Top 5 Vintage Saxophones
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- čas přidán 25. 11. 2023
- #bettersax #saxophone #vintagesaxophone
Jay Metcalf visits John Leadbetter at JL Woodwinds in New York City to check out the top 5 vintage saxophones. www.jlwoodwindrepair.com/
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John Leadbetter is a great student of the saxophone. I certainly could have had this video go for another hour with him talking about and playing vintage instruments. You know that he can talk on this subject with authority for days, and by the looks of the background, he probably could be pulling out hundreds more vintage gems. I see people mentioning many more brands and models they want to see him discuss and play. Please consider having him back as a guest. This format worked well. A good balance of discussion and playing that was about the best length so we could still have that sound and information in our head while he moved on to another saxophone.
thanks, will definitely do another with John
Jay you are such a gift, always elevating the sax community. Thank you for all that you do!
Takes one to know one, Nathan. Both you guys lift up the sax community.🫶
Thank you bro I can say the same about you.
The SBA's sound the best to my ears. But what's even more mind blowing to me is John's absolutely phenomenal playing of the saxophone. Mans easily on the same level as guys like Chris Bittner, Sarah Hanahan, and Bob Reynolds and yet, he chooses to be their repairman. Here's a guy who could make it as a top notch player in NYC and he's here making his own saxophones and repairing saxophones for us. John's one of the most talented and humble musicians and people I've seen yet.
Wow! What a collection of amazing instruments! What a fantastic player!
John is a legend indeed! I have personally never found such a genuinely nice, friendly repairman. I was blown away when considering a new Ishimori alto, John answered the phone, answered all my questions, ordered, set up and even sent me videos of him playing my new instrument! Loved the experience so much I just had to purchase one of his JL Woodwind Artist Edition altos. Both of these instruments are world-class and play like a dream! This guy is the real deal. Anything....I mean, anything saxophone he is more than willing to take time to share his wealth of knowledge with you! I am so vey happy he is part of the saxophone community we all love! Kudos John for such smashing success and thank you Jay for sharing with the world this amazingly talented person!
I have a Conn 10M Tenor that was made sometime between 1942 and 1943 and it was my grandpa's which has been passed down to me and I play it in performances for Jazz Band. It plays absolutely great and it makes me happy seeing it is on this list.
I could listen to John talking about and playing vintage horns all day.
I play a 1936 Buescher Aristocrat alto and a Holton 241 tenor. Love them both.
1:20 Selmer Mark IV Alto
3:10 King Super 20, 1947 Tenor
6:00 King Super 20 Alto
7:17 Selmer Super Balanced Action, 1954 Tenor
10:14 Conn 10M, 1937 Tenor
12:22 Conn 6M 1945 Alto
15:13 Selmer Balanced Action, 1939 Tenor
18:07 Graften Acrylic, Alto
I love vintage saxophones! This list is missing Bueschers. Maybe they aren't considered among the best, but they are my favorite! 🎷💕
to be included in a future version of this video perhaps. I love Bueschers too.
I actually just bought a top hat and cane from john in october, amazing intrument
John is such a killer player. Incredible
John is a friend and a former co-worker when we both worked in the same music retail store, and just a great all around guy
I agree, missing Buescher and Martin. And Buffet, too. But it is just a top 5 guys and gals.
I play on Big B, Super 400, Olds Super (Buffet), Buffet S Dy., S-20's, and others. Had a Conn NW Artist Special. What a monster.
Guess it depends on the gig and mood. I guess I have got so use to harder ergos that the Selmers seem awkward. But, whatever you play..... if it feels comfortable to you.... just keep on playing and enjoy!
I'd love to see his collection in person. What a phenomenal player. Thanks Jay and John!
I agree. I chose a Martin Indiana tenor for having, to me, the best sound of all the vintage horns. I have a Noblet "face" alto (I started on a Vito Kenosha alto in '58). What I am plalying though is a 1942 Buffet alto, called 18-20, which actually was their address in Paris. But I am struggling with the whole idea of vintage horns -- recently bought a Yamaha 62 tenor for a more modern layout with astounding intonation. It seems to let the player make the sound he or she wants.
