Dick Stabile

[silver-sax]

Recently I have bought Dick Stabile tenor.
I have read the information about it on Saxpics and want to specify.
Is Dick Stabile models - the best of Martin saxophones or only is better than Handcraft Committee/Handcraft Standard models?
What pads are better for this saxophone?

[MMM]

I read that same thing, unfortunately there's no indication as to why they are better than the Handcraft/Comm 1! (Sarge seems to have /have had a few of these for sale, so maybe he could comment.) This is annoying because I am a great fan of the Handcraft/Searchlight model and from the pics these look exactly like the DS (and viceversa). Plus I will have no one saying that the DS is a better sax than the Searchlight!

As far as pads go, I have 3 versions: metal resos, plastic resos and plain. There is no difference in the tuning (thickness probably would!), but the sound is quite different with metal the brightest. Plastic seems to be a compromise of sound/volume. Either way I love them (and my wife hates me for it!).

MMM

[paulwl]

Learn about Dick Stabile the man and musician at...
http://digilander.libero.it/dickstabile/home.htm

[BigDaddyJ]

I've played my Dick Stabile tenor for about 8 years. I think it's the best sounding Martin tenor I've tried, and I've tried a lot of Martin tenors. I only recently switched to a great The Martin tenor as my main ax. Slightly less full sound but ergonomics are much easier. My Stabile is also incredibly freeblowing with great intonation. I thought this horn was better than the Handcraft Committes I've tried. Junkdude has got a couple of these tenors.

http://www.junkdude.com/saxes/saxophonesindex.htm

[Jack W.]

Junkdude now has one of these tenors, because I just bought the other one. :)

I'm getting several minor repairs seen to and the corrosion removed at the moment, and will get it repadded with Ferree's B52 pads once the back-to-school rush is over.

This horn has an interesting octave mechanism, the likes of which I've never seen before, and also separate key guards for low B and Bb. I have surmised that these were among Mr. Stabile's own contributions to the design of the horn, but I have no proof of course.

[Jack W.]

The Stabile tenor is back from all of those repairs (not complaining as Junkdude described it carefully); it added up to $200 but everything is all fixed now, except that it still needs a fresh set of pads. All the dents were removed, the body cleaned and all oxidation removed, one coat of spray lacquer applied, some soldering and swedging, one broken key repaired, and lo and behold the horn plays quite well and seals down to low Bb on old cruddy rivet pads. The sound is huge, I have nothing to compare it to since I've never played a Martin tenor (or too many other tenors for that matter) but there is something rich and exciting to the sound in my opinion. The keywork is all Martin, slick and lightning-fast. The intonation was a little sketchy for me at first, but is improving as I spend some time on the horn. The mpcs I have are a Runyon Custom #8 (of course it's red), and a metal Rousseau Jazz #8 that I rescued from the junk bin at the WW&BW.

Phase II of the overhaul will happen soon, which will be a proper setup with a fresh set of Ferree's B52 pads. Tune in next time. 8)

[ragamuffin]

Sooo.... how is the Dick Stabile working out?

In various SOTW threads and saxpics there are some tantalizing morsals on information on Dick Stabile's. But its all a bit annecdotal - is there anyone playing a Dick Stabile as their main axe who has done a good A-B (construction, tone, ergos) with the Comm I, Comm II and other Martins?

Or is this horn a myth:twisted: ?

[Jorns Bergenson]

There's more than one Stabile model running around out there. I've had two: one that had keywork like the Comm I/Searchlights and one that had keywork like an early Indiana. I prefer the Comm I keys but there isn't much difference in feel except the LH pinky table.

Both models have the same body tube and toneholes as the Indiana. I can't measure any significant difference in the body tubes of these horns and they play the same for me with the same setup (pads, resos, keyheights). IMO, there's nothing special about the Stabile stencils over true-blue Martins.

