Martin Handcraft 51K Goldplated?

[tophatsax]

I just got my hands on a Martin Handcraft 51K that has great pads (plastic resos) and finish is 99%. I'm pretty sure it's lacquer, but I'm not positive. While the finish is 99% there, it does have varying degrees of color (looks kind of cloudy in some areas)

Did this vintage of Martin offer Gold plate and how would I tell if it is? I'm not sure if I'm going to keep this one or sell it, but I'd like to identify the finish either way. The sound is better than the Mark VI Alto I just sold.

Any input is appreciated.

Tophatsax

[paulwl]

Yes, it was fairly common in the 1920s to gold-plate saxes. Not that common, of course, due to the expense - the horn had to be silver-plated first. If legend is correct, they were then padded, play-tested, and then torn down for a second plating and padding. The cost of the horn roughly doubled.

Gold plating was most commonly satin sandblast finished on the body tube and bright finish on keys, inner bell and engraving. If this is how your sax body looks, you may have gold. If it's just spotty, probably not.

Some gold horns were burnished bright all over, usually the deluxe models with extensive custom engraving. These are rare.

Gold lacquer was typically applied to brass 20s vintage horns at some time in their lives, but this was a little early for it to be factory done. Gold lacquer contains no actual gold, just a tint that is typically a more "honey" or "amber" color. Actual gold plate is a brilliant, lustrous yellow.

Another clue to gold plate is that it always wears to silver underneath. The silver is there because it will plate to brass directly. Gold won't.

[paulwl]

For pictures of Martins of your era in various finishes go here:
http://www.saxpics.com/martin/handcraft.htm

[tophatsax]

paulwl,

Thanks for the help. I'm pretty sure now that it's just great original lacquer. This is also a GREAT sounding alto. If I'm going to sell it, I'd better do it fast before I change my mind. Thanks again.

Phil

[tophatsax]

Decided to sell the horn. It's posted in Marketplace.

tophatsax