Just bought a Kohlert 55 alto sax

[rookie]

I've been looking around for my first vintage sax for a while now. I've decided to go with a Kohlert 55 (SN. 25800) that I found on ebay. It has some plating wear but thats fine with me. I got it for for $400 shipped so I think I got a pretty good deal. The description says it's playable with no noticeable dents or dings. I haven't gotten it yet but I should get it next week sometime. I can't wait to compare the Kohlert next to my Yamaha 275 alto. I haven't seen too many 55's around here. Any thoughts or comments?

[frasermanx]

Lucky you !! I hope that it is as described since the pix are skimpy. I was looking at that one .. but I already have a slightly later model 1960 before the Bixley that is great .. has nickel plated keys.

I was noticing this morning that the body tube is soldered to the bow like all good saxes .. so maybe that contributes to the full sound these horns have ...? also the articulated bell keys and the rolled tone holes / conn-o-res pads are factors

[Hurling Frootmig]

Under appreciated gems would be the short answer.

[frasermanx]

Yes .. more fun to play / overhaul / restore .. the re-discovered .. unappreciated gems

Any others brands, models we should be looking for ?

For my part every stencil Conn in tenor I have tried is great .. of course just about ANY sax before 1960, even the so-called student models are great .. although I don't like the 16M much ...

I am not sure how much the quality of the metal contributes to the superior sound but you could easily convince me !!

[spiderjames]

Should be a fine horn. I find these to be very flexible and mouthpiece friendly. At least the tenors. I haven't experimented much with mouthpieces on the altos.

Most of the lesser known german/czech horns are under apreciated gems. The Kohlerts of course. Also Kohler, Adler, Early Amati and Weltklang, Huller and many others. Many of them show up as stencils. Orpheum, Luxus, Genton, Gracin, Wolfram, Royal etc... Usually when I have gambled on one of these it has turned out very well. The notable exception are some of the later Amati stencils. They can have some very cheesy side and palm touches.

[rookie]

Should be a fine horn. I find these to be very flexible and mouthpiece friendly. At least the tenors. I haven't experimented much with mouthpieces on the altos.



Hmm... good to know. I was thinking of trying a Yani metal mouthpiece on this horn but in case that doesn't work, I have a Rousseau jazz mouthpiece I'll play around with as well.