Month: April 2025
Ready to play $450
Model on mouthpipe — CR300 Bach
Valve slides out [note third valve slide]
bell view – Valves are fast free and smooth – and importantly feel good as you play
Top front in the case –
Bach USA quality – snug fitting excellent – tough – hard case designed to keep this cornet safe
Pro? – Intermediate? – Student?
This is an Excellent player which offers a range of players response, reliability and enjoyment. High notes are relatively easy [but don’t expect instant gratification if you’re at the start of your journey]
Includes mouthpiece, valve oil, cleaning brush.
Photos show the gleaming condition: the photo with the mouthpiece in shows a very small barely noticeable ding opposite the mouthpiece
Can be posted at buyers expense
Cash, paypal, Visa – Mastercard available
Email: play_that_quail@hotmail
Professional level sax with rolled tone holes
Serial 152005 Type: C Melody L= low pitch
Serial number of this Conn C Melody sax on the Conn "Reed mouthpiece" serial number list indicates manufacture date of around 1925.
According to Wikipedia the Conn sax which Chu Berry played was serial 145xxx.
Although Chu Berry was not known to have played a C-Melody model, "Chu Berry" is the unofficial designation of C.G.Conn company's series of saxophones produced through the 1920s.
They are the Conn New Wonder Series II.
Conn offered four finishes, raw brass, silver, burnished gold, or gold plate. Because - to me - the finish of this doesn't appear patinated in the way that I am used to seeing raw brass produce a tarnish or patina - I think this finish is gold. The cleaned area around the engraving on the bell, as well as the area showing the Patent details, serial number, and other details on the back [both shown in photographs] show the finish. Further cleaning is for the buyer.
The previous owner, the late Norm Florimell, was a multi-instrumentalist who acquired this sax around 30 years ago. It had a minor service by Melbourne Woodwind & Brass in November 2010 [see receipt] and since then has had very little playing. Norm spent his last few years in a nursing home, and his son Mike [a drummer and drum guru] has entrusted this beautiful instrument to me to help find it a new home.
You can see from the photos that pads appear to be firm and in good condition, and the felts [red] are in good condition. Springs are working, pads are closing neatly.
The body is free of dings, scratches, dents and corrosion: once the surface tarnish is cleared the appearance will be beautiful.
This comes with a C Melody sax-appropriate mouthpiece included, and the box of Rico C Melody sax reeds contains over a dozen unused 1.5 C Melody sax reeds. The mouthpiece is a Paul Morgan and is in good condition: if you search Saxonontheweb you'll find comments on just how much difference a Paul Morgan C Melody mouthpiece makes: you won't need to grapple with an unsuitable alto or tenor mouthpiece.
The solid case is the original, latches and main catch in good condition, but the handle will need attention. It will be packed with care.
The virtue, versatility, and practicality of a superb classic instrument like this are often overlooked.
Just to draw the musical threads together, I asked "Chatbot openai" about C-Melody saxophones:
This was the response -
" The C-melody saxophone, also known as the C-melody sax, offers several unique benefits compared to the more commonly used alto and tenor saxophones. Here are some advantages of the C-melody saxophone:
Versatility: The C-melody saxophone is considered a versatile instrument because it is pitched in the key of C, allowing it to play music written for both B-flat and E-flat saxophones without the need for transposition. This means you can read and play sheet music designed for other instruments, such as piano or violin, directly on the C-melody saxophone.
Mid-range pitch: The C-melody saxophone falls between the alto and tenor saxophones in terms of pitch. It offers a unique tonal range and blends well with other instruments in a band or ensemble setting. The mid-range pitch can provide a distinctive voice to your saxophone playing, making it stand out in certain musical contexts.
Easier to play: The C-melody saxophone is often considered more approachable for beginners or players transitioning from other instruments. Its size and weight are generally more manageable, making it easier to handle and hold compared to larger saxophones like the tenor or baritone. This can be particularly beneficial for younger or smaller players.
Availability of vintage instruments: While the production of new C-melody saxophones has significantly declined, there is a good supply of vintage C-melody saxophones available on the market. This can be advantageous for players interested in exploring the unique sound and character of these instruments without the need for custom orders or specialty manufacturers.
Expansive repertoire: The C-melody saxophone was popular during the early 20th century, particularly in the 1920s and 1930s, and many jazz and popular music compositions were written specifically for this instrument. Owning a C-melody saxophone allows you to explore a wide range of repertoire from that era, including classic jazz, swing, and big band music.