I don't get to play it much anymore, but I got a Conn Alto from a professor in college and I dated it to the late 1930's or so; plays amazing and sounds just as good. So fun seeing these old instruments and hearing them is magical.
Personal opinion: 20s new wonder iis and 30s M series are the best horns ever made. Everything else has been different, and maybe just as good (like the mark VI) but not better.
@@AFN2750 I think you have hit the nail on the head. It's really just personal preference. I've played the Alto version of all those saxes bar the Grafton and (like you) much prefer the Conn 6m (1930s vintage).
This is great stuff. Keep these quality videos coming!! Love the vintage stuff!!
Amazing! Superb! I have no words to compliment enough this video and the saxophones, your demonstration, choice of tunes and the unique Grafton one! Pure bliss! Thanks!
I have a Conn 10m and it sounds great!Love Him.
Awesome video in every way, thank you! I love vintage pro saxophones and this was a very nice little splash into that pool. One of the least known, and most underrated has to be the 1948-1952 CG Conn 28M "Connstellation" alto. It was a revolutionary departure for Conn from all of its predecessors with a completely different mechanism than any other vintage sax. I would love to see the Conn 28M Connstellation included in a future vintage sax video... please enlighten us on this anomaly.
Very entertaining and informative video. Excellent descriptions and demonstrations of these horns. The shop really is a mini-museum!
Good gracious….. wish I could play like that! Loved the history lesson!
Hi Jay, I currently currently own a 1961 6M (serial number: 937382). I agree with what you and John have to say about the horn. It is the best saxophone I have played regardless of type. It may not be as valuable as those pre-war models, but in my opinion, that doesn’t make it any less special. I find that my horn sounds better than the newer Selmer and Yamaha and Jupiter varieties (baritone and tenor)that I have borrowed from my school As a sophomore in high school, I couldn’t feel any luckier to have picked this up last summer. keep up the great content.
Brilliant. What a sax player and expert...humbling,
The Sci Selmer alto is a beauty, remarkable for a 70 year old instrument. Loved the sound of the Kings, that lovely sparkle, so many beautiful instruments with character and soul.
Bought a P. Mauriat tenor from him almost 2 years ago. Fantastic guy. Very patient. Worth a visit.
Your videos are always so stylish and smart. It had me at the first three seconds. 💫
I'm always excited to see a new video from you!
thank you for watching them!
Excellent video and I love all the vintage horn discussion. But what really stood out was John's playing. If I could sound like that, I'd be in heaven!
Thank you for this video of John. God bless you both and yours
Bill. Uk 🎷🎷🎷
Great video, thanks for making this!
I have a King Super 20, love it!😇👍
I love the stylish and positive vibes of your videos. I was so close to visiting NYC at one point myself. I had experience with modeling and in late 2015 I was in contact with Capcom about the facial likeness role of Leon for the Resident Evil 2 Remake. I failed to mention I also have a voice acting background, in the end I lost the part and I can't forgive myself for wasting such an opportunity. That would've been a real dream come true to visit this amazing city. All the best!
Very beautiful and amazing sounding saxes. Would love to have one.
I’m kind of obsessed with the 10M. Such a sexy, smoky sound.
I love my 1960 Buffet SDA alto. Not a popular horn, but definitely a nice playing horn with a quirky pinky table.
Also for me this Video could be a few hours longer, I feel like a pirate in a giant treasure cave! I play a Conn NW1 from 1924, first planned as a low budget solution it became my favourite tenor sax 😊
All amazing, both the history and the playing and the sound....Having listened a lot to different saxes the one that stood out was the King Super 20 tenor- sounded amazing- and more of a nuanced focused sound than the later models esp have the reputation for.
I liked his Super 20 tone, too, but much of that could be attributed to my bias for the horn I've been playing for decades.
I have Kohlert Regent tenor, also an old sax, and I love it.
Not all techs are great players. John definitely is. And a nice guy who pays attention to you when you’re in there. Oh, and a top technician.
