The model name 'INSPIRATION' on Couturier saxophones from January through march 1924* was already used by Lyon & Healy earlier on stencils made by King (C-melody only). It can be found on a curved soprano, made by Conn, too.
This model - made in LaPorte - was structurally not different from the Couturier saxophone 'Made by Couturier'. The photo shows the engraving on a C-melody.
The tenor saxophone was prototyped by Couturier, but not yet released.
The baritone was prototyped by Couturier, too; but it still took four years until it was released by Lyon & Healy.
There are no such things like 'the bevelled toneholes'. Thick bevelled and soldered-on toneholes were manufactured by different companies.
1. Martin Band Instrument Company in Elkhart IND (Martin-style)
2. E.A. Couturier Band Instrument Company in LaPorte IND (LaPorte-style)
3. Grand Rapids Band Instrument Company in Grand Rapids, Michigan (Grand-Rapids-style)
I remember that you mentioned this in a different thread. I have an 'INSPIRATION' alto made by the Couturier Band Instrument Company. All I've seen until now are silverplated except one curved soprano made by Conn.
I restored an Inspiration model C Melody and found it to be a very nice horn. It sounds like a Holton of the same era. My son-inlaw is now the proud owner.
Poking an old thread with new pictures. This was on auction about a month ago 5,May 19. I was hoping the new owner is a member. Would be nice to see some pictures of this cleaned up. Not many pictures around of these.
#12153. 570 numbers lower(older) than the melody C in post #1. Made in Chicago.
Couturier or Martin? The beveled tone holes look more pronounced than post #1.
Ah, the memories, the memories! My very first sax was a Lyon & Healy C-Mel exactly like this one, came with a Selmer metal piece, great for Frankie Trumbauer tribute numbers ('Wringing and Twisting' anyone?) when playing on the London pub jazz scene... nice instrument but it had to go to fund a Buffet tenor.
I see this old thread has surfaced just as I have purchased a Lyon & Healy Inspiration C-Melody SN: 11510. It's not in hand yet, but looks to be in great shape and seller says it's fully functional and playable...
Looking forward to reading about your new (old) C Mel. Pictures would be a nice treat too
This is an older thread, you may not receive a response, and could be reviving an old thread. Please consider creating a new thread.
Related Threads
?
?
?
?
?
Sax on the Web Forum
3.3M posts
75.4K members
Since 2003
A forum community dedicated to saxophone players and enthusiasts originally founded by Harri Rautiainen. Come join the discussion about collections, care, displays, models, styles, reviews, accessories, classifieds, and more!