Unusual Saxes

[Ralfy]

I've seen pictures of some unusual saxes on SOTW Main under the Vintage Sax Gallery. Are any of those saxes still made? Even if they're not can somebody explain how some of those things work?

Thanks.

[Dave Dolson]

Ralfy: If it is a saxophone, it most likely works like all the others. Meaning, contra to 'nino, they all finger the same. DAVE

[Ralfy]

I'm not talking about just lower or higher versions.

These bad boys were strange. There were mouthpieces designed to go into a trumpet. There was even this thing that had something you crank on it and what looked like a fingering a melodica from the front.

Here's the link: http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/slideandodd/

Look at some of those "saxes." Some are just strange looking saxes but others look like pieces of metal from science fiction movies hooked onto a sax mouthpiece.

[Dave Dolson]

Thanks for the links. I looked at a few of them. A combination of novelty/children's musical toys/obscure attempts to generate a whole new line of instruments. I don't think any of those are used or made anymore.

I suppose there is a reason for that, too. Good, useable designs have a way of surviving in the market place (compare saxophones to saurrusophones [sp?]). DAVE

[Ralfy]

They're cool to look at anyways.

[Pete Thomas]

And actually the Clarosax is an extremely useful instrument. I use mine more often than I thought I would. On the other hand, my Couesnon Saxie is gathering a bit of dust. Not so useful.

[Ralfy]

What exactly does a clar-o-sax sound like? Just what it says, a clarinet crossed with a sax?

[Pete Thomas]

What exactly does a clar-o-sax sound like? Just what it says, a clarinet crossed with a sax?

No.

I'll be doing some soundclips soon.

[Ralfy]

Cool. Tell me when you do, I'm really curious now.

[TheJono]

I'm not talking about just lower or higher versions.

These bad boys were strange. There were mouthpieces designed to go into a trumpet. There was even this thing that had something you crank on it and what looked like a fingering a melodica from the front.

Here's the link: http://www.saxpics.com/the_gallery/slideandodd/

Look at some of those "saxes." Some are just strange looking saxes but others look like pieces of metal from science fiction movies hooked onto a sax mouthpiece.
I think that one with a crank on it is like an old player piano. You put the roll of punched paper in there and turn the crank to wind the spring. Then you blow into it and it plays the notes.