Amazing vídeo! Greetings from Brazil! 🇧🇷
I've got Covid now and this video just made me feel better. Seriously. Thanks Jay and John. Such a fine video presentation🎷❤️
get better soon!
@@bettersax Thanks so much Jay❤️
facinating...thanks
I have a Mark VI tenor I bought in 1971. Plays great 😊
The Conn Microtuner also allowed for one more feature. It allowed you to find the optimum amount of neck cork insertion so that the instrument would play better in tune with itself... optimizing the volume of chamber (which includes the bore before the neck cork), then adjusting overall pitch from there.
I had a Vito when I was in High School. Probably considered a student model. But, I loved it. I miss it.
The old Vitos were amazing copies of the Noblet-Leblanc-Beaugnier horns. Conn had their own version for a while, the Shooting Stars. Newer Vitos are Yamaha 23s. There was a Taiwan version for a year or two.
Great video. Loving the new Better Sax reeds btw. So responsive and easy to play!
Thank you! great to hear you are digging the reeds. It would mean so much to me if you could leave a review where you purchased them.
@@bettersaxWill do! Thanks again!
My first tenor in elementary school was a 10m, post war…but I still play it to this day! I also have a 6M with rolled tone holes and the “micro” tuner. I’ve always dreamed of having a 12 m Bari, and just got one a few months back! Something about the feel and the sound of those Conn’s has really set my “tone” in how I love to play and feel a horn!
So glad to see a great list of vintage horns on this listen to them being played by a pro! Thanks for sharing!
Great video, Jay. John's shop is definitely a stop on my next NYC trip. Learned some new things about Selmer lore. A couple of underrated vintage horn are the SML Rev D and the Buffet Super Dynaction. I have three tenors: late 60's Mark VI, an East Lake SilverSonic and a Yamaha 82Z v2. Love them all for different reasons.
Ooh the SML saxes don't seem to get much CZcams love.
I am not a sax player but I absolutely loved your teachers King Super 20 Tenor. It had a sweet spot in the sound that I don’t hear with the Selmers. Of course anything you pick up sounds amazing. I could watch this kind of stuff 24/7.
Love my 6M (well, transitional - no lady face 😢) I got from John earlier this year! Great overhaul work too
Nice video , those siren sounds in the bg lol
Great selection for comparison. Thanks to you and John for doing it. I've got too many horns, most vintage, and I love them all for their differences, but I may need to go to sax collecting rehab. After listening to this, I went back to a clip of you playing with the late Joey D. and others at NAMM where you're playing the new Selmer Supreme with (I think) your Burnin' Tenor mpc. In addition to your great playing, Jay, the tone on that setup, for my ears, is about the nicest I've heard. IDK. (Darn it! Not another horn. 😁)
Got a new King Super 20 in '70, after 10 yrs. of playing. I've rebuilt the mechanics 3 times, repadded 3times, and it only seems to get better with age. Great commercial studio horn. Appreciate the vid., as a tech nearly 50 yrs., got a chance to work on many of those great horns, including one I sold to Craig Bailey.
"If you've ever tried one of these in person you'll realise how amazing he is" - awesome comment!
I'm loving these consistent uploads! Great quality videos as always! Great playing btw, hope to play like u someday!
BTW please make a bettersax bari!
His Super Balanced Action tenor is exactly like mine. I'm 61, and got it when I was 17, in 1979 , 50XXX serial number, same brown chesterfield case and mint condition.
I gotta king soprano around 1926 had it polished and padded plays great
John strikes me as a really cool guy. Such a great player! One day I’m going to have him build me a horn
Bueschers were known as the poor man's Selmer. I've had an Aristocrat Tenor for years that I wouldn't trade for any other sax.
Nice!!!!
I love my Yanagisawa alto sax A990, have a nice sound too.
Leadbetter is the Man!
This is so cool! I love the Burnin’ 7 on the alto. I play a Martin Centennial with a Meyer m5 and was thinking of going to the m6 or m7, but I might have to try the Burnin’ first.
Let me know how it works out for you if you get one.
