Forum: Martin

so I have an opportunity to pick up a 1937 Handcraft alto with no dents or dings whatsoever, a couple scratches and a little bit of lacquer wear for $300. Whats the general consensus on these horns? good buy, bad buy? Should I hold out for a "The Martin"?

did anybody see that The Martin Alto that just sold on ebay? I am sick, I HAD to buy it. I don't even like alto but one in that condition was too good to be true. Plus I would be damned if that thing was going to end up overseas. It was made here, Its gonna be played here. Other than the...

Hi guys, Saw this video when I was browsing and it was amazing. Does anyone know who this saxplayer is? What mouthpiece do you think he's using.. Enjoy...

Was hoping someone with some Martin experience could help me. The horn plays great except for the high "A". When I push the octave key, I would like it to raise the pad higher on the neck so the "A" does not sound so fuzzy. The problem is, when I try adjusting for height, it does not close...

There is a P-A Alto on ebay today that has a very Martin looking bodywith soldered TH. Anyone Know what it is?

I was browsing saxpics and came across some pictures of an Olds "super." I was intrigued by it's huge "Olds" engraving on the bell, concave indentations on the keys, and it's French rim bell. Looking at the pictures, I realized that it looked a lot like a Martin. They had similar left hand pinky...

Hi guy, I just bought a "The Martin" Alto sax for a little over $600. What do you think about this horn? http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=260632586042&ssPageName=STRK:MEWAX:IT

. . . in Canada. Do you have anything to offer?

Thanks Sax on the Web Martin Forum! I found the horn at an antique store. I wrote down the serial number and then checked out the posts in the forum. All the posts regarding The Martin Tenor horn were good and the serial number was in a range that people said is good. It was my lucky day. ...

Hi guys, Would like to know what Martin sax do you have right now, and is it your main horn or your coffee cup holder? I got 1947 Tha Martin Alto with a Beechler Diamond Inlay M7S mouthpiece and Vandoren ZZ 2.5 Thanks.....

Hello Martin lovers! I've been around this forum for a couple of years now, but never took the time to post. Welcome. I would appreciate it if you could listen to my story. I have a Martin alto stencil. It is a long story. From what I've read on this forums, it was born in 1942, and it is a...

Hi, I'd like to hear opinions regarding the best years for Martin saxophones. As with Selmer MKVI, many claim the 5 digit horns are the finest years for manufacture and materials. (old brass from unused shell casings etc.) Did Martin also produce its finest horns in the early post WWII period?...

So, short version: my wife (like myself) is a music teacher. The band director she works with sent home a couple very old saxes with her, knowing I might know something about them or be able to find out. They are considering putting them up for sale, in order to use the proceeds for other needs...

I bought a new stencil horn and thought it was originally a series II or III Buescher True-Tone. However, I'm starting to doubt myself. First off, can well all just agree Martin Handcrafts and Buescher True Tones look rather similar, down to the keywork? Buescher II's had a pearl G# while the...

What is this? Is it really worth $450? http://orlando.craigslist.org/msg/1790917286.html

Does anyone know where i can find some clips of some alto Martins? I really wanna here what these Martins are capable of.

Yowza! I just placed the leading bid on a 1926 Handcraft on Ebay with 14 hours to go. Item #130393379248. Looks nice. Says "Rebuilt. Ready to gig." I committed to $700 with free shipping ... from NORWAY! Would someone please tell me whether I've walked into a pile of ... crap? I'm seriously...

I am looking to buy a martin alto saxophone. I own a Martin committee bari and i really love it. But what model martin is the best alto wise? I have heard Indiana is a student sax. But if it playes just as good i wouldent mind.

you think sound will better or ?...pls

Hi all. I was wondering how much a Martin 'the indiana' alto sax would be worth. about 70% original lacquer, original pearls and rollers and few dings around the bow. needs a few pads and a clean. Thanks

I have a handcraft alto SN 81K. It has beautiful tone but takes about twice the air to play as my Aristocrat and Conn NWII. I have tired a variety of MPs with not real difference. Any suggestions or is just a "feature" of these horns? Thanks

Hi Guys, Anyone playing a Saxscape HR on their "The Martin" tenor? If so, what model mouthpiece are you blowing!

Thinking of selling my The Martin Magna Low-A bari to a friend of mine - but I'm really not sure what to ask for it. I know these horns are rarer than a hen's tooth. I've only seen 2 others Low A Martins on Ebay over the years - and they looked like they had been used for a pinata - and still...

