Klarinet Archive - Posting 000013.txt from 1998/02

From: Bill Hausmann <bhausman@-----.com>
Subj: Re: Saxophones
Date: Sun, 1 Feb 1998 14:28:19 -0500

At 09:12 PM 2/1/98 +1300, Anna Dodgshun wrote:
>I know this is slightly off-track, but I'm hoping someone might be able to
>help me out. I play an old LaFleur baritone sax, which I really like.
>Because I have small hands, I find it difficult to play most baritones, but
>this one has the keys closer together and fits under my hand really nicely.
>It doesn't have a bottom A, but it has a great grunty tone and is good
>through all registers. I think that it was imported by Howarth, because the
>case (solid plywood and very heavy!) has a Howarth sticker on it. The only
>problem is that I have to give it back to my old school. I've left, and I
>held onto the sax because I needed it for a show, but they're going to want
>it back eventually. I'd like to buy one, but I can't seem to find anyone
>that knows anything about them and I have never seen a LaFleur sax for sale
>here. If anyone knows anything about LaFleur baritone saxes and the
>slightly smaller model which this one seems to be (BTW, the serial number is
>172252) please let me know.

Many unusual brand saxophones are made by the major manufacturers as
private label jobs. Comparing them to better-known brands can often be
instructive. For example, if the tone holes are soldered on vs. drawn from
the body, it is probably made by Martin. You'll probably have to do a lot
of research, unless I got lucky with that idea (but Martin did a LOT of
private label work). Hope this helps.

Bill Hausmann bhausman@-----.com
451 Old Orchard Drive http://www.concentric.net/~bhausman
Essexville, MI 48732 http://members.wbs.net/homepages/z/o/o/zoot14.html
ICQ UIN 4862265

If you have to mic a saxophone, the rest of the band is too loud.