All of them are nice horns!
Very interesting and informative.. thanks for sharing these valuable information with us. I'd also like to hear him discussing conn 26/30M, 28M, Buescher, SML revD/gold medal, Martin 😅😅
I play 20's Bueschers, alto and tenor. Love how they sound, but the action doesn't touch (no pun intended) the Selmer Mark VII tenor I played in college. I did get to play on a friend's Conn 10M once, and I've always wanted to try the King Super 20. There are some fantastic new horns being made today, but it's vintage horns for me all day any day.
The conn Chu berry were great horns.
Ah, the "what to buy a saxophonist for Christmas" series continues :)
I use a 26xxx balanced action with a modern otto link vintage Tone Edge and it is my forever setup 🥰
Hey darksoldiers, I play a 26218 how close are we from each other? :)
From Wiki: The most notable player of a Grafton saxophone was Charlie Parker. While in Toronto, Charlie Parker and "the quintet" were scheduled to perform at Massey Hall, but Parker had pawned his saxophone - some sources[who?] say to buy heroin. A sales representative for Grafton (or the owner of the company, depending on the source) asked Parker to use a Grafton for a Massey Hall gig in May 1953. Although Parker was under exclusive contract to use only one type of saxophone while gigging in the United States, outside the U.S. he was free to use any sax he wished. Parker (credited as Charlie Chan due to contract issues) can be heard playing this Grafton on the album Jazz at Massey Hall with Bud Powell, Dizzy Gillespie, Charles Mingus and Max Roach, albeit through a low fidelity recording. The Grafton saxophone that Parker used (serial number 10265) was sold at the Christie's auction house in London in September 1994 for £93,500 sterling. The buyer was the American Jazz Museum, located in Parker's home town of Kansas City, Missouri.
I adore the King Silversonics! Wish I could find one in good shape.
I have been the proud owner of a 54,6XX tenor for any yrs Nothing like it More fun than my VI not quite as strong in the core of the sound but very close
The Grafton sounded pretty good with that mpc.
With that player!
Hey! I’m an intermediate alto player and would like to start playing tenor. Do you know any good beginner tenor saxophones? Also, which tip opening mouthpiece should I get? I was planning on getting the better sax burnin 6*
I tried a Super Balanced Action at a music store near the Twin Cities in Minnesota a couple of years ago and it was amazing. For me it felt better to play the SBA than the Supreme did.
Question: when people brag about the saxophone having original pads, that’s more to do with signifying how little wear that’s been put on the horn/how well it’s been cared for?
I just assumed all leather pads world wear in time.
Buescher top hat and cane for sure. I understand why it isn't mentioned though because it's just not that common. With that being said, I stopped playing my Top hat once I went to John Leadbetter's shop and bought one of his Pino 1 horns. I used to think vintage were the best, but that Pino horn gave me hope for the future, it's so great!
Jay , I have nothing NEWER than a 1928 Bari - Made By York & Sons .......
One of my most recient aquisitions (sp) is a working 1885 Conn Alto ...Please Do feature more of the
(perhaps - extreme ) Vintage Horns ?
While they may not always be good ergonomically , I think they Sound wonderful !!
Any thoughts on "The Martin" saxes. Since I sold my Mark VIs, my alto, tenor, and bari are The Martins, and they sound good to me and meet my limited trad-jazz needs. My bass (which I play most) and soprano are mid-twenties Conns.
I love vintage horns! Have you, or would you be interested in, doing a video on some really vintage horns? 1920s Buescher True Tone or King by H.N.White or 1930s Pan Americans for example. My favorite horn in my present collection is a Buescher True Tone Curved Soprano from 1925. Hence my fascination with these antique horns.
Maybe next time we will do some of the lesser known horns
You missed the martin committee and the buescher top hat and cane..among others...for rarities how about the olds super or the holton stratodyne..or the conn 28m and 30m?
Great saxes are like great jazz singers. There are the amazing names we all know so well, but there were those few others that really held the same high standards.
