.

Rev. D stencils are less commonly seen. Gold Medal I and II are more common. (At this time I am ignoring the older Rev C etc examples.)

HINT: No one ever says these play "bad".

Known SML Stencils:

  • King Marigaux
  • Pichard Artist (#19k GM, RTH)
  • A.Cojan (#21k--UNIQUE: with F#3!, unique for the early number!, with Rev D guards, GM engraving, Marigaux F#, no RTH.)
  • Reynolds Contempora (#19k GM, RTH)
  • Jen Co Harmonica (#8k, Rev D)
  • Alexandre (#10k Rev D, no RTHs)
  • "The Woodwind Co." (#14k Rev D)
  • Vedette (#20k, GM)
  • Bruno (#17k, no RTHs)
  • Melody, Superior (#15k, RTH, GM)

Hard to find: Julius Keilwerth info

Here is a helpful list of "Stencils" & Copiers.

Keilwerth made The New King and Tone King  as their main brand names, from 1932 to 1969 or so, but there were always stencils, like Edgeware and later Couf. Here are few of the other names you may find on Keilwerth made horns. The New King and Tone King saxes were identical except for a high F# key on the tone king model, but Keilwerth marketed the Tone King as the "deluxe" Pro model and the New King as the "standard" Pro model.

More Known Keilwerth Stencils:

  • Couf Superba 1 & 2
  • Bundy Special
  • (H&A Selmer)
  • King Tempo
  • Heritage
  • Armstrong
  • Conn DJH
  • Buffet Expression
  • Major by Selmer, Düsseldorf

Less Known Keilwerth Stencils:

  • Edgeware
  • Royalist
  • Marco
  • Vincent Albert
  • Martelle
  • Winsall
  • Tam
  • (La Sete - seen: baritone/soprano)
  • Champion
  • Calvert Deluxe
  • Silvertone
  • Hammerschmidt (sopranos)
  • Jean Barre Artist (seen Alto)
  • Princeton (seen Alto)
  • American Master (seen Alto)
  • Libro (seen Tenor)

Keilwerth Copiers:

Such as: Amati, Dörfler & Jörka (1949 to 1968, then purchased by Keilwerth) and B&S

  • H.Genet
  • Roxy
  • Jubilee
  • Voss
  • Silvertone
  • Rene Dumont

Keilwerth relatives:

Max Keilwerth and Richard Keilwerth (Graslitz) made saxes under the names:

  • Weltklang (baritones only)
  • Senator
  • Hohner