Holton Saxophone; Serial number registry

[bruce bailey]

Sounds right to me. That thing always looked like some sort of shrine thing rather than a clown. Maybe someone from Chicago can figure it out. I still ahe an alto with it if someone needs a photo. Better yet, someone buy the horn!

[LaPorte]

The bell says; Norbert J Biehoff, Artist Model,
Pat Applied For: B 202010 L

The serial# on my L&H bari: B 202007, both were made in 1928 in LaPorte just before Lyon&Healy sold the factory to Frank Holton. My Holton bari has a Lyon&Healy serial# too: B 202699. Those numbers (202xxx) on Holton saxophones are rare exceptions that cannot be found in the Holton Serial # Chart.

So your friend's baritone is made by Lyon&Healy, no stencil!

[jazzbug1]

The clown face Lyon and Healy is on EBay. It is amazingly bright (like Holton) for a
1920s era horn. I vote for a seperate thread for Couturier.

[soybean]

The bell says; Norbert J Biehoff, Artist Model,
Pat Applied For: B 202010 L

The serial# on my L&H bari: B 202007, both were made in 1928 in LaPorte just before Lyon&Healy sold the factory to Frank Holton. My Holton bari has a Lyon&Healy serial# too: B 202699. Those numbers (202xxx) on Holton saxophones are rare exceptions that cannot be found in the Holton Serial # Chart.

So your friend's baritone is made by Lyon&Healy, no stencil!

My friend will be very interested to know that. I'm guessing your number (202007) means it was the seventh bari made in that style and that my friend's bari is the tenth. Biehoff was probably a musical instrument dealer or retail store.

[LaPorte]

The clown face Lyon and Healy is on EBay. It is amazingly bright (like Holton) for a
1920s era horn. I vote for a seperate thread for Couturier.

Very good item description.

Note that Lyon&Healy was the new owner of the LaPorte factory since 1924 (L&H purchased the E.A.Couturier Band Instrument Company which went into receiversip Oct. 1923. Six digit serial numbers (200xxx) and the 'face' showed up first 1926. The body is designed by E.A.Couturier at the beginning twenties, it has a wider bore than any other make at that time.

The keywork/application is designed new by Lyon&Healy first 1925 and again 1926 with interlocking palm keys and L-shaped C#/G# key and one rod for for both keys. So this alto is made by L&H, the E.A. Couturier Band Instrument Company didn't exist anymore.

[LaPorte]

My friend will be very interested to know that. I'm guessing your number (202007) means it was the seventh bari made in that style and that my friend's bari is the tenth. Biehoff was probably a musical instrument dealer or retail store.

I agree, addititional engraving by a dealer was very common. There are more examples.

Lyon&Healy made baritones are very rare. SN's #202007 and #202010 are the only examples I've come across until now. L&H began his new numbering 1926 with 200,000.

How does your friend's baritone sound? Mine is a project horn. I consider to give it to a professional repairman. The Holton bari is a project Horn, too. I'll try to fix it myself. Any tips which pads to choose?

Felix

[jazzbug1]

Mr. LaPorte- Thanks for all the interesting research. I never heard of Couturier saxophones until this thread and I am very impressed by their sound. Everyone thought L and H was made by Martin due to the tone holes. You have more detailed information than I have corny jokes.

[soybean]

Lyon&Healy made baritones are very rare. SN's #202007 and #202010 are the only examples I've come across until now. L&H began his new numbering 1926 with 200,000. How does your friend's baritone sound?… Any tips which pads to choose?

His Bari sounds wonderful. It's got a big sound, and plays in tune. He uses it professionally and it is his only bari. We've been using it on stage in a musical production. I have not personally played it, but I'll ask him what pads are in use.

[LaPorte]

His Bari sounds wonderful. It's got a big sound, and plays in tune. He uses it professionally and it is his only bari. We've been using it on stage in a musical production. I have not personally played it, but I'll ask him what pads are in use.

That are good news. I'm looking forward to the L&H bari when it is fixed. It's in pretty rough shape now.

Felix

[LaPorte]

Newly registered alto Rudy Wiedoeft model #36336, #292, page15.