It's worth noting that the C-melody saxophone is less commonly used in contemporary music styles, and finding modern sheet music specifically written for the instrument may be more challenging. However, its unique characteristics and historical significance make it an appealing choice for certain musicians looking to diversify their saxophone playing experience. "
You might think, as I do, that this “botspeak” I’ve quoted above gets it pretty right, but that it’s quite cold to the human pleasures of exploring and exploiting the dynamics of a vintage instrument like this one. And if you’re in a rock outfit that plays mostly in the key of C, a C-Melody can be perfect for you.
If you NEED the dots [and of course many of you don’t] there’s Optical music recognition (OMR) software — or more colloquially, “music notation scanning software” — which will let you edit and print [screen or paper] for any key of your choice.
above – In the case showing pads
Above – Original Hard case – C.G. Conn – World’s largest manufacturer of Band Instruments – Elkhart Indiana U.S.A.
Norm’s receipt from 2010 – salesperson Don Stewart
Pads & felts 1
Pads & felts 2
Pads & felts 3
Price
$1750 AUD
Payment/Posting/Contact
Payments accepted by Cash, Paypal, or other by arrangement
Pickup can be arranged
Postage to nearly anywhere at buyers cost by Auspost
Contact email: play_that_quail@hotmail.com
Michael’s father’s sax – in great condition
Silver in good condition
Includes original mouthpiece - professional instrument
Low Pitch - (modern concert pitch - 440Hz).
serial 58727
with the original hard case
By 1927 the company employed around 250 workers in London and was a major manufacturer of brass and wind instruments.
In 1930 Hawkes merged with Boosey to form "Boosey & Hawkes".
One published list of Hawkes serial numbers ends at the year 1930 with the number 60626 which would imply that this instrument - serial 58727 - was made in 1930. For what it's worth, I've seen it suggested that Hawkes double century saxes continued to be made after the merger, and also that some were put out under the Boosey & Hawkes name.
Advertisements in Australia newspapers during the late 1920s and early 1930s [researched on National Library of Australia website Trove] confirm beyond question that British made Hawkes Double Century saxophones [as well as other Hawkes instruments] were regularly being offered for sale by dealers and music stores all over Australia, as well as by private sellers. Their acceptance was widespread and they attained a significant level of popularity and market saturation. Despite that, as vintage instruments - especially in good condition like this one - they are now attained a degree of rarity. They are, however - fairly rare.
A recent saxophonepeople forum -
" .... unique to say the least. They are rare in US. I’m told these horns were very expensive, well made instruments. They were exquisite professional instruments with rolled tone holes ...".
Pitch: this instrument is standard [low] pitch.
The symbol for a flat is stamped or engraved on the body, visible in one of the photos.
One forum contributor [Saximax] who rid himself of a high pitch model lamented that he "failed to see that this horn had a solid silver bell and neck – like a King Silversonic" - it was a silver plated brass horn with a silver bell.
Stencil? In the American 26 July 1924 Music Trade Review [p. 39] it is recorded -
......—Ralph Hawkes, of the firm of Guy Hawkes & Son, British manufacturer and retailer of musical instruments, recently paid, a visit to the Buescher Band Instrument Co.'s plant here. He placed a large
order for Buescher saxophones, which have been
shipped to England ............"
Vaguely expressed statements [in the saxpeople forum] proffer a theory that Hawkes saxes might have been stencils -
" ... Some Hawkes saxes were made by Kohlert as might be the case here. Rolled tone holes are evident in the photos, and this suggests Kohlert or Keilwerth. I suspect Kohlert to be more likely since they did produce the Edgware and Oxford horns for Boosey & Hawkes...."
Sheer speculation might be appealing, but doesn't lead anywhere.
History and Provenance:
The previous owner Norm was Melbourne multi-instrumentalist who played right into his nineties - he had this instrument for around 35 years, and played it in a Melbourne big band, and on other gigs. It was well looked after and has hardly been used since Norm had it completely overhauled and serviced with all pads being reseated and replaced as necessary . [see receipt].
Pads appear firm and are in good condition.
Springs are working, pads are closing neatly.
The body is free of dings, scratches, dents and corrosion: once the silver is cleared the appearance will be stunning.
The solid case is the original, latches and main catch in good condition. It will be packed with care.
The lucky threepence? Whether Norm played this sax for the Threepenny Opera, or there's some other explanation for it's presence in the case, this sax will be shipped with its longtime companion, the 1944 Australian threepence shown.
$1500 AUD
Buyer to pay postage and insurance and – if applicable Donald Trump’s tariffs
Further details –
play_that_quail@hotmail.com
and the threepence –