I caught an older thread asking the same for an Alto and was curious what people use for their "The Martin" Tenor. I have a mid 50,s Comm. III that I have been using a Brilhart Level air # 5 with a medium synthetic reed. I am not yet happy with the sound. I have tried Otto link STM - too raspy...

Hi, I am about to have a 1922 Martin Handcraft alto (sn29,XXX) restored. It is not in playable condition. I have not played a Martin Handcraft alto before. I do have 2 Martin Indiana tenors that I love, 1954 and 1945 vintage, so I can’t wait to get this alto in playing shape. I am looking for...

Can anybody comment about how they play compared to the conn chu, tone wise, intonation and key actions, etc. I am looking at one which is sold over seas so I can not play test it. Any comments are appreciated.

I have a The Martin Alto circa 1953. I recently took it for its yearly service, the tech said there were no major problems but that he had adjusted the regulation. However I find that occasionally upper register notes are difficult to achieve, this could easily be me, however its the variability...

I have an inexpensive Kaces alto case, but my Vega stencil Handcraft also doesn't fit in it. Anyone have experience with any modern hard case that a Handcraft fits into? I have the original case and it is functional but it has a pretty unpleasant musty smell that I've been able to reduce but not...

Do any of you Martin experts know anything about the Llyon and Healy perfect curve soprano i.e. how many were made, and how much they sell for ? I am obsessed by these sops and wish the Chinese would make one, if it was half as good as the Martin made one they would SELL.[Impnt]

Just to show that it is possible... I picked up a silver Vega (it is an obvious MArtin Handcraft stencil) for $140 on ebay a few weeks ago. It has new pads, and played right out of the box with a couple small tweaks that were so simple I did them myself. I'm going to have my guy fix a couple...

What are the differences between the Sky line,Lion and crown,and The Martin, Committees? What are the characteristics of them? Which is more of the classical, Jazz, Lead? Which one has faster,more modern key mechanism? Which has best intonation?

Which is the better sax Conn 6m, Martin committee 3, or Buescher 400? as far as sound, playability, etc. And what is the approximate value of these horns? what years are best? Thanks

Hey guys, I'm a new member to the Martin club! I just bought this tenor off eBay... http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=310202478824&ssPageName=STRK:MEWNX:IT#ht_2201wt_1168 Did I do good? I've never played a Martin but I'm looking for a big, deep sound and I've heard great...

Any comments on value and overall desireability of a 1926 Handcraft sop? One for sale up here. Bare brass, not refinished or burnished. In good playing condition. How's intonation on these? and playability? Thanks. Jim

There is someone local to me who has this Martin alto for sale. It is engraved Martin and after researching it seem to be a Martin Busine. I did not see anything bad listed about these horns, just not a lot of information on them and that they are not considered a Martin Sax. Some of the...

My daughter purchased an Olds Alto at an estate sale. I have very little info further... what kind of a horn did she buy for $300 and who/where can she get a tune-up?? If it's even worth it.

About a month ago I went to the house of a man who was selling off a large part of his horn collection. I played most of his horns which came from a variety of manufacturers and eras. I posted this in another discussion on this SOTW site, but of all of the horns that I played, I was taken back by...

What would the differences be in a The Martin Tenor 210XXX vs. a Martin RMC 219XXX? Which one would be more desirable?

I have a near mint Martin handcraft tenor (1928) and a somewhat battered but beautiful sounding handcraft alto (1926). Last night I noticed that serial numbers are impressed in the bottom of the side B-flat key, corresponding to those on body and neck. This is quite impressive, and perhaps gives...

If so, please let me know what you think about the sound, ergonomics, etc, along with how it compares to other Martin models.

Hi all. I'm looking at an alto sax that's called a Tempertone by WM Frank that has all the markings of a Martin Handcraft Imperial. Has anyone ever come across one of these before and if so, hows the sound? Thanks in advance.

Look at this -- an Indiana with some original pads for over $1300? http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Martin-Indiana-Tenor-Sax-Deluxe-Model-Saxophone_W0QQitemZ160401729715QQcmdZViewItemQQptZLH_DefaultDomain_0?hash=item2558b028b3 Great news for Martin collectors! Let's hope thats a market trend!!

What kind of pads/resonators do you think will give my new/old alto a good balance of brightnes and subtlety? I like to play Jazz ballods, Blues etc. Whatever pops out of my head and into my fingers. I don't want it too bright but I want to be able to achieve volume when needed.