Information on Martin Saxophones
Martin saxophones have been of medium interest to professional players over the years. The quality of the instrument, as well as its superior scroll work, has kept players mildly interested.
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History
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The Martin Company began in Chicago in 1865 by John Henry Martin, a German immigrant. The company was destroyed shortly after in the Great Chicago Fire. After moving to Elkhart, Indiana and retiring from working with other companies, he started the Martin Band Instrument Company in 1904.
Quality
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Martins are beautiful horns with average key work and big dark sounds--not really the type of horn that can stand up to commercial gig schedules, but not a bad choice for a pure jazz gig.
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Models
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The Martin company made a broad range of horns from intermediate to professional.
Manga 1956-1971
Comittee 1945-1971
Centennial 1942-1943
Hand Craft Committee II 1938-1945
Hand Craft Committee 1938-1938
Hand Craft Standard Special 1935-1938
Troubador 1930-1933
Imperial 1933-1935
Hand Craft Master "Typewriter" 1929-1930
Hand Craft (C Melody) 1905-1929
Identification
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The easiest way to identify a Martin horn is by its serial number. The website www.themartinstory.net has a chart of serial designations. Other physical characteristics to look at are the bell and key designs.
Collectible
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A Martin vintage horn is a sought-after collectible, however, it is not really used much for playing anymore. The horn itself never took off in popularity as Selmer or Conn did. Not many American players of note played Martins, which might have been one of the marketing failures on the company's slate.
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