A few weeks ago I jokingly wrote a line in a post that went like this:
We’ve all seen the ads on eBay that read something like this (and usually always in capital letters because we have to be yelled at to get the point I guess): RARE, ONE OF A KIND, VINTAGE, ACME SAXOPHONE. JUST LIKE WYLIE E. COYOTE USED AGAINST THE ROADRUNNER. FELL OF THE BACK OF THE PICK UP. BUT IT’S OK NOW!!! BUY IT NOW PRICE ONLY $2500!!!!
I thought I was making something up. I had no idea that there was ever a saxophone made and marketed under the name of “Acme”. Well yesterday, after replying to a comment from a reader, I found out differently, when he sent me a link to an Acme tenor currently up for auction on eBay.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Now I’ll be the first to admit when I don’t know something. When it comes to vintage saxes, while I do know a lot, there’s quite a bit that I don’t know, and obviously Acme is something that slipped past my radar screen altogether.
After a bit of research yesterday morning, I found out that Acme was indeed a stencil made by the French saxophone maker Malerne. Through saxpics.com I found a gallery of Acme saxophone photos, which would indicate that this horn is indeed a Malerne stencil.
I have managed to find very little information about the Malerne brand of saxophones however. According to Pete, the man formerly known as Sax Pics, Malerne’s pro lines were the Buffet Dynaction and Super Dynaction. Therefore anything with the Malerne name itself, or a stencil name such as Acme, was a non-pro horn.
Coincidentally, there is also a fully restored Acme alto for sale on eBay at the moment as well.
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
Source: eBay.com
SOTW does have a section dedicated to the Malerne, but it is thin on information, and there is nothing really about Acme, except a thread from 2003 located in the misc brand section.
I can’t help it, despite now knowing that there really was an Acme saxophone, in my mind I still mostly associate the name Acme with this guy…
I guess I’m just a product of too many Saturday AMs watching the Bugs Bunny & Road Runner Show.
I played an ACME alto from 1967 to 1974 at which point my new sax teacher said to ditch it and get a Selmer Mark VI. The ACME was so hard to play; we called it The Bear. No amount of regulation would help. It was strictly for marching band. My parents bought it from a catalogue.
I have a ACME Master # 22820 not really sure what to do with it or how much it’s worth.
Well I suppose you could try and sell it.
Quite frankly with the world’s economy being in a bit of a free fall, values are going to not be going up any time soon.
Since I have no idea what condition it’s in, I can’t really tell you much you might try to ask for it. You could use this page on my site to give you some basic ideas of how to determine its value.
At this point, one option is to go to your local brick and mortar store that has a repair shop, and ask them as well. Check around and see if you can find one near you that does work on vintage saxophones. (Since I’m not sure where you live, I can’t really give you advice on any shop in particular.)
One thing I can tell you, that these horns—even if in totally pristine condition—are not particularly valuable compared to other vintage saxophones. They just don’t carry the brand recognition of say a Conn, Martin, or Keilwerth.
Since the Malerne Stencil Acme Master Alto has no Keys on the left side of the bell, is it considered ‘A Naked Lady’? I have one with serial number 18505 that I will probably be putting on ebay soon. Where should I start the bidding? ( Sax only, no strap, mouth piece, and probably no case)
Hi David.
I’m not sure where you’re getting the “Naked Lady” idea from, but an Acme Master has nothing to do with a Naked Lady.
The Naked Lady is a nick named for a saxophone made by the American company Conn that had a particular type of engraving. They were the Artist Series, and are among Conn’s most popular vintage saxophone.
The Acme Master was made by a French company, Malerne. As far as what you might be able to sell it for, that really depends on condition. I’d suggest you check out this page on my website to get an idea on how to determine the value of your horn.
Update: The Acme saxophone sold for $100.00 on Oct. 5, 2008.
I’ve stolen your Wiley graphic both at work and at home. I guess that makes me a double offender!