There is one more pre R.W. Tenor on ebay, no serial# viewable.

http://cgi.ebay.com/TENOR-SAXOPHONE-...3A1%7C294%3A50

[geauxsax]

Since I got a new tenor, how about a peek at Team Holton? Now I need a Bari and sop.

[bruce bailey]

How about a C soprano going up to F? Got one....

[jazzbug1]

I have a Holton C soprano, which is keyed to high F (squeeze!!) and I use it regularly. It's brighter in the top end and noticeably less oboe-like in the low end. Surprising what one step will do in tonal quality. I am fortunate to have found a Goldbeck C mouthpiece, and the Holton plays well in tune for a hand-made horn.

[LaPorte]

Early Holton's Serial Number Registry (four digits only)

C-melody

#6196 sp
#7686 sp
#9501 sp

Alto

#6311 sp

Another '1909' Holton C melody saxophone:

http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-1909-F-H...3A1%7C294%3A50

[LaPorte]

Early Serial Numbers

Made by
Frank Holton Co.
Chicago

# 639 Eb alto
# 759 Eb alto
# 848 Bb tenor
# 1169 C-melody s.p. 'deluxe'-engraving
# 1189 Eb alto
# 1200 Eb alto

Made by
Frank Holton Co.
Elkhorn
WIS

C-melody

#6196 sp
#7686 sp
#8517 sp
#9501 sp
#9799 sp

Alto

#6311 sp
[/QUOTE]
http://cgi.ebay.com/Vintage-Holton-S...3A1%7C294%3A50

[LaPorte]

My friend will be very interested to know that. I'm guessing your number (202007) means it was the seventh bari made in that style and that my friend's bari is the tenth. Biehoff was probably a musical instrument dealer or retail store.

... Mine is a project horn. I consider to give it to a professional repairman.

I don't consider any longer. He asks $6,000 for restauration. I'm happy to work on it myself now.
I,m just preparing a neck tenon taken from a York parts horn (alto).

Felix

[hhubbard]

I have just joined. I am trying to learn more about my sax. its serial number is either 270 or 130708 it is a Holton Elkhorn, WIS. USA. It is a silver baritone sax.
I want to know how old it might be and a little history if anyone might know any.

[LaPorte]

I have just joined. I am trying to learn more about my sax. its serial number is either 270 or 130708 it is a Holton Elkhorn, WIS. USA. It is a silver baritone sax.
I want to know how old it might be and a little history if anyone might know any.

Welcome to this great community, hhubbard!

'130708' is the serial number and indicates 1939 as year of manufacture.

'270' is the term for the series which means your 'Revelation' baritone (not mentioned in the engraving) has a specific state of development (e.g. ergonomics of the keywork). Some prefer the term (thre digit-) 'model number' which is a possibility, too.

Would you like to show some photos of this rare baritone? If I remember correctly, there was one '270' on ebay more than 1/2 year ago with a very rare floral engraving just as the 'Professional' presented in this thread by Soybean in#301:
http://i180.photobucket.com/albums/x...pton/sax07.jpg

Felix

[geauxsax]

I have just joined. I am trying to learn more about my sax. its serial number is either 270 or 130708 it is a Holton Elkhorn, WIS. USA. It is a silver baritone sax.
I want to know how old it might be and a little history if anyone might know any.

hhubbard,

Welcome! The model is 270 ad the serial number is 130708. We've been assembling info on these underappreciated saxes. Member LaPorte has assembled a serial number list linkable from the SOTW home page. This is a huge improvement, as other number lists for Holtons have been notably inaccurate. Please check out the "modern vintage" Holton section too, as your horn should fall within that range. Lastly--we want some pics of that big bari!

Geauxsax

[LaPorte]

A new addition to the Collegiate I list. These well made saxophones are hardly noticed, mostly regarded as Martin stencils. The body is 'Couturier' (LaPorte), no stencil!

As announced, the COLLEGIATE I list.

Soprano
201849* sp

Alto
37xxx
38015 sp
38077 relaquered, originally silverplated?
39224 sp
39250 sp

Tenor
31602 sp

Bariton
202013* sp missing neck

*stamped by Lyon&Healy