The Bassic Sax Blog

Posts Tagged ‘Photos’

If you’ve been reading my blog for a while, you might have noticed that I have devoted a fair amount of space to a relatively uncommon vintage German saxophone manufacturer. Dörfler & Jörka was located in Nauheim, and had strong ties to the Julius Keilwerth company.

When I first happened across a De Villiers tenor in February 2009, I had no idea what I had stumbled upon. Nor did I know that this lowly De Villiers would end up becoming the catalyst in a drive for information that ultimately would see the Dörfler & Jörka company’s history being researched and recorded for the first time.

Over the last number of months I have worked with Uwe Ladwig. Uwe is a saxophonist, repair tech, historian, and writer for the German music journal Sonic: sax & brass. A few months ago he got a D&J-stencilled Impala into his shop. This was a stencil name that had been until now unknown to us.

Shortly after that sax was on his work bench, he asked if I could send him the photos of my De Villers. He had decided to write his next article for Sonic on this rather obscure German saxophone manufacturer.

After carefully researching Dörfler & Jörka’s (D&J) history, he wrote an article which was published in the September/October issue of Sonic. Uwe was kind enough to send me his research, and has given me permission to use it on my site.

Yesterday I spent the day updating the Dörfler & Jörka page on the main portion of my website.

What Uwe discovered fundamentally changes what we know about the saxophones that D&J produced, and his information is now included on my site.

Here are a few of the most salient points:

• D&J was very connected to, and interconnected with, the J. Keilwerth company.
• Like the Keilwerth company, D&J’s history is somewhat convoluted and complex.
• D&J produced their own saxophones, and never used Keilwerth body tubes.
• D&J horns are not Keilwerth stencil saxophones. For the most part, they are copies of J. Keilwerth horns.

If you are looking for information about the Dörfler & Jörka company, I suggest you take a look at the newly updated D&J page on my site. I think you might be surprised at what you read.

© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.

Have you ever considered what might happen to your carefully collected and maintained saxophones upon your death? If you’re like most people under the age of 30, it most likely hasn’t even crossed your mind.

However, once you’ve hit 30, or once you’ve experienced the loss of someone close to you, you suddenly realize that after you’re gone someone has to deal with all your stuff. Such is the case with these 2 fine vintage saxophones currently listed by a seller on eBay.

     Source: eBay.com

The Conn curved soprano on the left is described like this:

This auction is for one saxophone. Up for your consideration is a Conn LTD Soprano Saxophone. I don’t know much about musical instruments as I am selling this for a friend who’s husband passed away. He was playing this and other instruments up until two years ago. I have another saxophone listed that was also his. This saxophone looks to be in wonderful condition. Some of the pictures have reflections that may look like dents. THERE ARE NO DENTS TO BE FOUND. I believe there is a guard piece missing from a bottom valve. I have shown this in my pictures. Other than that, it’s a beautiful looking instrument. It has a great patina which we will not touch. It is silver in color. I’ve never seen a saxophone this small before. On the front of the bell it says “MADE BY CONN LTD ELKHART IND.” On the back it says “PATD. DEC. 8, 1914. 1119954 S 51073 L.” I would guess that the buyer would be doing the usual upgrades that an older piece like this may need. Even if you don’t play a sax, this would make an outstanding display. It comes with a hard case that’s in good condition for it’s age, but it does have that old smell to it.

        Source: eBay.com

The Buescher True Tone alto on the right is described like this:

This auction is for one saxophone. Up for your consideration is a 1914 Buescher Tenor or Alto Saxophone. I don’t really know much about musical instruments as I am selling this for a friend who’s husband passed away. He was playing this and other instruments up until two years ago. I have another saxophone listed that was also his. This saxophone looks to be in wonderful condition. Some of the pictures have reflections that may look like dents. THERE ARE NO DENTS TO BE FOUND. It’s a beautiful looking instrument. It has a great patina which we will not touch. It is silver in color. On the front of the bell it says “THE BUESCHER ELKHART IND.” On the back it says “1 7 2527 TRUE-TONE TRADE MARK REGISTERED LOW PITCH LICENSE PAT. DEC. 8, 1914.” I would guess that the buyer would be doing the usual upgrades that an older piece like this may need. Even if you don’t play a sax, this would make an outstanding display. It comes with a hard case that’s in good condition for it’s age, but it does have that old smell to it.

On Sep-02-10 at 09:09:07 PDT, seller added the following information:

I’ve been told by a kind ebayer that this is a very fine alto sax.

        Source: eBay.com

I personally find it sad that the widow of this sax player has to have a friend sell these 2 horns for her, since neither seems to know anything about saxophones. For example, saxophones don’t have valves. 

I guess they didn’t take them to a music store who knows something about vintage saxes for an appraisal either. Although I am curious to know how they knew that the Conn is a soprano, since it is more difficult to ID than the neck difference between an alto and a tenor.

In any event, had they taken the horns to a music store for an appraisal, they might have been told these instruments are in fact somewhat valuable even in their current state, and that a reserve auction, or an auction with a pre-set starting price might be in order. As it stands right now, vintage sax lovers have a chance to bid on a couple of classic vintage horns that currently have extremely low prices.

The auction for both of these classic vintage saxophones runs until September 11. The Conn curvy currently has 12 bids on it, and the price is $208.05. The True Tone alto has not seen as much action. Only 2 people have bid on it, with the high bid being $60.32.

So if you have a saxophone, or a saxophone collection, perhaps this will give you pause for thought. What have you done to help your loved ones with regards to disposing of your horns? And if you an extensive gear collection—things like expensive vintage mouthpieces—that’s something else to consider.

© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.

What a difference 80 or so years make. As I was trolling Flickr for some interesting photos I couldn’t help but notice the poses that bands of the 1920s struck when it came to their band photos.

Here is a quintessential band photo of the early part of the 20th century. It was taken in 1927 of the Circle Six Orchestra, of Deseronto, Ontario, Canada.

  Circle Six Orchestra

     Image by: Deseronto Archives  Source: Flickr

This is what a newspaper clipping attached to the back of this photo said about this band:

This popular orchestra is composed entirely of Deseronto boys and has been organized for the past five years. Since this photograph was taken the traps player, James McVicker, has added a set of temple blocks to his equipment. Reading from left to right the players are – Reginald Dawson, Roy Woodcock, Clayton John, James McVicker, Marshall Woodcock and Roy Kitchen (now a resident of Tweed).

Notice that the sax player—Reginald Dawson—is playing a Conn C melody with a straight neck.

Now fast forward to the present day on the West Coast, and Vancouver’s Run With The Heard strikes a very different pose. Here they do their own retro trip back in time to the 80s.

  The Heard

     Photography by: kk+  Source: Flickr

This indie band has managed to generate a buzz in the local music scene, and puts on a live show that creates a circus-like feel. They are however, quite the juxtaposition to the Circle Six Orchestra of just 8 decades ago.

It would be interesting to know what the band photos of 80 years in the future will look like. What attitude will the players display? What poses will they strike? Will base ball bats still be the accessory of choice?

© 2010, The Bassic Sax Blog. All rights reserved.