Need help with value of Dolnet soprano

[soybean]

I ran across a curved soprano yesterday at a local second hand shop. It was funny because the owner insisted it was an alto, even after I told him it was a soprano. Anyway, this one is brass color with original lacquer and some engraving on the bell. I did not get the serial number. It's going to need a repad and adjust, but there doesn't seem to be any damage or repair. He's asking $200 which seems like a good price for any vintage soprano. I'm going to try to get it for $150. What do you guys think is the value of these? Did the Dolnet sopranos change in quality over the years? Thanks for any help.:)

[SearjeantSax]

if you dont like it for that price, ill take it!!

seriosuly, i have heard some great thuings about dolnet soprano,


but also some not so good things. It sounds like the later the better really, but i dont know much about dolnets.

good luck!

[soybean]

Thanks for the reply. I just saw in another post where someone bought a Dolnet soprano for $350, so maybe this price is about right. the other sax was probably a straight soprano though.

[zxcvbnm]

Make sure it's not too early and therefore not of much use, though. Is there a pineapple engraved on the bell?

[stitch]

Is there a pineapple engraved on the bell?

You mean like on a Couesnon? ;)

[soybean]

Make sure it's not too early and therefore not of much use, though. Is there a pineapple engraved on the bell?What would you consider too early?

I know the horns from the 1920s had problems, but i own a 1926 Holton C-mel that's a pretty good horn… actually plays in tune (relatively;)). But I think i know what you mean. The newer the date, the better.

Later this week I'm going back to get a better look. That $200 price is pretty tempting. When he showed me the sax, I was actually buying a tenor from him. It wasn't until the end of our transaction that he brought out the Dolnet so I didn't get a very good look. It did have some engraving, but i'm not sure it was a pineapple. It struck me as being art deco style, possibly a skyscraper??

[milandro]

200$ is a very good price. But, prior to buying your new soprano invest a few bucks in a tuner, when you go and test the horn take it with you. There are High Pitch Dolnets which were sold as late as the '70 in Holland (I bought an alto and I currently have the one a friend of mine bought....), so don't believe the common knowledge that there were no HP made after 1939.....there were. I have the proof! ;)

[soybean]

200$ is a very good price. But, prior to buying your new soprano invest a few bucks in a tuner, when you go and test the horn take it with you. There are High Pitch Dolnets…That's good advice, Milandro. I will bring a tuner.

Has anyone actually seen or played a high pitch Dolnet curved soprano? Perhaps only the larger Dolnet saxes were made in high-pitch versions?

[stitch]

It did have some engraving, but i'm not sure it was a pineapple.

Errr, it's Couesnons that have the pineapple/grenade guys, not Dolnets ...

[soybean]

I'm gonna go see this horn again on the weekend. Some of you had comments about the horn being possibly too old. So I'm guessing if the neck is not removable and there is no front F key, I should avoid this sax. Thoughts?

[milandro]

no, go for it, the neck won't be removable, for sure, and the absence of a front F is probably not a problem and can be added, if you wish to. The only problem might be intonation,(is this a high pitch?) get a tuner and check it, otherwise buy it and be very happy with it!

[soybean]

I'll be looking at it in the next few days. I'll report back here if i buy it, and add the serial number to our list.