The things that seem to differentiate one of these early Martins from another are 1) the key setup and 2) the neck and 3) tonehole integrity. One of these days I'm going to elaborate in another post.

[Dave dix]

I thought they were different engraved Indiana's but i may be wrong.I cant see martin making a beter horn then the pro-line available
Dave

[Jorns Bergenson]

Dave, some of them were very much stencils of the Indiana, but others looked like an Indiana body with keys from the Comm I. Both of the Stabile's that I've had come through the shop did not have an adjustable thumb hook and had the older style toneholes like the Indiana.

If I remember correctly, the more advanced Stabile model was distributed by Sorkin and had engraving stating that. The lesser Stabile's with the Indiana keys did not have Sorkin engraved on them. I may be wrong about that.

I've never encountered a Buescher or Martin stencil that was more advanced than the manufacturer's pro model horn. Even the Olds Super with it's fancy flute-like key cups and ornate key guards was based on the Indiana's keywork. For instance, the low-Eb and C keys were in the same configuration of Indiana. Some have said that the Olds Super was a slightly redesigned "The Martin" but these horns more closely resembled the Indiana.

How's that for straying off topic :-)

[Dave dix]

Its rather surprising that they command a high price after all they are only a stencil but a bloody good one!!
Dave

[ragamuffin]

Jorns - I hope we can get you to write up your observations, it'll be really interesting.

In the mean time here is my two-pence worth. I just got my Dick Stable tenor (really a great deal from ebay, $610 and it is a nice original lack with good pads, and a players horn well taken care of).

I did a quick check on saxpics, and my observations are as follows:
1. The body looks like the Indiana - based on shape of tone holes, and the body to bow, and bow to bell joints;
2. The key work is mostly Imperial (original pre-comm I) - based on the LH thumb rest and octave key mechanism and the RH palm keys, the fixed RH thumb hook, and the B/B-flat key guard (but some Imperials have the heart shaped LH thumb rest, and the key guards also vary)
3. The LH G# and B-flat are the classic Comm I.
4. The neck looks like an Imperial but w/o the brace.

In summary, it looks a mix - but also there are variations in the Martin models themselves.

The tone is classic Martin - sweet and lush. Playing against a wall to bring out nuances, compared with a "The Martin, Music Man":
1. The MM is more spread, has a slightly grainy tone, and wants to honk (the response is immediate).
2. The DS has a centered very refined sound (but big and fat), the low notes are just beautiful (someone-else on SOTW said you could "dock a ship with that sound!" and that's it, but its a peaceful sound, big but out in the fog somewhere) - it is the most free blowing horn I have played, the notes come clean with just the slightest puff.

The downside comparing the DS with the MM is the location of the neck strap hook (its like a 10m and the horn sits high, and wants to swing back at you), and the LH thumb rest and octave mechanism where you have to lift your thumb to get onto and off the octave key (I can't belive they didn't use the heart shaped option).

[Neil Sharpe]

What a terrific discussion and fine piece of research and analysis. Thanks very much!

[bruce bailey]

There is a ratty one on ebay tonight. It has a badly damaged Eb tone hole. I would figure and extra $250 to fix that alone.

[flycut33]

Is this the one Bruce?

http://cgi.ebay.com/Dick-Stabile-Silver-Plate-Tenor-Saxophone-by-Martin_W0QQitemZ250019079801QQihZ015QQcategoryZ162 34QQssPageNameZWDVWQQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[Dave dix]

$676 for a DS with the low Eb mangled.Good sale for someone
Dave

[Rackety Sax]

Recalled by sender

[Sax Hut]

That Eb tonehole is an easy fix if you know the drill.

As to the buyer, if it's the same silver-sax that has been hoarding all the silver-plated Olds Super tenors for some time, I ain't surprised he'd (hi silver-sax) grab this Martin baby too. I put in a wimpy bid, knowing full well I wouldn't have to worry about buying anything....

[bruce bailey]

Dats de one!