low A Vito bari

[LBAjazz]

I got a low A Vito bari today that I think is Beaugnier. Anybody know anything about these? The serial # is 169XX. Anybody know approx. date? ANY INFO APPRECIATED. Thanks!

[littlemanbighorn]

Pictures?

[Grumps]

Does it say "Japan" anywhere? I thought they were usually Yanagasawa's. If so, it would have the same sort of brace on the top loop.

[TenTenTooter]

Beaugnier stenciled under the Vito name also, I'm currently playing a Beaugnier Vito bass sax.

[LBAjazz]

No "Japan" or "France" that I can find but I saw a Beaugnier bari @ http://www.doctorsax.biz/vito_bari_sn18582.htm and mine has an identical spit valve. It's very distinct and unusual. The LH pinkie table on mine is totally different but other features are the same. It has a very "Selmer-like" octave mechanism [the rocker arm]. This one I got is in really bad shape but I intend to bring it back from the grave.

[LBAjazz]

I found the "Made in France" down where the bell meets the bow. This horn is interesting in many ways...it has a mechanism that keeps the low C# open until low D is closed. That mechanism can be seen on the horn pictures linked to above. It has left side bell keys. As soon as my internet savvy wife gets home, I'll post some pictures of this particular horn. Anybody know the correct pronuciation of "Beaugnier"?
http://www.pysankyjewels.com/vito_bari_4.jpg
http://www.pysankyjewels.com/vito_bari_5.jpg
http://www.pysankyjewels.com/vito_bari_3.jpg

[goodsax]

The bell key guards and left pinkie table look like those on my Vito Beaugnier Tenor. You might check Kim Slava's website (http://www.doctorsax.biz/) for more serial number info. He's compiling a very extensive table of Vito serial numbers including dates and place of manufacture for all the Vitos he can find. How does your bari play?

[LBAjazz]

An hour and a half later it's not playing so good http://www.pysankyjewels.com/vito_bari_6.jpg

[goodsax]

Wow! I hope you plan to show the after photos when you're done.

[LBAjazz]

I see you have soprano, alto and tenor...all Beaugnier Vitos. That's awesome.You NEED this bari.!

[goodsax]

Yes, that's why I always check the Vito threads.

However, I also have a fabulous Weltklang low A bari that looks, no offense, a heck of a lot better than that Vito "an hour and half later." Ironically, I was looking for a Vito bari to complete my Beaugnier collection when I came across the Weltklang and now I don't plan on looking back.

Do you intend to completely restore the Vito? If so, I'd really be interested in seeing how it looks when you're done.

Rob

[LBAjazz]

I was just messin' with you about needing the bari. It's really rough. There is a bunch of previous bad "repairs" and the low C tone hole has a tear in it that was just filled in with soft solder. I plan on fabricating a little collar to fit around it.This is one of those projects that wouldn't be worthwhile for any of the big name repair guys because, when I'm finished, I'll have more time in it than it's worth. Fortunately I got it for free.I doubt it will ever compete with that Welklang, though.

[goodsax]

Good luck with the project. The Weltklang is shown in my avatar. It's a super player.

[shotgun]

Ah ha! Now I know more about my Vito bari, #176XX. I see that it's a Beaugnier (I'd pronounce that like "bone-year"). It belonged to Cecil Payne and was made specially for him, no right hand Bb key and no chromatic F# key. (A subsequent owner had the Bb key installed) His full name is engraved on the bell, "Cecil McKenzie Payne". It has a hookup in the neck for a Varitone or some sort of mike; it's pictured on his LP "Bird Gets the Worm". When he used to gig in Maine I'd lend it to him so he didn't have to travel with his Yani. And to see and hear him play this tinny old clunker (a local tech's appraisal) was absolutely amazing — he transformed it into a really fine instrument. He told me that he thought it was better than the Yani!

[LBAjazz]

Well I got it back up and running. I still need to fine tune the action. Right now it plays solid and in tune up to G, then very flat on A and B. C is back in tune. Any ideas? I've got it venting about as open as I can without removing any metal off the feet.

[TenTenTooter]

If you're careful not to bind up the action you could bend the key height open a little more if you must, I wouldn't remove any metal from the feet.

[newsax]

Hi,just saw you online ,i would check all pads closely around that area ,espesially palm keys and 2octave key pads,If your using the old pads? some of the felts may have gone around that area.

[newsax]

oh of course the side c key around there,unless there all new pads but there could still be a small leak in combination with venting and springs tensions,as long as no leaks in the tube