Martin Handcraft Soprano: Great horn?

[Saxaholic]

How are these horns? Was looking around for pro sopranos in the vintage era...found one of these babies.....ser # 67xxx for about $1800. Gold plate. 100%. Says pitch is spot on, and is extremely full and expressive.

Anyone have anything to say about these horns, their quality, tone, and good mouthpiece selections?

[Stencilman]

I love my bare-brass Martin stencil but did have to work around tuning problems mentioned in another topic below. I've tried many other sopranos and like the sound of the Martin the best. $1800 is steep but if I were shopping for a horn and had the money, I'd go for the Martin (after trying it, of course). If you are set on a particular mouthpiece, be aware that these horns tend to be a little sensitive to chamber size.

[Mack]

I have a gold plated Handcraft soprano. Very nice instruments. Intonation is decent, but not perfect. With the right mouthpiece and some lipping it works fine. The tone is hard to beat, very sweet and mellow. Unless the horn is in absolutely mint condition, I would say that 1800 is a bit much.

[soreliprick]

100% gold plate must count for something.....but my Symphony Martin stencil from the mid-20's for $325 was a bit underpriced for the sound it gives off.

[cfile]

I bought my 1925 Martin soprano in the early 70's for $25. It needed a complete repad, but I think I still got a deal. I am playing a 70's selmer mouthpiece with a very small chamber (D facing) and would like to try some other pieces. What are you guys currently using? Intonation with this piece is decent, a little flat up top but easily lipped up. I'm looking for a piece that is a little warmer (darker), but still plays in tune.

[josephmd]

$1800 is about retail for 100% gold plate. These are great sounding horns. Play mine with a Pillinger soloist copy.

[swingerini]

I always say an instrument is worth what you are willing to pay.
You can always pay less, and you can always pay more; a lot or a
little either direction.

If I had the money and that horn did it for me I'd have no problem
paying it .

Having said that I have a 67,xxx Martin and it's my favorite soprano,
alongside a new Borgani Jubilee pearl silver and an old Conn from '26

I haven't noticed the intonation issues on mine that I read about; way
more in tune than the Conn .

I think the Martin has the perfect soprano sound that I've always heard
in my head .

"Sweet and mellow"? yea, to a point, it's not unlike a Buescher True tone
in that regrad ,, BUT when pushed it can really wail and the low end is
very full .

Great sop !