martin serial numbers hidden on a RMC horn

[milandro]

I have this Martin Committee II or The Martin (I never understand if these terms can be used referring to the same type of horn) RMC which I've spoken about on a different thread. It has been re-laquered :( :) not sure if one has to be happy or not about it.The serial numbers under the thumb rest have been to a large extend buffed away and they are not to be read anymore (the ones on the neck apper to have never been there altogether)unless I x-ray the horn . I've been told that the keys should be marked with serial numbers too, is this true? Which keys?

[Wizzbi]

This may not be a perfect answer to what you are searching for, but I'm repairing an old horn that was built in 1950 in Eastern Germany and I found a copy of the serial number engraved under the low Eb-key.

I have never seen such an engraving on any other horn I've owned or repaired, including my Martin Imperial Stencil, so I can't say if and where you can find this on a Martin horn, but the serial number should consist of 4 to 6 chiffres, so look under the bigger keys which seem to provide enough space for 4 to 6 letters.

Wizz

Edit: After having taken another look at the picture, low Eb or C keys look promising. G# or low Bb could be as well.

[milandro]

Thank you Wizzbi, what do you exactly mean by " under" the key? Do I actually have to remove the key or look from the oter side on the key itself?

[Wizzbi]

Sorry, didn't want to confuse you. It's quite hard to describe such locations in another language:)
By "under the key" I mean the backside of the key. To have a look on that side you either have to remove it or use a small mirror.
I found it while cleaning the horn, after I had removed all the keys, because it suffered from heavy oxidation.

None of the horns in my possession was ever relaquered, so I can't tell from personal experience, but is it possible that the mechanics (keys, etc.) were relaquered as well?
If so, keep in mind that the engraving on the keys might also have gone or has become unreadable.

Wizz

[milandro]

thanks this definitely helps. Well , somebody has been suggesting that all the keys have been recoated with nickel or chrome. I personally doubt it (it would have costed a fortune to do). Another SOTW member suggested that this was a not unusual finish on RMC horns and that the keys are not coated but solid and I would tend to second that judjement. The horn is definetly been relaquered but I tihnk it plays just fine. Well I'll check it out and let you know.

[Wizzbi]

I don't doubt that it plays fine, it's a Martin :)

One final update: My sax keeps surprising me! While adjusting something on my Martin I found a serial engraved in the backside of the side middle Bb key (that A/Bb thriller you press with the ball of thumb of the right hand). Never recognized it before.
Hope it helps :)

Wizz

[milandro]

Great! I had to dismount the thing (luckly this was not difficult at all, I am not much of a repaiman...) and yes, it was there! 219XXX 1961 (ish) great! Thanks!

[markm]

That's cool that you found it! That's the beauty of these forums. I have a bare-naked unrestored (Martin) Home Model C-melody that has a serial number on the neck - but seemingly no engraving of an kind on the body. I' ll have to pull it out again along with my dentist's mirror and check the backside of all the keys. I'll report back!!

[Jazz Is All]

That's cool that you found it! That's the beauty of these forums. I have a bare-naked unrestored (Martin) Home Model C-melody that has a serial number on the neck - but seemingly no engraving of an kind on the body. I' ll have to pull it out again along with my dentist's mirror and check the backside of all the keys. I'll report back!!

Where exactly on the neck should serial number be? Is it inside the butt end or is it on the outside? If the horn is relaquered could that hide the number?

[DavyRay]

On my Martin Handcraft tenor, the neck serial number is just above the tenon joint, facing the player. It is slightly hidden by the octave key ring mechanism.

On a Holton C-Melody, I found that most of the keys had the last four digits of the serial number stamped on the underside of the key (actually, on the part you press).

[bruce bailey]

Look under the RH side Bb and B>C keys or the G# lever. If the number is missing from the body AND the neck, it was probably removed for a reason....

[markm]

Took me a long time to 'report back'. There is no engraving of any kind on the body or keywork of this 'Home' model. It also shows no signs of having been altered or scratched out. Serial number on neck puts it in the last of the C-mels coming out of Martin's IBICo factory. I think they just didn't bother.