As for me, I'd also put the H.Couf Superba 1 on that oh so special list of true players horns
Came across a beautiful Dolnet Bel Air from ‘57, blew my mind, huge sound! Not a Very famous horn, but at least Don Byas played one…
One of my friends, a saxophone repairman, said that mostly vintage saxophones are firewood. Bringing an antique saxophone to perfection is very expensive, and at the exit it is better to buy a Yanagisawa A-50
SML Rev D! Great blend of Conn & Selmer anesthetics
Last week I saw a top condition mk 6 alto with low A!
yes, there are some of those floating around
I love the history of the vintage Saxophones but my 2017 Reference 54 alto does everything a Mark VI does but without the mechanical wear and tear and tonal inconsistency.
I have an old Conn Saxophone I have done some research on it from the serial numbers I think it was made in either 1922 or 1923 do you know what it might be worth?
I have a 1914 Buescher (Elkhart IND) tenor saxophone. My dad played it in High School. about 15 years ago I had it cleaned and new
pads put on, intending to learn how to play. I had it appraised at a pretty good price. What do you think, should I play it or sell it?🎷😊
How about the Selmer cigar cutter altos.. Heard a lot about them never saw or heard one.
Great video! I’ve never understood why on 2024 a company cannot make an exact copy of, say, a Selmer Mark VI (since they are so sought after). I understand that a Stradivarius has a very special wood that cannot be replicated, but I’m not sure if that applies to brass. Anyone knows? Thanks
And very interesting that his sound is almost the same on all saxophones
Did you try out JL custom sax?
I have a Conn 16M
Is that the same Conn that builds (or did build) reduced-size theater organs?
Do you also have an first Adolphe (Antoine Joseph) Sax , an Conn New Wonder II, an Martin Typewriter, an Selmer Padless or an early Hohner with roled Toneholes and soldered Eyebrow-Keyguards (made by Max Keilwerth) Saxophone in playable condition? It would be nice if you could show an play these instruments too. Thank you.
John is an amazing player!
He uses a nice embellishment technique, I wonder how it's called and how it's done. When he's repeating the same note but with a different tone, like soft, sub-tonic first and then accentuated and brighter...
All the saxophones sound in great condition!
If I had the money, I'd buy his teacher's Martin
I thought it was false fingerings, like going between 'long D' and palm key D in the middle octave. Charlie Parker used that a lot.
Hello, i have Nice selmer c melody modèle 28 pre SSS, i would like to have more information, because it's strange to have one instrument not in officially catalog selmer
How do I get a hold of JL to repair my sax🤔🎶🎵🎷
Jay and John, thanks for this interesting and knowledgeable video; it proves again that it is mainly the skill of the player which makes really the difference! It seems almost "inevitable' that the Mark VI's show up again :). As a happy Mark VII tenor owner that always makes me wonder, why is the VII hardly reviewed. I know it has a certain reputation, or is it simply not yet a real vintage sax? (I also don't dare to call it vintage, as I got it brand new from my dad when I was still a teenager!)
My first tenor (bought myself in high school after working a summer job) was a MKVII and saxophone players used to tease me. Years later I had my repairman at the time replace the oversized table w a Selmer USA table. It came out great and improved the aesthetics. But I didn’t need to do that. It played and sounded great. Years later I discovered Wayne Shorter played one for a while and Clifford Jordan released the “Night of the Mark 7”. Those are great horns but the designer went overboard by making the table and other keys too big.
Inspiring to see what sound one can get out of this horn. I hope that more professionals will follow. And I as an amateur then know what is possible on this specif horn
Conn 30M?
to be honest every time I see a Grafton I think to Ornette Coleman more then Charlie Parker... Ornette used it for the first (and probbaily more influencial) part of his carrer, while Parker used it just for one (wondeful) concert and just because he didn't own any horn. But I'm an Ornette's fan.
When he said that there were only about 200 Full-Pearl Silver-Sonics built, did he mean ever, or per year? I own a 1956 Full pearl Silver-Sonic Tenor, Full pearls, Silver Bell/neck. It is my main working horn. I am the second owner, and have all the documentation from the H.N. White company.