American Triumph/Martin Stencil

[Grumps]

Back when I first found this forum I was researching a stencil horn that was given to me. With the bevelled tone holes and egg shape lyre holder it was determined to be a stencil of a later model Martin Handcraft (w/ front F, but split bell). Other than the stencil name American Triumph on the bell, it read "Art Musical Instruments, Inc. F.A. Buescher Pres." (with F.A. Buescher very predominant) and "Elkhart Ind." With the help of some fine folks on the forum I was able to determine that F.A. Buescher hooked up with Harry Pedler to set up Art Musical Instruments, Inc. sometime around 1932 and that's about when this horn was made. Has anyone else come across this stencil name? It is kinda cool to have a Martin tenor with "Buescher" on the bell. I was just wondering if there were any more out there.

[Johnny G]

I've seen an American Triumph trumpet on eBay. It didn't have the Buescher name on it, though.

[Grumps]

Yeah, that's the only other reference I ever found online to Art Musical Instruments; a trumpet listed in a museum inventory.

[RelicRescue]

I see I'm not the only one seeking some history on Art Musical Instruments, Inc. Although I do own both Martin & Buescher saxes, I'm primarily into the "other" brasses: trumpets, cornets, etc. I recently acquired 2 trumpets & a cornet that have me searching. They are all marked "American Triumph Art Musical Instruments, Inc. F. A. Buescher, Pres. These 3 look very much "Buescher" (share some similar hardware & design). They are all much better quality instruments than the Harry Pedler "American Triumph" trumpets I have. They are also all very low serial numbers, one trumpet being numbered 0121. I assume this enterprise was short-lived, so I guess we have our work cut out for us in uncovering the history. I intend to keep looking. I let you guys know if I find out any more. Good to see I'm not alone on this..... Don Rugg

[sgp]

I'm also trying to find info regarding American Triumph and Harry Pedler. I recently purchased a tenor labeled "American Triumph, Harry Pedler and Sons, Elkhart Ind.", with a ser. # 26 xxx. It is unmistakably a Martin stencil. It definitely sings with a wonderfully sultry and luscious tone.

The only info I can find are a series of pics from cybersax. http://www.cybersax.com/4Sale/Saxophones/Tenors/Martin-Pedler88xxTen/

I'd love it if somone could share some ser.# dates or other history of these horns.

[saxkid91]

I have a American Triumph Alto Sax made by Harry Pedler & Sons Elkhart Ind. and the serial number is 26XXX Mine has a beautiful tone. My alto is silver-plated has nice key work details and the G# trill key it has one lyre holder. It has hand-engraving on the bell and has a goldwash bell but I'm not sure if it's real gold though. I dont know the year or value or value of the horn. I bought it on Ebay for $400 in december 2003

Does anyone know anymore info on the American Triumph horns?
Please write me back if you do

Here are some pics of my American Triumph Alto.
http://community.webshots.com/album/227131738zqwqbQ [/url]

[Saxdaddy]

Now I just bought a American Professional( which I am either going to fix up and sell, or keep and sell my Handcraft). It doesn't have the egg shape lyre holder, but does have soldered on Martin style tone holes. (man I haven't dipped it yet, but the silver plate looks to be almost 100%)
Now this thing has a much larger diameter neck receiver than my Handcraft, although it is very simular in many ways. It seems to be closer to the Indiana than my 27 handcraft. Although i will have to wait for another indiana to come throught the shop to compare the 2.

[Stencilman]

I have a American Triumph Alto Sax made by Harry Pedler & Sons Elkhart Ind.... I dont know the year or value or value of the horn. I bought it on Ebay for $400 in december 2003SaxKid,
This is a nice Buescher stencil. The drawn tone holes and left hand pinky cluster are a dead giveaway. It has a mix of features of the TrueTone and New Aristocrats. They are usually excellent playing horns. $400 is a bit high for a stencil unless it is in top notch cosmetic and playing condition. I paid something like $175 for an "E.K. Blessing" stencil that is identical to your horn. It was in excellent condition without any finish wear or scratches but it needed a "pads and corks" overhaul. Enjoy the sax, it is should be a very flexible player with great tone and intonation.

Now I just bought a American Professional...
Now this thing has a much larger diameter neck receiver than my Handcraft, although it is very simular in many ways. It seems to be closer to the Indiana than my 27 handcraft. Although i will have to wait for another indiana to come throught the shop to compare the 2.
Mike,
I've had a bunch of Martins come through the shop and I've always been able to exchange the necks on the original Handcrafts (including the Master and Imperial) and the Indianas. I just compared the necks on an 1949 Indiana to a 1929 Handcraft and the tenon is a tad bit smaller on the Indiana but it is a lot more worn than the virtually unplayed Handcraft. I'd like to know if your horn is a Martin with a different taper than what was used on the Handcrafts and Indianas.

If the neck is really that different than a Martin Handcraft, there is a slight chance that you have a Conn with the soldered, bevelled tone holes. I believe that when some "stencillers" switched from Martin to Conn for manufacturers, Conn put bevelled toneholes on those horns to match the Martin stencils. I've seen Elkharts and Abbots that were made by Conn but had Martin-style toneholes. The LH cluster is usually a dead giveaway as to who made to horn.

[bruce bailey]

I had a HC from 1917 and the neck was sized different from my 1928 HC. I have never found the answer but I think it might just be the thickness of the butt of the neck than can make a difference. A very slight difference can seem like a lot though. All this is annoying as I like to switch the necks around to see what changes can be made. Good luck with your stencils!!! (the best kept secret in the sax world).

[SilverNeck20]

SGP - Those peddler pics look exactly like my Indiana (additional hole below that "D", split bell, same neck, alt F, same keywork,..........), which is a Martin stencil, with the exception that mine has a lacquered brass finish.
Unfortunalely I can't help you the serial number and dates. I don't have it in front of me, but I belive the serial number is 9,XXX. I put it in the mid 30's, becase of the alt F key, but I'm not certain. I've seen Indianas with and without.
I agree with you about the tone of the horn. I use it as a backup mainly, but I would never part with.