I will use this as an opportunity to begin a discussion on a fine instrument which might not equally be in the spotlight like the semi-curved soprano. Does the straight form result in a different tone quality? Maybe someone on earth is able to share this rare experience? Not I ...
And I would like to pick up on a so far unanswered question stated by Jorns Bergenson three years ago:
... but one thing that is often seen is Couturier stencils that are incorrectly attributed to Martin due to the bevelled tone holes. For instance, there's a soprano on JunkDude's site stencilled "J.H. Troup" that he calls a Martin stencil, but it is obviously not made by Martin. Is this a Couturier stencil?
Correct or not, my answer in #5 was prematuredly given as I could not provide a sufficient explanation for the serial number being in the fifty-thousand (#53669).
This was my first impression, too. In my reply to Walter Webb I Wrote: "This looks to me like a C-soprano ...". I am confident we will exactly find out the truth.
Strange. I compared it to my Martin C and it is not the same. It sure looks like a C soprano but if the serial has the B above(?) it should be a Bb. Proportions appear C but most C sopranos have a smaller low B pad than the Bb (at least Martin and Buescher). Only to high Eb but since it is an earlier horn that could be on a Bb too. Tone holes are either Courturier or Martin but I think it is a LaPorte horn. Contact the seller and find out what the length is, 25ish or 22ish.
Thank you for your considerations. This is the description of the previous owner which is still visible:
"This is a old soprano saxophone made by Coulurier La Porte Ind...that is what i am reading on the bell...I dont know anything about this sax other what is written on the bell and also it is Marked with a B and a seriel number and an L on the sax as can be seen in one of the pictures...I measured the sax from end to end and it measures approximately 25 and half inches...so i am assuming it is a soprano saxophone ..."
I tried to get some more details from the given photos
I think Walter Webb's assumption on this soprano being a Bb turns out correct. This was one of the very first sopranos made autumn 1923 in LaPorte by E.A. Couturier just before the receivership. In the following years the keywork changed more than one time.
I bought that sax. It's at the shop, but I will post again when I get it back. Any recommendations on a mouthpiece? BTW I bought it because I wanted something a bit smoother and darker than a modern horn - guess I'll find out! Pretty sure it was a bargain. Some sluggish keys, it may need a spring or two replaced - I'll find out soon. Interestingly it curves ever so slightly to the left. It is not crimped or dented in any way and all the tubes are perfectly straight Also it sits VERY comfortably in my hands and is feather light. I have high hopes! Regards I'm looking forward to learning a bit more about my sax!
Congratulations for owning and hopefully soon playing a Couturier saxophone! The mpc I use on my Couturier soprano is a no-name-red-plastic one from the thirties which came with a G.H. Hüller soprano. I admid that I haven't tried other mouthpieces yet. If I focussed on playing the soprano I would try a Jody Espina mpc first. To find the matching mpc is a personal thing, a general recommendation seems to me virtually impossible.
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