Klarinet Archive - Posting 000228.txt from 1998/09

From: "Edwin V. Lacy" <el2@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: [kl] C-straight soprano sax
Date: Mon, 7 Sep 1998 14:02:39 -0400

On Mon, 7 Sep 1998, Jill R. Exner wrote:

> My husband has found a person with a C melody straight soprano sax. It
> is a 1924 C GConn. It looks a little neglected (moldy and crusty) but
> has no dents, and it looks like it has the original silver plate and the
> original case. It needs some work on pads and springs. My husband
> already has a Bb soprano and is interested in purchasing this sax--does
> anyone have an idea about what would be a fair price? (He posted this
> question on the sax list, but has no replies).

I read this question on the sax list, but did not reply because I found
something about the question to be confusing. Is it a C melody sax or a C
soprano sax? The one I have always heard referred to as a C melody sax is
pitched a major second higher than the tenor sax. On the other hand, if
it is a soprano in C, it will be pitched a major second higher than the
standard soprano in Bb. I suppose it must be a soprano, because it would
be impractical if not impossible to build a straight C melody sax. I have
heard of a straight alto in Eb, but have never seen one. The largest
straight sax I have personally seen is an alto in F, and even that was
pretty hard to manage from the standpoint of the weight of the instrument.

It is very hard to determine a value for such an instrument. As a
practical musical instrument, it has essentially no value, primarily
because there is no music written for it. One can use it for
improvisation, etc., but the value is determined mostly by what someome is
willing to pay for it. Some collector may value it in order to complete a
collection, or just because it is an oddity.

My standard offer for all saxophones in the key of C still stands: If
your husband doesn't buy it, I'll offer $5.00 for it.

Ed Lacy
el2@-----.edu

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