39*** alto . reads "the martin"

[jd]

this ones finished in laquer . rough shape . not dinged up but heavy tarnish and needs pads. any of you guys play one like it in good shape. do these early ones have any value in rough shape. this lady wants to sell me it and if it can be saved i might get it to fix up. what would you estimate the value .and how do they play when setup right ? thanks i advance for your help.

[Dave dix]

That is an early the martin from about 1923 and not to be confused with the later The martins.Still a good horn but not in the same league as the later horns.
In rough condition dont spend too much to buy it.In top condition it may be worth $250-350 so add the price of a good overhaul to the price of the sax and decide for yourself.
A good later The martin alto would be worth much more ($750-1000) tenors are worth even more and they are one of the finest playing saxophones,as good as selmer mark 6.I know as i have used both and still have my The martin tenor till death(then my kids will raid my stash of saxes)
Dave

[jd]

ok thanks for your help. years ago i had a mint 50s the martin alto and it was one of the best horns i ever had . bar none. when i went out of Town to do some gigs my mom mistackenly sold it thinking it was a cheap student tenor that i was trying to sell through a news paper add. . this guy that bought it for 160.00 knew exactly what he was doing and when i got back a week or so later my "the martin alto " was gone and i still had this piece of junk tenor! that was the last time my mom handled a business transaction for me. id love to find thAT GUY!