"The Martin"
Silver
Plated Tenor Saxophone
United
States
Military model
with 'U.S.' engraving
176,xxx
s/n (built 1951), original case, offered without mouthpiece
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Beautiful gold
bell wash accentuates very good silver plate.
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One of the few examples
of silver plated saxophones built after 1930, these fine Martin tenors
were custom made for the United States Military. This one proudly served
for many years with its classic fat, smooth Martin tenor sound. The instrument
plays very well and has a good overall appearance, despite some 'battle
scars'. Plating is 90% plus and has a very good sheen, as these pictures
show. Most of the plating wear is on the touch areas. The instrument was
overhauled several years ago and played lightly since that time. Pads are
near new condition flat metal resonator type, which are a good fit for
these Martin instruments. In that overhaul, the plating was buffed instead
of hand polished, as is recommended for fine plated saxophones, so the
engraving is not as strong as it should be. Still, the engraving details
show up well and the gold bell wash is very nice.
As for those 'battle scars',
there are two messy solders performed some time ago, perhaps while the
sax was still in the military. These could be cleaned up, but applying
the heat needed to do this work is problematic considering the soldered
tone holes. Since the play is not affected the risk is probably not justified,
especially considering the very good overall appearance of the instrument.
This sax also has a a slight bend in the upper body that is noticeable
to the trained eye (you probably can't see it in these pictures), but that
does not affect playability. Straightening this bend would also be problematic,
considering the soldered tone holes, so to risk this is not warranted,
as well. There is a dent in the neck that could be straightened if the
the octave vent were removed and resoldered, again considered unwarranted
for something that is merely cosmetic. The original case is still sturdy,
but as you can imagine it shows the ravages of its service.
These flaws are presented
in such detail for the sake of honesty and full disclosure, but please
don't take the impression that this instrument is either unattractive or
that it does not function well. It is still lovely and still plays beautifully.
The tone is typical fat and rich Martin, the mechanics are excellent, and
all the soldered tone holes are intact. Overall, it is a desirable classic
'The Martin' tenor, regaled in lovely and rare silver plate.
please
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(Left)
full left view; (Center) details of upper stack; (Right) full rear view
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As a testament to how
these Martin silver tenors can really wail, the last time Delbert McClinton's
very hot blues band came to Tulsa his tenor man was blowing one ....
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(Left)
closer lower left view; (Right) lower stack details
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"Battle
Scars"
(Left) dent near octave
vent; (Center) messy solder on bell key guard post; (Right) messy solder
on top G key post
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