Amati Classic Deluxe (alto)

[Chelle]

I'm actually a clarinet/bass clarinet player, but I played alto & tenor sax in high school (about 10 years ago). I now play in the pit orchestra for a community theater and thought I'd buy myself an alto sax so I can double on another instrument (a sax takes up less space than an extra sax player). I kind of have a thing for vintage instruments so I went out and found myself an Amati Classic Deluxe. I know it's from Czechoslovakia and the company is still making instruments, but I haven't been able to find a whole lot about their older instruments. I think I read somewhere that the Classic Deluxe was made in the 50's and 60's. Correct?

I wish I could know a more accurate year, but it appears as if someone filed the serial number off of this sax (interesting . . . .). I can make out a 6 and possibly a 1 and what looks like it may or may not be a 3 and I'm guessing the serial number was maybe 5 digits long (judging by the spacing and amount of metal filed down). Does that help at all with a year?

I'm also curious if the classic deluxe was just a basic student-level instrument or maybe an intermediate/step up? Since it's just for pit orchestra and not my primary instrument, I think it's going to do fine for me (once I can break free from my clarinet ombachure lol), but I'm mainly just curious.

Here's some pics (it has a broken spring that I need to fix, but for now, I just wrapped some elastic around it)
http://chelle.mine.nu/instruments/sax01.jpg
http://chelle.mine.nu/instruments/sax02.jpg
http://chelle.mine.nu/instruments/sax03.jpg


-Chelle

[RandyJ]

Chelle,
Here is one place to start you reading and research.

http://www.saxpics.com/Keilwerth/index.htm

and

http://www.amati.cz/english/welcome.htm

go to history.